Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-07
THE LIBRARY TABLE
BY The Bookiouer

attention will from now till election
time be given to their speeches and
their movements as recorded in the
newspapers, many readers also will look
up the biographies of Herbert Hoover
and Alfred E. Smith. already published
in books, as we'll as their published
writings. There are already five books
entirely devoted to Secretary Hoover,
three of them recently published and
two issued in 1920. Three books by him
have been published. the most recent In
1922 Gov. Smith has been the subject
of four books, one published in 1924,
two in 1927 and one recently issued. A
volume of his speeches has also been
published this year. It Is not unlikely
That before the political campaign Is
over other books about CT by one or
both candidates will appear.
Herbert Hoover. Reminiscent Biog-
raphy," Is by Will Irwin. who was a
fellow student with Mr.. Hoover at Lee
land Stanford University. The book is
In the nature of tribute 70 one whom
the author has evidently worshiped from
the days when he was our most emil
nent senior" 1t is not orly a devoted
personal study of Hoover the man, CIV
ing fine presentation OF his human
side. but 1t is also a graphic description
of the stupendous tasks he carried on
during the war and Of the extraordinary
power, devotion and unselhshneSs that
he brought to them. The likeness which
emerges is of a great public servant,
peculiarly fitted to handle the problems
Of the present day.
X
William Hards Who's Hoover?" is,
according to its preface, devoted less to
Mr. Hoover's achievements than to his
characteristics. less to his conquestts
than to his qualities. less to his glory
than to his nature. In particular 1t Is
dedicated to that part OF his nature
which in association with his long and
wide experience of men and affairs may
be thought to fit him---or unfit him-for
public life. Has he the political
pianst's touch?" Mr.. Hards chapter
headings are signifcant: Quaker
Youth" World Business Man" Amer
lean Negotiator." American Admins
traitor" and Political Philosopher.
Samuel Crowther's book, THE PreSi-
dency VS. Hoover" is thrown into the
form of brief The first half of the
book is an analysis of the case for the
presidency, its powers and responsible
ties and the Importance OF having the
best available man for tie job. The
second half gives the case for Hoover
as the best man for the presidential job.
The two other lives of Mr. Hoover
were published not long after he re-
turned from his European relief work.
Herbert Hoover, the Man and His
Work" Is by DR.. Vernon Kellogg. who
was professor at Stanford University
while Mr. Hoover was an undergraduate
and who served with him in relief work
in Belgium and Poland and also when
he was food administrator. DR.. KEEL
logg's book Is an absorbing study OF
dynamic as we'll as very human and
attractive personality. Mrs. Rose Will
der Lanes The Making of Herbert
Hoover" Is likewise juSt-after-t he-war
biography. Her theme is that Herbert
Hoover represents America, and that
his is the spirit of five generations of
American pioneers. It is written with
the interest in really delightful settings
and small circumstances of life such as
a novelist employs to characterize
hero 1t is a book to appeal to boys
and girls.
Mr.. Hoover's own books include
Principles of Mining, Valuation, Or
ganization and Administration, pub
lislled In 1909; American Individual
ISM. issued In 1922, and a translation
from the Latin by himself and Mrs.
Hoover of Agricola's de Re Metallica."
published in 1912. This shows the man
of scholarship as we'll as the man OF
affairs.
Turning to Gov. Smith, probably the
best biography of him is Henry F.
Pringle's Alfred E. Smith. a Critical
Study" The authors purpose was not
to write campaign document, but
really critical study of the political per-
sonality of Gov. Smith and his notable
record of legislation at Albany. Mr..
Pringlc is an admirer of his subject, but
as an impartial critic analyses his
shortcomings as we'll as points out his
fine qualities. Claude G. Bowers, the
keynote orator at Houston in reviewing
this book on its publication said of It:
mo one can read this volume without
feeling strongly attracted to the mag
netic idol of New York. and yet the
author--sometimes unintentionally. we
think-dwells overmuch on the traits
and habits that are faults not virtues"
up From the City Streets; Alfred E.
porary Politics." is by Norman Hapgood
and Henry Moskowitz These two
friends and admirers have given strik-
ing picture of Gov. Smiths background,
Of the ward politics in which he was
schooled for his career as legislator and
executive at Albany, and the effective
use he has made Of the machine organi-
cation for developing higher type of
legislation. Most of the book is devoted
to his achievements In Office, but the
human qualities of the man are also
accented An earlier book by Henry
Moskowitz is ALFRED e. Smith. an
American Career" published in 1924
Mention should also be made of The
Portrait Of Man as Governor" by DR.
Thomas H. Dickinson This is a slight
seen by r~he Booklover II is described
as IAN essay at the Interpretation of the
character of Gov. Smith through the
study OF his public mind" But the
published reviews of 1t also describe the
authors analysis of Gov. Smith as too
subtle and too deep" and the book as
"a mass of heavy. didsctic rhetoric"
y y
DR.. Moskowit2, who had already
written one biography and Joined in
writing another of Gov. Smith, has re-
Gently edited and published Progress
sive Democracy: Addresses and State
Papers of Alfred E, Saith" The selec-
ton of addresses and papers included
cover the whole range of Gov, Smiths
views ON public questions. The main
subdivisions are entitled Progressive
Democracy Explained. Government as
a Business" The Social Aspects Of
Government, Protecting Liberties" and
Conserving Natural Resources" The
editor has contributed an explanatory
introduction to the volume and gives
prefaces to speeches as an aid in the
comprehension of them.
Y y
Rev Edmund A. Walsh S. j. regent |
OF the school of foreign service of |
Georgetown University and vice presi- |
dent of the university, is the author of |