THE PRESIDENCY: The Hoover Week: Sep. 26, 1932

President Hoover, who rarely quotes his elders, last week went back a century to borrow an oratorical sword with which to stand off the American Legion on the Soldier Bonus. The weapon had been fashioned by Daniel Webster, mighty verbal swordsman, at a Whig reception at Niblo's Garden, Manhattan, in 1837. Unearthed by French Strother, White House research secretary, it was still so pat and pointed that President Hoover grasped its hilt and made it flash and glitter in a statement explaining why the U. S. could neither tax nor borrow two...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!