Evening star., 1947-03-02
District Control
|0f Deeds Office
Urged IN Report
Flugrunt lnefficiency
Charged il Survey
By House Unit
BY Robert K. Walsh


should be controlled by the Dis
trict government and its en-
ployes should be under Civil
Service, a House subcommittee
recommended yesterday. The
office presents a nagrant ex-
ample OF ineff1ciency," the sub
committee found after an in
vestigation.
While costs Of the office are paid
from District appropriations, at
present the District Government
has no authority over it. The re-
corder is appointed by the Presi-
dent. Its employees are not subject
to civil service regulations.
The unanimous report of the
House Appropriations subcommittee
on District appropriations held that
charges involving personalities" in
the Recorders Office were untrue.
Subcommittee Chairman Horan. Re-
publican, of Washington, said DR..
Marshall F. Shepard, the Recorder.
was a "very much maligned man"
and had been cleared of any mis-
feasance."
But DR.. Shepard. who was in
California during the formal inyes-
tigatior, 'has spent a considerable
portion of his time away from his
Recorder Of Deeds duties while en-
joying his full salary" the report
noted.
Recommendations Made.
Because of its findings of ineffi-
cheney. patronage practices and OUT
moded operating methods, the ap-
preparations subcommittee made
these recommendations to the House
District Committee:
THAT the Recorder of Deeds be-
come fulltime employe under the
government of the District of Co
lumbia;
That employees Of the office should
become employees of the District of
Columbia under laws, rules and reg
ulations OF the United States Civil
Service Commission:
That the Auto Lien Division be
removed to the Traffic Department
of the District IN the interest Of
efficiency and economy of operation.
, That modern methods for re-
|ccrding Of instruments for per-
manent public record be imrhedi-
|ately installed.
That the installation of such
modern methods be accompanied by
q general reorganization In order
to accomplish the full sayingss pos
sible under the new operating pros
cedure."
| Investigation Explained.
Mr.. Horan explained his SUBJ
committee was not a legislative
group. It investigated the Recorder
Eof Deeds office as part Of close
study OF fiscal administration in
several agencies Of the District
government. The subcommittee
agreed that prompt remedial meas
ures" are necessary in the Recorders
Office and accordingly has made the
general recommendations to the
District Committee. 1t felt specific
legislation can be worked out by
that committee, Mr.. Horan said.
'The Office Of Recorder of Deeds
presents a fragrant example Of in
efficiency requiring prompt remedial
measures" the subcommittee re-
ported. THE condition appears to
stem primarily from outmoded op-
Grating procedures and methods
based on a make-work policy that
may be consistent with political
patronage practice but which Is
highly inconsistent with the ideals
Of good Government"
Changes Urged.
The best way to improve opera
ton Of the Office, Mr.. Horan con-
tended at a press conference, is to
put the office under the District
Government.
u believe We should relieve the
President Of some of his RESPONSE
bilities, such as in the appointment
of the District Recorder of Deeds"
Mr.. Koran continued. "The duties
of the Recorder of Deeds entail
solely duties to the people of the
District. They do not entail trips
around the country. / think effi-
cheney would be improved If the
office were put under District Gov
ernment control and If the en-
ployes, including the Recorder, were
Civil Service employees"
Charges investigated by the SUBJ
committee fell. into five main cate
gories. Besides those dealing with
personalities" and inefficient oper-
ating methods, others related to
patronage practices and to finances
In the Auto Lien Division.
Names Kept Secret.
Mr.. Horan declined to name the
person or persons, reportedly former
of1ce employees, who made most Of
the charges to the subcommittee.
He said, however, the charges, par.
ticularly those involving personals
fcy~.