The posture of business here makes it extremely unlikely that I shall be able to leave Washington on that day.

I find from the Director of the Budget that the estimate at the first of June indicates that we shall close the fiscal year on July 1 with a surplus of about $100 million to $110 million.

I think I will stay here and work--not go anywhere.

I am sorry indeed that I must miss this opportunity in person to welcome these into the family of our nation.

Mrs. Mary V. Kehoe may be appointed to an appropriate position in the General Accounting Office without regard to the examination requirements of the civil service rules.

That is the first that I knew anything about that.

Every other plan of agricultural relief was rejected in that campaign and this plan was one of the most important issues in the principal agricultural States and was given as a mandate by an impressive majority in these States.

It is a proposal for steady upbuilding of agriculture onto firm foundations of equality with other industry and would remove the agricultural problem from politics and place it in the realm of business.

I earnestly hope that the Congress will enact the conferees report and allow us to enter upon the building of a sound agricultural system rather than to longer deprive the farmer of the relief which he sorely needs.

I have not as yet had a report from the Attorney General and the Secretary of War on questions that were propounded by the congressional committee so that I am not able to add anything to that situation today.

We use today the trowel with which President Washington laid the cornerstone of the Capitol, 136 years ago.

And I may perhaps be pardoned for an especial pride on this occasion, having served for 7 years in the Department, and having had some part in the design and initiation of this building.

In advising upon the divisions into which administrative work should be assigned, it is said that Alexander Hamilton proposed the creation of six departments--State, Treasury, War, Justice, Post Office, and Trade.

It represents the most important structure in the new program for better accommodation of our Government and the beautification of our National Capital.

This building will be not only the largest single public structure in the city, but in its actual floor space, it is said to be the largest office building in the world.

The beginnings of the idea to create a Department of Commerce are perhaps obscure.

And its ideals are clear: that by cooperation and not by compulsion it should seek to assist in maintaining and giving the impulse of progress to commerce and industry in a nation whose successful economic life underlies advancement in…

I am condemned to work this summer and stay in Washington so that I expect nothing out of it but Saturday afternoons and Sunday.