Herbert Hoover to Woodrow Wilson

Title

Herbert Hoover to Woodrow Wilson

Creator

Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964

Identifier

WWP19243

Date

1917 November 5

Description

Herbert Hoover tells Woodrow Wilson that due to the temporary nature of employment with the Food and Fuel Adminsitrations, they are having difficulty filling positions and operating efficiently due to civil service requirements.

Source

Hoover-Wilson Correspondence, Hoover Institution, Hoover Institution Archives, Stanford, California

Publisher

Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum

Subject

United States Food Administration
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924--Correspondence
Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964--Correspondence

Language

English

Text

- C O P Y -

Dear Mr. President

We are encountering great difficulty in operating under the Civil Service regulations. Our associateds are men accustomed to control large industries and they feel that in the interest of economy and efficiency, the present handicap which we as an emergency organization are under should be removed. Our position is vastly different from that of the o,lder and permanent-Departments of the Government, as we cannot well secure the ordinary type of Government employee, because of the temporary nature of our work we cannot offer the inducement of permanent employment, and especially because of the necessity of selecting for most positions men whose ability is personally known to us.

The enclosed brief, intended only for our own information, has been prepared by our Appointment Division and seems to be conclusive in its findings. I am wondering whether it will be possible for you to alleviate this condition by absolving us from the obligation to secure our force through Civil Service. It is quite evident that the whole of our organization will be disrupted if we strictly conform to all of the Civil Service rules. We have a great appreciation for the officials in the Civil Service Commission, who have given our requests uniform, courteous and careful attention, but have been helpless to remedy the unfortunate conditions governing our work.

Faithfully yours,
[Herbert C. Hoover]
U. S. Food Administrator
U. S. Fuel Administrator

Original Format

Letter

To

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/D09259.pdf

Citation

Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964, “Herbert Hoover to Woodrow Wilson,” 1917 November 5, WWP19243, Hoover Institute at Stanford University Collection, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.