Transcripts For CSPAN3 The Presidency Herbert Hoover And Dwight Eisenhower 20171121

Uneasy relationship between Herbert Hoover and Dwight Eisenhower a former director of the museum where this event took place. Its a great pleasure to introduce the last speaker. Tim walch received a ph. D. In history from northwestern in 1975. After that he served in various capacities of ne National Archives and records institution part of that large organization. Until his retirement in 2011 beginning as a Program Analyst with the National Historical Public Relations commission, tim served as budget analyst, codirector of the modern archives institute, chief of Education Development before landing in west branch as assistant director of the Herbert Hoover president ial Library Museum and finally director of the same organization from 1993 to 2011. Prolific writer. He edited more than 22 books including the correspondence between hoover and eisenhower as well as numerous articles, essays, book reviews, encyclopedia entries and numerous book articles. On a personal note i always could count on tim to serve as a roaf refor a peer review journal i was involved with in my former capacity as Illinois State historian. He represents the finest attributes of those who serve in public history. When i was appointed director of the president ial Herbert Hoover museum after his retirement i knew i was taking over an organization tim had built into a top research center. Film grateful for all his good work, understanding Herbert Hoover. His talk today is the humanitarian and general, the Uneasy Partnership between Herbert Hoover and 58 d. Eisenhower. [ applause ] thanks, tom. Youre very generous as was richard last night. My remarks this afternoon and, folks, are there any better words to hear other than final speaker . [ laughter ] my remarks this afternoon are based on a book i did called Herbert Hoover and dwight d. Eisenhower, a documentary history. There is a flyer in the library if youre interested in the book itself. Theyre not sold here for a variety of reasons. Its the third in a trilogy i did with my friend and colleague, dwight miller, who is here on hoovers extraordinary relationship with Franklin Roosevelt, harry its an void life. And as we have learned today mr. Hoovers relationship with the men and many others makes it a life worth remembering. Today were here to talk about Herbert Hoover and dwight d. Eisenhower. The sons of the heart land found opportunity to Work Together in common cause in the years after world war ii. And discussed everything from the contentious fight for the 1952 republican president ial nomination to the Second Hoover Commission to reorganize the executive branch. Not surprisingly they had much in common. Both hoover and eisenhower had been born into religious families nd midwest. Both selfmade and the first members of the their families to graduate from college. Both men had distinguished careers before they were elect td to the presidency. Most important both men shared a common con seshtive politicalfy l philosophy. It may come as a surprise that the two men were never close. It was not for a lack of effort at least on ikes part. But the older man seemed suspicious of his motive. And perhaps it was the politics of the presidency. They had been on opposite sides of the 1952 Republican National convention. And hoover could never quite come to trust eisenhower after the convention. To be sure hoover saw value in working with the president was always polite, even kor jal. The relationship was formal at best. They were colleagues but not friends. It will surprise some of you that hoovers collaboration with eisenhower was not as personal as his partnership with trueman. As we have heard, hoover and truman had one of the oldest and productive partnerships in president ial history. And not to be over look td as the fact that hoover was a man in his 80s when he took on assignments. He could have rebuffed the appeals by claiming age or declining health. Thats not hoovers way. Its important to look at the hoover Eisenhower Pat ner ship . The context of hoovers long and productive post presidency. Although it has become common for recent president s to take active roles in public life after they leave office, it was unusual for president s before hoover to follow such a path. Hoover never articulated a Job Description for the role of former president. But defined the model that his successor used to the present day. As such, hoover found himself first as leader of the Republican Opposition to Franklin Roosevelt. And later as a partner to truman and eisenhower. Hoover also would provide support and private counsel to president s kennedy and johnson. Even at the age of 88 hoover only reluctantly declined a invitation to serve as honorary chairman of the peace core. His spirit was willing, hoover knew he no longer had the energy to do the job properly. So what event precipitated the president ial partnerships. To a significant extent it was fdr sudden death that defined hoovers personal relationship with the men. And had it not been for several accidents of history tgs not likely that hoover and truman would have ever crossed paths and forged their unusual partnership. They were about as politically different from one another as can be imagined. And yet had more in common than either man could have known. They were the first two president s born west of the mississippi. And both profoundly shaped by world war i. And its after math. They were both men of modest means who experience tragedy at an early age. Most important both men lived in the shadow of Franklin Roosevelt and needed each other to escape that. Truman faced a formidable