THE PRESIDENCY: Stand Steadfast

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¶ On his way from Washington to Valley Forge President Hoover stopped for the night at Philadelphia to be the. dinner guest of the Union League Club, high temple of conservative Republicanism.* Just before the President arrived at the Bellevue Stratford, mounted police had to break up a demonstration of unemployed people and hosiery strikers who flashed big placards labeled: MR. HOOVER. WHERE IS YOUR FULL DINNER PAIL? More polite were members of Stanford University's track team (see p. 28) who, stopping at the Ritz-Carlton across the street, stood out on the sidewalk to see their alma mater's potent trustee (see p. 36). At the Union League dinner the President was presented with a life-sized portrait of himself (see cut) painted last summer by Greek Artist Pilides Costa. In an extemporaneous speech of thanks President Hoover declared: "It is difficult for me to express with my natural—I hope natural—modesty that it gives one pleasure to see oneself portrayed in a better fashion than the normal snap photograph. [This picture] may serve as an antidote to some of the current portraits under which I suffer. . . . "This club has stood steadfast. ... Its membership has stood steadfast. . . . After two years of fever and tumult in Washington, I assure you this is a gratifying occasion." That the club had not required a formal address from him moved President Hoover to remark: "When a large number of segments of our population are seeking relief, that was the greatest and most considerate relief ever extended to a President of the U. S."

¶ Last week the Cabinet sat long studying the Depression. Out to the Press was sent this statement: "The President and his advisers have been going over the economic situation and have found many factors that are favorable." The factors were not specified. Later from the White House came guarded predictions that recovery would come (if at all) with the autumn harvests, that Agriculture would probably lead Industry back to normal.

¶ White House callers last week: Harry Laity Bowlby (Lord's Day Alliance), Sir John Reith (British Broadcasting Co.), members of the Danish Brotherhood, Fred B. Smith (World Alliance for International Friendship).