Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-01

been one of real accomplishment, earne
and constructive thought.
Undeniably, President Hoover has
seriously. So far it has been a case o
tape and abandoning obsolete methods
clearly his engineers skill and his capa
executive.
There has been nothing of negative
or indefinite nature in his operation OF
the Nations business. Never were poll
tics at lower ebb or politicians less
conspicuous in any administration.
First Year Is Observed.
It has been the custom 10 watch
closely and critically the first year of
our Presidents. especially the first half
of their first year.
Before now it was too soon to ask,
What has he achieved as President?
What has he undertaken and how far
has he progressed in fulfilling the
pledges of his party in last years ma
tional campaign? Is he making good
and is the country any better off for
his elevation to the highest office in
the land?
Commentators already are preparing
their estimates and their reviews.
President Hoover is not unmindful of
this. 1t would be wholly natural for
him, while alone in his quiet and re-
mote camp in the Shenandoah Noun
tains this week end, to mediate long
and seriously upon this subject.
Judgment Would Be Severe.
His own appraisal unquestionably
would be more severe than that OF any
of his critics. Being man OF action
and quick decision. it is quite possible
that he is not fully satisfied, because
things do not always hum as he would
have them.
He has labored in his desire to ac-
complish some of the things he set out
to accomplish. In his determination 10
get results and to start his ideas. he
has brought into play all of his talents
as a master engineer and executive.
Work was not entirely laid aside
during the week end outings. His time
on these so-called vacation periods has
been devoted largely to consideration
of public affairs. His guests on these
occasions have been invited not so much
for their companionship as for inter-
change of views on pressing subjects.
He has always been in close touch with
his Office and the department heads
back in Washington. Even during
those moments at the camp, when he
was alone with his thoughts he is
KNOWN 10 nave DeeIl dbSOlOC0 Pi1iA-
ming and in trying to solve problems.
Accomplishments Are Cited.
To review Mr.. Hoover's administration
up to date one would necessarily signal
out as the outstanding accomplish
ments:
Enactment of what he considered
practical and sound legislation for the
relief of American agriculture;
Launching of the Federal Farm
Board. created by that legislation on
its admittedly difficult task of placing
agriculture on an economic equality
with industry;
Launching Of the commission to
study the causes of crime with view
to finding a cure:
Advancement of negotiations look
ing to an Anglo-American agreement
on naval disarmament.
These no doubt will be hailed as Mr..
Hoover's greatest achievements during
his first six months, but they by no
means represent all that he has sue
ceeded in doing.
Economy. which was the watchword
of the administration of President
Coolidge, has lost none of its potency
under Mr.. Hoover. The general staff
of the Army, at his direction. is inveS-
tigating Army costs with view to re-
auctions. The Post Office Department
is doing some close figuring in an eff
fort to find ways and means of putting
an end to postal deficits.
Presidential CurtaiIments.
In the preparation of the preliminary
estimates of departmental appropria-
tions for next year, he has given the
closest attention to details with the
view to keeping the operating cost OF
The Government down to what he thinks
should be spent While directing 9TH
ers to curtail, he has done some cur
failing himself. First he decommis-
stoned the palatial yacht Mayflower:
which had been at the disposal OF
Presidents for Is years. Then he did
away with the White House stables. He
has limited he has another tax reduc-
future.
Mr., Hoover has appointed dozen
separate commissions to make 1nvestl-
cations and find facts and to make
In this connection
he has not neglected the humanitarian
and educational fields, although eco
1or1ic and foreign affairs have consumed
most of his time. Children'S welfare,
a subject very close to the Presidents
heart, Is the object OF a national con-
ference he has announced for next
year, and which is expected to be the
most important of its kind ever held In
this country.
Another problem tackled by Mr..
Hoover, which has humanitarian as
pect. was the recent step taken by MIN
to relieve the over crowded condition In
Federal prisons, pending the completion
Of additional prison facilities. To meet
the situation he has turned the military
prisons over to the Department OF JUS
tice.
Education Is Studied.
Still another official study which Is
potential of important changes has to
10 with the relationship between the
Federal Government and the States IN
the matter of education. :,
one of the commissions he has created
has to do with conservation OF the
public domain, another one with the
waterways development, still another
with the San Francisco Bay bridge.
The local bodies in the Southern
States to deal with patronage might be
cIaeSnd ox commissions in that he