Republican Opposition in congress and saw value in an alliance with hoover. For his part hoover saw vindication in a return to government service, under a democratic president. Together hoover and truman found a way forward that led to plans to rebuild europe and reorganize the executive branch. Hoover and truman remained friends even after truman left office in 19534. In fact an argument can be made the friendship deepened when they became equals as the nations two only living former president s. They formed an informal former President Club and saw each other from time to time in new york and florida. The conversation was casual. The add mirgs was genuine. They attended president ial libraries and exchanged books. The wonderful letter from hoover to truman. Truman was so impressed with that letter he actually had it framed and displayed on the behind his desk at the library. And the folks will tell you when hoover was in residence he would point to or show that letter to visitors. Hoovers relationship with eisenhower was significantly different from that partnership with truman. He was no stranger when they began the correspondent. It is likely that the two men were first introduced by general Douglas Mcarthur. When he was army chief of staff. During the hoover administration. Eisenhower was aid atd the time and often charged with the responsibility for preparing reports and communication for president. It is logical therefore to assume eisenhower had a number of formal conversations in briefings with the commander in chief between 1929 and 1933. That likely cow have been acknowledged. Theres no record of any written contact between hoover and eisenhower during those years. The first document evidence of communication between the two men comes at the end of world war ii when hoover wrote about a matter very close to hoovers heart. He had been an active collector of documentation on war revolution and peace. Since the years after the first world war. It was his belief that knowledge would help prevent nations from repeatedly making the same mistake. To further research on these issues, hoover opened a special war library at stanford university. And that was the term he often used the war library. Established in 1919 it grew into the hoover institution. With its own tower in the middle of the stanford campus. With the end of a second word war in 1945 hoover took the initiative to smooth away for his representatives to travel in europe and gather vital documents. He knew that eisenhowers cooperation was essential to this effort and he issued a request for help in 1945 and a flurry of communication came the following year. Collecting documents was not the only issue that brought the two together. Food relief in europe was a personal concern and hoover took to the leading role as chairman of the president s Famine Emergency Committee with eisenhower taking a supporting role as the supreme ally commander in europe. Not surprisingly, hoover briefed eisenhower on civilian food needs and eisenhower in turn briefed his staff on hoovers work. A third issue of common interest was politics. Hoover was keenly interested in the upcoming election of 1948 and eisenhower was rumored to be a candidate. Would he run as a republican for president . Hoover wanted to know and put his thoughts on paper and those thoughts are in the book. A final issue was the reorganization of the executive branch. So called first Hoover Commission a task he took on for truman. Hoover was pleased to have eisenhower as a consultant. On the reorganization of the War Department and its eventual transition into the department of defense. For his part eisenhower was honored to work with the former president. On a vital issue. But as the 1940s came to an end, hoover was busy addressing the post war fa anyone in europe and the reorganization of the executive branch. Not surprisingly he had scant contact with eisenhower between 49 and 1949 and 1952. And the document evidence is found only in contact between third parties or mutual friends. There were a few efforts to get together particularly during the tiles when both were in new york. As president of the colombia for example, he invited him to serve as an honorary chair to raise funds. He declined that because he was raising money for the Engineering Program at stanford university. The communication during those years came as the cold war heated up in 1951. By then ik was nato commander and clearly committed to a leadership role for the United States in sustaining the fragile democracy of western europe. Hoover could not convince the future president that america should retreat to a focus primarily on national interest. So Foreign Policy was a friction point between the two. And there was no question where hoover stood. On december 20, 1950, hoover delivered a forceful direct call for the United States to concentrate on the preservation of the western hemisphere with Great Britain as the out post in the atlantic and japan for most and the philippine ins the pacific. In effect hoover was calling for america to adopt a modified isolation Foreign Policy. Similar to the one he advanced during his own administration. In this campaign he was not alope. Many republicans of the u. S. Senate were in agreement with the former president. Eisenhower would have none of the talk as america. Even if it was coming from a former president. And letters to his friends during the months, eisenhower was openly critical of hoover. In hindsight there was no surprise. It would have been illogical to reputeuate the crusade he led in europe from 1943 to 45. Or his service to Supreme Commander of the north american treaty organization. Most revealing