Evening star., 1933-03-03
NEW LABOR CHIEF
TOCALL ON GREEN
Miss Perkins Says She Ex.
poets Cooperation of
A. F. of L. Officials.
By the Associated Press.

NEW YORK, March 3.-Miss Frances
Perkins, In her first pronouncement on
her new work as Secretary OF Labor,
said yesterday she expects the cooper
alton of the American Federation OF
Labor despite its objection to her ap-
pointment by President-elect Roosevelt.
The 5O-year- social worker and
labor commissioner of New York State
said William Green and the A. F. OF l..
"are entirely within their rights in say
ing they cannot become reconciled to
my appointment. I am very glad they
expressed themselves openly and frank
ly. 1t makes the whole situation more
wholesome and don't regard 1t IN any
way as an expression OF Ill Will against
me-"
Miss Perkins said that ain as much
as Mr. Roosevelt viii call a special ses-
sion soon after his Inauguration, there
will be many matters for me to talk
over with Mr.. Green and the represent
atives of organized labor. And ] shall
certainly do so. If they cannot f1nd the
time to come and see me, will hasten
to see them"
LEAVES lNCW AVth AV~Aoss
The Labor secretary-designate spent
her day rushing through the details OF
leaving her work in New York State.
Her desk was piled high with letters and
records. And she will not be able to
leave it for the Inauguration until
some time this afternoon.
Hemmed in by two dozen or so news
writers, talking calmly in a voice quite
reminiscent of that of Alfred E. Smith
who brought her into public life when
Governor, Miss Perkins outlined what
OF hope to do in some fields"
Making 1t clear that Il have not had
time or opportunity as yet to plan
anything in detail" Miss Perkins set
forth these views:
l. "I expect naturally to make a
pledge to see to it that on unemploy-
1nent, candid and prompt information
will always be forthcoming from my
department. There will be no coloring
of facts and no deductions drawn. And
there will be no manipulation OF
figures"
2. Il intend to spend a great deal
of time in the field. I want to be in
the industrial centers regularly to OBJ
serve conditions and to make myself
easily and quickly available to wage
earners and industrialists alike for
conferences"
Praises Grace Abbott.
8. Miss Perkins said she win con-
tinue in full" the work of the
Childrens Bureau, adding that Grace
Abbott, its director, is one of her closest
friends and person in whom she has
great confidence.
4. II will go all the way necessary to
revamp the present system of Govern
ment unemployment agencies" she
said, "a.s this Is a necessary work" In
States possessing such agencies. she
plans to supplement the work If the
this facility, she intends to inaugurate
it. But I want" she added, always
to work in close harmony with the
States"
5. In her cooperation with State De-
partments of Labor Miss Perkins said
she hoped to foster a program of
shorter working hours, a minimum
wage for women and unemployment
insurance. I'm my capacity as Secre-
tary," she declared, II certainly intend
to call these matters to the attention
of both the Federal Government and
the States"
g. While she said it was foolish"
fer ole person to present a program of
unemployment relief, Miss Perkins said
one constructive measure would be for
all States to adopt the "one-day-of-
rrest-in-seven law" This, she said,
would put many thousands back to
work"
7. On immigration, she said: "I have
studied this subject very meagerly. It
is a new field for me. But the course
will pursue will be humane course
and have one excellent bible on 1t:
That part of the Wickersham report
dealing with deportation proceedings
And when there is matter of dis
cretion to be exercised, 1t will never
I've exercised by one individual alone"
Hasn't Considered Name.
The first woman ever named to a
eabinet-a woman of average height
and figure, inclined always to quiet
4ress-indicated her resignation as New
Work labor commissioner would not be-
tpme effective until sometime next
week to give her ample time to clean
up her affairs.
AS summary Of her future work in
Washington, Miss Perkins said her aim
would always be "a definite improve
ment in the standards of living"
or her private life, she had little to
say Her husband, Paul C. Wilson, has
been i'll at their home for several days
with influenza. A daughter is in school.
The question of what name she will
sign to Government documents has
never entered her mind.
III use what name Mr.. Roosevelt
tells me to- she said, "but always in
New York the name of Frances Perkins
was enough"
Someone asked her what sort of a
dress she'll wear at the inaugural bali.
i've two evening dresses" Miss Per-
kins replied. Neither of them is new.
Ana III wear the one that packs
easiest