Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-11-07
DEVOTION TO DUTY
NODDED HIS LIFE
Celebrates Reward Seen as
Federation of Americas
Equality of Opportunity.
BY REX COLLIER.

Vi VI IdNOI, DuC Vi uCFOClOAl W NuIy GIN
to ones fellow man. qualities which, ir
in the son of village blacksmith and
a Quaker woman preacher.
Half a century ago the muScled arm
of Jesse Hoover rose and fell method
ically and powerfully in pursuance OF
his humble vocation as molder of iron
and steel in a little shop at West
Branch, Iowa. Come the Sabbath day
and the smiths wife, Hulda, betook
herself and her family to the Friends
Meeting House as an eXhorter of q
simple faith, the principal tenet OF
which was avoidance Of sham and
''worldlineSs."
Herbert Hoover was deprived of the
personal counsel and inspiration and
companionship of such sturdy parents
before ne reached the age of 8. His
father died when Herbert was years
old. and his mother passed on three
years later.
The quiet-mannered, good-natured
Quaker orphan was alone in the world.
But in his veins flowed the blood of one
who had learned the true worth of
honest sweat, firmneSs of purpose and
clear vision, and of another who had
despiSed shallowneSS, deceit and oStenta-
ton.
Works His Way to Fame.
Just as the orderly hammering of the
Iowa blacksmith bent steel to the pur-
poses of its master, Herbert Hoover,
modestly but determinedly, has been
hammering himself niche in the hall
of fame. In the clamor of the crowd
the telling blows at times passed almost
unnoticed. But the blows were taking
effect.
Hoover has put his theory of hard
work and organization to supreme test
in the presidential campaign just ended.
He had tried it out successfully as a
young mining engineer, as world-re-
spected humanitarian and as states
man. None gainsaid the practicability of
such theory as applied to engineering,
relief work or governmental adminiStra-
ton.
Apply such homely philosophy to
politics?
The multitude smiled and shook its
head. The politicians gasped, and said
it could not be done. Politics, it was
argued, is peculiar science, ofttimes
demanding of its followers a sacrifice
of personal dif1dence, conflicting stand
ards of character and distaste Of make
believe.
Hoover Not Politician.
Hoover, not being a politician in any
sense of the word, could not get the
politicians viewpoint. He didn't care
much for politicians and their ways.
anyhow. He had pet theory Of his
own about getting ahead in this world,
politics to the contrary Notwithstanding.
He had proved that theory to be work.
able hundreds of times in the past. He
had hammered his way into college and
to his degree through hard work. He
had hammered his way to the pinnacle
Of engineering affluence without Sacr1-
ficing one iota of his reputation. His
constant, compelling pounding away at
this problem or the other had opened
to him worldwide fields of opportunity
and hitherto unfathomed spheres of
public service.
He determined to try out his proven
theory in the field Of politics.
It was with some feeling of reluctance,
however, that the then Secretary OF
Commerce decided to acquiesce to the
swelling tide of popular demand that
he present himself as a candidate Tor
the highest Office in the power OF ms
question in his mind for months before
he acceded to the pleas Of his friends.
Perhaps he felt that his pet ideas about
equality of opportunity-his somewhat
d-fashioned theories about american
Northumberland being challenged.
Wiseacres Discount Boom.
Political wiseacres winked when the
Hoover boom was launched, prior 10 the
Kansas City convention.
Presidential candidates, they con,
tended. were made, not born. IT mign,
be all right to. talk of the "unbounoeo
hope" with which free citizens OF tnt
limited States may look forward 10 tns
white House and way points, but poll
ticians know that candidates are select
ed at those mysterious 3 am. huddle:
in a hotel room just before the rol
call Of the morrow.
HE doesn't stand a chance. Thu
politicians are against him.. Those
were the statements going the ROUNDS
at Kansas City last Spring.
But Hoover's friends, trained in TIT
Hoover methods of getting things done
were beating an memorable, diStractins
tattoo on the craniumS OF Republican
leaders. Adopting Hoover plans OF or
ganization, the thought was hammered
into their brains that 1T must 81
Hoover" There was little ballyhoo
the Hoover pre-convention boom, bu
lots of systematic, forceful, constructive
campaigning, nevertheless.
Candidate Declines to Talk.
Hoover himself maintained a char
acteristic silence. He explained ne wa
in the hands of his friends. Since h
possessed the widest circle OF loya
friends, perhaps, of any man in Amer
lea, it may be seen this was a. wei
considered statement. Organization
again had gained him this valuable
asset of friendship. Any one who hat
ever worked with Hoover in any o
his far-flung national and internationa
relief enterprises-from the Boxer up
rising. through the World War and Il
the Mississippi flood emergency-oe
enthusiasm and loyalty were con
tagious.
Insidiously the hard-boiled politician
found themselves, to their own amaze
ment, repeating the crescendo chorus
"Who But HooVer?" It was Just beyonl
comprehension, somehow, but what cal
one do in the face of such overwhelm
ing ODDS?
Hoover, as all the world knows, re
ceived the nomination unanimously OF
the first ballot. something almost un
heard Of in modern political history.
The first step in what had beel
regarded in Informed" circles as al
impossible undertaking had been nego
tiated safely and decisively. There wer
some who had regarded that step as tn
greatest potential stumbling block @
the program The remainder of tn
journey toward the big goal would b
easy, they held.
Unceasing Work His Motto.
Hoover, however, is not given to over
confidence. His formula for achievin
an objective is to work unstintingl
until the end is attained. Keep you
mouth closed, set your jaw and kee
plugging away-that is his motto fo
success.
He set an example for his supporter
to follow. He announced his campaig
would be waged solely on constructive
At li.,a To