during the years was a diary entry written by eisenhower on 1951. One of the men i most admired is Herbert Hoover. I am forced to believe hes getting senile. God knows i would like to get out of the europe and see the United States able to sit at home and ignore the rest of the world. What a pleasing prospect until you look at the ultimate consequence. Beginning in 1952, hoover turned his attention to the selection of the republican nominee. For president. In the campaign to roll back the excesses of the new deal. He had seize four campaigns come and go since his loss. He had some hope of being the nominee himself in 1936 and 1940. And had rallied his supporters when he didnt get the nomination those years. He was only mildly supportive in 1944 and 1948. As 19 5 2 approached however. Hoover and many of the associates began to marshall their resources in support of the president ial as separation of their friend and colleague. Taft of ohio. Known as mr. Republican, taft led the Congressional Republicans against truman and believed he had earned a shot at the president ial brass ring. 1952 should be his year. Just as important to hoover, taft had been one of the young hoover men. Who had worked with him on the commission for relief in belgium from 1914 to 1919. And in the rest of europe after the war. Such loyalty deserved his support. But due wi and his colleagues had other ideas and eisenhower was the man who had led the crusa crusade against hitler and the forces of evil. Eisenhower was at the center of the plans. It was internal struggle for the soul of the Republican Party. The First Six Months of 1952 were a time when the two camp focussed on the coming campaign. Although they were not political opponents as such, hoover and eisenhower certainly were not allies. In fact they barely communicated during the critical months before the president ial Campaign Began in earnest. Instead of direct communication they made comments through surrogate. The Republican National convention would be held in july. And evident to hoover the taft was in trouble. The delegate counts indicated taft would need every possible vote and sop the juggernaut if he was going to stop the juggernaut for eisenhower. Primary contests were bitter. And it appeared a convention Credential Committee would have to resolve the dispute. Hoover was not pleased with the squabbles and that they would be argued in public. It was his hope an agreement between the two camps could be worked out before the convention. Quite obviously hoover hoped that taft would prevail in any such negotiation. Paramount for hoover however was that the negotiations be done in private. And at the highest level. In an effort to facility the process hoover contacted senator henry lodge. Eisenhowers campaign manager. He approached the matter delicately in a june 16 telegram. Asking lodge and eisenhower to consider resolving the differences in private. Hoover was rebuffed on june 26 and a blunt letter from lodge that accused hoover and taft of being undemocratic. That hoover must have been upset is an under stamtd. What an instult. In fact one might mark the beginning of hoovers cool attitude towards eisenhower to this letter from lodge. The two men squabbled by mail up to the opening of the convention itself. Lodge eventually had his way and the disputes were resolved by the rnc delegate committee. It was a foregone conclusion for many observers that eisenhower would get the nomination. Did he have enough votes to get a victory on the first ballot . Hoover delivered a address to the convention on july 8. The former president believed that this was to be his last convention speech. He poured his soul into the message. He was pleased by theagelation and administration that he received from his fellow republicans. Had closed with the hope that god would give them the strength and courage to continue their fight for freedom. He was fefded by thundering applause as he left the podium. Although he was grateful to the response to his speech, hoover was bitter in the after math of the convention. His enemy towards the camp is evident in the available documents. Hoover drafted a brief memoir for the record and surmised he would have no role in the coming election campaign. Eisenhower of course won the nomination. But had a way to go to win over hoover. Theres no question that the former president believed he had been insulted by the eisenhower forces during the preconvention negotiation. With the campaign about to begin in earnest it was unclear what role hoover could have in the fall. The press of course popped the question. Would hoover support, who would hoover support in fact general election. Quote being a republican i shall vote for the republican ticket. To say this an endorsement of eisenhower was tepid is an under statement. Perhaps hoover was throwing an insult back at eisenhower and his minnons for the way he believes he was treated prior to the convention. Whatever the subtext it was clear to eisenhower that he would have some work to do to get hoover on board in the general election campaign. During august and september, eisenhower made several efforts to contact the former president. To no avail. For various reasons the two men did not talk until october 9. After a fateful telephone call however, hoover prepared a memorandum that summarized a call to action. The principle purpose of the call was ask hoover to address the nation on behalf of the republican ticket. A task that the former president gladly accepted. On the evening of october 18, by both radio and television the Herbert Hoover spoke to the american people. Misrepresentation, employment relief, aid to farmers, labor, children, housing