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.

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

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…

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

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

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.

I have nothing today of any kind.

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

I recommend that the Congress appoint a joint select committee to make an immediate study of these matters and to formulate recommendations for consideration at the next regular session.

The National Commission on Law Observance and Enforcement will also cooperate through their studies of the departmental organization.

The subject involves the transfer of parts of various bureaus and agencies from certain Departments to others and it includes as well the necessity for the unification and strengthening of our border patrols both in connection with…