Evening star., 1938-12-23

was said today.
Senator Bailey of North Carolina
is expected to be the new chairman
of the Senate Commerce Committee,
taking the place made vacant by
the death Of Senator Copeland of
New York. Senator Bailey has been
| a frequent New Deal critic
Senator Sheppard is in immediate
line for the craftsmanship of the
Commerce Committee, but he is now
chairman of the Military Affairs
Committee, place which he is re-
luctant to give up.
Only few friends will be present
at the White House tomorrow when
Mr.. Hopkins takes the oath of office.
Since this is recess appointment" ,"
the nomination must be sent to the
Senate when it meets January and
will then come up for confirmation
Forty-eight years old, Mr.. Hop
klnS is native of Iowa and a
graduate of Grinnell College in that
State. His career ever since he
left college has been in welfare
work, especially as it related to the
unemployed. and in dispensing re-
lief funds, first in New York State
and then for the Federal Govern
ment
The Commerce Department was
set up to advance the interests of
business and industry. Mr.. Hopkins
has had no business training and
is not versed in the ways of business,
and this may be a point of attack
on him in the Senate debate.
Senators Comment.
Comments on the Hopkins and
Harrington appointments by other
Senators were as follows:
Senator King, Democrat, of Utah
said: Il regret very much that
the President has seen fit to name
him (HopkinS to that very i'm
portant post. I am in favor of the
Harrington appointment"
Senator Nye. Republican. of North
Dakota, member of the Commerce
Committee, said he expected rather
ready confirmation" after the COM
mittee examines charges of political
activity by w. P. A. officials in the
1888 campaigns.
L think the final outcome" Sena-
tor Nye said, will be determina-
ton that Hopkins has done a fine
Job and any irregularities that may
be found are attributable to the sys-
tenn"
Senator Lagan, Democrat, of Ken
lucky, commented: Il personally
think that Houkins is a very good
selection for the Commerce post. I
think he will be confirmed, but
there probably will be opposition to
his nomination"
Senator Adams, Democrat, of
Colorado, said he thought there
would be "a speech or two" about
the w. P. A. before the Senate votes
on Mr.. Houkins. but he predicted
the Senate would grant its approval
He indicated he would vote for con-
flrmation.
Van Nuys "Not Surprised"
Senator Van Nuys, Democrat, of
Indiana, often at odds with the ad-
ministration, said he was mot sur
prised" He limited a belief, how
ever. there would be strenuous op-
position to confirmation.
Several Senators said they did
not know Col. Harrington. but Sem
ator Nye praised him highly, OBJ
serving that "he ought to make q
might good head of the w. P. A."
Mr.. Houkins was assured of the
vote of Senator Frazier, Republican,
of North Dakota.
I've always liked Hopkins" the
North Dakotan said. He has spent
a lot of money, but it was handed
to him. I don't think he is to blame
for the w. P. A. politics in local
setups."
Senator Davis, Republican, of
Pennsylvania observed sarcastically
that IF Hopkins puts as much en-
ergy into his new job as he put
politics into the w. P. A., he will
make successful Secretary of Com
merce."
Senator Murray, Democrat, of
Montana said he saw no reason for
Senate dispute over Mr.. Hopkins.
He also liked the selection of Col.
Harrington as w. P. A. chief.