Herbert Hoover to Woodrow Wilson
Title
Herbert Hoover to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964
Identifier
WWP19455
Date
1918 July 2
Description
Herbert Hoover informs Woodrow Wilson of a new committe to prepare a recommendation for systematic curtailment of non-war industries, looking particularly at the brewing industry.
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
Dear Mr. President
In accordance with your instruction that we should prepare for you a recommendation in connection with the systematic curtailment of non-war industries, we have asked a special committee, comprising:
Messrs. Clarence M. Woolley of the War Trade Board
Edward Chambers of the Railway Administration
Edwin F. Gay of the Shipping Board
PB Noyes, of the Fuel Administration
Theodore F. Whitmarsh of the Food Administration
Edwin B. Parker of the War Industries Board.
to make a detailed study as to the general policy to be pursued in connection with such industries. The conclusions of this committee, to which we unanimously agree, except in those relating to the brewing industry, upon which subject we are seeking further information, pending possible action by Congress, are:
That the approach to curtailment of non-war industries should be made by way of systematic and scientific reduction in their activities rather than by total and initial annihilation. They do not find that there are any industries which should be instantly cut off but there are many which should be reduced in activities at the earliest possible moment. These gentlemen are all members of the Priorities Board of the War Industries Board. This problem, in certain phases, lies outside the present conception of priorities in the use of material.
As to further action in the matter, we recommend that the above committee be constituted a special committee of the Priorities Board to study each industry from the aspect of what can be curtailed and what is a desirable curtailment, and to make such recommendations to the Priorities Board from time to time, and that the Priorities Board should advise the various departments of the action of the Board and the departments which will effectuate the conclusions of the Board.
The committee has furnished us with a recommendation that the brewing industry should be curtailed to 50% of the normal barrelage. A copy of this report we enclose herewith. We have asked the committee to further consider whether, in addition to the curtailment at once of 50%, the industry should not be notified that no further foodstuffs are to be purchased and that, with the exhaustion of their present materials in process, they are to cease operation.
We are also asking the committee to make a further report, if possible, on the reduction that we recommend in connection with other non-war industries.
Yours faithfully,
Herbert Hoover
Ok
WW
In accordance with your instruction that we should prepare for you a recommendation in connection with the systematic curtailment of non-war industries, we have asked a special committee, comprising:
Messrs. Clarence M. Woolley of the War Trade Board
Edward Chambers of the Railway Administration
Edwin F. Gay of the Shipping Board
PB Noyes, of the Fuel Administration
Theodore F. Whitmarsh of the Food Administration
Edwin B. Parker of the War Industries Board.
to make a detailed study as to the general policy to be pursued in connection with such industries. The conclusions of this committee, to which we unanimously agree, except in those relating to the brewing industry, upon which subject we are seeking further information, pending possible action by Congress, are:
That the approach to curtailment of non-war industries should be made by way of systematic and scientific reduction in their activities rather than by total and initial annihilation. They do not find that there are any industries which should be instantly cut off but there are many which should be reduced in activities at the earliest possible moment. These gentlemen are all members of the Priorities Board of the War Industries Board. This problem, in certain phases, lies outside the present conception of priorities in the use of material.
As to further action in the matter, we recommend that the above committee be constituted a special committee of the Priorities Board to study each industry from the aspect of what can be curtailed and what is a desirable curtailment, and to make such recommendations to the Priorities Board from time to time, and that the Priorities Board should advise the various departments of the action of the Board and the departments which will effectuate the conclusions of the Board.
The committee has furnished us with a recommendation that the brewing industry should be curtailed to 50% of the normal barrelage. A copy of this report we enclose herewith. We have asked the committee to further consider whether, in addition to the curtailment at once of 50%, the industry should not be notified that no further foodstuffs are to be purchased and that, with the exhaustion of their present materials in process, they are to cease operation.
We are also asking the committee to make a further report, if possible, on the reduction that we recommend in connection with other non-war industries.
Yours faithfully,
Herbert Hoover
Ok
WW
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Citation
Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964, “Herbert Hoover to Woodrow Wilson,” 1918 July 2, WWP19455, Hoover Institute at Stanford University Collection, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.