Final answer:
Hoover asked individuals to tighten their belts and work harder, while urging the business community to sustain the economy voluntarily. He also created federal relief programs and passed a tax cut, but these measures were seen as insufficient.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hoover's response to the economic crash focused on two main approaches. First, he asked individuals to tighten their belts and work harder, encouraging them to maintain their current wages and keep the economy stable. Second, he urged the business community to voluntarily sustain the economy by retaining workers and continuing production.
In addition to these measures, Hoover convinced Congress to pass a $160 million tax cut and created federal relief programs like the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) and the Emergency Relief Act. However, these efforts were criticized for being insufficient and too late to provide significant relief for impoverished individuals.