Evening star., 1953-07-30
Morse Blocks Action
On Weston, Cites
Rule on Quorum

Hopes of leaders of the Senate
District Committee for quick
Senate confirmation of the ap-
pointment of Robert M. Weston
to fill a vacancy on the Public
Utilities Commission struck
snag this morning when Senator
Morse, Independent, of oregon,
insisted that all actions by the
committee be taken in full keep
ing with the rules.
The committee was to act on
the Weston nomination after a
hearing this morning but only
two members were able to get
there. These were Chairman
Case and Senator Payne, Repub-
lican. of Maine.
Meet This Afternoon.
To speed action on the nomi-
nation, Chairman Case then di-
rected the staff to poll the alb
sent committeeman after they
had a chance to read the testi-
mony taken at the morning
hearing. When Senator Morse
was approached, he Immediately
announced he would object to
any poll that was not in keeping
with committee rules.
He said the rule did not pro-
vide for a poll on any action
that required later Senate ap-
proval and that there must be
five or more of the nine members
present to constitute a quorum
to transact any such business.
Chairman Case received con-
sent of the Senate to allow
meeting of the committee at 3
o'clock this afternoon.
Since there was no known OBJ
lection to President Eisen-
hower's selection of Mr.. Weston
Chairman Case still hoped for
Senate confirmation before Con-
gress adjourns.
Praised by Witnesses.
The ability, character and fit
ness of Mr.. Weston for the utili-
ties commission post won high
praise from four witnesses who
testified at this mornings brief
hearing.
They we're Robert McLaugh-
lin, chairman of the commission;
Joseph Fairbanks, lawyer; Carey
Winston, head of a Washington
real estate firm. and Hugh C.
Bickford, a law partner of Mr..
Weston.
The nominee was questioned
by Chairman Case to get into
the record that he meets the
legal qualifications for the CONF
mission post. These include five
years of legal residence in the
District and no ownership of
stock or other financial interests
in any of the utilities subject to
the commissions regulation.
Mr.. Weston was nominated
yesterday by President Eisen-
hover. He will succeed Kenneth
w. Spencer for a three-year
term expiring June 30, 1856.
The job pays $10,600 year.
IL Years in Government.
Mr.. Weston is a native of
Blair County, Pa, and spent his
youth in Ohio. He is a graduate
of Ohio Wesleyan and Ohio
State University.
He spent IL years in Govern
ment service, having first been
a rate and franchise expert for
the Civil Aeronautics Board. He
was in private law practice in
New York for seven years before
coming to Washington in 1910.
AS a special assistant to the
Attorney General in the tax
division of the Justice Depart
ment, he had charge of the in
vestigation of the I. G. Farben
cartel.
In Navy During War.
During World War II, Mr..
Weston spent 18 months in the
Navy, most of the time at sea
and overseas. He was released
as lieutenant commander.
Mr.. Weston has been active
in the Boy Scouts movement and
has served as an officer of the
National Yachting Club. Last
year he was active in behalf of
Gen. Eisenhower's nomination
and election.
He and Mrs. Weston have two
children, Robert, jr., Is, and
Linda, IA. They live at 1850
Rodman street N. w.
Pooe Officials Named