and more. Hoover never got to the point. Encouraging his followers to get out and vote for eisenhower and nixon. In fact hoover didnt everyone mention the republican ticket until the last paragraph of the speech. Was this resid chul hostility . Well never know. The speech was his principle contribution to the campaign. And he was pleased with the effort. He received a telegram from eisenhower which confirmed his believes. He took on one other task on behalf of the republican ticket that fall. That was to convince Douglas Mcarthur to openly support eisenhower and end the write in campaigns that were going on. Every vote would count. There was no question that hoover was pleased with the result on november 4. For the First Time Since he had left washington in march of 1933, a republican was back in the white house. Eisenhower victory first and in winning the no, maam nax and the election were bittersweet. Hoover was pleased a republican was back in the white house but dispinted it was not taft. Unfortunately the vesages of the 52 campaign cast a lingering measure towards the new president. That would never disappear in spite of eisenhowers effort to c curry favor. He knew come january a republican would be in the white house and that fact gave him a measure of vindication. He was back in washington after 20 years of exile. And no doubt he was pleased with the public response to his october 18 speech. Request for paper copies poured into the towers in new york. Its likely hoover believed he had contributed to the eisenhower victory. And he didnt dissuade the former president in the belief. January 20 of 1953, there he was with his friend the out going president harry truman and his new colleague the incoming Dwight Eisenhower. The shadow of Franklin Roosevelt passed. Hoover was looking forward restless to begin a new project and with this new president. The acrimony and friction of the cam pab was over. The new president was attentive and a Second Hoover Commission was in the offing. He didnt say as much, it is logical to assume that Herbert Hoover was generally optimistic and he would play a role in the administration. That was the way the partnership began. As uneasy as it was. With hoover expecting offers of collaboration and consultation. From eisenhower showing Modest Initiative in reaching out to the former president. Hoover was not inclired to make the first move with eisenhower anymore that he had been with truman. Of course hoover did keep the Eisenhower White house informed of his contacts with congress during the years. Particularly as they relate to the reorganization of the executive branch. These Early Communications were hints he wanted to back at work dismantling the deal. Initially eisenhower didnt disappoint the former president. The legislation establishing the new commission was passed by the congress and signed into law shortly after eisenhower took office. As was the practice with the first the commission the legislation called for the president and leaders of house and senate to appoint members to the Second Hoover Commission. Hoover had been appointed to the First Commission was house republicans. This time however his appointment came from the white house. Although he didnt have the power to appoint hoover as chairman, it was clear that the administration expected that hoover again would be in charge. The former president had High Expectations is without question. Hoover had succeeded in e listing substantial cooperation from truman in response of recommendations from the first. Hoover could only speculate at how much more he could get done with a republican president. And hoover was not one o wait around until he received the paper work establishing that commission. Available documents indicate that hoover took every opportunity during the first seven months of 1952 to offer advice to congress on matters relating to reorganization. In each case he also copied in the president. As he waited for further instruction from the white house, hoover also offered his support to on matters related to food relief in europe, a second subject of interest to him. Finally on july 13, hoover got the formal request to begin work formal work on a Second Hoover Commission. The former president was back in business and had High Expectations for substantial change. Over the next two years with his commission hoover and his commissione commissioners turned out brief recommendations on a wide range of aspects on the executive branch. Each report was well received by both congress and the administration. Hearings were held, legislation was proposed. And yet the pace of change was excruciateingly slow. He had deep concerns about what should be done. Diary entry for example on july 24, 1953 reveals a skepticism about the very need for a Second Hoover Commission. It seemed to eisenhower the commission would get in the way of other administration initiative. Congress was formidable and interested so hoover, eisenhower accepted the inevitable. That acceptance being noted eisenhowers lack of enthusiasm for the commission compromised the pace and the legislation darkened hoovers mood. Hoover began reorganizing the executive branch for the second time in january of 1954. Often skeptical of the government. The former president was pleased with the number of recommendations from the first Hoover Commission that had been adopted during the truman years. Expected with a Republican Congress and a white house there wub no limit to the number of changes that could be adopted in the coming two years. Hoover however was unaware the president was skeptical of the value of the commission. He also was unaware the administration was giving serious