Evening star., 1939-01-02

Frank Murphy. retiring Governor
of Michigan, was sworn in as At
torney General of the United States
at 1915 pm. today in the Presi-
dents study at the White House.
Arriving this morning from Michi-
gan, Mr.. Murphy had spent an hour
in conference with the President
before the sWearing-in ceremony.
A selected group of q persons,
officials and friends OF the Governor,
gathered for the sWearing-in, at
which Associate Supreme Court
Justice Reed presided.
Two of the guests were the Gov
ernor's brother and sister, who ar
rived with him this morning on a
train from Detroit.
The Governor. who relinquished
his Michigan Office today to Frank
D. Fitzgerald, successful Republican
candidate for the governorShip, said
at Union Station that he would have
no statement to make until after he
was sworn in. He said he planned
to 60 from the ceremony at the
White House to the Department of
Justice, where he would bid an Off
cial goodbye to Mr.. Cummings.
Closeted With President.
He was met at the station by a
White House car, which took him to
his hotel. From there he went by
cab to the White House at about $50
am. and spent an hour closeted with
Mr.. Roosevelt.
Vice President Garner was among
tnoSe asked to attend the swearing
in. The other guests included Sec
retary Morgenthau, Secretary Wood
ring, Secretary 1ckes, Secretary Wal
lace, Secretary Hopkins, Attorney
General and Mrs. Cummings. Chair
man Jones of the r. F.. c., Solicitor
General Jackson, Assistant Attorney
General Arnold. Chairman Ashurst
OF the Senate Judiciary Committee.
which will pass on Attorney Gem
eral Murphy's appointment; Chair
man Summers of the House Ju-
dietary Committee. David Niles, dep
uty w. P. A. administrator; Repre-
sentative Dingell, Democrat, of
Michigan and Mrs Dingell; j. M.
Ellzalde, resident commissioner of
the Philippines, where Mr.. Murphy
once was high commissioner.
Friends at Ceremony.
Among MI. Murphy's personal
friends attending the ceremony were
Justice McAllster of the Michigan
Supreme Court, Mrs. McAllister, di-
rector OF the womens division of
the Democratic party in Michigan;
Judge George Murphy of the Detroit
Recorders Court, the Governors
brother; Mrs Marguerite Teahan.
the Governors sister; Maj. Gen. and
Mrs. Frank Parker and their daugh-
tiers, Annie and Kathryn. whom the
Governor knew in the Philippines.
Besides Mrs. Teahan and Judge
Murphy, two other persons made
the trip East with the Governor.
They are Miss Eleanor Baum
gardner, Mr.. Murphy's secretary for
the past five years, and Edward
Kemp, the Governors financial ad-
wiser.
President Roosevelt invited the
red-headed, 45-year-old Murphy to
take the oath in the same White
House study where on Christmas
Eve Harry Hopkins, former w. P. A.
administrator, was sworn in as Sec
retary OF Commerce. Like Mr.. Hop
kins, he long has been a close friend
and supporter of the Chief Exec
utive.
The PRESIDENT choice to succeed
Attorney General Cummings. who
Is retiring to private law practice,
came as no surprise in the Capital
Mr. Murphy's defeat by a Repub-
lcan last November made him
available for Federal post, and he
and Solicitor General Jackson had
been regarded as the leading can
didates to head the Justice De-
partment.
Confirmation Is Expected.
Mr.. Murphy still faces one hurdle
Senate confirmation. Predictions
were general that the appointment
ultimately would be approved, but
several Senators indicated he would
be questioned closely about his
handling of Michigan's automobile
sit-doWn strikes in 1887.
A strong indication of confirma-
ton came today in the statement of
Senator Vandenberg, Republican, OF
Michigan, that Il do not expect to
oppose" the appointment, since he
believes such selections to be a
Presidents personal privilege and
responsibility"
Customa~ily any confirmation
fights are led by Senators from the
appointee's State. Senator Brown,
Democrat, of Michigan, has sup
ported Mr.. Murphy.
Senator Vandenberg recalled that
he and Mr.. Murphy had been per-
sonal friends despite political dis
(see MURPHY, Page A-3O
n@-:~:- k>.:k:-k@