The next day—Tuesday—the scale was tilted the other way by
President Hoover, who answered the threat of the Democratic Senators to force a special session. Mr. Hoover pointed out that few people had had more experience than himself in fighting hardship and starvation with the help of large funds. But it had always been his aim to evoke a maximum of self-help. " I am confident that our people have the resources, initiative, courage, stamina and kindliness of spirit to meet this situation in the way they have met their problems over generations." He added that he would ask for State help if ever it were necessary, but he was convinced that it would not be. Upon all this the Washington correspondent of the Times shrewdly comments that neither side has attempted to move towards a compromise, though the field of compromise is broad. Why, for instance, should not the President accept the £5,000,000 and hold it in reserve in case it should be necessary ? He would then be in a strong position whatever happened. As it is, if he resists, and if he should be compelled to call in the State after all, he would be tactically in a very poor position. It would be a wonder if he could be nominated for a second term as President. • * * *
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