Herbert Hoover Letter to the Editor of the Saturday Evening Post: “… A way that always amazes the layman”

This is by way of thanks for the very great helpfulness in Mr. Payne’s articles. His fine insight in recognition of the work being done by officials in the Department sets them all up on their toes and makes the whole atmosphere here more stimulative. It has been, indeed, a helpful thing to the whole Department and its objects, and Mr. Payne shows that ability to grasp these complex questions in a way that always amazes the layman.

Prior to his appointment as secretary of commerce, Hoover had gained an international reputation during World War I for the American distribution of food and supplies to Europe. As secretary, he “tried to apply what he saw as the lessons of the war era: self­ regulation, coordination and provision of information, and the use of experts and volunteers to promote ‘cooperative capitalism'” (DAB). In addition to concentrating on domestic labor and farming problems, Hoover worked on a commission to settle foreign debts. When Lorimer became editor-in-chief, the Saturday Evening Post“was an elderly and indisposed magazine” (ibis). Under Lorimer’s direction, it became immensely successful and influential, known for featuring the work of leading contemporary writers and thinkers. “On political matters [Lorimer] believed…that ‘business is or should be the specialty of government'” (ibid). Initially progressive, with Lorimer’s drift to the right, the Post later “became an active — if unofficial — organ of the Republican party. Lorimer knew many presidents personally, and nearly every president during his editorship contributed to the Post, but he was most active in promoting the fortunes of Herbert Hoover” (ibid). Boldly signed, and in very fine condition.