The Public Record
Herbert Clark Hoover was the 31st President of the United States, serving from March 4, 1929, to March 4, 1933. A member of the Republican Party, Hoover was born in Iowa but later moved to California. Before his presidency, he served as the Secretary of Commerce from 1921 to 1928, where he focused on promoting economic growth and efficiency. Hoover was also known for his humanitarian efforts during World War I, leading relief efforts in Europe and earning a reputation as a skilled administrator.
This bill proposes, as I have said, to destroy the Federal Employment Service in the Department of Labor, which has developed out of many years of experience, and to substitute for it 48 practically independent agencies, each under State…
It is not only changing horses while crossing a stream but the other horse would not arrive for many months.
It applies its energies to interstate movements, and, being a mobile service, it concentrates upon the areas in need.
I most cordially congratulate you upon your ninetieth birthday anniversary, but yet more do I congratulate our country upon the continuance of your splendid services, and hope that you may long live in health and strength to carry them…
On the other hand, the existing Federal Employment Service is today finding places of employment for men and women at the rate of 1,300,000 per annum.
I have repeatedly urged a proper extension of public employment agencies, but this bill, unfortunately, abolishes the whole of the present well-developed Federal Employment Service, and proposes after certain requirements are complied…
In any event, the bill required effective action by the legislatures and Governors of the various States at a minimum time requiring so long a period for its establishment as to be of no purpose in this emergency.
I have given earnest study to the so-called Wagner bill for improvement of public employment agencies, in an effort to find a method to make it of use in the present employment situation.
I find upon study, however, that if I would prevent a serious blow to labor during this crisis, I should not approve the bill.
Politicians like Herbert Hoover