thought to expanding the former president s portfolio to include an investigation of the Central Intelligence agency. After a more serious consideration however, eisenhower chose to give not guilty to give more work to man approaching his 80th birthday. It may have been best because hoover became distracted by an invitation he received from conrad. Than the chancellor of the federal republic of germany to visit country. Hoover worked hard to feed that war torn nation in the after math of world war ii. Concerned about a highly visible visit, hoover consulted the white house before he accepted the invitation. The former president must have been pleased with the attention he received by the way as he approached that 80th birthday. In august of 1954. In fact he received an invitation to go fishing and camping with president eisenhower. Just prior to a trip the two of them took to the iowa state fair. And a homecoming celebration. It was quite a summer for a man who had seen many spectacular summers. He devoted 1955 to his work on the commission and recommendations. There was little communication with the president during those months. That doesnt mean that the president was not aware of hoover or his value to the administration. In fact theres some evidence that he saw in hoover as a man of wisdom and intelligence. A new year meant new challenges for both men. The president had suffered a heart attack and the nation was wondering about his long term health. Was eisenhower capable of handling a second term . Was there a way to reduce some of the burden of the presidency . Hoover had an idea. The establishment of an administrative Vice President. To help the president as he first proposed and proposed that idea in an appearance on meet the press in december of 1955. Many of the duties that he described are what the chief of staff now does. At the white house. Intrigued by this idea senator kep di invited him to testify before congress on his proposal. Hoover was cautious however and sounded out adams at the white house on the Administration Support for the idea. The former president came away from his discussion with the firm belief that he had support. And this belief was reenforced from Additional Data from staffers over the next week. Hoover prepared testimony before kennedys committee thinking that everyone agreed with the merit of the idea. But there was a double cross afoot. Thats the way hoover put it on january 11th, adams sent kennedy a letter that questioned the need for such an office. And rejected hoovers idea. The former president had been blind sided and he then scheduled a meeting with the president to clarify the issue. Theres no document that quite explains what they said to one another. Hoover didnt allow that matter to distract him from lobbying the president to support more commission recommendations. In a letter of april 22nd and a response from eisenhower set the tone and the agenda for modest progress. Eisenhower would do what he could but not take extraordinary measures to go beyond what were political reality. Perhaps eisenhower was reoccupied with the upcoming president ial election in november of 1956. It had been more than half a century since a republican president had been elected to a selkd second term. He wanted to ensure he ended the long drought. Hoover believed his recommendation would secure victory on election day. Eisenhower did not dispute the claim. He didnt advance the commissions recommendation through the congress as part of the reelection campaign. Hoover did not push the matter. In fact he was uncertain if he would have any role in the campaign. And he was unwilling to atoernd speak at the convention without a personal invitation from the president. Eisenhower of course followed suit and hoover was asked to participate. He did speak. In broad terms and his remarks were politely received. For these remarks, hoover used the Cbs Television net work. But the former president hedged his bets and preleased the text of his remarks to the radio net works and print need ya. Reelection pleased hoover and no doubt gratified to played a small part in the campaign. Hoover received an invitation to the inauguration and planned to attend. As the year came to an end, however, both hoover and eisenhower were caught up in a cold war crisis in hungry. The world was a dangerous place and both knew well that the president often was called onto respond when dictated a measured response. With the election and the second term secured, hoover and eisenhower turned their attention to other issues. For hoover this meant an increase effort to pressure the president to do more to implement the recommendations of the Second Hoover Commission. That dilemma facing hoover as well as eisenhower the fact half of the recommendations required congressional action. Passage was probable as long as eisenhower stayed focussed opt matter of hand. Throughout 1957 hoover wrote frequently to the president. With items and strategy. Hoover went so far as to prepare draft remarks for hoover to deliver to congress and to the nation. About the reorganization of the executive branch. Hoover was of course exceedingly respectful of eisenhowers authority and took pains to make it clear he was merely trying to be helpful. But hoover was on a mission to achieve passage of the recommendation. And knew eisenhower was key to the victory. Indicative of the commitment to the hoover recommendations is his memorandum to chief of staff on may 15th. Although the memo fts neutral in tone the message was clear. He wanted to see more action. That he appreciate td hoover and his commission as evident in the citation that pleresented to hoover on february 4. After