Evening star., 1933-04-16
CUMMINGS VOWS
TO SERVE PEOPLE
Attorney General Speaks al
Testimonial Dinner in
Bridgeport, Conn.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press
BRIDGEPORT, Conn.,. April 15.-
Homer 8. Cummings. Attorney General
Of the United States, pledged himself
tonight ito the last ounce of my en-
ergy." to make the Department Of
Justice serve the people of America
who support 1t, and trust it, and rely
upon It,"
Cummings. the first member Of the
Presidents cabinet from Connecticut
since 1874, spoke at 4 testimonial din
ner In his honor. He said he had
looked forward with "pleasurable an
ticipation" to acting AZ governor Of
the Philippines, paid tribute to Senator
Thomas ]. Walsh. who died just before
he was to take ofiice as Attorney Gen.
eral. and declared those who thought
the center Of the Government was To-
Gated in the financial district must
learn It's proper seat Is ct washington" 4"
Touches Activities Of People"
The Department Of Justice, he said,
touches, In intimate fashion, the lives,
the welfare, the security and the busi-
ness activities Of our people. To the
last ounce Of my energy I shall en-.
deavor to make that great agency Of
Government serve the people of AMER
lea. who support it. and trust it, and
rely upon it."
Declaring "a program Of progress"
has entered the stage Of fulfillment." p"
he said 1T is being developed under
q leadership SO inspiring that, schooled
as am in the disappointing busines:
Of politics, feel my pulses stir And
nv heart leap again at the sight OF
America emerging from her dark
dream.
This is no time to assess RESPONSE
bility for our present troubles in terms
of narrow partisanship. The artificial
restraints that have damned the f1ow
Of prosperity must be released once
more; that which was unplanned or
selfshly guided must take its place In
an orderly governmental process and
great cleansing and rebuilding program
must 60 forward to its conclusion.
Those who have considered 1t legiti-
mate to gamble with other peoples
money must Abdicate their leadership
ard those who have thought that the
center OF Government was located in
the financial district must learn that
its proper seat is at Washington"
Prior to the death Of Senator Walsh.
Cummings had been mentioned as prob
able appointee as governor OF the
Philippine Islands. Discussing the pos
sibility tonight, he said:
"Of course it Is an open secret (And,
I may add, more open than Secret) that
my original destination was the Philip
pine Islands.
Their people. their struggles, their
progress, their problems and their re-
lationship to our country and to the
rest Of the world have been to me. for
many years. q fascinating study.
looked forward to my prospective ex-
perience there with a keen sense of
pleasurable anticipation.
RegretS Walsh Death.
However, fate, in tragic fashion, in
tervened. and it Is my lot to carry on
in the post Of Attorney General, which,
under other circumstances would have
been filled by one Of Americas greatest
sons. The untimely death Of Senator
Walsh Of Montana amounted to a ma
tional tragedy. He was my friend Of
20 years standing
LAS I pause with reverence to pay
tribute to his memory I can think Of
nothing more appropriate to say than
that I shall strive to the utmost Of my
ability to carry forward the unfinished
task in his devoted spirit"