The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-04-13
COMMERCE SECRETARY HAD TO GROW
BEARD TO LAND HIS FIRST POSITION

order for young man of %; bu
Hoover succeeded so well that il
two years he was famous throughout
the mining world and was drawing
a large salary.
Travels Extensively
Thus began Hoover's 20 years a:
a mining engineer in all parts of thu
world. He travelled far and wide
Australia, Russia, China, Korea
Burma and other remote spots-in.
stalling American methods and ma.
chinery. He lived a rough. open life
in jungles and deserts and built ur
q rugged constitution that today
accounts for his excellent health al
81.
His wealth grew to fortune and
at 4O-when the World War broke
out and he turned his attention tc
the sold all his holdings. invested
in securities, and retired from bust.
ness to live on his income.
But the call of the engineer is
still strong within him. Washing.
ton remembers that during the Food
Administration days-when Herbert
Jr.. and Allen were much younger
than they are now-their father
used to take them and other children
to Rock Greek Park and build dams
for them in the little streams. The
man who then held the nations food
supply in the hollow of his hand
sloshed around in rubber boots, got
all muddy and sloppy and enjoyed il
immensely.
In China During Boxer Uprising
Hoover was in China on a mining
job when the Boxer rebellion broke
out. With him was his bride to
whom he had been married in Cali.
formally . Catholic priest who had
dispensation to marry Protestants-
just before he sailed. They were in
Tientsin when the uprising famed
and the Chinese attacked.
Hoover took an active part in
organizing the Americans for de-
tense Of the city. He managed to
save the life of a wealthy Chinese
coal mine owner, one Chang Yen
Grow, whom the inter-allied relief
forces were on the point of execut-
ing as q Boxer sympathizer. Fear
ing seizure of his property, the
canny mandarin signed his mines
over to Hoover's company, a sort
OF trustee. They were developed ia
the vast benefit of all concerned.
Paid Up All Debts
In 1902 Hoover was called ia
London and made q partner in the
great mining company that had sent
him to Australia. He had not been
there long before an employee alb
seconded with . huge sum, leaving
various customers and creditors very
much in the lurch.
The senior partner was away at
the time. The firm was not legally
liable, but Hoover promptly an
nounced that the firm would make
all losses good. The senior partner
was indignant when he heard Of it
and fastened back to London to tell
Hoover that. for his solicitude, he
could have the job Of cleaning up the
debts. Hoover did it and by 1906
everything was squared.
Hoover then went into business
for himself. He opened mines in
Burma, China, Korea, Australia,
Russia and the United States. His
wealth grew; had he remained in
that job for the rest of his life he
probably would have amassed one
OF the great fortunes Of the world.
comparable to those Of Mellon and
Morgan.
But fate had it otherwise. In
1914, the World War broke out
changing the whole course OF
Hoovers life and thrustine him into
Worldwide prominence. He ceased
70 b : mining expert and for the
next Ok o. seven years he served
TOMORROW: Feeding Europe'.
hungry millions.