The Washington times., 1928-06-15

placed IN TIC SdIuS SUluACA-O L~4OA tAAtS
class with John Hays Hammond,
Cen. Lee Christmas or Richard
Harding Davis but as a globe-trot-
ter. and adventure seeker there are
few others who can equal his rec
ord, and certainly none that pros
pered any more at the game.
Master engineer, gIobe.trotter,
humanitarian, fighter, super-organ-
Ter. business genius. outstanding
economist. Cabinet officer, presi-
Dental candidate-these are but a
few of the roles this truly remark.
able jack-of- alI.trades played in the
course of a lifetime crammed full
Of action. thrill and high endeavor.
He Was Orphan
Left parentless at the age of
seven Hoover pulled himself TO q
place OF international prominence
nv his own hootstraps. He was but
thirteen when he ran away from
the home OF his grandfather lin
reality no relation at all--and set
out to make his own way in the
world.
That he learned how to make his
way may best be proved by the
fact that before he was 80 he had
annassed considerable wealth only
to see it wiped out by the defalca-
ton OF a specializing partner, that
In five years from that time he had
voluntarily repaid the losses sus-
tained in his company, although not
legally responsible, and had started
on the way to his second fortune.
Business Ability
Perhaps the greatest demonstra-
ton of his superIative business
ability-at least so far as the whole
world is concerned-was the organi-
zation OF the commission for relief
in Belgium.
In five years between 1914 and
1919, this organization developed
into a great economic engine with
many of the characteristics OF q
government, supreme unto itself,
and recognized and respected by all
of the World War beIIigerents.
IT spent nearly $500, 900, 900,
most of which was raised in the
same way any government would
finance itself; it operated fleet OF
200 ships, together with canal boats,
railways and warehouses; issued its
own passports; controlled food dis
tributors; placed every person in
Belgium on q rigorous food ration;
supported schools; found employ
ment in neutral channels for non.
combatants, and furnished clothes
and shelter as side-line.
Small Overhead
The overhead expenses of this
stupendous mushroom organization
lac, Ff nm ma
cent, and its final statements were
certified by the firm Of interna-
tionaI accountants which handled
its finances.
When Germany began to feel the
pressure OF the allied blockade. she
sent her officials to Belgium to
study the Hoover methods OF feed
ing q stricken people, they were
not alone, for the allied govern.
ments, suffering also from the de-
structive sea warfare. sent their
agents to determine how this re-
markable American operated under
conditions that were almost inn
possible.
Returns To u. s.
In 1917, Hoover returned to the
United States to apply the same
food conservation fundamentals to
the American Nation that it might
better prosecute its own end of the
war. As National Food Admins
traitor under woodrow Wilson. he
appealed to the national spirit of
voluntary service, esta blishing meat
less and sugarless days in each
week.
While he was teaching prcdigal
stuffs, he found time to organize
q $500, 900, 900 II. S. Grain Corpora
ton to purchase foodstuffs and re-
sell them to the Allies. and S.
100000 Sugar Equalization Board
TO purchase the entire Cuban sugar
crop and resell it to the Allies
without speculation.
Returns TO Europe
And after the war, at the solicit
tation Of President Wilson. Hoover
rsturned to Europe to aid in re-
facilitating the war-wrecked ma
tons. He revived his food distrio
button in Poland. Serbia. Czecho-
eiovakia, Germany, Austria. Ru-
mania, the Baltic States and Bel
GUM.
Giving particular attention to the
little ones, he fed $500 900 chill
dren. Some 100000 more were
housed in asyIurns, homes and
canteens and provided with food
and medical treatment. He waged
winning campaigns against the cpl.
denies of typhus, typhoid. small
pox, cholera and malsrisi fever
which spread over Russia and the
Battles.
Work During War
If was this extraordinary war
, work that first put him forward as
.. Presidential candidate. This was
in 1920. Many Republicans az welt
as Democrats supported him for
the Presidency--in fact he carried
the Michigan primary as a Demo
crat!
Hoover wasn't sure himself what
his politics were, Republican or
Democratic. He had spent long
years away from the United States.
without political utilization.
He was inclined to lean toward
the Democrats because he was, in
effect, part OF the Wilson admins.
tration as food administrators. bur
his own background and inherent
inclinations were Republican. He
finally killed his own chances and
took himself out OF consideration in
1870. although, at that, he received
votes in the Chicago convention.
When Warren G. Harding was
elected he determined to put Hoover
in his Cabinet, and did so, although
there was some gruIrbliug on the
part Of the politicians.
Made Commerce Head
Hoover was mada Eacrafar,z ~