Herbert Hoover

There is inspired reading in the Herbert Hoover birthday editorial comment for every man and woman who believes that the eternal verities are of transcendent importance in the life of mankind.

They make refreshing reading, too, in this cynical age of doubt and discouragement, because they demonstrate what the most hard-boiled thinking group of men in the land selected and wrote about Herbert Hoover's high integrity and remarkable contributions with unqualified admiration.

This evidence from the nation's clearest thinkers proves that today's editor has not lost sight of man's higher purpose, has not been blinded by half-truths and opportunistic expediences. It gives strong indication that truth, fairness, integrity, selfless service and duty well done still count most with men even though they are not glamorous. But, if the editors are right in today's appraisal of Mr. Hoover, this much seems certain: he's the kind of man you will most need in such a crisis because you can depend upon him. And dependability is the cornerstone of our social structure.

The astonishing, almost unbelievable, aspect of the more than twenty-one hundred Herbert Hoover birthday editorials at hand is the near unanimity of the writers in their expressions of favorable opinions of Mr. Hoover. There were a few writers, perhaps twenty-five or so, who clung to their earlier beliefs. This was to be expected because nowhere, not even in heaven, if we accept the story of Lucifer as true, is unanimity possible. When Lucifer found the perfection of heaven boring he left it for a hot spot where he could devote his time to fomenting discord and playing hell generally. From Lucifer's time down to this day every man of woman born is occasionally troubled by the urge that bothered Lucifer. And when so troubled he gives it free expression.

One writer continues to dislike Herbert Hoover's "high collars and his chins." I understand how he feels because I occasionally pass total strangers whose dress or looks make me want to give them a swift kick. I refrain from doing so largely, perhaps, because of the fear of what might happen to me if the habit were to be adopted generally.

A few editors grumbled over their interpretation of the way Herbert Hoover handled the prohibition question. Another one put a black mark after Mr. Hoover's name because of the allegation that Mr. Hoover once had said "prosperity is just around the corner." This complaint is absurd since Mr. Hoover never, in private or in public, made that statement.

A similar note was sounded in other sections. "For the refreshment of its own soul, the nation can well afford to pause today to pay tribute to Herbert Hoover on his seventy-fifth birthday anniversary," said the Elkhart, Indiana, Truth. The El Paso, Texas, Times stated that "Mr. Hoover once again stands in high regard. We hope he so continues for many more happy birthdays." The Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, News spoke for industrial Pennsylvania and said, "All in all, the world and the United States are the better for Herbert Hoover's seventy-five years of useful living. Not only he but his times may be felicitated on his birthday."

One of the striking things disclosed in reviewing the Herbert Hoover birthday editorials is the way great numbers of editors went beyond comment on this occasion and directed attention to various phases of his career. There was comment on Herbert Hoover the statesman, the justice of his new popular acclaim and reasons for this changed public attitude, as well as comment on him as a politician and upon his selfless service.

As might be expected there was general mention of Herbert Hoover's political qualities. The Dallas, Texas, News said, "He was hurt, close associates say. Politically, the naive, the frank, the honest Quaker boy cannot understand how some will do anything in first ward fashion to get elected, then turn around and caress and applaud the attacked.