Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-11-22
Washington
Letter
KLEIN RESPONSIBLE
FOR HOOyFR'S TRIP

FOR HOW III IklP
WASHINGTON. Nov. 22.-Direc-
tor julius Klein or the bureau of
foreign and domestic commerce. IN
the n department, probably
could be convicted Of furnishing
President-elect Hoover with bis orig
inal inspiration TO tour South Amer
lea before entering on his White
House tenancy if he were put or
trial for H.. and circumstGntial evil
dcnce count for anything.
Dr. Klein was one M the presi-
dent-elcct's most trusted assistants
during almost the whole Of the lat
ter's term as secretary OF commerce.
He is also among the new worlds
principal South American trade en-
thusiasts this side Of Panama. FL
nally, he himself has been all over
the southern continent, and can
charm little birds out on "A tree 70
listen 20 his cnthralliuC accounts 80
the marvellous opportunities n offers
70 North American commercial en-
terprisc and capital.
isn't an that enough to make out
a strong case against the doctor, -Ju-
posing the charge TO be brought
against him that he had whetted Mr..
Hoover's interest in the sub-equo-
torial republics to so keen an edge
that the newly chosen chief magls-
trate simply cannot stand 1t 10 be-
come president without ever having
visited them?
/ Or. Klein had just arrived in Bue-
nos Aires. when | first met him, ~
/ commercial at,ache TO the United
States embassy in the Argentine cap
itgl.
The Doctors story is the curious
ono of a man who has developed INTO
/ one Of tho worlds foremost CONNER
Cial experts without ever having hul
the slightest practical experience in
business.
lie was professor Of economies a.
Harvard when the United States en-
tered the late war. offered his err
ices TO tho government as his cun-
tribution toward his cOuntry's share
in the conflict. was given a COM
7 mcrcc department assignment i1
Washington, and after the armisticc
Was signed, was asked 10 take charge.
for awhile, Of the reconstruction or
North American trade in the River
Plate republics-Argcntinc, Uruguay
and Paraguay.
Thus. like Mr.. Hoover. he was a
Wilson appointee in he first place.
AS long rs ne stayed in South
America. the doctor did rebuild
North American trade like n house
| Attire.
VI was flat az a pancake 40 the
/ time-the way the war had left II.
The new commercial attache was
| shipwreckcd on the Peruvian cost
on his way 20 his post NJ Buenos
1 Aires. he began trade rcronstru Y
tion right where he landed. still
dripping sea water. Before he was
able 10 resume his journey 20 his
River Plate field Of %endeavOr. he had
established a thriving line or Amer
lean business at tic Peruvian pOrJ
N which he had arrived a. a cast
away.
However, though ne worked fast
while he remained. the doctor ild
linger long in uBenos Aires.
Just before quitting. he told ms
frankly that the financial wear M
tear we're too much for him. As Z
diplomat. he had 70 do I siderable
expensive entertaining. his salary
was insufficient to pay for IT, His
career as a college professor had
not equipped him with 2 reserve
roll to draw N.
50 he resigned and came home.
Secretary Hoover, then Ia the con-
mercc department, grabbed him ini-
mediately for the foreign and do.
nestle dictatorship.
Behold DR.. Klein then-frcsh from
South America, and the sweetest
talker that ear ever listened to-giv.
ing Mr.. Hoover his first mental pic
ture Of the glorious resources there
awaiting North American develop.
mcnti
Personally. ! stake my money on
Or. julius Klein for President Hoo
vcr's secretary " commerce.