Description:

Hoover Herbert

Herbert Hoover Scarce ALS to Lewis Strauss Recalling their Wartime Food work in Belgium

 

1p ALS on cream watermarked paper with "Herbert Hoover" letterhead inscribed overall and signed by former 31st U.S. President Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) as "Herbert Hoover" in turquoise pen. At bottom, recipient Lewis L. Strauss (1896-1974) has annotated in type face: "This letter brought with it the gold (?) Belgian Relief Medal now in my medal case in New York. L.L. Strauss". In near fine condition, with expected light paper folds and isolated corner wrinkle, sheet measuring 7.25" x 10.5."

 

In December 1954, aging ex-President Hoover wrote a wistful letter to longtime friend and colleague Lewis L. Strauss: "My dear Lewis -- This is just to remind you of a holiday season 36 years ago -- when we were young but not gay -- Sincerely yours, Herbert Hoover."

 

Hoover and Strauss had met in 1917 when Strauss volunteered to assist the then acting head of the U.S. Food Administration. Hoover thrived in his role as wartime "food czar" to ensure ample food for all. He implemented a voluntary system of limited public rationing or "Hooverizing", and regulated businesses through price controls and production yield quotas.

 

Strauss was promoted to Hoover's private secretary as the latter's foreign wartime work ramped up. Between 1917-1919, Hoover chaired the Commission for Relief in Belgium and the American Relief Administration, two organizations which mobilized food supplies for displaced war refugees. It was sometime during this period, circa winter 1918, that Hoover and Strauss spent a holiday season together. Hoover had sailed for Europe in November 1918, accompanied by Commission for Relief in Belgium core support staff, which had included Strauss.

 

Hoover's recollection is a touch sentimental but also proud. The two men were both dedicated humanitarians. They did not spend their youth in frivolous or "gay" pursuits; rather, they focused on stockpiling and distributing millions of tons of food to war victims. It was for this work that Strauss was later awarded his "Belgian Relief Medal."

 

Strauss probably welcomed Hoover's invitation to recollect earlier times, as 1954 had been a stressful year. In April-May 1954, Commissioner of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission Strauss had overseen a month-long hearing which investigated lead nuclear scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer's security clearance access. In addition to his philanthropy and public service, Strauss was a successful financial adviser.

 

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