Evening star., 1941-08-29
Van Hyniing
Named D. {.
Welfare Head
Commissioners
And Bourd End
Imposse on Choice

Conrad Van Hyning, acting well
fare director of the District since
June, today was appointed to the
post as successor to Robert E. Bondy,
retired, in a thTee-way move which
ended an impaSSe between the Com
missioners and the Board of Public
Welfare.
Mr.. Van Hyning was nominated
for the post by the Welfare Board
after it had Withdrawn the name of
Ray L. Huff, the Districts general
superintendent of penal institutions.
Paul Edwards, District w. P. A.
director, whose selection the Com
missioners had indicated earlier they
would like to consider, wrote to
Commissioner Young Wednesday
withdrawing his name from con-
sideration.
When the formal nomination OF
Mr.. Van Hyning was filed with the
Commissioners today by Welfare
Board Chairman Frederick w. NC
Reynolds, prompt action was taken
by Commissioners Mason and Kutz
appointing Mr.. Van Hyning, carry
ing out predictions made at the
District Building last Saturday that
the issue between the Commission
ers and the Welfare Board would be
resolved with his appointment.
In statement to the Commls-
sioners, the Welfare Board said:
Mr.. Van Hyning, as you know, Is
hxy ".
perience to fill this office. His record,
submitted to you at the time OF his
appointment, is herewith attached
in case YOU should desire to look 1t
over again.
For several months, Mr.. Van
Hyning has been acting as director
and has fulfilled the position to the
entire satisfaction of the Board OF
Public Welfare. We believe that he
has fully deserved the promotion
proposed
In another memorandum to the
Commissioners, announcing that
the Welfare Board hereby respect
fully withdraws" the nomination OF
Mr.. Huff, Chairman McReynolds
said this action was taken with Mr..
Huff's entire approval
Mr.. Mason voiced high praise for
the qualifications and ability OF Mr..
Van Hyning He came into District
service about year ago as principal
assistant welfare director to take
charge particularly of supervision
of the operation of District welfare
institutions. Commissioner Mason
said that in this work and in his
service as acting welfare director
since Mr.. Bondy went to high
position in the American Red Cross
in June, Mr. Van Hyning had dis
played his qualifications for the
post.
In his letter TO Commissioner
Young Mr.. Edwards said: II have
been reading with considerable ap-
prehension reports in the press
concerning the controversy over Sc
lection of new director of public
welfare for the District, apprehen-
sion for fear that the delay in the
selection of the new director may
cause the public to lose confidence
in those responsible for planning
and directing activities of the We'll
fare Department. I cannot help but
feel that my candidacy for the posi-
ton has been somewhat responsible
for the delay.
The District, as we'll as the coun-
try as whole, is going through
a very difficult period Problems
in all departments are increasing
daily, and with every one directing
his energies toward a united front
for defense, public officials charged
with responsibility for carrying out
constructive as well as a protec-
tive program for the public, should
be the first to give evidence of un-
animity of opinion.
With this in mind request that
my name be withdrawn from con-
sideration. wish at the same time
to express my deep gratitude to the
Commissioners for their confidence
in me and their consideration and
cooperation. I shall continue to
work diligently for improvement of
the welfare program in which you
are SO earnestly interested"