Mr. Hoover's Dictionary

THE CABINET

Like Dr. Johnson and Noah Webster, Herbert Hoover is preparing to become a famed lexicographer. Frederic W. Wile, Washington correspondent who knows all the ins and outs of the Capital, has unearthed the history of Mr. Hoover's effort. Since Secretary Hoover has been head of the Department of Commerce, he has instituted the Division of Simplified Practice.

Already it has reduced the number of standard paints from over 100 to 17, and performed other services to commerce. Mr. Hoover's latest effort through this Division is to compile a Dictionary of Specifications. He called a conference of industrial men in Washington prior to beginning work. The Dictionary is to help buyers throughout the country order standardized products and obtain exactly what they have in mind. It will be revised and reissued from time to time in order to keep pace with a advances in manufacture. By standardizing specifications Mr. Hoover estimates that the cost of many commodities can be reduced by 30%.

Mr. Hoover is understood to be much exercised over the prospects of America's foreign trade. Markets in this country have been so good during the last few months that manufacturers are neglecting to "push" their wares abroad. The result is that America is dropping out of foreign markets and may have much difficulty in regaining her footing when a trade slump arrives.

The Department of Commerce advocates that manufacturers set aside a percentage of their output for foreign sale, and not place it on the home market no matter how good the conditions here.