referring to the work of the commission as a quote crowning achievement. The citation concluded with these words. Through your efforts, ours will be a stronger country. In so adding strength to the American Republic you have added strength to the free world. Interestingly he was referred to in the citation as a statesman and citizen. Not as a former president. That most likely suited hoover who wanted to be measured by his Public Service not by his political office. Hoover wanted results not. Perhaps it was his age or the fact eisenhower was a republican. Hoover expected the administration to show sustained initiative for the work of his commission. To Pressure Congress and white house hoover gave his blessing the establishment of Citizen Committee for the hoover report. Led by Business Executive francis. And there was no disputing that the committee got significant results. The committee which operated from 1953 until 1958, by that time, francis reported that the administration had implemented fully twothirds of the recommendation. Which by many measures would be considered a great success. Except when compared with his achievement during the first Hoover Commission. When they passed 72 of the commission recommendation. That point kind of stuck in mr. Hoovers krau. The formal work of the Second Hoover Commission had ended in 1955. By thafts just the first stage farce hoover was concerned. Throughout eisenhowers second term from 1957 to 1961. The former president continued to respectfully remind the president about changes in the reform yet to be accomplished. For his part, eisenhower was atentative and pleased to report progress to hoover. When it came. The two president s saw the Commission Legacy very differently. After issuing a number of executive orders, eisenhower was sfoi satisfied he fulfilled his promise. But saw that much more could and should be done through legislative action. The former president wanted the white house to lobby capital hill in concert with the Citizen Committee. For hoover there was always more that could be done. Eisenhower may well have been frustrated by efforts to achieve legislative change. Certainly he was defensive in his response to francis on september 6 of 1958. Although eisenhower noted the fine work that had been done he promised that quote the administration will continue to put into effect recommendations not yet under taken and will in the operation of the government apply day by day many of the principles featured in the commissions work. It seemed as if he was bringing closure to the reorganization effort. And thanking the Citizens Committee for their efforts. Hoover never complained about the slow progress. But he was less than satisfied. It was rumored that he groused about eisenhower in a conversation with truman. Hoover was reported as saying harry, he doesnt listen to me either. In truth he was attentive to hoover and recommendations and the relative importance of the commission changes made by the eisenhower matched administration matched those implemented under harry trueman. Hoover could be easily disaffected. Had seemed to be looking for evidence of eisenhower lack to roll back the new deal. With the end of the Second Hoover Commission, hoovers communication with eisenhower shifted to belgium. In two rather gestures, eisenhower won a special measure of favor with hoover. The first was a request by eisenhower to hoover that hoover represent the United States at the opening of the world fair in brussels in 1958. He would visit the fair as the formal United States representative and deliver a speech on the fourth of july. At age 84 he must have known this would be the last trip to the country that was so close to his heart. The second gesture was to extend a formal invitation to visit the United States to the king of belgium. A formal state visit was a high honor. And in fact it was the very first state visit for belgium to the United States. The idea had originated with hoover and eisenhower was pleased to oblige the former president. He was grateful to hoover was without question. And that gratitude was evident in his inhavation to belgium. He knew of his deep affection for the country where his life of Public Service began in 1914. He knew hoover was a hero to the people. And that his visit would be a wonderful opportunity to look back over 50 years. It was only fitting that hoovers return would be in an official visit as u. S. Representative. And he should travel on the president s own maown plane the columbine. He was also pleased and honored that the belgium people honor he was also pleased the president honored the belgium people by inviting their king to for a state visit. Such events were pret tee josti affairs. Measure of gratitude to hoover he had the state department extend the invitation. Hoover was pleased to attend the state dinner at the white house on may 11, 1959. By 1960 with the Eisenhower Administration in its last year, there were few reasons for the two president s to communicate with one another. They had never been close. But they had accomplished good things together in reorganization in the federal government. In retro spect they cobbled together a productive partnership. Even though they were never friends. They were preoccupied with funding, constructing and opening their respective libraries. The eisenhower president ial library opened in the former president s hometown of kansas. On may 1 of 1962. The hoover president ial lie bray museum was dedicated that august in hoovers birthplace in west branch. Its the only time in the history of the president ial Library System two such libraries were dedicated in the same year. Interesting neither president