Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-26
SECRETARY WEST
ASSUMES DUTIES
Works Successor Begins lob
OF FamiIiarizing Self With
Work of Office.

Secretary Roy o. West Of the Interior
Department today set about famtliarlZ-
ing himself with the details of his far
fiung charge in the big roonly Office on
the sixth floor of the southeastern cor
rer Of the building Like his predeces-
sor, DR.. Hubert Work who is now man
aging the presidential campaign OF
Herbert Hoover. Mr.. West intends to
pursue "tlle open-door policy Ia the
transaction of public business"
The oath of Office was administered TO
the new Secretary yesterday afternoon
in the Interior Department auditorium
by w. Bertrand AcAer, the departments
chief clerk, who performed q similar
duty when DR.. Work and Albert B. Fall
took Office. Some 500 officials and en-
ployeS witnessed the brief ceremony and
later shook hands with the new Secre-
tary. Postmaster General New was a
guest at the ceremony.
Work Cites Length Of Tenure.
DR.. Work introduced the new Secre-
tary. who was hailed with applause, the
retiring Interior Department chief re-
minding the audience that he came to
the department more than five years ago
and has served longer than any other
Secretary of the Interior, with two eX-
ceptions. The average lifetime of Secre-
tary of the Interior is two years and two
months. DR.. Work said, pointing cut
that the department has 12.0cO en-
ployes scattered over the United States
and the territories of Alaska end
Hawaii. There are no more faithful en-
ployes in the Government, DR.. Work
told the audience.
"The Interior Department is doing the
work with ne lrly 5000 less than when
H. r. rnfA or
few If any were hurt in this process,
which was ACCOMPLISHED through lapses,
destinations, retirererts and death.
The retiring Secretary paid high trib-
ute to the retired Government cmploye,
declaring tnat~retirement from the Gov
eminent service is token of respect
and responsibility that few in other
walks of life are given to enjoy. DR..
Work stressed the courtesy shown him
by the employees.
Praises His Successor.
Turning to the man who has sue
ceeded him as Secretary of the Interior,
DR.. Work said that he has known him
for great many years. DR.. Work char
acterized Mr. West as "a very able
lawyer and a high-claSs man" and said
no man needed higher commentator.
In closing, DR.. Wood said that he
could wish Secretary West no happier
lot than the loyalty and cooperation Of
the departments employees, which he
himself has enjoyed. The retiring Sec
rotary wished his successor "God-speed"
In 1.-The most interesting department OF
the Government" adding he hoped he
would have even longer career as Sec
rotary Of the Interior than he himself
has had.
After taking the oath Of office, Sec
rotary West was presented to the au-
dience. He said that he hoped to fol-
low in DR.. Works footsteps in the adj
n1inistration of the Interior Department,
which had been so administered 'as to
excite no adverse criticism"
Asks for Cooperation.
II am going to familiarize myself
with the department and ask the same
cooperation YOU have given TO DR..
Work" Secretary West declared.
crave no better record than that I
might helm YOU to maintain the high
standard the department now has. ]
want to do my part by hard work and
close attention to the duties Of the
ONCE"
Several large baskets Of flowers graced
the stage, on which the distinguished
guests were seated.
Before the ceremony in the audito-
rum, the new secretary was put
through the PAGES demanded by motion
picture and still camera men, having
his picture taken with DR.. Work on
the roof of the department.
This formal statement was issued late
yesterday afternoon by Secretary West:
st arrived in washington today and