[9] The three men moved to Spokane after completing a term of service with the Civilian Conservation Corps—after taking up residence in the city, they found employment in a hotel.
Under his leadership, the NAACP focused their attention in the specific areas of discrimination in housing, public accommodations, and employment.
Chase and the NAACP of Spokane campaigned for investigations into claims of housing discrimination based on color.
"[11] Chase and the NAACP took up the case of a visiting student at Gonzaga University who was denied service at a barber shop.
Although this student was visiting, Chase and the NAACP used the opportunity to "bring exposure to this local public accommodations incident."
He became well-known for his emphasis on transparency in government, and for his advocacy for social services, particularly for young people: in both 1978 and 1979, Chase was very vocal in defense of the Spokane Area Youth Committee when the council considered cutting its funds, and at one point threatened to resign from the council if the measure had prevailed.
The Church of Jesus Christ–Christian Aryan Nations group, led by Richard Butler, was given a permit to "peaceably" assemble.
In spite of pressure from various civil rights groups to stop the rally on the claims that it would "endanger public safety, mayor Chase chose to follow the letter of the law.
Mayor chase was quick to point out that "freedom of speech is the cornerstone of democracy," he also stated that: "First Amendment rights protect both white supremacists and minorities."
[20] With Chase's landslide victory and his unique leadership style, Spokane ushered in a new era of civil rights.
Shortly after arriving to Spokane, Chase joined an African Methodist Episcopal Church, where he sang baritone for the choir.
[21] His funeral at St. John's Episcopal Cathedral was attended by over one thousand mourners from all walks of life,[22] and he was buried at Fairmount Memorial Park.