Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-09-21
DC. Job Priority
Urged as Senate
|AcceptsShepard
MeCorron, Chavez
To File Bills Fovoring
Local Residents
BY DON s. WARREN.

Two Democratic Senators yester-
day promised they would sponsor
bills to reserve District government
jobs to bona fide District residents
as they voted along with the Demo-
cratic majority to confirm the nomi-
nation Of Marshall L. Shepard, COL
ored Philadelphia clergyman, to be
the Districts recorder of deeds at
Sc. 900 year.
They were Chairman McCarran of
the Senate Judiciary Committee,
former head and still an active
member Of the Senate District Com
mittee, and Senator Chavez, Demo-
crat, of New Mexico. In addition,
the New Mexico Senator said he
favored local self-government and
representation in Congress for the
District. Senator McCarran is the
author Of bill now awaiting Dis
trict Committee action on a Wash
ington "home rule" bill.
When the issue came to a head
shortly after 4:30 pm. yesterday, the
Democratic side by a solid voice vote
defeated a move by Senator Burton,
of Ohio to send the
Shepard nomination back to the
District Committee with instructions
to hold hearing on the selection.
And the Senate a few minutes
later confirmed the Shepard nomi-
nation, with but a soft nay vote
heard.
McCarran Hits at Mason.
Before the votes were taken a As
minute debate was marked by blunt
declaration by Senator McCarran
that he would oppose with every
thing within my being" Senate con-
flrnation of the nomination by
President Roosevelt of Guy Mason
for a second term as a member of
the Board of Commissioners.
Referring to the investigation
made a year ago into conditions at
Gallinger Municipal Hospital by
District subcommittee, the Nevada
Senator said Mr.. Mason practically
had scoffed at the idea" of answer
ing questions propounded by the
subcommittee.
Mr.. Mason, when called before the
subcommittee, which consisted of
three Republican members, refused
to comment because, as he explained
later, some phases Of the investiga-
ton then were under investigation
by the United States district at
torney at the request of the Com
Later he apologized to
the Senate subcommittee, saying he
had meant no disrespect and Offer
ing his services.
Shepafd Approval Forecast.
1t had been predicted the Shepard
would be approved by
the Senate, but. as expeced, the Re-
publican opposition to the manner
in which the nomination was rail-
roaded" for alleged political reasons
went down fighting. Senator Burton
and others on his side of the aisle
there was no race ques-
ton involved, but that the job
should have gone to qualified
colored resident of Washington in
stead of to colored Democrat from
of Washington. Senator
Burton protested against the proxy
voted poll taken by Chairman Bilbo
and served notice this should not
be taken as a precendent as to deci-
sion on the Mason nomination, on
which action is expected after the
elections when Senator
Bilbo returns to Washington.
Senator Burton, declaring that
such procedure was unfair both TO
DR.. Shepard as well as to the Dis
trict, said protests had been made
by both DR.. E. F. Harris. head of
the Federation of Civic Associations,
and Harry Wender. president of the
Federation of Citizens Associa-
tons. that the next recorder should
be selected from among colored resi-
dents of the District. Also, he
quoted from editorials in The Star
and other papers.
In reply, Senator Walsh, Demo-
crat, of New Jersey. acting as deputy
for Chairman Bilbo, recalled that
last Friday he had placed In the
record the qualifications of DR..
Shepard and added that the Wash
ington Tribune. leading Negro news
paper sold here, had declared edi-
torially it was content with the
and the method of the IA
vorable committee action on the
Shepard nomination, voicing no
concern as to whether the nominee
came from the District or some
State. The Senate was told, the
Tribune said, that Mr.. Shepard
met every test" and was satisfied
the colored race would be well rep
resented by him in the recorders
post.
Killed