Hoover retired from active politics after leaving the White House in 1933, but he intensely disliked Franklin D. Roosevelt, was jealous of his popularity, and was an outspoken critic of the direction of New Deal policies (which he termed 'fascistic') for the increases in federal power that they ushered in. Here, in a personal, social letter, he can’t avoid taking a backhand swipe at his successor.
Typed Letter Signed, New York, November 25, 1938, to Robert McDougal, former president of the Chicago Board of Trade and an old friend of President Taft. “I have your kind note of November 16th. I have read the pamphlet which you sent me with a great deal of interest. There doesn’t seem to be much disposition these days to accept history as a guide to anything. I am greatly interested in pictures of Lincoln, and due to the help of yourself and others I have quite a collection. I would greatly appreciate the additional which you mention.” This was the latest in a series of pictures of Lincoln that McDougal sent Hoover, who much admired his predecessor.