Child welfare and child relief work, mr. Hoover, my mind went back to a rather notable statement you made on the subject. It seems as i recall, it was back in 1930 when you were president. I believe you had summoned a Child Welfare council at that time. I think its in here in this book, im wondering if it wouldnt be appropriate for to you tell us about it at this time. Well i can read it to you. That statement has been republished many times, rather an old statement, im afraid. The older i grow, the more i appreciate children. We approach all the problems of childhood with affection. Theirs is the problems of joy and of good humor. They are the most wholesome part of the race. They are the sweetest, they are fresher from the hands of god. Whimsical, ingenious, mischievous, we live of life of apprehension what their opinions may be of us, we put them to bed with a sense of relief and a lingering of devotion. We envy them the freshness of adventure. And the discovery of life. We mourn over the disappointments which they will meet. Thank you, sir. I think that probably brings us up to with the government Reorganization Commission. Two president s i believe called you to washington. To take up that work. Could you tell me what your reaction is from that labor . The problems perhaps are entirely too long to go into here. But this government of ours multiplied itself from about 600,000 officials, up to 2,500,000, as a result of 23 years of war and trouble. And multiplied the budget from 3. 5 billion to as much as 75 billion with, a growth of Government Agencies from about 300 up to some 1600. And fabulous waste and kuply indication and waste and lack of efficiency. So the congress with at i profl of the president in each case set up a commission and in both cases i was asked to take the chairmanship. The first Reorganization Commission of six years ago. Secured the adoption of a great many of the recommendations of 70 . They related largely to reorganizations of different agencies and setting up a new structure, of the government. The korean war and the rearmament came along and obscured whatever savings there were the Second Commission examined the government from a functional and a policy point of view. We have made recommendations, which if adopted would enable the balancing of the budget and a very substantial reduction in taxes. The last commission required five years. To get its proposals adopted, it may take it some years to get these. I feel certain that they will come. I believe you intend to keep working at it, to see what you can do to make it come true . The press seems determined on getting me retired, but i cant stop until we get these recommendations adopted. Mr. Hoover it seems to me this is an appropriate time for me to ask you this. In view of world conditions with our own country and abroad. What do you think with respect to the chances of private enterprise returning and the chances of our having greater individual freedom again . Well you mentioned abroad. There has been a total economic revolution in germany. Germany has gone back to a Free Enterprise system and has become the most populous state in europe, likewise belgium retreated from communism into Free Enterprise. The last election in britain guaranteed the retreat from socialism to Free Enterprise in our own country we havent made as much progress as we should. The second Reorganization Commission, however, proceeded on the thesis that this was a country. Where the economic and social system was based on private enterprise and individual action. Both of them naturally regulated to prevent unfair practice and prevent a mondayop and the government should only intervene with people in matters in which the peel could not support and take care of themselves. Well ill department has departed along ways from that basis. And the recommendations of the Reorganization Commission are very largely in the nature of methods of return back to the fundamental pieces on which this country was founded. We covered a vast number of subjects here today. We covered a lot of ground. I think the thing that comes out of it possibly has been the fact that youve bn become a mighty hard working man all your life. I think that youre also known for your relaxation, would you tell us how do you get your relaxation. I go fishing whenever i get a chance. Also i go to a baseball games. And any other exercise of that kind. I have a rather yen for fishing, because the ripple of a brook and the slap of the wave against the side of the boat will brainwash most anybody into a much cleaner position, huh . Depart you once make a very famous statement about fishing . I dont know, i said a lot about it. I explained that why president s fish, they all have, even though they never fished before. And that was because the American People have respect for privacy only on two occasions. One of them is prayer and the other is fishing. And president s cant pray all the time. Fishing question is often a problem of getting away from here to somewhere else and getting out of an awkward spot, it didnt matter much how many fish you get. If you get anyway, you know perfectly well all men are equal before fishes. Theres no ascendency of these evil thoughts that seem to infect our social system. That of course brings me to another subject that i wanted to ask you about before we part. Your interest entitle boys club, i refer to that because i was thinking of you talking about baseball and fishing. You have a very vital interest in the boys club. Will you tell me what that means to you . Ive been the chairman of the board of the boys clubs now for nearly 20 years. But clear to me as being a completely systematic method by which elder people could be of help to youngsters. Outside of their normal schooling in parents and so forth. The boys club have got about 400,000 members, theyre all slum boys. Its a slum movement. It is probably the best preventive a youth delinquency there is in the United States. These boys are taken in and they are given certain manual training and theyre given music and they have ample games and theyre organized into teams instead of gangs. And they have the kind of equipment that is rolling in dimensions. Today it would cost 120 million to replace the equipment we have in those institutions. And i might mention to you, that the boys clubs, these boys clubs develop five major league players, in the last series. It also gives a chance for the older man to do something for the boys. Just as older men have done, did things for you as you were growing up. Isnt that right . Yes, a large part of is it is based on voluntary help with other people. To[i 4ix carpenter goes in and charge from the carpenters shop and if