The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-06-25
MASON HIMSELF
MAY HAVE STRING
ON RESIGNATION
Goodman and Miller Propose
His Successor BE Elected
by Chamber Of Commerce,
Not by Politicians.

The resignation of A. d. Mason as
commissioner Of finance and revenues,
is undoubtedly in the hands of Mayor
Monteverde.
1t probably will not be presented to
the board Of city commissioners, how
ever, until Mr. Mason has returned to
Memphis -
The action that the board may take
In the matter, largely depends upon
what answer Mayor Monteverde makes
70 formal letters presented to him
wednesday morning by Mr. Miller and
Mr.. Goodman. In their letters they ask
that the mayor agree, in case Mr. Mason
resigns and that his resignation Is ac-
cepted by the commission, that the
selection of his successor be left to the
Chamber OF Commerce, the selection to
be made in any way that body may
The letters were presented to Mayor
Monteverde in person and the two com
missioners were in conference with the
mayor for an hour and a half there
after
No formal answer had been made to
the letters at o'clock Wednesday aft
ernoon.
As to the mystery Of whether or not
Mr.. Mason's resignation has actually
reached Mayor Monteverde, that is still
unsolved $50 far as any information
given out by the mayor Is concerned
He merely said In reply to direct
question Wednesday, that he preferred
not to answer IL. The inference is that
ne has received Mr.. Mason's letter.
Two Will Be Absent.
Close friends Of Mr.. Mason saw tba,
ne left Asbury park Tuesday night in
Lending to Keep a business appointment
IN New York Wednesday and then
start for home,
Close friends of Mayor Monteyerde
say that the mayor is disposed to hold
the resignation until Mr., Mason re-
Leo Goodman and C. w. Miller. who
remained away from the commission
meeting Tuesday afternoon, set forth
tnelr reasons for such action in the
letters above referred to. They do not
intend to be placed in the attitude OF
breaking q quorum of the commission
put wished to prevent any action about
Wnlch they had not been consulted in
Any way. a.
wednesdays conference is said TO
nave cleared that matter up, and prob-
ably they will attend the regular meet
ing Luesday, although it is possible that
results Of further conferences may
n,ns ABOUT some agreement as to that
1t was known that Mr.. Mason had in
tended to resign some time ago. but he
lsstated positively less than a week ago
Inat ne would not resign until the re-
poTt OF the special tax rate committee
had been presented, as that report af-
fected his department almost exclu-
sively
Neither Mayor Monteverde nor Com
missioner Quinn would say Wednesday
wnom they have in mind as Mr.,
Mason's successor 1t is. known, how
ever. mat the names Of Hugh Bucking-
nam and 7. II. Jackson were under
consideration Tuesday night
Mr. Goodman and Mr. Mlled prefer to
nave the selection left to the Cham
per OF Commerce, as set forth in Mr.,
Millers letter TO the mayor which
Miller No Accountant.
Dear Sir-op Tuesday you informed
me that you had received a telegram
from Commissioner Mason to the ef-
rect mat his resignation had been for
Warded to you by special delivery mail
ana would be in your hands by O'clock
iou stated that you had been advised
u was not necessary to have this resig-
nation accepted by the board of com
missioners, and that you proposed to
proceed to the selection of a successor
to Mr.. Mason.
You further informed me that If I
would consent to the transfer to the
department Of streets, bridges and
sewers, that such a transfer would be
made, put that II l refused such con-
sent would be placed in the depart.
nues.
Il was not told who was proposed
as successor to MIR. Mason or con-
suited IN any way about it.
MY transfer to the department of
accounts, finances and revenues would
pc wholly political move, as | have
had no experience in that department.
ana would barely have time to become
familiar with its workings in the six
months remaining of my term of Of
1lce. The, peoples interests do not de-
mand such transfer
Leave 1t to G. of G.
On as important a matter as the
selection Of a member of the board Of
commissioners, the public should have
chance to express their sentiments,
ana the election should be one had by
the board and not by any political fac
tion thereof. II you have Mr.. Mason's
resignation, feel same should be pre-
sented to the board of commissioners
Tor their action, and that his successor
shouid be man approved in some way
by the people.
II will vote for any man to Succeed
Mr.. Mason who Is not an ayowed Doliti-
cal partisan, and who shall be selected
by the Chamber Of Commerce in any
way that body sees fit. This body is
the largest ana most representative or
ganization In the city of Memphis.
i Will be willing toN confer with YOU
at any time In regard to the selection
OF successor to Mr.. Mason in the
manner | have here outlined. and will
ask you TO give me an immediate answer
to this letter.
Goodman COncurs
Mr.. Goodman's letter makes the same
as a member of the board, he believes
he should be consulted as to Mr.. Ma
sons resignation and have an opnor-
tunity to vote to accept or reject It..
and that the public In some way should
have voice In the selection he be-
leVes, Is 100 clear for any argument.
ic, says plainly that he will not an
prove OF any plan to make the place
upon the board depend solely upon the
political utility of the candidate Sc
lected.
The conference which followed the
presentation OF the letters may possi-
bly, result in clearing up the disa gree
ment in some way. although nothing
was directly accomplished "Wednesday,
There Is provision in the old city
charter under which the old boards,
under the old council plan of govern
ment are empowered to adopt such
| measures as are necessary to compel
the attendance of absent members.
Such measures some lawyers hold.
must be taken by the adoption of suit :
able rules by the council or commits
sion. No rules of any kind have ever
been adopted by the city commission
since that plan of government went
into operation In 1910.
Mr.. Quinn. day or so ago, made
a proposition to Miller that both of
them resign from the commission. He
tied string to 1t, however, with the
further propose! that they hand their
designations to the mayor and allow him
to take such action on them as he
| chose. Mr.. Miller naturally declined.
According TO Messrs. Goodman and