Herbert Hoover to Woodrow Wilson
Title
Herbert Hoover to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964
Identifier
WWP19140
Date
1917 August 14
Description
In response to Woodrow Wilson’s objection, Herbert Hoover explains that Mr. Hallowell was nominated for the Food Administration because of his public spirit and genius in branch business.
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 respect to Mr. Hallowell, one of the office men of Stone & Webster, about whom I have received a note from Mr. Foster, I am in entire agreement as to the inadvisability of anyone representing this firm in the Food Administration. This is hardly the case and I am to blame for not explaining his relationship on the list I sent in. In justice to the young man I should have explained that he is a minor light in their establishment who was recommended to me for his public spirit and as one who had developed considerable genius for the correlation of branch businesses, from an office point of view. Of course, so long as he remains with us, he is entirely disassociated with that firm’s business.
Mr. Hallowell’s position with us is to correlate office correspondence work as between ourselves and State Commissioners. He therefore has no interest or influence in matters affecting food control and has proven himself so very capable and so anxious to give his career to national service, that I am loth to make a change without further presentation of his case. I can, of course, rearrange the work so that he is not one of the principals in the organization.
Mr. Vance McCormick has come into intimate contact with Mr. Hallowell and could, I think, re-assure you in the matter.
I remain,
Your obedient servant,
Herbert Hoover
In respect to Mr. Hallowell, one of the office men of Stone & Webster, about whom I have received a note from Mr. Foster, I am in entire agreement as to the inadvisability of anyone representing this firm in the Food Administration. This is hardly the case and I am to blame for not explaining his relationship on the list I sent in. In justice to the young man I should have explained that he is a minor light in their establishment who was recommended to me for his public spirit and as one who had developed considerable genius for the correlation of branch businesses, from an office point of view. Of course, so long as he remains with us, he is entirely disassociated with that firm’s business.
Mr. Hallowell’s position with us is to correlate office correspondence work as between ourselves and State Commissioners. He therefore has no interest or influence in matters affecting food control and has proven himself so very capable and so anxious to give his career to national service, that I am loth to make a change without further presentation of his case. I can, of course, rearrange the work so that he is not one of the principals in the organization.
Mr. Vance McCormick has come into intimate contact with Mr. Hallowell and could, I think, re-assure you in the matter.
I remain,
Your obedient servant,
Herbert Hoover
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Citation
Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964, “Herbert Hoover to Woodrow Wilson,” 1917 August 14, WWP19140, Hoover Institute at Stanford University Collection, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.