Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-01-19
Sfatement Is Promised
BYHastie on Resigning
As Stimson S Aide
Former Howard u.
Dean Of Law Served
Over Z Years in Post


Judge William H HASTE, promi-
nent colored leader and civilian aide
TO the Secretary of War since No
vemner /, 1910, is relinquishing his
duties the end of this month. He
announced late yesterday that he
had submitted his resignation to
Secretary Stimson.
In the absence of any reason given
by Judge HASTE, who has asked
his two principal aides to remain
at their posts. War Department Off
Gals made no comment.
Judge HASTE waved aside queS-
tionS concerning his resignation yes
terday simply by saying 1T might
be pleasant to be a private citizen
for while-I haven't been for
about II years" lie said he would
make a statement after he leaves
the department,
He was granted leave of absence
by Howard University in 1910, after
serving as dean of its School of Law
to take the position under Secre-
tary Stimson. He had served on the
law faculty from 1890 to 1887, until
his appointment as the first Federal
judge of a new District Court in
the Virgin Islands. In 1899, after his
return from the Virgin Islands, he
was made law dean at Howard Uni
Versity.
Not Linked With Rumor.
A year ago when rumors were
circulated in the Negro press that
Judge HASTE was resigning, he re-
piled that if and when he should
leave the War Department, the press
would receive direct and authori-
tative information" He said yester-
day the rumors circulated a year
ago have no bearing on his resigna-
ton now.
Secretary StimSon was the second
War department. head to appoint
colored man as his civilian aide.
Judge Hastie's appointment was
made at time when the country
was beginning to rearm and the
War Department had adopted a
policy assuring the colored popula-
ton proportionate representation in
the Army.
When colored members of the
American Youth Congress picketed
the War Department on February
10, 1941, alleging discrimination
against Negroes, Secretary Stimson
reminded them of the place he had
made for Judge HASTE. He also
declared then that he was the first
Secretary of War to appoint a COL
ored officer to rank of general in
referring TO Brig. Gen. Benjamin
Q. Davis, West Pointer.
Asks Two to Remain.
In a statement made public yes
terday, Judge HASTE said: Il have
asked Louis Lautier, administra-
tive assistant in this office. who has
been dealing effectively with mat
tiers involving civilian personnel. to
remain at his post 1t is my belief
that he can continue to contribute
substantially to gains already rep
resented by the placement and ad-
Vancement of thousands of Negroes
and the satisfactory adjustment of
many employe grievances.
I have also asked Truman K
Gibson, jr,, assistant civilian aide.
to remain at his post. at least
through such transitional period as
may be necessary to prevent any
discontinuity of effort in matters
which have been undertaken by
this office"
Born in Knoxville, Tenn, Novem-
Der II, 1904, Judge HASTE obtained
an A. B. degree from Amherst and
IL. B. and S. J. D. degrees from
Harvard University. He is a Phi
Beta Kappa. In 1881 he was adj
mitted to practice before the Dis
trict bar, having joined the Howard
faculty the year before. He served
as assistant solicitor of the In
terror Department from 1893 until
Secretary Ickes backed him for the
Federal judgeShip in the Virgin
Islands.