Herbert Hoover to Woodrow Wilson
Title
Herbert Hoover to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964
Identifier
WWP19479
Date
1918 November 9
Description
Herbert Hoover writes to Woodrow Wilson about sending food to liberated European countries.
Source
Hoover-Wilson Correspondence, Hoover Institution, Hoover Institution Archives, Stanford, California
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924--Correspondence
Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964--Correspondence
Language
English
Text
Dear Mr. President
In the matter of feeding the liberated peoples of Southern Europe Austria Servia Bulgaria Turkey ect, I have had conferences with Messrs. Hurley and Baker and our own stagff and as a result I have to propose to you the following measures, which meet with approval on all sides:
1. That the Army should hand to us certain cargo boats at once which we will laooad with foods at their expense. This food will be of a character that can be used by the American Army or the Alliexs in any event and will be despatched, in the first instance, to Bordeaux for orders.
2. In order for the to secure an organization to carry on the work during my own and Mr. Hurley's absence, and to co-ordinate the various baranches of the government concerned, I would like your authority to set up a committee under my chairmanship and to comprise Mr. Theodore Whitmarsh of the Food Administration, who would act as my alternate when away, Mr. Julius H. Barnes of the Food Administration Cereal Division and Mr. F. S. Snyder of the Food Administration Meats Division:; Mr. John Beaver White of the War Trade Board, Mr. Prentiss N. Gray representing the Shipping Board and someone to be selected by Mr. Baker representing the War Department. Mr Wm Glasgow of his department to act as counsel
3. It appears to me that it will be absolutely necessary to secure an appropriation for the handling of this enterprise. It is entirely probable that I can make such arrangements in Europe that will permit of the sale of the food, but, in the present disorganized state conditions, it will be almost hopeless to secure rapid enough implementing of credits to solve the situation and that, for some preliminary stages at least, this relief enterprise would have to revolve on advances from our government. I should also, when I arrive in Europe, ask the Allied fgovernments if they wish to participate in the enterprise. It appears to me thatwith the state of mind of the well-thinking people of theis country that the government could agree to appropriatinge $200,000,000 for the feeding of the liberated populations in Europe,- such a sum to be placed at your disposal. In the ordinary course of events, I would not think that much of this money would be lost, for, at least, obligations could be obtained from municipalities and governments for its ultimate re-payment. It is my view that the critical moment is right now to carry over the period pending the rehabilitation of trade and that if we can worry through the next four or five months we will have solved the problem. It is not necessary for me to mention how fundamental it appears to me that this is, if we are to preserve thesegovernments countries from Bolshevism and rank anarchy.
Yours faithfully,
Herbert C. Hoover
In the matter of feeding the liberated peoples of Southern Europe Austria Servia Bulgaria Turkey ect, I have had conferences with Messrs. Hurley and Baker and our own stagff and as a result I have to propose to you the following measures, which meet with approval on all sides:
1. That the Army should hand to us certain cargo boats at once which we will laooad with foods at their expense. This food will be of a character that can be used by the American Army or the Alliexs in any event and will be despatched, in the first instance, to Bordeaux for orders.
2. In order for the to secure an organization to carry on the work during my own and Mr. Hurley's absence, and to co-ordinate the various baranches of the government concerned, I would like your authority to set up a committee under my chairmanship and to comprise Mr. Theodore Whitmarsh of the Food Administration, who would act as my alternate when away, Mr. Julius H. Barnes of the Food Administration Cereal Division and Mr. F. S. Snyder of the Food Administration Meats Division:; Mr. John Beaver White of the War Trade Board, Mr. Prentiss N. Gray representing the Shipping Board and someone to be selected by Mr. Baker representing the War Department. Mr Wm Glasgow of his department to act as counsel
3. It appears to me that it will be absolutely necessary to secure an appropriation for the handling of this enterprise. It is entirely probable that I can make such arrangements in Europe that will permit of the sale of the food, but, in the present disorganized state conditions, it will be almost hopeless to secure rapid enough implementing of credits to solve the situation and that, for some preliminary stages at least, this relief enterprise would have to revolve on advances from our government. I should also, when I arrive in Europe, ask the Allied fgovernments if they wish to participate in the enterprise. It appears to me thatwith the state of mind of the well-thinking people of theis country that the government could agree to appropriatinge $200,000,000 for the feeding of the liberated populations in Europe,- such a sum to be placed at your disposal. In the ordinary course of events, I would not think that much of this money would be lost, for, at least, obligations could be obtained from municipalities and governments for its ultimate re-payment. It is my view that the critical moment is right now to carry over the period pending the rehabilitation of trade and that if we can worry through the next four or five months we will have solved the problem. It is not necessary for me to mention how fundamental it appears to me that this is, if we are to preserve these
Yours faithfully,
Herbert C. Hoover
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Citation
Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964, “Herbert Hoover to Woodrow Wilson,” 1918 November 9, WWP19479, Hoover Institute at Stanford University Collection, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.