attended the opening of the others library. The two men exchanged periodic pleasantries. But the entire year of 1961 passed without so much as an exchange between the two. Hoover did acknowledge but declines invitation to attend the ceremony. The two men continued to exchange birthday and holiday greetings. As his contact with eisenhower diminished. He turned his attention to the incoming president. The senator was no stranger to hoover. Who followed the young mans loif and career for 20 years. In fact hoover was a significant friend with Joseph Kennedy the father of the incoming president. Not surprising therefore hoover sent kennedy a note shortly after the election in november offering his assistance to the new administration. And the new president took him up on his offer. Kennedy sent a bright assistant mcgovern to visit him at the towers. The former president and future president ial nominee spent an afternoon discussing options for an effective program. Hoovers ideas were valued in the white house and he continued to release statements in support of the president s policy and send letters to the white house seeking to influence legislation. Ta hoover support was important to the kennedy administers was evident in the fact the former president comments were leaked to the press by the white house. And when legislation bogged down in congress in april, the white house asked hoover to appear on the a cbs news program discussing the initiative. Hoover declined the offer. Stating his views were well known. But the white house wanted to remind the public that hoover was on board on may 10, karl eleven called the and asked if wen hoover agreed providing that his endorsement was linked with those of president trueman and eisenhower and the white house agreed. Hoovers physical decline in 1964 was inevitable result of old age. He received the occasional communications from president tremendo truman and eisenhower. It was clear to all that the chief was slowing down. To be sure he continued to put in full days and in his comfortable suite. But travel was infrequent. He declined an invitation to appear at the Republican National convention in san francisco. That year. And he suffered bouts of ill health in august and september and slipped into a coma in october. He passed on october 20 and buried here october 29. The final document in the hoover, eisenhower partnership. A visit to this library in 1965. Almost a year after hoovers death, eisenhower was a guest of honor at the dedication of a postage stamp commemorating hoover. He made no formal remarks at the event. But he did offer comments to the press. This is what he said as reported in the Iowa City Press citizen. Quote, i wish to pay my special tribute to Herbert Hoover. Im always proud to honor those who have been recognized by their fellow men as great men. Great americans. As great humans. Among these, hoover stands in the first score. His great human qualities are known throughout the world. So long as the english language is spoken. So long as theres a nation, we will remember hoover with the greatest gratitude. So what are we to make of the partnership . The available documents show frustration, collaboration, and closure on a life of Public Service. That hoover had high hopes for his work with the first republican president in two decades is without question. That he was disappointed with the pace of the collaboration is also evident. Perhaps the former president had too high expectation for the eisenhower years. We will never know. What is not in doubt is that through his multiple contributions to the truman and Eisenhower Administration he made a difference in the shape of the executive power in washington. For that all of us can acknowledge a substantial measure of gratitude. To this Founding Member of the former president s club. Thank you very much. [ applause ] so says the final speaker. If you have questions and of course as you know im a serial talker. Give me a podium and you have to pry my cold dead fingers from the side. Questions . I would like to ask a question about hoover older son. A senior position in the state department. He was even alkting secretary of state. Yes. Can you just explain what you know about how that came about . What was interesting about this kind of doubling back. One of hoovers measures of friendship or point of discussion with ambassador kennedy was the respective career of their two sons. John f. Kennedy from. And herbert jr. He was under secretary of state. I think starting in the second hoover second eisenhower term. And was acting secretary of state when john foster suffered a heart attack. And specifically he was acting secretary of state during the crisis. He played a Critical Role and in fact i think there was active and avid discussion of appointing hoover jr. As secretary of state when he retired. After the first term. They chose instead christian her. Another hoover man by the way. Another person who served in the famine relief years. He played a Critical Role in the administration. Could you talk about how hoover and eisenhower dealt with joe mcarthur . Theres not a lot of discussion, i have not explored that the topic never came up between the two of them. Discussing that as an issue. Theres no documents in the volume that represent any direct communication on political issues. These two men stayed on point. As far as their direct communication. Theres no question that joe mcar thi was a burr under his saddle. And how to deal with it and how to have Congress Deal with it. Whats most interesting is that the fact that we in the effort to discipline joe mcarthur and challenge him into oppose what he was doing we give so little credit