(1874-1964) Thirty-first President of the United States whose attempts to reverse the course of the Great Depression led to his defeat at the polls by Franklin D. Roosevelt. Good content T.L.S. as President on White House letterhead, 1p. 4to., Washington, Nov. 26, 1929 - less than a month after 'Black Friday' and the calamitous collapse of the stock market and the nation's economy - to Montana Gov. John E. Erickson. In part: '...I have received your response to my telegram of November 23. I deeply appreciate the fine spirit of cooperation which you have extended in this national effort. I am arranging for Secretary Lamont to keep you informed as to the progress in other states in order that you may be assured of the unity of a necessary for national results...' Near fine. Hoover reacted quickly to the crisis: on Nov. 22, his meeting with top businessmen resulted in an agreement that industrial expansion would be the remedy for the crisis, and the President secured a promise to hold the line on wages. From the nation's utilities, he won commitments of $1.8 billion in new construction and repairs for 1930. Railroad executives made a similar pledge. Hoover also ordered federal departments to speed up construction projects. On November 23, he sent governors a telegram, saying: 'With a view to giving strength to present economic situation...the Federal Government will exert itself to the utmost...I should like to feel that I have the cooperation of yourself and the municipal, county and other local officials in the same direction. It would be helpful if road, street, public building and other construct of this type could be speeded up...I am asking Secretary Lamont of the Department of Comm to take in hand the detailed measures of cooperation with you...' Erickson was one of the recipients of the telegram, and he responded positively. This effort was thus one of Hoover's first to combat the Depression, which would soon destroy his presidency.