Herbert Hoover

Mr. Cotton's passing is a great loss to the Government and to our country.

He was my friend for over 20 years.

I shall be glad to help further that project.

I always had the highest admiration for the late Nathan Straus.

I appreciate warmly your pleasant personal references.

I am asking the Secretary of Labor to cooperate with the various interested organizations to draft a plan for presentation to the next session of Congress which will avoid the difficulties presented by this bill.

It applies its energies to interstate movements, and, being a mobile service, it concentrates upon the areas in need.

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.

The fundamental questions involved also require more consideration.

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…

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…

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.

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 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.

There is no financial loss to labor in allowing this bill to lapse.

I find upon study, however, that if I would prevent a serious blow to labor during this crisis, I should not approve the bill.

Upon recommendation of the Secretary of the Interior, Executive Order No. 4339 of November 9, 1925, withdrawing certain public lands in the State of Idaho for classification and pending enactment of legislation for their proper…

I know that I reflect the view of the agricultural community when I express intense regret that his private affairs have made it necessary for him to leave the Board.

He has been urged I think by every farm organization in the United States to continue as Chairman of the Farm Board, and I have urged him with all the pressures that I could bring to bear, but he feels obligations elsewhere.

We, therefore, have a vacancy on the Board which will require some 2 or 3 weeks to fill.

I have given an interim appointment to Congressman Elliott as Assistant Comptroller General.

I have to announce to you something that I think you all know, and that is Mr. [Alexander] Legge's resignation.

I have appointed Mr. James C. Stone as the Chairman of the Board, and Mr. [Charles C.] Teague has been elected Vice Chairman.

And that is all the news I have got today.