Evening star., 1948-01-13
Approval Of Mason
Likely, Buck Declares; !!
Hearing 10 Be Called

The appointment OF Guy Mason
for his third term as a member of
the Board of Commissioners, due
to go to the Senate tomorrow, prob
ably will be confirmed, according to
Chairman Buck of the Senate Dis
trict Committee.
Senator Buck said he had no def
mite plan as to action on the nomi-
nation but planned to schedule a
hearing to determine any opposition
to the reappointment.
The White House announced late
yesterday that President Truman
would reappoint the Commissioner
whose term expired November 90
Under the law, a District Commis-
sioner may serve beyond his term
until successor is appointed and
confirmed
Mason Expresses Qualification.
Mr.. Mason expressed qualification
at his reapointment and said he
would seek to justify Mr.. Truman's
confidence.
The Senate recess yesterday after
noon prevented submission Of the
nomination at that time.
The reappointment brought crit
icism from hackers of Charles
Houston, colored attorney for whom
an active campaign had been waged
1.-THE nomination of Guy Mason
despite 10000 signatures for Charles
Houston, high lights the fact that
the voice of the people won't be
heard until we get home rule" Rob-
ert Ware Strauss, executive secre-
tary of the Committee for Wash
ington, Southern Conference for
Human Welfare, said.
How the President could ap-
point man who has not been a
strong advocate of home rule, di-
rectly contrary to the fine recon-
mendations of his own Civil Rights
Committee, comes as a surprise tc
our organization" Mr.. Straus added
"The Republicans in Congress now
have the opportunity to take the
Leadership in the District fight fol
democracy"
Mr.. Mason, 81, former newspa-
perman and attorney, was first ap.
pointed Commissioner on July 81
1941, to succeed the late Melvin C
Hazen, who died in Office.
Before his second appointment
his removal from Office was de.
manded by a. Senate District sub.
committee, which investigated con.
ditions at Gallinger Hospital ane
also recommended removal of tht
health officer, hospital superinten.
dent and several hospital division
heads.
Was Supported by Citizens.
The full committee did not act
on the demand, and Mr.. Mason wa.
confirmed for a second term in@No.
vember, 1914. At that time, a lone
list of citizens associations flee
their support of Mr.. Mason with tn,
committee considering his appoint
ment, and an expected floor f1gh
failed to develop.
A native of Indiana, Mr.. Masor
has been a District resident sine,
1904. Although a Republican earl,
in life, he became a Democrat during
the Wilson administration.
Educated in New York and New
Jersey public schools, Mr.. Mason be
gan his newspaper career in 1906 a.
a cub reporter on the Washington
Post. Later, he went to the Wash
ington bureau of the st. Loui!
G Globe-Democrat and then to th'
Washington bureau of The New
York World.
Served in Spanish American War
He served in the Spanish -Ameri
can War but was rejected for Worlt
War I service because of a wrist ip
jury.
Before becoming commissioner
Mr.. Mason had served twice in pub
lie ofhce-f1rst as a member of th'
Union Station Plaza Commission
and later as a member of the Dis
tricts Rent Commission in 1921.
In recent years, illness on severa
occasions has kept him from hi
desk. Although his health has beer
poor for several months, he ha
been attending his Office regularl!
but has spent the week ends resting
Mr.. and Mrs. Mason live in tx
Westchester Apartments