to Margaret Chase smith. An extraordinary woman. It was really a difficult time for the Republican Party to deal with somebody who was kind of off the rails so to speak. I think eisenhower avoided the issue. The question of loyalty and of course it is clear that you have mcarture attacking the army and other eisenhower departments. But as far as what i know of the issue eisenhower kept, i know of no comments by hoover on joe. They maybe there. You have to tease it out. Somewhere in the collection behind these walls. I invite you all to visit. Good topic. Get back there and do some research. I wonder if there was anything that you could comment on about hoovers relationship with richard nixon, was he a build between between the taft, hoover people and the eisenhower, due wi people . There are documents between Vice President nixon. And Herbert Hoover. There was a tendency on nixons part to send glowing letters of. Theres no evidence of any kind of warmth or collaboration per se. It was more in the manner of fan letters. Than in terms of colleagues. They certainly didnt see nixon as an equal or the up and coming power within the Republican Party. In an odd sort of way he had more affection for kennedy than he did for nixon. In fact as i was saying to somebody last night, in the contested election of 1960 which was so close and during the weeks between the Election Results and the question of whether or not there should be a recount, hoover was in florida and he was there john kennedy was there as well. And nixon. They got together along with ambassador kennedy to talk about the issue. So in some ways Herbert Hoover negotiated a between kennedy and nixon. And in effect nixon chose not to pursue a recount. Specifically in illinois and texas. So in some ways, hoover judged people based on not just what shea tad or political affiliation and party. But whether they were kinded spirits in their belief and what had they accomplished. I have always before interested in that relationship between hoover and the kennedy family. As much as i was between hoover and truman. Its hard for us to imagine in the contemporary Political Climate imagine that any former president of opposite political persuasion would have a real affection. You do occasionally see it. Richard said in the past, the relationship with carter and gerald ford was extraordinary. And of course we saw it as far as the early days of the republic by adams and jefferson. It does happen. Lets Work Together. In cause that we all share. In the back. My question has to do with the women, i was wondering i think theres some evidence that hoover reached out to roosevelt before the hoovers moved out of the white house. But i was wondering if there was any response from el noer any time she reached out to lieu hoover in your knowledge. One of the interesting challenges of course, or dilemma. But the relationship the fractured relationship between hoover and roosevelt. And how they responded to one another. It was always through third parties. Comments they would make about one another. Even when you have a life changing event for example when sarah the president s mother who lived with them at the white house passed away, president hoover didnt send his condolences to the president. He sent them to his wife. Im not quite sure if theres a subtext. Its true when president roosevelt sent herbal hoover a telegram of condolence on the passing of his mother, he responded again to el noer roosevelt. He did occasionally use her as his go between. There was however a kind of relationship in the years after the war. When she became more vocal and set out on her Political Campaign and career and wrote a newspaper column called my day. In which she was on occasion openly critical of positions taken by hoover. And he didnt take kindly. There was more friction in the years after Franklin Roosevelt passed than there was before that time. I dont know of any direct personal relationship between el nor and lou hoover. To have them curry favor with the hoovers. I think they saw that the hoovers were an up and coming power couple and wanted to hitch their way gone to the success. Roosevelt before he became governor of the new york was president of the American Construction counsel. A Residential Housing trade group. And of course working with the secretary of commerce, would be a real feather in his cap. There was every reason for the roosevelts to try to make friends with the hoovers. Of course that breaks down as franklin becomes governor of new york. And hoover becomes president of the United States. And the deteriorates further during the campaign of 1932. Communication after that time is very spotty. And other than the telegrams of condolence. Which are odd. I really dont have much to offer. Good question. I believe on that note. We shall end. No, tom, im out of time. Please. Another hour. We can continue this after. The collected wisdom of fidel castro. Next. Thank you. As my mother would say. Thank them all for listening to you. American history tv is in trim time all week. Tuesday night we focus on women history. With the discussion on 17th century puritan views of women in the Massachusetts Bay colony. And look at school for African American girls. Which was created in 1850. For formally enslaved girls. Watch American History tv in prime time. Starting at 8 00 p. M. Eastern here on cspan 3. Cspan, where history unfolds daily. In 1979, cspan was created as a Public Service by americas Cable Television companies. Brought to you today by your cable or satellite provider. Theres more American History tv coming up next. With the professor ross kennedy from Illinois State university. He talks about herbert