Evening star., 1938-12-24
Hopkins Sworn;
To Continue
Advisory Group
ToHove Something to
Soy on responsibilities
Thot Go With Job

After taking the oath of Office as
Secretary of Commerce, Harry L..
Hopkins today told newspapermen
that at IAN appropriate time in the
not distant future I'll have some
thing to say about the responsible
ties that 60 with this job
At the same time the former
Works Progress administrator en-
phasized that he hoped to continue
with the Business Advisory Council,
inaugurated by his predecessor,
Daniel c. Roper He said he
planned as one of his first acts a
conference with w. Averell Harri-
man of New York, chairman of the
council, adding that he expected to
see him some time today.
Secretary Hopkins took the oath
in President Roosevelts study in the
White House before a company that
included the President and Mrs.
Roosevelt, Mr.. and Mrs. James
Roosevelt, the new Secretary's son,
David Hopkins. and large number
OF administration officials.
Absent, however, were Mr.. Roper
and other cabinet members.
Mr. Hopkins, recess appointee
pending Senate confirmation of his
nomination, is White House week.
end guest, along with his mother
less 6-year-old daughter Diana. She
was among those who witnessed the
ceremony.
Reed Administers Oath.
Also at the ceremony was Col.
Francis c. Harrington, Army engi-
neer, who succeeds Mr.. Hopkins as
Works Progress administrator.
The oath was administered by
Associate Justice Stanley F. Reed of
the Supreme Court The Bible used
was presented to Mr.. Hopkins for
the occasion by Mrs Roosevelt. 1t
was signed both by the President
and Justice Reed.
Because of the crowded quarters
in which the ceremony was held
neWspapermen could not attend the
function. However. the details
were provided later by Stephen Early
of the White House Secretariat in
his office. where Secretary Hopkins
then held his first press conference
in his role of cabinet officer
Mr.. Hopkins was obviously moved
as he greeted old friends among the
'newspapermen and expressed his
appreciation of the elevation to
cabinet rank.
Asked whether he had any mes
sage for the businessmen of the
country" the Secretary smiled and
said that after all, this is Christ
mas He said he expected to be
busy most of the rest of the day in
seeing that Santa Claus had proper
instructions regarding his small
daughters Christmas. 1t was then
he added that he would have some
thing to say little later.
To Go to Desk Monday.
Mr.. Hopkins said his Christmas
celebration would last only until
Monday. when he would go to his
desk in the Commerce Department.
One result of the Hopkins ap-
pointment probably will be thor
ough Senate airing of charges of
politics in relief
Although some -administra-
ton Senators said they would not
oppose confirmation of his nomina-
tion to the cabinet, a group of Demo-
Gratis and Republicans began dis
cussing strategy whereby they could
secure penetrating inquiry into
how Mr.. Hopkins has run w. P. A.
Members of this informal coah-
ton said privately they would de-
mand that the nomination be re-
ferred to the Senate Commerce
Committee for study.
This committee, it was said, would
use the report of the Senate Com
paign Investigating Committee in a
vigorous effort to ascertain whether
there has been any political use of
relief funds. The Campaign Com
mittees report has not been drafted
but members have indicated it will
criticize some activities of the w. P.
A. during the last campaign.
Many Critics on Committee.
The Commerce Committee includes
numerous Senators who have been
critical of the relief administration.
Senator Bailey, Democrat, of North
Carolina, sharp New Deal critic,
will be elected chairman when Con-
gress convenes, and Senator McNary
of Oregon, the minority leader, is
the ranking Republican member.
Committee members said they
would question Mr.. Hopkins in de-
tail about the Campaign Commit
(See HOPKINS, Page A-6)