New-York tribune., 1918-01-27
Hoover-the Man and the Moral

When Colonel Lewis started the demand
for he-men in the government at Washing
ton he might have gone on and given q
striking illustration of the sort of man
and the sort of work that he meant. He
could have pointed to Mr.. Hoover as a real
man permitted to fill real job.
1t can be Of great value just now to
stress the circumstances of Mr.. Hoover's
appointment. In taking him as his Food
Administrator the President selected the
man in the country with the clearest quail
ifications for the job. Mr.. Hoover had been
an executive of proved ability and he knew
food. He had had vast and unique cX-
perience in exactly the sort Of community
food problem that this country faced upon
entering the war. He had constructed
under immense difficulties an organization
that fed Belgium in a fashion to earn the
admiration of all Europe.
What did Mr.. Hoover do when he took
office? He proceeded to get about him a
group of practical food men, each Of whom
knew his field through long experience
He took a man who knew canning, a man
who knew sugar, a man who knew pack
ing, a man who knew cereals-not from
theory or a hasty survey an an "eXpert," ="
but from years of hard business work.
The consequence is that Mr.. Hoover has
to-day built up about him an organization
that both knows and acts. Mr.. Hoover
does not have to go outside his organiza
ton when he wants facts. He does not
have to wabble between reports of investi-
of desperation as a last resort. The Food
Administrator is the head of sclf-inform-
ing, self-starting body.
The results of Mr.. Wilson'S selection of
an able, practical executive and giving
him full swing are apparent. Mr.. Hoover
has attacked what is for psychological rea-
sons one Of the most difficult problems
which the countries at war face, and he has
made steady, consistent progress. We give
full credit to the American people for tAeir
spirit Of cooperation. Not even the superb
spirit in which the draft was taken has
been more extraordinary than the calm
good-humored fashion in which the country
has voluntarily accepted deprivations in
war still afar.
But that spirit has had every support
in fair, sensible official action. Mr.. Hoover
has gradually educated US to our needs
and duties. If now a more stringent re-
striction becomes necessary, if regulations
and allowances are demanded, the country
will be glad to follow Mr.. Hoover, a leader
whom it trusts. When Mr. Hoover took
ofilce he was credited with the observation
that he did not expect to last six months
that by that time he expected to be the
most unpopular man in America Never
theless, he felt it his duty to accent the
aost, and accepting it he felt it his duty to
smash ahead regardless Of popular com.
tort or clamor. Evidently, he underesti-
mated the liking of the American people
for courage and candor. Mr.. Hoover has
retained his office and his popularity while
'ong the most unpopular job on the whole
var list. The fact speaks volumes both for
Mr.. Hoover and for the country.
Mr.. Hoover is more than a good execu-
i've, shining success in Mr.. Wilson's adj
He is an important obiec.
esson, and his whole story bears moral
ii how even in wan time an overwhelming
ask can be handled with efficiency and
success by an overwhelmed President.
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