Evening star., 1938-12-20
Advisory Group Plans
To Resign When
Roper Leaves
Would Test Policy of
Next Secretary Of
Commerce
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
The 81 prominent industrialist
and financiers on the Commerc,
Departments Business Advisor,
Council proposed today to resign tt
test the business cooperation policy
OF the next Secretary of Commerce
1t was learned that they regarded
their attendance at monthly meet.
ings-without salary or even ex
pense money-as compliance with {
personal request of Secretary Roper
who leaves Office Friday. They pro.
pose to quit to give his successor 6
free hand in selection of busines.
advisers.
Representatives of the council
. said its members had not yet acted
formally on the proposal to offer
designations. Such group action
would not ordinarily come up until
the council next meets. January 26
Some said it was possible that prior
to this date Mr.. Ropers successor
might ask the council to continue
its functions.
The resignation move was not
aimed at Harry L. Hopkins, W. P. A
chief. popularly rumored to be
President Roosevelt's choice for the
cabinet post. A person close to the
council said many of its members
although possibly disagreeing with
MIR. Hopkins views, favored his ap-
pointment on practical grounds.
These council members were said
to believe Mr.. Hopkins closeness to
the President would give weight to
any advice he might relay from the
Business Council to the White
House.
Patterson Due to Remain.
Although the possibility that Mr..
Hopkins will be appointed limited
at changes in Commerce Depart
ment policy, it was understood that
Assistant Secretary Richard C. Pat
terson, jr., would remain in the de-
partment.
Since Mr.. Patterson, a former
radio executive, was appointed last
April, more and more of the de-
partments direct relations with
business have been shifted to him.
He actively supervises the Bureau of
Foreign and Domestic Commerce,
acts as liaison man in the Business
Advisory Council and represents the
department in the Federal monopoly
investigation.
Organization of the Business Ad-
visory Council was begun by Secre-
tary Roper in 1888 shortly after he
took Office. Either on governmental
or its own initiative, the council
studied scores Of problems-taXeS,
social security, patents, labor laws,
etc.
Except in occasional instances, it
never disclosed to the public what
it recommended, insisting that any
advice it gave the President was
his business. Actually, the coun-
Gil opposed several New Deal mea-
sures, such as the undistributed
profits tax, and advocated changes
in the Wagner Labor Act.
w. Averell Hartman chairman of
the Union Pacific Railroad and once
deputy administrator of the N. R. A.,
is the current chairman of the
council.
The majority of members are Re-
publicans. Among those who belong
are President Clarence Francis of
General Foods and President
Charles r. Hook of American Roll
ing Mill, former presidents of the
National Association of Manufac-
turers; Chairman E. r. Stettinius
of United States Steel. President
John D. Biggers of Libbey- Owens
Ford Glass; President r. R. Deu-
pree of Proctor and Gamble, Presi-
dent William C. Dickerman of
American Locomotive, President E.
T. Stannard of Kennecott Copper
and President Paul w. Litchfield of
Goodyear Tire & Rubber.