The Hoover Week

Virginia formally welcomed President Hoover as its guest and neighbor. In a field near Madison gathered 5,000 people white and black. Governor Harry Flood Byrd arrived from Richmond in U. S. Army airship C-41. The President descended from his Shenandoah National Park Camp, made a non-political speech, ate barbecue with his fingers. Declared President Hoover: "Next to prayer, fishing is the most personal relationship of man. . . . Everybody concedes that fish will not bite in the presence of the public and the press."

P: For the first time since its completion newsmen and photographers were last week permitted to pass through the Marine guard, enter the Hoover camp on a professional tour of inspection. On a plateau 2,500 ft. up in the mountains, they found scenes of lyric wilderness. They heard waterfalls that lulled the President to sleep (his own description), inspected the huge living room with its 51-ton stone fireplace, marveled at the urban conveniences in such a rustic setting.

P: To a White House breakfast last week went the Navy's general board to discuss tonnage reduction with the President. Grizzled old officers were assured that their opinions would not be ignored. Secretary of the Navy Charles Francis Adams, who had interrupted his summer yachting to be present, went back to the State Department to call Ambassador Dawes in London on the trans-Atlantic telephone, to appraise him of what the White House had discussed.

P: President Hoover last week took steps to improve co-operation on public projects between states and the federal government. He picked his own California as the first beneficiary, prepared to appoint commissions to study its water control problems, to urge the need for a gigantic bridge over San Francisco harbor.

P: Last week another White House rule against pests became operative. Prof. Henry Flury, President of the National Association Opposed to Blue Laws, wrote President Hoover protesting his failure to receive a N. A. O. B. L. delegation (TIME, Aug. 19). Dr. Flury had released the letter to the press. President Hoover never saw the letter because when it reached the White House Secretary George Akerson sent it back to Prof. Flury with these words: "This office no longer receives letters addressed to the President which are given publicity prior to their receipt and acknowledgement. . . . The Office of the President is entitled to the same courtesy that is universally accorded between ladies and gentlemen."