Mr. Justice Reed, who recently "judiciously withdrew" from his position as chairman of the new Civil Rights Commission, has seriously jeopardized what is potentially one of the government's most effective weapons in the battle now being waged for civil rights in the United States. His rationalization for accepting and then declining the job is lamentably weak: "I permitted my desire to be of use . . . to blind me to the weightier harmful effects of possible lowering of respect for the federal judiciary."

If Justice Reed were still sitting on the Supreme Court, the excuse might seem more palatable. But he isn't. Although he can still be asked to serve on courts anywhere in the country, he knows that he can always disqualify himself from cases involving civil rights. Furthermore, his presence and the very respect he cites for the judiciary could have added substantially to the prestige of a vital but controversial commission.

The Civil Rights Commission remains one of the potentially strongest features of the hard-fought rights bill. Its power to investigate, inform, and initiate legislative suggestions in the field of civil rights can prove a more effective weapon against intolerance and organized bigotry than the legal sanctions recently obtained.

Without the prestige of as admirable and impartial a chairman as Justice Reed the commission could lose much of its potency. The delay in choosing Reed's successor has also harmed chances of the group's eventual success, for it has only a two-year life-span. The other members of the commission are all responsible men, but they were chosen largely by Reed and may not work as well under a different chief.

But if the Administration does not provide a replacement for Reed soon, these men may not even get the opportunity to try to work under someone else. Nearly one-sixth of the commission's existence has already passed without a meeting, and any further delay will only provide time for more second thoughts such as Justice Reed's.

His resignation damaged the work of the commission, but a new appointee of similar stature can still pick up the pieces. It is unfortunate that the situation ever had to arise, but presented with a fait accompli, the Administration must act, and act with speed.