Evening star., 1932-11-14
HOOVER INVITATION
SETS PRECEDENT
Move, More Than Gesture,
Designed to Promote
Cooperation.
BY ]. RUSSELL YOUNG.


Special Dispatch to The Star.
ABOARD PRESIDENT HOOVER'S
TRAIN EN- ROUTE TO WASHINGTON
CTucson, Ariz), November IA (N.A.
N.A).-President Hoover's invitation to
President-elect Roosevelt to come to
the White House to confer with him
establishes another precedent to his
credit since he took Office nearly four
years ago.
No one in the Presidents train party
could recall any former Chief Executive
proposing such conference with the
man elected to succeed him IN the
White House. Mr. Hoover himself could
remember no similar action on the part
of any of his predecessors.
While discussing this point as his
train was speeding through the desert
country Of Southern Arizona, Mr.. Hoo
yer said he supposed he was establish
ing another precedent, but this fact did
not seem to interest him at all. He
showed he was keenly anxious to have
this talk with Mr.. Roosevelt, regardless
Of precedent.
Realizing the vital importance Of the
foreign debt question, as well as other
pending economic problems, he made 1t
plain that he Is eager to give his sue
cessor in Office this opportunity to ia
miliarize himself in advance OF assum-
ing the executive responsibilities four
months hence.
Message Not Gesture.
This invitation to President-elect
Roosevelt Is evidence that the Presi-
dents message of congratulations to
him, in which he promised his support
and cooperation, was more than ges-
ture. Mr.. Hoover now shows that he
meant what he said, and that he and
his cabinet stand ready to help the
next President in every way possible.
Such q conference at the White
House at this time, between the Presi-
dent and President-elect, according to
those in the Presidents party. aside
from It's important economic features,
will 60 long way toward removing any
partisan bitterness that might exist as
a result of the recent campaign. 1t is
expected confidently to show that the
common good of the country and all
the people comes first; that the country
should be united in meeting the great
present. day problems, and that all per-
sonal feelings should be put aside, If not
entirely forgotten. That Is President
Hoover's hope.
There is no mistaking the fact that
Mr. Hoover Is extremely enthusiastic
over the prospects of this conference
with his recent opponent. He is hope
full that 1t will accomplish much for the
good Of the country, as well as be help
full to Mr. Roosevelt.
Just how this invitation came about
is interesting Mr.. Hoover, with a
small group of close friends and advis-
ers, including Secretary of Interior VIII
bur, was talking in the lounge room of
the Presidents private car, when he
suddenly changed the subject by telling,
in a casual manner, what he proposed
to do. Although he already had made
up his mind earlier in the day, he was
glad to receive the opinions Of his
friends. The sun was disappearing with
a brilliant red, over the ragged West
ern skyline, when this troup had COM
pletely thrashed out every possible
phase of this proposed White House
conference However, it was not until
some hours later that the Presidents
decision was made public.
Besides Secretary Wilbur, who Is re-
turning to Washington with the Presi-
dent, there were present at this train
conference Henry Robinson, Los An
geles fnancier, and chairman Of the
Central Committee of the Banking and
Industrial Committee, and Mark Requa