Retiring Secretary of Commerce given chair he occupied. Washington, D.C., Dec. 22. Secretary of Commerce Daniel C. Roper, who retires on December 23, was last night presented with the chair he occupied at cabinet meetings by his associates in the department. The occasion was a testimonial dinner given to the retiring secretary at the Mayflower Hotel last night. Left to right. Secretary and Mrs. Roper, Solicitor of the Department of Commerce South Trimble, Jr., and Assistant Secretary J.M. Johnson, 12/22/38