he develop as boy who looks like a carpenter, he helps him along in life and so forth. Mr. Hoover while ive been sitting here, i wanted to ask you something about these flags. This flag is the president s flag, is that not right . Thats quite right. Would you tell me please why you have it here . It is the only gift that your president receives from the American People. He gets no pension, he gets no title. But he gets his own flag. Unlike the nor who is called a senator or a governor who is called governor after he leaves office a president is you better mention the kentucky colonels and all the generals. And the president is just nothing but plain mr. And i think its a comfortable feeling. Mr. Hoover, i want to thank you for this session that you and i have had here together today. I wonder if you would be willing to give me something of your philosophy. Something of your feeling about your fellow americans and your country. Ray, that rather an extensive subject. Sometime i wrote a passage on the subject. I think youve done it in that book, if you give it to me, i dont think i could phrase it as well asdy at that time. And do it extemporaneously. Fine. So if you like, i dont mind reading it to you. I wish you would, sir. Perhaps without immodesty, i can claim to have had some experience in what the word america means. Ive lived in many lands, many kinds of american life. After my early boyhood in an iowa village, i lived as a ward of a country doctor in oregon. I lived among those to whom hard work was the price of existence. The opportunities of america opened to me through the public schools. They carried me to the professional training in the Great American university. I began by working with my own hands for my daily bread. I have tasted the despair of fruitless search for a job. I even know the kindly encouragement of a humble boarding housekeeper. Ive seen america in contrast with many nations and many races. My profession took me into many foreign lands and many kinds of governments, ive worked in governments of free men, of tyrannies of socialists of communists and ive met with princes and kings and despots and desperados. Ive seen the squalor of asia and the frozen class barriers of europe. I was not a tourist, i was a associated in their working lives and in their problems. I had to deal with their social systems and their governments. And outstanding every tore to these great masses of people, there was a hallowed word america. To them it was the hope of their whole world. Every homecoming was for me a reaffirmation of a growing of america. Each time my soul was washed by the relief of the grinding of other nations by the kindness which comes from the acceptance of equality and the wide open opportunity to all who want a chance. It is more than that. It is a land of selfrespect born alone of all of the sons of man can have this chance in life that has come to me. I recount all this in order that in quicker terms, i may give my own testimony. The meaning of our word america flows from one pure sort. Within the soul of america is freedom of mind and spirit in man. There alone are the open windows that pour through spirit. Perhaps it is not perfect, but is more full in its realization here than any other place in the world. Here is a look at some of our programming this week on the cspan networks. On cspan tonight at 8 00 p. M. Eastern, oral argument in the case of aclu versus clapper. The Second Circuit court of appeals hear as challenge to the phone surveillance program. Wednesday at 7 00 p. M. , live coverage of a debate between North Carolina democratic senator kate hagen and tom tillis. Elizabeth drew talks about her 1975 book washington journal. And cheryl chummily. Emily miller on her book emily gets her gun which describes her efforts to get license to own a hand gun in washington, d. C. On American History tv on cspan3, tonight at 8 00 p. M. Eastern, historians discuss the battle of bladensburg and the burning of washington and war of 1812. And live coverage of the symposium marking the 200th anniversary of the war. Find our Television Schedule at cspan. Org. Let us know what you think about the programs you are watching. Call us at 2026263400. Twitter use the hash tag c123. Or email us at comments cspan. Org. Each week American History tvs reel america brings arc eiffel films that help tell the story of the 20th century. At the end of 1963 the United States had about 16,000 military advisers in South Vietnam sent to help the army of the republic of vietnam in their war against hoe chi min and the communist north. Next, from 1963, a 30minute u. S. Army film documenting the activities of captain William Johnston who trains and assists South Vietnamese troops while they are constantly being attacked and harassed by vietcong. 50 years ago on august 10th 1964 the situation in vietnam was transformed when Lyndon Johnson signed the resolution to grant the president broad powers to increase american involvement in the conflict. Since the outbreak of hostilities in 1959, United States Army Advisers in vietnam have undergone a variety of experiences and learned much about the complexities of guerrilla warfare in southeast asia. Working through m. A. G. These advisers have increased in number to more than 12,000. Each is assigned to a specific activity or unit of the army of the republic of vietnam commonly referred to as arvin to make sure that u. S. Equipment is used and maintained properly and to teach by lecture, demonstration and by setting an example. Perhaps the advisers most important function is to advise and assist the unit commander his arvin counterpart to make suggestions skillfully and diplomatically in a manner adjusted to the customs and traditions of the vietnamese and the individual personality of the commander. Since 1959, in fact since 1956 when m. A. G. Advisers were sent to vietnam, many lessons have been learned, guidelines, technics and principles have been developed. The best way to describe it and to illustrate the Lessons Learned is to tell the story of one u. S. Officer, captain william r. Johnston who served from may 1962 to april 1963, as m. A. G. Adviser to the first Infantry Battalion army of the republic of vietnam. 