SILENT CAL COOLIDGE

One story goes that a lady at a party came up to Coolidge and said that she had just bet a friend that she could get Coolidge to say more than two words. Coolidge simply replied, "You lose." When Coolidge stunned the nation by announcing he would not run for re-election, he said nothing. At a press conference, he merely handed out slips of paper with the words "I do not choose to run for president in 1928" printed on them. He left the room without saying a word.

Coolidge once attended a picture session with visiting Indian chiefs without saying a word to anyone. He came out of the White House, put on an Indian headdress, had his picture taken, and walked back into the White House. No one considered this rude; it was just the way Coolidge was. When Coolidge died, a nationally known reporter quipped, "How can they tell?"

But Coolidge was also a lot of fun. His wife was just the opposite, outgoing, charming and vivacious. Everyone wondered how he had won such a beautiful, fun-loving woman. She once explained that he had a great sense of humor, but no one believed her.

Coolidge was actually a practical joker. He would often hide behind some curtains after pushing every call button on his desk, and watch secretaries, maids, ushers and security men go rushing around the White House. He and his wife spoke in sign language when they didn't want anyone to know what they were saying. They would be sitting quietly in the White House and Grace Coolidge would suddenly break out in laughter. Those around them were surprised, to say the least.

Coolidge did not do much during his term as president. But as Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "That is exactly what we wanted him to do." During the Roaring 20's, he was known as a frugal, silent man of action. A far cry from the politicians of today.

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