Who's HEW

The "so-and-so" who replaced Abraham Ribicoff at HEW turned out to be a surprise: Cleveland Mayor Anthony Celebrezze, 51, the first Italian-American ever appointed to the Cabinet. While the Washington press corps fruitlessly speculated about other possibilities, the White House was trying desperately to reach Celebrezze at his vacation retreat in Canada, did not get him until the day before the appointment was announced in Hyannisport. Said Celebrezze after his appointment: "Where is there a better place that a poor boy from the slums could go?"

Though Celebrezze (pronounced sell-uh-breezy) is practically unknown nationally, he is well known in Ohio, where he has run up a record that stands to help him in the most diverse of Cabinet jobs. Born at Anzi in Italy while his Italian-born parents were on vacation there, Tony Celebrezze grew up in Cleveland's tough East Side, sold newspapers with his brothers on what became known as "Celebrezze Corner." He worked through John Carroll and Ohio Northern Universities, earning his way as a gandy dancer on the New York Central. Forsaking his law practice in 1950, he got elected to the state senate, became Governor Frank Lausche's representative there when the Governor passed over the regular minority leader.

Three years later, Celebrezze decided to run for the Cleveland mayoralty as an independent. Despite the opposition of the regular Democratic and Republican organizations, he was elected. At first, he had trouble as mayor: he failed to delegate authority, did not get along with councilmen, was accused of being dictatorial. But, a hard worker (16 hours a day), he grew in his job and went on to five terms in city hall.

During his regime, he started a $140 million urban renewal program, took the lead in improving housing for Negroes, persuaded the state to assume half the city's cost for federal highways. Celebrezze is unique among the nation's elected mayors in that his city has fewer employees than when he took office. This fast-rising career has not only equipped him with experience but with an attitude that should serve him well through the many frustrations that he surely will face at HEW. He once said: "It's frustrating to know, after being in office a few years, that you can't achieve perfect government in spite of constant effort.''

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