The herald., 1896-05-04
Correspondents Charge Against
the Recorders Office
ALLEGED DISCRIMINATION
Ia The Matter of Certain Favored Abstract
Companies
The Recorder Denies All the Allegations and
Courts Investigation-Thos Circu.
lars In the Tails

The following communication was re
ceived at the Herald office some days
ago:
Editor Herald: question that has
often occurred to me is, Why are not our
county offices conducted as public offices,
and not for the benefit of private indi-
viduals or corporations? The actions Of
the county recorder and his deputies
call forth this inquiry at the present
time.
Just now there are five abstract COM
pantes doing business in this city. and
why the recorders office should be mo-
nopolized, as it were, by any one is. to
say the least, queer. 1 may say now. to
clear all doubt that it is not prejudice
for or against any one company that
causes me to speak thus. but it is de-
sire to see all treated fairly.
II stranger asks a deputy about an
abstract or certificate of title he is
company. He is never told that he
might go to this one or that one, but is
given to understand that there is but
one abstract company In the city.
I have considerable business in the re-
corder's office, and have ample opportun-
ity to observe. The representatives of
the favored company are treated with
all the kindness possible, while those
from the other companies receive no
favors, and are made as unwelcome as
possible. l wish to call attention to an
other thing which seems to me the most
glaring of all Of Mr.. Hodgmans acts to
beat up trade" for his pet. OF course.
as most of the public know, instruments
left to be recorded are mailed to the
owners after having been copied in the
records. With each instrument return
ed Is circular extolling this favored
company, telling of its many advant-
ages, superior plant etc.
Now, the question arises, How much
per month does Mr.. Hodgman get be-
will leave this for him to answer, and
will also remind him that the next cleo
tion is not far distant.
AN OBSERVER.
Los Angeles, Cal, April 81, 1896
A Herald reporter was detailed on the
case to see what foundation there was
for the complaint, and to ascertain Just
how the recorders office was conducted
In relation to the abstract companies.
Mr.. Hodgman, the recorder when told
of the charges made against him of fav-
oring one particular company, even to
the extent Of sending out circulars in
deeds when returned after being re-
corded. denied that such was the case.
He insisted that he always treated all
CT the representatives of the abstract
companies fairly and impartially, and
emphatically denied that any circulars
had ever been sent out from his office
in the interest of any one company.
When asked if one of the abstract COM
panies was not allowed representative
in his Office, Mr.. Hodgman said that
such was the case. The representative
had been in the Office for number of
years, and was employed by the Title
Insurance and Trust company-at least
she looked to that company for her pay.
though he had understood that the
other abstract companies and the Jour-
nal contributed to her salary. In con-
sideration Of certain work performed
for the county, and which would neces-
state another deputy if not done by this
representative, desk room was furnished
Mr.. Hodgman insisted that the work per-
formed was of great service to his Of
fee, and further that the representatives
Of all the abstract companies got the
benefit of this work, whether they paid
any part Of the salary on not.
In regard to the sending out of circu-
lars favorins any particular abstract
lutely. Such . thing had never been
done. he said, nor would he for mo"
ment consider such thing. The deputy
in charge Of this branch Of the work was
also seen, and he was equally positive
that such thing had never been done.
Mr. HodGman stated that under no con-
sideration would he permit any such
thing as favoritism on the part of depu-
ties and other employees, and said that
any complaints would receive prompt at
tention, and if, on investigation, they
were sustained, summary action would
be taken.
In the matter of sending out circulars.
which Ia the most serious charge made,
an investigation showed that the cir
culars We're not sent from the recorders
Office, but from the office of the Title
Insurance and Trust company. It was
stated that the representative Of this
company took the names and addresses
from the documents as they were check
ing them up, and the circulars were
sent direct from their Office 1t is claim
ed that the representatives Of the other
abstract companies can do this same
thing If they wish to take off the names
and addresses.
This Is the situation as 1t now stands.
The recorder denies that he plays any
favorites, and afirms that all have the
same facilities. The Title In
surance and Trust company has a rep
resentative in the recorders office. She
is a very capable woman. and has been
in the position held by her for years.
1t is claimed that all the companies are
benefited by her work, whether they
noptrih1,te to hay co lerv or not and that