Evening star., 1946-10-08
Hartman Takes Post
With Promise 10 Aid
Small Business

dig businessman WIN par
ticular interest In small business
began his active duties today as
Secretary of Commerce.
The. new secretary, w. Averell
Hartman, made it clear at a press
conference late yesterday which
followed q round of ceremonies
when he was sworn In, that, al
though he was thought of as a
businessman. he certainly was
"keenly interested in small busi-
ness"
It happened that his first engage
nnent today was with the Commerce
Department officials concerned with
helping small business. He pointed
out, however, that no great signifl-
canoe was to be attached to the
order in which this particular bu-
reau was presenting it's problems.
IF the department can help small
business and not just talk about 1t"
Mr.. Hartman added, "it is worth
while"
Hired by the People"
Asked If he would represent "the
business viewpoint" in the Cabinet,
just as the Secretary of Labor Is
supposed to present labor's view
point, Mr.. Harrison replied:
I'm glad you asked that ques-
ton. After all, I'm hired by the
people as whole. My responsibility
is not only to foster the business
interests, but the country as a
whole. The department ought to
be the spokesman for the business
point of view, but only when that
Is in the National interest"
Mr.. Hartman preferred not to
discuss specific problems or policies
until he has had chance to study
these at the department. When a
reporter asked him if he disagreed
with the international views Of his
predecessor, Henry Wallace, VINO
was ousted from the post by Presi-
dent Truman after expressing dis
agreement with this country's pol
Icy toward Russia, the new secre-
tary reminded the inquirer that he
had expressed his opinion on that
subject before leaving his position
as Ambassador to London.
In Accord With Byrnes.
II said that I was in hearty ac-
cord with the foreign policies of
President Truman and Secretary
Byrnes." Mr.. Hartman pointed out.
But he praised Mr.. Wallace for
what Mr.. Hartman took to be his
plans to build up the influence and
scope of the Commerce Depart
ment.
MIR. Wallace is a warm personal
friend" Mr.. Hartman added, "and
I am looking forward to seeing him
in the next few days when he gets
back to Washington. I want to
get him thought for the develop
ment of the work of the depart
ment. I know he has given great
consideration to the subject"
Some one wanted to. know wheth-
er Mr.. Hartman planned to take
the stump for the Democratic party.
II haven't any plans at present
except this job" Mr.. Hartman said.
But I'm in sympathy with the
aims of the party, and I hope we
get some good Democrats in Con-
gress."
Query Brings Laughter. asa 4
There was laughter when some
body else asked if Mr.. Hartman
meant to- emphasize the word
good"
Pressed. to state, his political az
sdliationS more fully, Mr.. Hartman
J explained he was born and bred"
a Republican. He bolted the party
to support AL Smith in 1928 and fol-
lowed President Roosevelt through
the New Deal years.
Mr.. Hartman, whose father was
the railroad magnate, was Ambas-
sador to Moscow before he was
sent to London and has been asso-
ciated with the Government in va
rious advisory capacities ever since
the days of the NRA.