Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-04-12
By Joseph Young

~ SVSSPH dV~US
A major era in American
history comes to a symbolic close
with the departure of Frances
Perkins, the last of the New
Dealers, from the Government
service.
Miss Perkins, who has resigned
as member of the Civil Service
Commission, perhaps more than
anyone else besides President
Roosevelt symbolized the social
and economic trailblazing of the
New Deal era.
AS Secretary of Labor during
the more than IL years of the
Roosevelt regime. Miss Perkins
played a key role in the enact
ment Of such New Deal reforms
as unemployment compensation
benefits, old-age and survivors
insurance, the 40-hour week, the
child labor law which set up a
16-year old minimum age for the
employment of young people. the
minimum-wage law, workmen's
compensation insurance bene-
fits, accident safeguards protec-
ton and many others.
Ambitious Plans Ahead.
Many of these reforms were
Miss Perkins own ideas and she
fought vigorously and unceas-
ingly to see them come into
reality.
AS she leaves the Government
service at the age of 10, Miss
Perkins. still vigorous and look
ing younger than her years, has
no intention of curling up with
my knitting" She has an am
bilious schedule planned.
Starting later this month, Miss
Perkins will serve as visiting
professor at the University of
Illinois and will lecture there
on Government administrative
problems.
She is also hard at work on a
new book which will be pub
lished in about six months. Like
any good author. she is hesitant
to say what it is about, except
that tits about my various ex-
perienceS in the public service"
ZestfuI Book Awaited.
"It probably won't have the
widespread interest of The
Roosevelt I Knew" declared
Miss Perkins, referring to her
very successful book of several
years ago which told of her
long association with the late
President. Critics were generally
agreed that it gives the clearest
insight into the character of
Roosevelt of any of the numerous
books written about him.
Any one who knows Miss Per-
kins, however, is sure of one
thirg about her forthcoming
book. Whatever the subject, it
won't be dull. During her career,
Miss Perkins has had more than
her share of criticism, but none
Of her critics ever accused her of
lack, of feeling or of running
away from a fight.
Miss Perkins is leaving the
Government with only one re-
gret-that the 20 years in Office
have gone by so quickly. why.
Fit seems only yesterday" she
said in an interview. that I
became Secretary of Labor. So
much has happened and yet time
has gone by so fast"
Precedent Shattered.
She paused for a moment, per-
haps mindful of the bitter chit
icism that arose when President
Roosevelt. an old friend, shat
tered precedent by naming her
the first woman cabinet member
in American history. Not only
were many members of Congress
critical. but such labor leaders
as William Green, the president
of the American Federation of
Labor, were outraged. Mr.. Green
wanted the job for one of the
AFL's own people and declared
organized labor would never
become reconciled."
! But the passage Of years saw
the criticism of her gradually
subside as she proved by her
achievements that woman
could hold a cabinet officers job.
Miss Perkins notes with consid-
cradle pride that the recent
selection of Mrs. Oveta Culp
Hobby as Secretary of Health,
Welfare and Education with