November 2016 Auction Ends Thursday, November 17th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/17/2016
Herbert Hoover typed letter signed as partner of the mining company Bewick, Moreing & Co., dated 22 June 1906. Hoover was so successful at Bewick, Moreing that when he ventured out on his own in 1908, senior partner C.A. Moreing unsuccessfully offered him a controlling interest in the company. Marked ''CONFIDENTIAL'' and with Hoover's handwritten corrections, Hoover writes to investor W.J. Loring in detail about the various Mine Managers under the headline of ''Staff''. Lengthy five-page letter reads in part, ''...I am not at all satisfied with new men who have not had fairly broad experience...Borrowe has very nearly got us into bad trouble by the incapacity of his underground work, and it certainly needs a high-class prospector to try and pull it out of the hole. I am pleased to get rid of Borrowe, although it comes rather awkward at the present moment...It matters very little to us what salaries we have to pay Mine Managers, so long as they run the thing smoothly, because the Companies pay the amount of the salary and they are much better satisfied to pay an extra thousand a year and have no bumps. On the other hand, if you are going to succeed in your new position, you simply must free yourself from the enormous amount of detail which you attempt to carry...you are attempting to keep too close a watch for your own good, and, as near as I can learn, you are working yourself to death...'' Hoover then tries to determine who is sabotaging mines, believing the suspect to be an employee named Sharpe, who has access to Loring's ''private correspondence''. He writes, ''...I have looked up dates, and the attack on the Sons of Gwalia took place the day following on which your letter to Mr. Wanklyn was written. There has recently been a renewed attack on the Fingall, and it followed within a day or so of the time our cables passed back and forth with regard to output. It seems to me that you should demand Sharpe's bank book and make him explain his entries, in any event. He may be entirely innocent, but there is no doubt there is a traitor in our camp, and of course we are very anxious to get hold of him...'' Hoover then finishes with thoughts on a new mine called ''Deep Leads'' and signs off, ''Yours faithfully / HC Hoover''. Letter measures 8.25'' x 10'' on 5 separate sheets. Fold, some creasing and paper clip impression at top left; overall very good condition with interesting, sensitive information.
Herbert Hoover 5pp. ''CONFIDENTIAL'' Letter Signed, With His Handwritten Corrections -- ''...there is no doubt there is a traitor in our camp...''
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