Evening star., 1939-01-25

Hopkins 10 Outline
Views in Speech;
Names 1horp Aide
Secretary to Soy Nothing
On His Policy Until ToIk
In Two or Three Weeks
BY BLAIR BOLLES.

secretary OF Commerce Hopkins,
at his first press conference since
the Senate confirmed his nomina-
ton for the cabinet, announced to-
day he would outline his views on
his new job in public speech to be
made within two or three weeks
before whom or where he is still
undecided. Until then, he will say
nothing about his policy.
AT the same time, Mr.. Hopkins,
who meets tomorrow with leading
industralists comprising the Busi-
ness Advisory Council, said he has
named DR.. Willard Thorp, former
director Of the Commerce Depart
ment's Bureau of Foreign and
Domestic Commerce, as his special
assistant and economic adviser" "
with no administrative duties. He
is on leave Of absence from Dun d
Bradstreet.
The last time DR.. Thorp was
named for key Commerce Depart
ment job, his post in Foreign and
Domestic Commerce, some Senators
objected, criticizing his allegedly
radical economic theories. The
nomination later was withdrawn.
Since then he has been associated
with the Federal Alcohol Admin
istration, the National Emergency
Council, the N. R. A., and the Labor
Department. He now is director of
Commerce Department studies for
the Monopoly Committee.
Cryptic Comment.
Secretary Hopkins took advantage
Of today's press conference to COM
ment on the Senate debate which
preceded his confirmation by vote
of So to q. Mr.. Hopkins said:
Il thoroughly respect the honest,
sincere opposition to my conf1rma-
ton, and I fully understand the
partisan political opposition.
And believe that In so far as
inaccurate. false statements were
made about me on the floor OF the
Senate, that they'll do more harm
to those who said them than they
will to me-"
The Secretary was asked If he
would not "particularize" on his re-
mark, but declined to 60 further.
The remark followed a question in
which Mr.. Hopkins was asked
whether he agreed with Senator
Bailey, Democrat, of North Carolina
that appointment of census workers
for the 1910 decennial census, which
is under the Commerce Depart
ments administration, should be left
to politicians. Mr.. Hopkins said
nothing about Senator Bailey's idea
The meeting of the Business Ad-
visory Council here tomorrow and
Friday will climax a month OF
conversations Mr.. Hopkins has had
! with w. Averell Hartman, chair
man, and many members of the
council. Mr.. Hopkins will spend all
his time tomorrow and the next
day with the council.
Murphy to. Talk.
The councils Executive Commit
tee, under Mr.. Harriman's direc-
ton, will open its two-day session
with q meeting at $50 am. at
the Commerce Department. Attor-
ney General Murphy will address
! the members at luncheon meet
ing at the Mayflower.
At 2:30 pm. the entire council
will meet in the conference room
at the department. Former Secre.
tary Of Commerce Roper, who in.
augurated the council in 1888, will
be guest Of honor at a dinner stagec
by the council at the Mayflower to-
morrow night. Mr.. Hartman will
act as toastmaster and S. Clay Viii.
uams, chairman Of the Reynold.
Tobacco Co.. former N. R. A. CHIEF
and a member of the council, Will
speak.
Friday morning the council viii
resume its sessions, and at luncheon
that day will hear Secretary of State
Hull at the Mayflower. The meet.
ings, luncheons and the dinner viii
be open only to council members.
Social security, taxes, labor rela.
tions and "other matters" are on thu
agenda for the councils discussion.
with Mr.. Hopkins, 1t was announced
The council will also choose new
officers and admit new members dur.
ing this session.
Mr.. Hopkins said he was consider.
ing changes in the law respecting
reapportionment for the 1910 census
He is receiving advice on this from
his Census Advisory Committee.