HOOVER, HERBERT CLARK

(1874) American engineer and cabinet officer: b. West Branch, Ohio. He graduated at Stanford University, Cal., in 1895, took part in geological surveys during his college vacations and in 1896 became manager of mines in New Mexico and California. He went to West Australia in 1897 as chief of the mining staff of an Australian corporation. Two years later he was chief engineer of the Chinese Imperial Bureau of Mines. He participated in American operations during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900. From that period until 1914 he was engaged actively in important mining operations. During the World War he was chairman of the American Relief Committee in London and Belgium, 1915-16; and in 1917 was made Food Administrator of the United States by President Wilson. In that office he gained a national reputation, and, following the close of the war, made a remarkable record in feeding the inhabitants of destitute regions in Poland, Austria and other impoverished sections of Europe. His name was prominently mentioned as a candidate for the presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention in 1920. He became Secretary of Commerce in the cabinet of President Harding in March of 1921. The administration of his department has been notable for economy and efficiency. He was an active factor in the American relief afforded the starving millions of Ru ia in 1922 and took an important part in the guarding of the commercial interests of United States busine men in 1923.