Putnam patriot., 1917-02-23
Mrs. Herbert (. Hoover in PSmfret
Gives Informal Talk on the Administra-
 ton of Relief Work in Belgian

Mrs. Herbert c. Hoover, who has been spending the past week In Pom- fret at the home of Mss Eiinor MasA- ewson, was rendered an informal re- ception on Wednesday afternoon - the studio Of Beatrice Stevens. MAny residents of both Putnam and Pomfret availed themselves of this opportunity to pay their respects to the wife of the great American who has SO ably ad- ministered the nfiairs of the Relisf Commis sion in Belgium.
 Mr. Hoover made his recent ittr = this country in a renewed effort to pue America's share sof this ssupendous work on a better basis, only bs find ds- cisive action here interrupted by Bs- cent developments. Meantime, Mrs. Hoover, with their son Allen, is enjoy- ing brief interval Of winter sports n northern Connecticut.
 Though Mrs. Hoover makes no otiiei- al addresses and witholds herself from propaganda work, she was induced ts speak informally on some phases of the commissions activity and gave . graphic survey Of the enterprise ef feeding Belgium. The system by which daily food is apportioned so the 3,6O0, 900 Belgians who have no money and the other 3,500, 900, who, though less unfortunate, must, like the Othesss IAA an hrA purchases, Is a machine of vast Inter- est. The fact that 1t is operated mt . cost of less than five eights Of per cent of its esources stamps the execu- tive genius of the man who created 10. The fact that ho adult, adolescent, or infant in Belgium can miss his ration for more than day without being in- vestigatcd, and conversely, that no in- dividuaI can, If he would, eat aDother,s food; the fact that this rstion Is scien- tificslly fit for the person for whom t is intended-neither adults nor infants being permitted to escape the calories requisite to their welfare; that . medi s cal oversight Into the physical web being Of every pensioner Is maintaineds such facts prove that the administers. tion of commission for relief In Belgi- um as incredibly efficient. Not penny of the contribution to this work can by any possibility be wasted.
 Every phase of food distribution ia Belgium was touched upon by Mrs. Hoover, an eye witness and . workeQ touched upon, too, with . normM cheerful optimism that speaks volumes for the spirit in which the work is done. For example Mrs. Hoover re- fused to take gloomy view of the pa- thos of all Belgium formed In bread and soup line; but, on the contrary, dweIt on the great good fortune of hAv- ing a bread and soup line to join, . fact due to the prompt generosity of many nations.
 A remarkable feature of Mrs. Hoov. er's tais was its convincing neutrality. The commission Is on ssSs SSsOund % feed Belgium, and 1t feeds Belgium. It undertakes 10 concern itself nOt at All with war problems, 1t advances no theories, indulges in no elOquence; it quietly, persistentiy, practically, and scientifically feeds Belgium.
 A very great deal of money has flowed into Belgium, tan astonishing. ly small proportion from the United States); lest anyone may think that the nations may now relax thefs offerts, it Is well to remember that tho commission is always from $f,OOO,OOe to &5.O0OW0 behind in the Gane 0t feeding Belgium.
 On me osues nsnd, therc Ia, et this time, no suffering from hunEsr tn Belgium and 70 long e the commis. sion's affairs continue % oe ndmlnn- tered as in the past there wilt bs none. Cartoons cf emaciased mothess carry. ing children dytng of .stafvafion may and should agonize us and sf!mulsss us to action: but 70 Iong ns wo hold up line hands Of the comEnissions we may know that such < condition cannot exist. Seven million Belxiane are de- pendept upon the commission Tor their lives: not one of the least of theae wtll suffer. so tong as the commlsslon 5. sa is In it's present efficiency.