Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-17
The Evening Star Newspaper Company
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Hoover.

whatever else may come In the course
Of this great war in which America is
now enlisted the people of this country
VIII always feel profoundly grateful for
the fact that they were able through
their means and through the agency of
their fellow countrymen to relieve the
sufferings of the Belgian people when
the Germans had swarmed over their
country and held them virtually as pris-
oners Of war. It was months after this
work was started before the country be-
came aware Of the fact that remark
able genius for organization had been
developed by the emergency. The name
of Herbert G. Hoover gradually became
known here. Mr.. Hoover, American
born and American educated, had spent
the greater part Of his life in foreign
fields in pursuit Of his profession and
had made his headquarters in London
in recent years. 1t was happy chance
that led to his selection as the head Of
the American Belgian relief commission,
for in that capacity he demonstrated an
executive ability that overcame the most
stubborn obstacles and afforded relief
to the Belgian multitude. Of that rec
ord of achievement scored by Mr..
Hoover and his associates in Belgium
America is proud today, and it was with
general satisfaction, when war was de-
clared by the United States, that the
country received the announcement that
the President had asked Mr.. Hoover to
take charge Of the vitality important
work Of food conservation.
In the exigency Of war it became nee
essary to start this food conservation
work in advance of the actual legisla-
ton. Had the President waited on Con-
gress for enactments at the very season
Of planting and through the season of
harvesting the country would have suf-
fered irretrievably. With tremendous
energy Mr.. Hoover has applied himself
to the task Of organizing his work, and
he has aroused the country to keen
appreciation Of the need of care and
economy in food handling as means of
winning the war.
Yesterday in the Senate Mr.. Hoover
was assailed as food gambler, specu-
lator, a manipulation Of markets. The
only basis for this astounding charge is
the assertion that while head of the Bel
gian relief commission he sought to af-
feet the prices of foodstuffs in order to
obtain for Belgian relief the utmost
possible for the money at his disposal.
In other words, he sought to bring down
the price-though his critic, by an amaz-
ing twist Of imagination, says he sent
it up-so that he could get the maximum
Of food for the starving Belgians for
each million of American money placed
in his hands.
If that is the sole offense that can be
alleged against the man whom the Presi-
dent has selected for this great work,
and who is giving his energies unstint-
eddy and unselfshly, it stands as com
pdiment and tribute rather than blot
upon his record. It is the idlest of criti-
cisms, and establishment must prevail
that it should be uttered in the high
place where the legislation necessary to
save this country from great suffering
and perhaps to make it successful in the
war is now under protracted debate. If
Mr.. Hoover gambled in the food markets
to get the lowest prices possible for the
Belgian people he did that for which he
should be praised and not condemned.
If he accomplished his purpose he proved
that he possessed an ability that at this
time will be of value to the people of
America