Evening star., 1952-06-10
Recorder Choice
Is Now Up 10
Commissioners
Long Controversy
Ends as Truman
Signs New Low

The long controversy over the
appointment of a Recorder of
Deeds for the District was ended
today with the choice of selection
now resting on the Commissioners
instead of the President.
President Truman signed legis-
lation providing for the change
late yesterday, and with a mild
blast at its provisions, said he
hoped that the Office now woula
be filled.
The President himself refused
to make another nomination, after
his own choice for the post, Earl
Wayne Beck of Kansas City was
turned down by the Senate Dis
trict Committee several months
ago.
Defends Choice of Beck.
In signing the bill, the Presi-
dent once more defended Mr..
Beck, and said he would have
served the District government
"loyally and with distinction"
The recorder and his staff now
will be subject to civil service.
Mr.. Truman said the five-year
residence requirement in the leg
islation may block the appoint
ment of an official best qualified
for the job.
He said he was signing the bill
because it is a move in the direc-
ton of home rule.
Senator Case, Republican, of
South Dakota sponsored the new
legislation as the outgrowth of
the fight over Mr.. Beck.
Truman Explains Stand.
MIR. Truman's remarks in
signing the bill were:
Il have, today approved S
2871 relating to the manner of
appointment of the recorder of
deeds to the District of Colum-
bia. the deputy recorders and
the employees of the Office of re-
corder, and for other purposes
II have approved this bill only
because I believe the principles
underlying it are sound in that
they advance the even more i'm
portant principle of home rule
for the District of Columbia
through the delegation by the
Congress of an important ad-
ministrative responsibility for
conduct Of District affairs to the
Commissioners of the District of
Columbia.
Under Civil Service.
The recorder Of deeds and
staff of his Office under this leg
iSlation will become civil serv-
ants appointed in accordance
with the civil service laws and
the Classification Act of 1949.
Present employees of the Office
will be given an opportunity to
obtain civil service status after
examination by the Civil Service
Commission. Any who fail to
meet the requirements for full
civil service status will be re-
tanned in their present capacities
long enough to permit them to
find other employment. These
provisions are consistent with
the extension of the civil service
and with the granting of home
rule responsibilities.
"The bill has added further
requirement to present law. It
restricts the appointment to the
Office of Recorder of Deeds to
persons who have been resi-
dents Of the District of Colum-
bia for at least S years imme-
diately prior to appointment.
Whether such a limitation will
turn out to be wise is a mat
ter which only the passage Of
time can decide. It is conceiv-
able that it may restrict the
Commissioners to the appoint
ment of a person who is not
the best qualified man for the
job.
Believes Beck Best Qualified.
I'm this connection, I wish to
make 1t clear that when a va
cancy in the Office occurred
some months ago, I nominated,
after consideration of the quail
f1cations of a number of per-
sons. the man who, in my judg-
ment. had the best qualifications
for the job. The Senate chose
not to take action on this nomi-
nation. has now joined with
the House of Representatives in
enacting this bill. I accept this
action Of the Congress, but I
cannot sign the measure with
out again stating publicly my
support of my nominee. I be-
Heve that he was the best quail
fled candidate available and I
am convinced that he would
have served the people of the
District Of Columbia Loyalty and
with distinction.
II hope that the Commits
sioners of the District of Co
lumbia will fill this position
promptly and that the period
Of suspense and uncertainty for
the employees of the Office of