Evening star., 1941-07-21
GuyMason, so,
Lawyer, Named
Commissioner
President Nominutes
Ex-Newspopermun
To Succeed Huzen
BY JOHN c. HENRY.

mer newspaperman, was nomt-
mated by President Roosevelt
today to be a member of the
District Board of Commits
sioners.
Mr.. Mason, when his appoint
ment is confirmed by the Senate,
will succeed the late Melvin C.
Hazen.
The Commissioner-select. native
of Indiana, has been a resident Of
Washington since 1904. He will be
81 years old next September 10.
Politically he was a Republican
in early life but became Democrat
during the Wilson administration
and has remained a member Of the
Democrat Party since that time.
In receiving his appointment from
the President, Mr.. Mason joins the
group who were close acquaintanceS
of Franklin D. Roosevelt as Assist
ant Secretary of Navy in the World
War days and who in recent years
have been called to public Office
In the New Deal administration.
Stephen T. Early and Marvin H.
Mcintyre. presidential secretaries,
are others in this group and Mr..
Mason was covering the Navy De-
partment. along with the White
House and the War and State De-
partments, for the New York World
when Mr. Roosevelt took his sub
| Cabinet post.
Describes Self New Dealer.
Although he describes himself as
"a New Dealer without equivoca-
ton" and has contributed to and
aided in raising Democratic cam
paign funds in all recent elections,
Mr.. Mason said he had seen Mr..
Roosevelt only three times since
the President took his first oath
of office here in March. 1888. The
third of these occasions was last
Saturday when he called at the
White House to receive and accept
| the offer of his appointment as
Commissioner.
/ Mr.. Mason has served twice pre-
viouslv in a public capacity, first as
a member of the Plaza Commission
appointed by President Wilson TO
negotiate the purchase of property
opposite Union Station for its pres
ent development into a park area.
On this commission he served with
w. w. Spalding, who Is now his
partner in the law firm OF Mason,
Spalding and McAtee.
His second experience In public
capacity was as a member OF the
District Rent Commission IN 1921.
Mr.. Mason said today that If the
Senate approves his nomination he
would be prepared TO assume his
new duties in few days. He was
planning to leave the city tonight
for Buffalo, where he is handling a
| legal case. He will, he said, take his
position as a Commissioner with:
mo policies planned no
commitments no obliga-
tions"
Chairman McCarran of the Senate
District Committee said this after
noon that his committee would give
prompt consideration to Mr.. Mason S
nomination.
He said that he was not acquainted
with Mr.. Mason and could not COM
ment on the nomination at this time.
He appointed a subcommittee OF
three to consider the nomination.
They are Senators Tydings Of Mary
land and Overton Of Louisiana.
Democrats, and Burton Of Ohio.
Republican. Senator Burton was
formerly Mayor of Cleveland.
News of the nomination OF Mr..
Mason was received with pleasure at
the District Building.
Commissioner John Russell Young,
who knew Mr.. Mason years ago
when both were working as news
paper reporters, told newsmen:
Il think the appointment Of Guy
Mason is a splendid one and 1t will
be like old times to work with him
again. We were young reporters
together and have always had a
high regard for his integrity and his
ability, and it will be a pleasure to
be associated with him.
Praises Selection.
st have no hesitancy in saying
that the citizens Of Washington
should feel fortunate in Mr.. Mason's
selection by President Roosevelt. He
has been a resident of our city many
years and knows the problems OF
the District. and I am sure will be
a great help as member OF the
Board of Commissioners.
Brig. Gen. Charles w. Kutz, the
Engineer Commissioner. said he was
not acquainted with Mr.. Mason and
added: I'm glad the President filled
the post so promptly. There is a lot
of work to be done and we need
full crew at the District Building"
The Executive Committee of the
Board of Trade said it learned with
pleasure of the appointment" and
that it desired to assure its full
(See MASON, Page A-3)