Evening star., 1932-08-13
Member Of the Associated Press
Mr.. Hoover's Stewardship.

diste interest in the Presidents Speecn
of acceptance of his denomination, de-
livered Thursday evening in this city,
rested upon the passage in which he
defined his views upon the prohibition
question, the substantial Importance lay
with the review Of the economic condi-
tions which have developed during his
administration and the measures
adopted for their correction. Though
somewhat obscured for the moment by
the public interest in the matter OF the
eighteenth amendment, Mr.. Hoovers
account of his stewardship in dealing
with the distress which the country has
suffered in consequence of the collapse
Of business nearly three years ago forms
his chief claim to credit in handling
the gravest situation from which the
American people have ever suffered in
times OF peace since the organization
of the Government.
The summary of numerous executive
actions and recommendations to Con-
Fress for the alienation of the economic
disaster which comprises the greater
portion Of the Presidents speech re-
veas unceasing activity on the part OF
the executive to cope with the forces
OF misfortune, first manifested in the
shocking collapse of the stock market
IN the Autumn of 1929 and then rapidly
affecting trade and industry until mil
Hons of people were deprived of en-
ployment and suffering prevailed
throughout the land. Reciting briefly
the elimination Of ma,evolent factors
the President thus vividly stated the
situation:.
Two courses were open. We might
have done nothing. That would have
been utter ruin. Instead, We met the
situation with proposals to private busi-
ness and the Congress of the most
gigantic program of economic defense
and counterattack ever evolved in the
history of the Republic. We put it into
action.
our measures have repelled these at
tacks of fear and panic. We have
maintained the financial integrity of
our Government. We have co-operated
to restore and stabilize the situation
abroad. AS nation we have paid
every dollar demanded Of US. We have
used the credit of the Government to
aid and protect our institutions, public
and private. We have provided methods
and assurances that there shall be none
to suffer from hunger and cold. We
have instituted measures to assist
farmers and home owners. We have
created vast agencies for employment.
Above all, we have maintained the
sanctity of the principles upon which
this Republic has grown great.
IT is in the last sentence Of this state
rnent that the President puts the case
for himself and his party in strongest
terms Throughout his speech runs the
thought that in dealing with this ex-
traordinary situation there has been no
departure from the fundamentals of
American government. He holds that
the American social and economic sys-
tenn is founded upon the conception
of ordered freedom" the test of which
Is that there should be maintained
equality Of opportunity to every indi-
vidual so that ne may achieve for him.
self the best of which his character,
ability and ambition entitle him.
SO much has happened during these
past months Of distress that the va
rious measures adopted to stem the tide
Of misfortune, to restore confidence
and courage to the people, to relieve
them Of immediate distress and to build
for the future have not been well re-
membered. The Presidents recital Of
them, his clear exposition of the Sc
quence Of measures and expedients, his
review Of legislative and executive ef-
forts to solve the problems precipitated
by the economic disaster constitutes his
appeal for the privilege and opportunity
to carry on the work Of reconstruction,
the success of which is now becoming
apparent