The Washington herald., 1921-01-07
No man can climb beyond the limitations
of his own character.-Morley
Victim of a Bad Habit.

We voted away $I5o,oooooo, we put it into
the hands OF one man, we told him to expend
1t in Europe for the benefit of starving people,
and we sit quiescent while with unblushing
ehrontery the same gentleman in substance
tells US that he expended-I have not the exact
figures, but think something like $4o,oooooo-
OF that money for the support of Poland and
the Polish army while engaged in a war we
never authorized, with a nation with which we
were in condition OF profound peace, as far as
the action OF Congress was concerned, and
Congress is the only body authorized to declare
war The statement of Mr. Hoover
in substance that it was necessary to ex-
pend the money to sustain Poland to keep the
Polish army, which in the field, supplied
From Congressional Record report of speech by
Senator Reed
q ENATOR Reed is entirely within his rights in
criticising censurng Mr.. Hoover, or any
- other public official, in the Senate or else
where. Moreover, if he has the facts to show ad-
minstrative malfeasance misfeasance this is his
obligation as a Senator.
Mr. Reed, in his habit OF criticism and censure,
has made a speciality of Mr. Hoover. This is
natural as the two opposites in their life pur
poses, their views public matters their opinions
of civic and official obligation their moral and
mental attitude to human feeling and fellowship
There is an inevitable sense OF hostility the
part OF man like Mr.. Reed toward man like Mr.
Hoover. No one can seriously object to its ex-
preston, that the Senate OF the United States
is not its proper forum.
Speaking there, as a Senator Mr. Reed should
be extra punctious to his facts, since his per-
sona1 attitude is we'll known. He should not for his
own sake go off half-cock" and make wildly mac
curate statements, without much of substance
as to form an honest basis for a
But never once in such attacks, which have
been many, has Mr.. Reed had the facts to warrant
them. He had less than usual Tuesday as
was promptly proved by Col William R. Grove
who had personal charge of the distribution in
Poland OF all the foods and funds for which Mr.
Hoover responsible. In fact he did not pre-
tend to have any facts, but merely hearsay.
Personally, Mr.. Hoover probably cares little
for this attack, any other from the same
He has to regard them other than the
result of defective plumbing"
But it happens that Mr.. Hoover is still at the
head of European relief work, which has taken
most Of his time since the close of the war. He is
still expending for the American people millions Of
dollars not paid as taxes, but by voluntary conribu-
tons
He IS now appealing to his countrymen and
women for $33oooooo to save the lives of 3,5ooooo
children OF Europe. For the use of this great fund
he is popularity held solely responsible.
He has pledged the donors that every dollar
every penny shall go for food, shoes and stockings
for these children without penny of overhead cost
of any kind
Mr.. Reed, in his anxiety to discredit Mr.. Hoo
yer, probably overlooked the effect this might have
upon some who have or will contribute to this fund
of whom the Senator is doubtless one.
Certainly the last thing he could wish, or in
tend would be to jeopardize make harder the
saving of the starving children of the most deplor-
able regions of Europe, under conditions for which
they are in way responsible. He surely would
save this child life to future world industry and
win for America the enduring gratitude and friend
ship of their generation.
We give MI Reed credit for wholehearted
sympathy with this movement. Love Of children
and child life is the saving grace Of many men, and
the line at which they halt personal resentment and
diskes. Doubtless Mr.. Reed has committed his
contribution this fund into the hands of Mr
Hoover with mental doubt to its saving use.
We believe when he realizes this aspect of his
latest ebultion OF feeling, he will take the first op-
portunity to do as he promised IF l am mistaken,
l will retract everything have said and do it as
publicly l have made the statement"
To avoid such retractions in the future, it might
be well for him to get his facts first Then he will
not need to retract and he will the double time
of the Senate
The newest blackjack is piece of rubber