Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-22
Cabinet Job Affords Jesse Jones
Chance for Still Larger Service
Head of Worlds Greatest Lending Agency
Becomes No. Businessman of New Deal
in Commerce Post
Bv Oliver Mckee.

as great, though less direct, than it was
when he was serving as its chairman
Though the Commerce Department
has several scientific and technical serv-
ices, such as the Bureau of Navigation
and Marine Inspection, the Coast and
Bureau, it is chiefly associated in the
public mind with the promotion of COM
merce and industry Three units serve
business and industry directly-the
Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Com
merce, the Census Bureau and the
Bureau Of Standards.
When Herbert Hoover headed the
Commerce Department, the Bureau Of
Foreign and Domestic Commerce, then
directed by DR.. Julius Klein, was one of
the most active Government agencies in
Washington. Through committees set
up by various industries its commodity
and other divisions were in close touch
with practically every important Amer
lean industry.
With his specialized knowledge of
world economics, and business condi-
tons, both at home and abroad, Mr..
Hoover projected the Commerce De-
partment, and particularly the Bureau
of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, into
the national spotlight 1t was in large
part because of his record as Secretary
of Commerce, record widely publicized
that Mr.. Hoover became the Republican
partys choice for President in 1923. AS
Chief Executive, Mr. Hoover continued
to take keen interest in the work of
the Commerce Department, and more
especially its services to business and
industry.
Economy CrippIeS Bureau.
Although the scientific bureaus and
technical services were little affected, the
advent of the New Deal proved set
back for.the Bureau of Foreign and Do
mestic Commerce OStensibly for rea-
sons of economy, 400 employees of the
bureau in the District of Columbia we're
discharged, scores OF its foreign repre-
sentatives were ordered back to the
United States. and the stats in the dis
the bureau have been cut in half-from
a peak Of o"el 100000, n about ST.
100000. The shortage of funds made
necessary a CurtaIlment of the bureaus
services to American business men.
Under the administrst' on # former
Secretary Roper, little effort was made
to maintain a close contact between the
bureau, and American industry. through
the liaison committees upon which so
much store had been set by Mr.. Hoover
and DR.. Klein.
Mr. Roper organized a Business Ad-
visory Council, consisting of about so
business men and industrialists. The
council is still in existence. Although
one of its purposes was to provide
channel through which the business
point of view could reach Washington,
there is little evidence that the council
in any substantial degree. has influenced
administration policies during the past
seven Years
In 1888 Harry L. Hopkins. former w.
P. "A administrator. was appointed Secre-
tary of Commerce. Because OF his health,
Mr.. Hopkins. who successfully directed
the campaign for the Presidents renomi-
nation at Chicago in July, spent little
time at his Office in the Commerce De-
partment. His direction of its activities
was mainly carried on through aides,
who kept in touch with him at his home.
Had Mr.. Hopkins been in good health,
he might have accomplished much to
make the Commerce Department more
potent force in business recovery.
Chance for Service.
AS Secretary of Commerce, Mr. Jones
has fine opportunity to increase the
usefulness of the department to the bust
ness community. In the Bureau of For
eign and Domestic Commerce and in
other units the department has scores
of economic experts, and specialists in
nearly every branch of industry. No
other Government agency has as much
informa ton on foreign trade. or more
competent corps of specialists in this
field. With the threat of totalitarian
domination of Europe, information on
foreign trade trends and the steps neces-
sary to safeguard our trade in Latin
America and elsewhere is more impor-
tant than ever before.
His associates will tell you that Jesse
Jones has never undertaken a job in
which he has failed to deliver the goods.
AS the spokesman for business in the
Roosevelt cabinet, Mr.. Jones, Secretary
of Commerce and Federal Loan admin
istrator, will be man to watch as the
national campaign moves into high gear.
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