New-York tribune., 1920-02-17
Hoover Denies
He Ever Sought
ToBe a Briton
Pleads Guilty to Renting
Residence Abroad, as
He Objected to Hotel Life
for His Growing Family
Brands igFortune' Myth
Gets in Way of Politically
Minded Folk, He Says, De-
spite Efforts to Keep Out

Herbert Hoover, doomed in some
quarters as n Presidential possibility
has written to Caspar w. Hodgson, Of
Yonkers, head Of the World Book Com
rAny, in reply to letters and kilograms
which Mr.. Hodgson sent him in the
last few weeks. Mr.. Hodgson is an
old college associate Of the former
Food Administrator. Mr.. Hoover's let
ter, dealing in light vein with
stories concerning his activities that
have gained credence recently, follows:
"Mr. Caspar w. Hodgson,
Yonkers-o on Hudson, New York.
Dear Hodgson: I have noted your
feeling that | should answer some of
the solemn discourses on my private
life and crimes. do seem to get into
the way of politically y-minded folks
even when trying to keep out of poll
tics.
Surveys His Financial Affairs
"Some things that have been said
Of me cause me sense Of financa
oversight. For instance. I have made
quite careful inquiries and I regret
tEat so far cannot find:
"(a) The $1O,OO0,000 I am said to
have made in my early youth, or even
middle age, or altogether, or any re-
spectacle part Of it.
"(b) The investments that I am
supposed to have in Great Britain.
Like the negro porter who was
asked to- change So. I am grateful
for the compliment. am sorry that
lat ~
would be useful for children's relief.
Il have also given deep considera-
tion to the other items mentioned:
"(a) Am | British subject? Did
ever apply for such citizenship? No.
Many generations of prosecuted
Quaker ancestors woud rise in their
graves at such discovery. They
should remain quite, however, for no
Californian could live three months in
London climate and become British
citizen If he knew it, One thing that
treasures me that this did not happen
without my knowledge is that the
into their island during the war with
out an American passport. Also,
feel that my accent was disinfected
of any English. French, Chinese,
Russian or other taints, by my pres
ence in the United States a portion of
every calendar year of my lfe--ex-
cept three-even including the five In
which the United States has exercised
its right to draft my services, good
portion abroad.
"(b) Did l ever rent residence
abroad? | plead guilty Of this crime,
but in mitigation | do appeal to the
feelings Of fathers who object to
hotel life for babies and children.
Not Invited to political" Lunch
"(c) What about the political lunch
where l was supposed to have entered
upon dreadful conspiracy against
the veal of the American people? My
real distress in this matter is not to
prove an albi or even to complain that
my name was not even mentioned, as
the guests assert, but it is that I was
not even invited and therefore lost an
excellent lunch.
"(d) I plead guilty to the criminal
charge of pursuing my engineering
profession in foreign parts again and
again. have a fervent hope. how
ever, that this new doctrine Of
from extending American professions
and business anywhere in the world.
They always bring something home,
and pay taxes on it.
"(e) I gather also that it is moral
turpitude on my part to have managed
large enterprises. The hope to rise
from the ranks of labor to the ranks
of management will, however, probably
not be crushed from the hearts of the
American boy even by this onslaught.
BEAUTIFULLY yours,
"HERBERT HOOVER.
Washington, February 12, 1920"