Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-21
THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE
RIGHT JOB

DREs1DENT WILSON'S definition Of
L the powers the food administrators
ought TO have Is so convincing and MS
COURAGEOUS naming OF Herbert Hoover
for the post before the new regime is
formally provided for by legislation, Is 30
popular and so clearly sanctioned by ex'
pert opinion, that there can be little doubt
that Congress will assent to this wisely
conceived program. But mere assent VIII
not be enough. The spirit Of self'eface'
ment with which Mr.. Hoover saved the
life OF Belgium and with which he con-
sents TO undertake this new enormous
task is such as to deserve the sympa'
thetic cooperation Of legislators and Of
oil other citizens.
In the present tragic crisis in the world
war our success in continuing to Feed
the Allies as well as ourselves will mean
the saving Of thousands Of American
lives. Unfounded criticism Of Mr.
Hoovers motives, spiteful or jealous op.
posItion intended 10 embarrass the Admin.
istration, would be All objectionable flip
pancy. Failure to conserve and frugalIy
distribute our food-even n measure OF
failure-would mean the prolongation OF
the war and frightful and unnecessary
outpouring Of our blood on foreign battle.
fields. Success must be complete.
1t is an extraordinary emergency that
can only be met by an extraordinary
man. Mr.. Hoover has virtually made the
position which he declares he will accept
only with the understanding that he
is to receive no pay. He has created his
own role by proving to all the world that
to be food dictator" is the last ambi-
ton he could cherish. The country would
accept this form Of discipline only from
the hands OF a man in whom 1t had the
utmost confidence. 1t is therefore natural
and logical for Mr.. Wilson TO name in
the same breath the man and the position,
for one without the other is well.ngh
impossible.
The British Government recognized
Mr.. Hoover's ability, insisting tat he
continue to administer the feedins of Bel
gium and adding the extreme statement
that If this work were left to other hands
recognized his skill: when it adopted food
control the Berlin Government studied
all and adopted some of Mr.. Hoover's
methods in Belgium and northeastern
France. His work in that stricken terri
tory was conducted under almost intoler.
able conditions. Yet his tact, patience
and efficiency were OF such an order as
a. Nlo 30
Indifferent or hostile to his efforts. as well
as the fervent praise OF France and Eng.
land. We cannot believe that the thought.
less comment at the Capitol last Wednes.
day, when n Senator asked, "Who is
Hoover" and complained of his recent
obscurity," is about to be repeated. No
one, of course, has any experience in a
position which has never existed. No
one, Of all the food administrators and
dictators in Europe today, has performed
this kind OF work with so much success
as Mr.. Hoover.
The large powers that Mr.. Wilson has
asked are, OF course, not TO be used in
respect to the great majority of pro-
ducers, distributors and consumers. Mr..
Hoover makes it plain that he is assured
beforehand Of their cooperation. It is
only tiny groups of spectators, and
wastrels, whose selfish conduct has
already scandalized the nation and
with whom no one has any sympathy,
that need be coerced. They are small in
number, but their misunderstanding ability
is great. Mr.. Hoover plans to assure the
producer legitimate profit and TO save the
consumer from being gouged. No one but
born gamblers can seriously oppose the
new regime.