The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1917-06-01

let some of our recent past history be
rubbed in at a tender spot. In fact
the Saturday Evening Post took 1t for
granted we should enjoy the truth
when it published an article on
Hoover of Belgium" in the issue of
May 26.
The facts about Herbert c. Hoov-
er's relief work in Belgium make 1t
clear that in Europe we were con-
sidered by both friend and foe alike
to be a contemplate nation Of money
loving tradesmen and idlers.
A few months ago we used to feel
quite virtuous whenever Belgium was
mentioned. We could not see that
we had a right to challenge the Ger
mans for what they did there; and
afterwards, when the dirty wor was
done, look what we did to relieve the
~suffering there! We sent e mil
lions in money and food; for some
time the ladies' aids used to sew
and make clothing for the suffering
little tots of poor Belgium. We did
mot know how much we sent over
freely in the spirit of goodness and
charity. We did not know that all
told it amounted to just four per cent
of the total cost of relief Wor lone
in Belgium, Only a few of us knew
that our 100000 of charity con
ltrasted meanly, in the eyes OF the
world, with our $3O,0O0,0 900 Of prof
Its from selling supplies to the BEL
gian relief commission.
But Herbert c.. Hoover knew. FOR
he headed the commission, and ne
had to face the sneers or even Ger
mans when he tried to maintain that
America stood behind the work, gun
stock and money barrel. They would
Int believe it France and England
kept still and put up more money,
hut at least one German expressed
himself plainly when he granted a re-
lnuest of Hooyer's with these words:
"Mr. Hoover, I will grant your re-
ouest-not on account of your coun-
trv. but on account of you and your
friends, a small group of eccentric
gentlemen who happen to be OF Am
erican birth. You have worked mli,
acles here in Belgium and n Worlo
will not forget you. But don't spear
to me of America; for it is not pc
hind you. Your country cares 1ol
nothing on earth but money, wal
profits-only that!'
Hoover was in some ways more "
an asset to his country over theIt
Than his country was to him. III
made such a name for himself II
building up the great and eftlclen,
reliaf commission in Belgium ina
the combatant nations finally came u
him for advice on their home DOC
nroblems, But he came back TO Am
erica to take charge of our 1000 slt
!, nation, which is possibly more import
!, ant to the allies now than their o"n ~
) The story of Hoover Is man ~
} self, He is forty-two years olo' Oh.
one of the worlds king-p1ns OF prom
J nence. He began life as a poor ~
| t1e how in America. What education
, he obtained he earned. He entered
/ college with a few hundred dollar'
and nv working hard always nat
, enough O. to lend to other boy
= whose allowances went short. AS al
an inc he made several big sue
casses in America and then turne'
= IN the world for a field. He hand!e'
: a big mining project in Australla
. he worked for the Chinese govern
) ment somewhere in China; ne man
, aged a mining province OF Russl
mat itself was larger than Belgium
, And everywhere he made good. Fl
3 nally he became an nternatlonaily az
, cepted engineering expert Will 1uA
: ~urious quarters in London. ne wa
r there when the war broke OUT an'
: came to the aid of the British pans
. in their struggle to furnish America
) money to some 1000 of u citizen
{ who wanted to come home. Mex n
was asked to take charge OF the BEL
, gian relief commission, which wa
!, then nothing but an idea. he TOOL