THE PRESIDENCY: The Hoover Week: Apr. 18, 1932

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Rockabye, Hoover, on the tree top,

When the wind blows, the market will drop,

When the boom breaks, the prices will fall,

Down will come Hoover, Curtis and all.

With such songs President Hoover heard himself and his Administration burlesqued by Washington correspondents at their Gridiron Club dinner last week. As usual, he "enjoyed it." As usual he made his hosts an unquotable speech ("no reporters are ever present").

¶ President Hoover was described by his good friend Senator Walcott as being behind the Senate's investigation of stock exchanges and short sales "absolutely to the limit."

¶ To a luncheon in honor of Mrs. Hoover given by the League of Republican Women the President sent a note of good wishes and encouragement. When Mrs. Frank Mondell, the league's president, muttered: "I can't read his writing," Mrs. Hoover leaned close to her, helped her decipher it for the 800 guests present.

¶ Last week the White House got nine new automobiles—three Lincolns, three Cadillacs, three Fierce-Arrows. The Government, instead of buying the cars outright, has contracts with their manufacturers calling for replacements every year. Each of the President's three secretaries is assigned a limousine. Mr. & Mrs. Hoover each have two for their own use. Two more are reserved for White House guests.

¶ "It's a beauty," declared President Hoover as three Maine Congressmen presented him with the first salmon (164 Ib.) caught this year in the Bangor Pool. Catcher: Harry Chapman.