6 NINETEENTH ANNUAL REPORT

There were two changes in the membership of the Hall of Records
Commission during fiscal year 1954. Dr. Detlev W. Bronk resigned the
presidency of The Johns Hopkins University September 1, 1954, and he
was succeeded by Dr. Lowell J. Reed. Although this change occurred after
the end of fiscal year 1953, it was noted in the Archivist's report for that
year.

It invariably happens that a great deal of the responsibility of an ex
officio body falls upon the chairman. The Hall of Records Commission is
no exception, and the resignation of Chief Judge Simon E. Sobeloff is,
therefore, a serious loss for us. Judge Sobeloff was appointed to the Court
of Appeals December 29, 1952. He became a member of the Hall of
Records Commission on his appointment to the Court, and he was elected
Chairman of the Commission at a meeting held May 21, 1953. He took
an immediate and sympathetic interest in our work and this interest con-
tinued until his resignation from the Court, February 25, 1954, to become
Solicitor General of the United States. He was succeeded as Chief Judge
by the Honorable Frederick W. Brune, who was appointed March 11, 1954.
Judge Brune was elected Chairman of the Hall of Records Commission at
its next meeting.

The Commission met twice during the year. The first meeting, held
November 10, 1953, was attended by Judge Sobeloff, who presided, Governor
McKeldin, Dr. Weigle and Mr. Marbury. Much of the attention of the
Commission was directed toward the new Records Management Program.
Thereafter the classifications and pay scales of certain members of the staff
were reviewed. It was voted to continue the Executive Committee, to be
composed ex officio of the Chairman and the Vice Chairman.

Dr. Weigle, Vice Chairman, called the second meeting to order on
May 12, 1954. Judge Brune was elected Chairman and Dr. Weigle was re-
elected Vice Chairman. The Archivist reported on his continuing efforts
to raise certain salary scales and classifications at the Hall of Records. He
also informed the Commission that space for a records center would be set
aside for the Hall of Records at both new State office buildings, these areas
to be used for the temporary storage of semi-current records.

The Commission, having heard a report on the unsatisfactory service
given by commercial printers to the Hall of Records, authorized the
Archivist to explore the possibility of placing our publications with a
university press. Authorization was given the Archivist to microfilm each
day the Proceedings of the General Assembly for that day and to use the
personnel and the funds of the Hall of Records for this purpose. The