Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1946-09-20

LubLOIlb AVVSAABg
n judgeship Of the LAUTIER
Municipal Court Of the District Of |
and the ministership to |
Liberia about complete the list.
Comparatively, 30 far as can
be learned, the upheayai that has
recently taken place In the Re
eOrder's Office appears TO be
minor. The charges range from
unbecOming conduct to faVOrit-
ism and inenieieney with q stag
RerinE backlog Of work that is
embarrassing financial institu-
ti0ns lending money on proper
~ In the District Of Columbia.
None of these charges In yeTi-
fed. The Rev. Marshall Shepard,
the Recorder Of Deeds, In not
talking until the Federal Bureau
Of Investigation submits Its re-
port Of the inquiry II conducted
Into his Office.
Fred Weaver. the deposed first
deputy Recorder of Deeds, also Ii
not talking until he has exhausted
his means Of vindication within the
Truman Administration and the
Democratic party.
The Federal Bureau Of Investi-
CATION Ii not commenting. As n
matter Of fact, u spokesman for
that agency said II wished news
papers would not comment upon
pending cases because often
charges made are proved Unbound
ed and "the defense never catches
up with the prosecution"
In the circumstances, the charges,
the FBl investigation, and the AR
bitrary dismissal Of Mr.. Weaver
are unfortunate. This case will not
he cited as another example of bad
bureaucratic administration; II will
he used To further the campaign Of
the commissioners Of the District
Of Columbia for control Of this
office on the ground that colored
persons cannot capably administer
One Of the difficulties. In which
Mr.. Shepard now finds himself in
volved, stems from the fact that
positions under the Recorder Of
Deeds are excepted from the civil
service laws.
Generally speaking. the officers
and employees Of the District of
Columbia are not within the classi-
fed service because they are not
officers and employees Of the fed
erRl government but Of municipal
corporation.
But positions under the District
Of Columbia Unemployment Com
pensation Board and the Board Of
Public Welfare have been made
subject to the civil service act and
rules. and employees of the Ju.
venile Court Of the District Of Co
lumbia are required to be appointed
from eligible lists Of the Civil Serv-
Ice Commission.
The District Of Columbia En-
ployment Center IL a part Of the
federal government rather than Of
the District Of Columbia govern.
ment. and positions IN the Center
are IN the classified civil service,
| Positions in the police and FIRE
departments Of the District Of Co.
lumbia. although not In the claRsi.
fed service, are filled under the
civil service rules by virtue Of
statutes,
II appointments made by tn,
Recorder Of Deeds were subject &
the civil service rules, the charge,
Of favoritism among employee,
would not have been brough
against Mr.. Shepard because ap
pointments, promotions and re
movals would have been made II
accordance with civil service rule
and regulations. And employees o
his office would have the benefit
Of the civil service acts and rule
with respect to tenure.
A basic rule Of the Civil Servic
: Commission provides that no per
son In the classified service Of tn
United States shall be remove
! thCrefTom, except for such cause y
will promote the efficiency of IN
service and for reasons given |
y writing. and the person whose n
. moval Is sought shall have motto
Of the same and Of any charge
preferred against him and be ful
. nished with q copy thereof, and ais
= be allowed reasonable time for PEI
sonally answering the same
2 writing,
9 lnasmuch rs employees Of n
o Recorders office are not subject
Z the provisions Of the civil servi'
act, they enjoy none OF the ben,
Q hts under the civil service act al
n regulations that other federal q,
District employees, who are n,
{ excepted, enjoy.
!, The benefits Of the civil servi,
= laws should be extended to all pc
n sons engaged in tho legitimate ser
= ice Of the government, wheth,
!. such persons are or are not techn
eally in the employment Of q
% United States.
= One other thing: Taxpayers a.
y entitled 60 have a. the Recorder
Deeds of the District Of Column
% u man, who for the salary Of a.
= proximately $1,000 n year. will d
vote his full time TO the duties
the office.