Beschreibung:

HOOVER, Herbert. Typed letter signed ("Herbert Hoover") to Edward Lyman at the firm of Overton, Lyman and Plumb, New York, N.Y., 24 February 1940. 1 page, 4to (10½ x 7¼ in.), three small rust stains and staple holes in left margin , otherwise fine. [With:] a telegram from Hoover to Lyman, 22 January 1940, retained carbon copies of two Lyman letters to Hoover, 29 February and 18 March 1940, and a letter to Lyman from Life magazine's Otis Peabody Swift, 9 March 1940. HOOVER REACTS TO THE PUBLICATION OF THE WORD "HOOVERVILLES" The accusations that President Hoover was directly to blame for the Great Depression had led to the symbolic association of his name with examples of the economic impact upon the nation. Newspapers utilized to keep the homeless warm were promptly labeled "Hoover blankets," rabbits killed as a source of food were "Hoover hogs" and shanty towns composed of makeshift shelters for those who had lost their homes became known as "Hoovervilles." The movie rendition of John Steinbeck's novel The Grapes of Wrath was due for release in 1940 and when Life magazine printed an article and photos of the feature in its January 22nd issue, the editors did not hesitate to utilize the familiar terms in its descriptive text. Hoover was outraged by the resurrection of the derogatory expressions and immediately sent a telegram to his attorney, calling his attention to the issue and suggesting "You should ask producers what it means." One month later, Hoover addresses a follow-up letter to his attorney: "Life magazine keeps shooting on this old question. I am wondering if you would mind writing them a letter somewhat on the enclosed draft and send them copies of their own pictures...My idea is for you not to write as a lawyer...but as a citizen of Los Angeles in protest." He clarifies his tentative approach: "My reason is that [Henry Robinson] Luce has turned very friendly. He is having trouble controlling his staff, and I think it might serve a purpose here and may even lay a foundation for action later on if this does not stop it." On February 29, Lyman responds to Hoover that even if Mr. Luce cannot control his staff "that does not excuse the fact that a character assassin employed by Life magazine continues over your personal protest in this contemptible policy of smearing you." On the same date, Lyman wrote to Luce criticizing the use of "the old smear of 'Hooverville." On March 9, Otis Peabody Swift of Life's executive offices responds that he was "unaware that the use of the word 'Hooverville' in describing the communities shown in the film 'The Grapes of Wrath' did not derive directly from the film itself." He promptly counters Lyman's criticism: "the practice of shack and squatter communities of depression victims as 'Hoovervilles' constituted common usage." He does apologize, however, for any offense to the former President: "I am especially distressed that you should feel that this constituted any expression of disrespect for Mr. Hoover whose splendid personality is known to so many of us here and whose magnificent work today speaks for itself." Together six items . (6)