Evening star., 1933-11-14
Appointment OF
SOutherner
Is Surprise.
PAT HARRISON'S
BACKING SEEN
Friend Of Grayson
Was Expected
to Get Post.
BY ]. RUSSELL YOUNG.

pointed melvin y. dd1eus 1OL
many years surveyor Of the Dis
trict of Columbia, and George E,
Allen, nationally prominent hotel
executive, who is the manager Of
the former Wardman Hotel prop
critics in this city, to the Board
of District Commissioners.
Mr.. Hazen and Mr.. Allen will
succeed Commissioners Luther H.
Reichelderfer and Maj. Gen.
Herbert B. Crosby, whose term
expired April 9, last.
In announcing these long-awaited
appointments at the White House to-
day, it was indicated Mr.. Hazen and
Mr. Allen would qualify and assume
their new duties as soon as possible.
Hazen Often Mentioned.
The appointment of Mr. Hazen, who
has been a resident of this city for a
quarter of century, had been more or
less expected, as his name has been
prominently included in the speculation
regarding the filling Of the two posts
from the start. But the appointment
of Mr.. Allen came as considerable
of a s-rprise. He has been resident
of washington only five years and is
not widely known here. His name has
figured only casually during the specu-
lation.
Mr.. Aliens selection is understood
10 have been influenced by Senator Pat
Harrison of Mississippi, In which State
Allen was born and educated and where
his family has been PROMINENT 1or sew
eral generations. Mr.. Aliens appoint
ment finally was decided upon because
Of his adinlssraye ana lp essiod sn
the hotel business and because OF ms
general knowledge Of business affairs
Both he and Mr.. Hazen are lifelong
Democrats and are understood to have
worked in the interests Of the party
during the last national campaign.
Mr.. Hazen, who is a bank director
and operates large stock farm IN
Prince william County, Va, has oc-
cupied position of prominence In the
District for many years. He IS a mem
Der of the Board OF Trade and has been
identified with many civic movements
and with local clubs, but 1t Is under
stood his principal backing for appoint
ment to the Board of Commissioners
was Rear Admiral Cary T. Grayson,
u. S. N, retired. who was personal ply
sician to woodrow Wilson and is an
intimate friend of President Roosevelt.
In making these selections for the
Board Of Commissioners the President
ignored the local Democratic leader
ship. There was considerable specu-
lation among local Democrats following
the news of the appointments as to
the future status of the local leadership
in the matter Of patronage, inasmuch
as neither of the Commissioner ap-
pointees had the backing of either
John F. Costello, national committee
mitteeman The local Democratic or
ganization was favorable to both Nal
colin McConihe and Ernest G. Walker,
but were particularly interested in the
selection Of the former.
Ends Speculation.
Announcement of the appointments
will serve to end speculation that has
been rampant in Washington, virtually
from the time Mr.. Roosevelt took office,
and which has involved several scores
of names. While no explanation was
made at the White House for the ex-
tended delay in making the appoint
ments, those who have discussed the
matter frequently with the President
have been given to understand that he
was especially anxious to give careful
study to the matter before reaching any
decision and to obtain the services of
men aajudged by him to be well quail
fed and of the highest possible stand
ards. Most important, however, in the
Presidents delay was the known fact
he has been absorbed in so mary other
colossal matters relating to his national
recovery program and international
problems that he purposely has made
the study of patronage. not only for
the District of Columbia, but else
where, secondary matter in his daily
routine.
Mr. Roosevelt was faced with the ap-
pointment Of two civilian Commission
ers almost from the day he came in Of
fee, inasmuch as the terms of Commits
sioners Reichelderfer and Crosby were
to have expired a trifle more than a
month later. However. he personally
requested the two incumbents to remain
until he could relieve them.
Maj Gotwals Engineer Commis-
sioner, began his tour here on July 20
1890, and in the ordinary course thi
tour will expire at the end of foul
years on July 20. next
Turned Over to Farley.
In the meantime. the field of candi-
dates for these two local patronage
plums grew by leaps and bounds and il
is understood at least half a hundred
names of candidates and aspirauts hac
been presented for consideration.
From the very start the President
realizing his inability to find the time
TO make the necessary study turned the
entire matter over to Postmaster Gen.
eral Farley, his patronage dispenser, Il
go through the papers Of those on the
list and to make recommendations Il
him.
Mr. Farley spent considerable time il
putting these names through the proc.
ess Of elimination and finally WORKED
out select list of those he deemed
worthy Of further study. Mr.. FARLEY
is known to have made his final recon-.
mendations to the President severa
days ago, and it is understood it wal
upon these recommendations that tn,
President finally made his decision.
Educated in Maryland.
RFaivir Cnlvin Hazpn unu harr 4,