In the following article Representative Christian A. Herter '15 discusses the qualifications of Herbert Hoover as a candidate for re-election, in connection with the Crimson poll which starts tomorrow. Herter was assistant to Hoover as Secretary of Commerce from 1919 to 1924 and occupied the position of executive secretary of the European Relief Council from 1920 to 1921. Two years ago he was lecturer on International Relations at Harvard.

Obviously anyone who is endeavoring to make up his mind in regard to the next Presidential election, must determine for himself the following questions:

1. What are the principal problems confronting this country today?

2. Who is the man best qualified to meet those problems insofar as the office of President of the United States permits?

3. Is that man available?

No one can deny that the greatest problem facing this country today is recovery from the economic depression. Whatever the causes of the depression, and they are probably many reaching far beyond the borders of the United States, the principal question which concerns the people of the United States is how to care for the present and provide for the future. They problem is essentially one of reconstruction and relief.

Hoover Gives Soundest Remedies

For three years Herbert Hoover has been President of the United States. During that time he has been the target for every American who is suffering from the present depression and in characteristic fashion wishes to place responsibility on the powers that be, and particularly on the President. During that time Herbert Hoover has faced greater problems than any peace-time President has ever had to face before. Not a day has passed that he has not devoted all of his waking hours in an attempt to solve those problems. He has never lost patience and never lost courage, and never lost faith in the American people. He has withstood the onslaughts of every radical who had some expensive idea for curing the world's ills. Both negatively and positively he has shown astounding courage in resisting dangerous experiments and in proposing constructive measures of assistance. While his critics have been voluble with abuse, they have never offered a constructive suggestion. Calmly, dispassionately, and without any of the arts of the demagogue, he has offered the only sound remedies that have been proposed from any quarter.

Most Experienced Candidate

Mr. Hoover is available. Not only is he available but he has behind him an experience in facing problems of reconstruction and relief equalled by no man in the world. He has a complete staff at work--a staff both experienced and capable in the administrative problems of the Government. His appointments, both to administrative posts and the Judiciary have been of the highest order. His entire working force is in full swing. It requires no long process of education. If it were replaced--inevitable in any change of administration--a period of uncertainty and chaos would ensue. Furthermore. no matter who might succeed to the Presidency, that individual, in looking for the meat competent advice now before the country, would have to turn to Mr. Hoover. That being the case, he should be kept where he is and where his experience, knowledge, and character can do the most good.

Problems are Economical

The problems of reconstruction and relief before the country are economic problems, not political. No greater danger could befall this nation than to have the American people wept off their feet by political quackery or demagoguery and the promise of prosperity to come which cannot be conjured out of a hat by political legerdemain. Sane, well considered, sound economic thought and action alone can bring a semblance of restoration to our shattered prosperity. In my opinion Herbert Hoover, from every angle by which one might approach this problem, is best qualified to carry out such a course.