Herbert Hoover letter to Mrs. Robert A Burdette, September 29, 1920

Abstract

Dated September 29, 1920, this is a letter from former Director of the United States Food Administration, Herbert Hoover, to Mrs. Robert A. Burdette of Mountain View, California, in response to her letter of September 22. Hoover shares his stance on the League of Nations and the Wilson administration's handling of World War I and post-war issues that faced the nation. Reframing the League of Nations debate as an issue of party responsibility, Hoover believes that when a political party fails, it should be replaced, and this is one reason he personally supports Republican presidential nominee Warren G. Harding in the upcoming election. According to Hoover, the Democrats failed to properly resolve issues that have existed since the armistice, including increased cost of living, a struggling agricultural industry, land resettlement, housing, industrial employment, and child welfare. Hoover would go on to serve as the United States Secretary of Commerce under Harding and Calvin Coolidge, and President of the United States from 1929-1933. This letter is part of the Warren G. Harding Papers (MSS 345). This collection includes correspondence, business records, and other materials documenting Harding’s business career as owner and editor-in-chief of The Daily Marion Star, as well as the various stages of his political career. A significant portion of the collection, and what’s available on Ohio Memory, highlights his 1920 presidential campaign, spanning just before publicly announcing his candidacy to handily defeating Ohio Governor James M. Cox in the election. Correspondents include both Ohio and national businessmen, political figures, and ordinary citizens writing with questions, support, congratulatory notes, and campaign advice. Some of the most interesting insights into the tumultuous political climate in the U.S., the extreme factionalism within the Republican Party in Ohio, and Harding’s campaign strategies are described in letters between Harding and his campaign manager, Harry M. Daugherty. Some of the topics addressed include women’s suffrage, Prohibition, the League of Nations, African American representation and issues, and lingering peace negotiations following World War I