34yearold michiganborne captain johnston with a wife and two children in chicago would soon learn his military assignment required a thorough knowledge of guerrilla tactics. As well as all staff functions. And more important, he learn ed to maintain a workable relationship with his arvin counterpart he would have to make some changes in his approach toward human relationships. His counterpart had received infantry and artillery training in the United States. But there was still a large gulf of two divergent cultures. To function efficiently as a unit advisor, it would be up to Sergeant Johnston to bridge this gulf as rapidly and completely as vietnamese customs would permit. As johnston met officials he was aware of the need to understand the vietnamese people without becoming involved in their politics. The advisers duty was to adhere to the u. S. National policy and his obligation would be to support the operations of the incumbent government of vietnam. When johnston reported to the First Battalion they were stationed at a sugar mill. The main source of sugar, rum and molasses for all of vietnam was located on the river 16 kilometers east of the cambodian border. One primary mission of the First Battalion was to provide security for the mill as well as stop the viet cong from collect taxes. Captain johnston made it a point not to rush matters in establishing himself with a vietnamese and with captain cong. With them here is a schoolteacher drafted into the army and now johnstons interpreter. The american captain learned that the mill employed 2,000 workers and in an area largely controlled by the viet cong. They estimated that 30 of the employees were guerrillas who operated on night patrols disrupting supply lines. Feeling his way carefully, one of captain johnstons first recommendations was improve artillery installations. He also suggested that living in shelters improvised from ponchos was neither helping morale nor contributing to supply economy and he agreed to construct barracks. Another basic mission of the battalion was to secure a portion of the only usable road between the mill and sigh gone. The road led through viet cong infested territory with an estimated two companies of guerrillas operating in the First Battalions area of responsibility. Despite the presence of the First Battalion word was received one morning that the road had been cut during the night. Captain johnston hurried to the scene where the viet cong were still in the area. Battalion troops arrived a few minutes later. He learned that the workload was at sites that would not always be available. The Second Company tried to intercept the guerrillas but only succeeded in driving them into the jungle. By this time, johnston considered himself a member of the battalion. Was aware the officers and men liked to hear him say well do this for our bat alan. He recommended a course of action to the company commander. Remembering that an adviser range, a 30 caliber machine gun was brought into use. A 60 millimeter mortar crew set up their weapon and began firing. Suspects were rounded up for interrogation. Johnston would assist in this as soon as he could. Once the guerrillas were driven off and the chance of harassing reduced to a million, crew s began repairing the road. Some of these same farmers have been recruited by the viet cong to dig it up the night before. There were several motives for cutting the road. Most important is to disrupt transportation and supply. These passengers disembarking so their bus can bypass the damaged portion illustrate another motive which is to enable the viet cong to halt civilian traffic in order to recruit guerrillas, capture or kill officials, take hostages, collect money and to deliver propaganda and leaflets. When the road was sufficiently repaired the flow of traffic resumed, taking passengers to their destinations, as well as fuel and supplies to the sugar mill. As a result of the cutting of the road and other night activity by the viet cong, captain johnston made a recommendation which led to the first disagreement between he and captain cong. The recommendation was for regular night patrols throughout the area. Although it was followed the Battalion Commander refused at first because he was adhering to the old concept of fight buying day, defend buying night. Johnston asked permission to leave volunteer patrols and he rel ukt ly consented. They proved so successful that the Battalion Commander drew up plans for nightly patrols, receiving high praise from division. Johnstons reward was satisfaction from the results obtained. While stationed at the sugar mill the captains and the First Battalion participated in other combat operations at company level, as a battalion or as part of a larger unit. Helicopters played an Important Role in such operations and it was up to johnston to request helicopter support through the rejmental advisor and to brief u. S. Pilots. The First Battalion was to clear this district where the viet cong was active near the capital region. At first to get an idea of the capabilities of the battalion troops, johnston accompanied the lead element. Huts and c. P. S were burned to the ground. A communist information booth was levelled by First Battalion soldiers and members of the selfdefense corps. Even in the midst of combat, troops took a break. Johnston quickly learned that vietnamese have less stamina than americans and they must have frequent breaks and four meals a day. But this did not interfere with the mission. A sizable number of prisoners and suspects were captured. When johnston arrived on the scene he learned they had not been searched. He suggested that this be remedied. One was found to be on the wanted list, a hardcore viet cong who committed murders and atrocities against civilians. Interrogation of prisoners presented a major and continuing problem to johnston in his capacity as an adviser. It was his responsibility to arrange for armor support when needed. In the later mission, these armored personnel carriers were requested to assist the First Battalion in clearing the area of the delta. The high grass made it easy for the viet cong to hide. However, some were captured and many suspects flushed out for interrogation. In obtaining armor or any other support it was up to the u. S. Adviser to make aware of the availability and to establish liaison to the supporting unit. Through the Advisory Team headquarters. In addition to armor and army aviation, other support obtained by the captains including artillery. Engineers. Signal. Ordnance. Medical. And naval. It was while the battalion was stationed at the sugar mill that he retrained the personnel. The u. S. Adviser devoted much time to help supervise this training. Which emphasized techniques specially adapted to the local terrain as well as weapons training. This exercise stressed unit tactic in clearing the area. The training in the area proved to successful that higher headquarters assigned the higher battalion the task of training three groups of recruits. These recruits as well as members of the battalion who could be spared were given training on the claymore antipersonnel mine
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