Evening star., 1933-07-23
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
LOS ANGELES, July % (N,A.N.A.)-
When q private citizen becomes Presi-
dent of the United States he has ira
yersed certain familiar and well travelled
paths of destiny. His progress has been
accomplished under the searching scru-
tiny of millions of his fellow citizens
and has been attended by q constant
furore of public discussion.
An entire Nation has kept an atten-
tive-even a prying-eye upon him anG
everything that has concerned MIN. All
he has said or done or failed to say O!
do has been of foremost interest and
importance in the public mind.
once in Office he finds himself COM
PEELED to accept as a very necessary
part of his daily experience the con-
tinued and increasing intrusions OF
people frankly curious about the every
day incidents and episodes connected
with White House occupancy.
But when President becomes a prl-
vate citizen, all this amazing process Is
abruptly reversed. The clamor DIES
away and for time there is an illusion
of utter remoteness from the world and
its affairs Hours and days that hao
been so jealousy conserved and grudg-
ingly doled out only to those entitled
TO some portion of the precious time
of one of the worlds busiest and most
endlessly ahead The future for the
endelessly ahead The future for the
moment presents drab prospect.
Adjustment Period Short.
A former President soon learns. how
ever, that the world has not forgotten
him-and also that he has not forgot
ten the world. The adjustment period
Is short-lived.
Herbert Hoover, out of the presidency
less than half year. has not found the
role of private citizen difficult to re-
sumo. Perhaps to his own astonish-
ment he has found even less difficulty
in enjoying hugely his new status. After
20 ardous years in the public service. OF
which the last four were most exactine
and confining, and with no real vaca-
ton or release from the stress and
strain of official life. Mr.. Hoover is
Atrongly disposed to conclude that idle
ness-his own peculiar and individual
conception of idleness-is a splendid
thing and well worth cultivating to q
considerable degree.
It might almost be said that the Ma
tion's only living former President is
working at it. Back In his Palo Alto
home on a hill overlooking Stanford
University, surrounded by trees ano
flowers, attended by his dogs and visited
by his friends and an occasional ofhcial
or dignitary, Mr.. Hoover Is discovering
q new sest In the mere fact OF being
alive.
The lines Of care and worry and the
haggard look Of the tired man who rode
"a q March
4 have disappeared. Mr.. Hoover
cheeks now are ruddy from CALIFORNIA;
sun and wind and from his excursions
into the desert; he walks with brisk
ness that would amaze any who saw
him during the last two or three years
in Washington, and although he has
gained four or i've pounds he has lost
in girth.
Has No Plans at All.
Essentially simple in his tastes, as is
Mrs. Hoover, whose Joy at being again
in her home Is almost ecstatlc, Mr
Hoover admits with grin that he gets
"a kick" out of doing what he pleases
when he pleAses; in going to bed wnen
he is sleepy; eating when he is hungry;
going and coming without fuss or nur-
~; seeing those whom he wants most
to see and getting up IN the morning
with nothing more important on ms
mind than the pleasant duty of doing
only that which the inspiration OF the
moment suggests.
He is not writing a book; he is not
planning to write a book. Here is
man who is not planning ahead, either
for the days, the months or the years
and what seems to be even more sig
nificant in his own eyes he Is not
planning to do anything.
He does not expect to 60 abroad Dol
does he intend becoming president OF q
university. Mr.. Hoover has no inch-
nation to enter upon any business
undertaking and has no such step under
consideration. Some time, inevitably
but not soon. He Is not planning
either to become active politically or tc
refrain from participation in politics.
His one active and it may be said
regular interest at this time, aside from
his voluminous correspondence, Is STAN
ford University. It will be surprising
time do not find themselves hard
pressed to explain why they are un.
able to contribute substantially to the
university's financial needs. Already
it seems, Mr.. Hoover has been able tc
persuade one friend to donate q needed
$15,00 to Stanfords library.
The one inseparable link between the
former President and his public serv-
ice is the veritable flood Of letters that
daily pours into Palo Alto-letters from
men and women in all sections Of the
United States and Europe. These COM
munications are predominantly per-
sonal in character. They are friendly
letters, expressing good will. Some seek
information. Others offer advice and
counsel.
Prefers TO Go Fishing.