Evening star., 1950-09-26
Mr.. Hoffman and the Free World

In resigning as chief of the Economic Coop
Grafton Administration, Paul G. Hoffman leaves
behind him record of such distinguished service
that his name is certain to occupy permanent
place of honor in the history not merely OF his
own country but of the entire free world.
Not much more than two years ago-with
Senator Vandenberg acting as one of his chief
supporters and persuaders-Mr. Hoffman ac-
ceded to the Presidents request that he take
over the enormously difficult job of administer
ing the Marshall Plan for European recovery.
At that time, most of our friends abroad-griev-
ously suffering from the effects of the Second
World War-Were on the verge of political and
economic collapse, with the Kremlin sparing no
effort to overthrow them completely.
Today, two years later, those same countries
though now forced to rearm to meet the con-
tinuing threat of Soviet aggression-have
attained such degree of stability, politically,
economically and otherwise that their come
back since 1948 seems little short of miraculous
Their great achievement however-an achieve
ment vital to- the task of stopping the advance
of the Red tide in Europe-has not been based
on prayer alone, but on their own hard exer-
ionS and on the vast amount of American aid
extended to them through the ECA.
AS for Mr.. Hofmans part in all this it may
fairly be described as an outstanding example
of how a single individual can play tremen-
dously constructive role in our human society.
When he became chief of the Marshall Plan,
he brought to his new task wealth of expert
ence and knowledge gained from such prior posi-
tionS as his presidency of the Studebaker Corp.
and his craftsmanship of the Committee on
Economic Development extraordinarily gifted
both as an organizer and an administrator, he
Immediately began to gather around him in
the ECA staff of key experts and other workers
numbering 1000 in this country and 1900
abroad. Then, with this help, he had to tackle
a vast complex of heavy responsibilities, includ-
ing the main one of spending billions of dollars
wisely and effectively.
The transformation that has taken place in
Europe is proof enough that MIR. Hoffman has
spent the money exceedingly well. Similarly, it
is typical of his managerial genius that he has
run the Marshall Plan at the phenomenally low
administrative cost of only three tenths of
cent out of every dollar of the $40 billion thus
far expended or obligated To all of this, to get
the right measure of the man, there must be
added the strength and warmth of his character
and neutrality-suspicious. qualities of the
mind and spirit that have placed him, as a
Republican, above partisanship and inspired
others, including Congress and the representa-
tives of foreign States, to wage peace" by max
ing the most of the ECA as "a first line of defense
for Western civilization"
In many ways, with two years yet to 60
before the completion of the Marshall. Plan,
there is reason to regret that Mr.. Hoffman has
decided to resign. Yet that is privilege no one
can by right deny him, especially in view of his
serious operation few months ago. Besides,
he is celebrated for his ability to leave his work
In good hands, and he has done so in the case
Of the experienced William c. Foster, his own
choice to succeed him as head of the ECA.
The change is not likely to hurt that great
and historic enterprise, for Mr. Hoffman's labors
have greatly bulwarked it against both Its wit
ting and unwilling enemies. In that sense, our
own country and the free world at large owe
him a very real debt of gratitude.