VOLUME 57, NUMBER 6 Title News

Features

ALTA broadcast offerings reach millions nationally 4

ALTA members, government reps mingle at reception 8

Departments

A message from the president-elect inside front cover

Names in the news 12

The judiciary committee reports 13

ALTA action 14

Calendar of meetings outside back cover

Association Officers Chairman, Abstracters and Tille Insurance Agents Association Staff President, C. J. McConville Section, J. L. Boren , Jr. Executive Vice President Title Insurance Company of Minnesota Mid-South Title Company, In c. William J. McAu li ffe, Jr. Memphis, Tenn essee Minneapoli s, Minneso ta Director of Public Affairs President-Elect, Roger N. Bell Cha irman, Tille Insurance and Underwriters Section, Gary L. Garrity Robert C. Bates The Security Abstract & Title Company, Inc. Director of Government Relations Wichita, Kansas Chicago Title In surance Company Mark E. Winter Chicago, Illin ois Chairman, Finance Committee, Robert C. Dawson Director of Research Lawyers Title Insurance Corporation Immediate Past President, Phi li p D. McCulloch Richard W. McCarthy Richmond, Virginia Rattikin Title Company Ft. Worth, Texas Business Manager Treasurer, Fred B. Fromhold David R. Mc l aughlin Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company Executive Committee Members-At-Large Association General Counsel Philadelphia, Pennsylvania John E. Flood, Jr. Thomas S. Jackson Title In su rance and Trust Company Los An geles, Californi a Jac kson, Campbell & Parki nson Title News is published by the Ameri can Land Title 1828 L St reet, N.W. Assoc iation, 1828 L Street, N.W ., Was hington, D.C. Thomas S. Mc Donald Washington, D.C. 20036 20036, Maxine Stough, Editor Th e Abstrac t Corporation Sanford , Florid a e ALTA broadcast offerings reach millions nationally

he amusing and informative announcer suggests writing ALTA for Gary L. Garrity. Production is in T adventures of a retired Canadian free information on home buying and conjunction with ADS Audio Visual Mountie and his dog as they land title protection. Productions, Inc., Falls Church, Va. encounter land title problems while In one of the PSAs, Sgt. Braxton and As examples of reaction to the searching for peaceful home Zing are in the yard of their recently­ Braxton PSAs by station personnel, ownership have won ALTA free air purchased home when a man drives here are some of the comments sent time on the Mutual Radio Network a truckload of chickens across the to ALTA from stations where the for the second consecutive year. property. When stopped by Sgt. spots were aired. Mutual has some 800 affiliated Braxton, the man advises that he is C.J . Dickson, general manager, stations from coast to coast. starting a chicken ranch nearby­ KGUS, Hot Springs, Ark. : "Very and is reaching the site by using an In addition, the ALTA public service informative." radio package is being broadcast in easement previously unknown to the astonished Mountie. Then the man Le Grand Rogers, operations free time by approximately 1,000 manager, KEWT, Sacramento, Calif.: individual stations in all 50 states. drives off through Sgt. Braxton's forsythia. " Excellent." Development of the radio spots is Bill Price, program director, KFEL, The Braxton spots star Ed Walker, a part of the broadcast activity of the Pueblo, Colo.: " Very nicely done. " ALTA Public Relations Program, Washington, D.C., radio and which also uses television public television personality, and are written service film and slides to reach a by ALTA Director of Public Affairs cumulative national audience extending well into the millions each year. ALTA combines a significant home buyer education message regarding land title protection with an entertaining format to consistently score well in the brisk competition for free public service air time. Public service announcements (PSAs) of the Association have become familiar and well accepted among stations over the past eight years, and so have the longer ALTA feature films. This enhances the possibility for air placement of similar quality material in the future. In the 1978 ALTA radio public service package, the retired Mountie and his "retired" lead dog-Sgt. Braxton and This artist's conception of Sgt. Braxton Zing-encounter the perils of an and his lead dog Zing as they face yet easement problem, unpaid property another land title problem appears on the taxes and a claim by a previously record jacket of ALTA 's public service undisclosed relative of the seller in radio package. three separate 6(}.second episodes. At the close of each spot, an

4 Laurie Cleaveland, public affairs David Woodson, public service minidramas close with a suggestion director, WFCS, Meriden, Conn.: director, WRIS, Roanoke, Va.: " Your from the announcer that home "Would appreciate receiving more PSAs with the Canadian Mountie buyers consider the protection of throughout the year. " and the dog, Zing, were great. I hope owner's title insurance. there are more to come Jim Tuck, manager, KSPD, Boise, ." ALTA minidramas are produced in Idaho: "Best PSAs I've heard. " Besides the Braxton spots, the ALTA conjunction with Planned Tom Patterson, PSA director, WMBD, radio package features three Communication Services, Inc., New Peoria, Ill.: "Good spots." celebrities-Max Gail and Ron Glass York City. Although a use report for Paul Urbahns, PSA director, WMMG, of ABC Television's " Barney Miller" the spring 1978, 60-second television Brandenburg, Ky.: "Let's have more comedy series, and Patsy Montana, clip has not been received at this of Sgt. Braxton and Zing." country and western music star-in writing, minidramas typically are other announcements Don Allen, program director, KPEL, . aired by more than 80 stations in Lafayette, La.: "The Mountie and In an equally appealing PSA activity approximately 40 states and reach Zing are good . .. would like to hear for television, ALTA earlier this year millions. more." produced two more 60-second film Still another successful video Jay Lundstrom, announcer, WDHP, minidramas on land title hazards­ offering for ALTA is a public service Caribou, Maine: "Funny and original one for sending to stations in the slide announcement package which spots." spring and the other for fall this spring was telecast by Jim Rivers, chief announcer, WKXL, distribution. approximately 70 stations in 35 Concord, N.H.: " Excellent!" In one, a partner in a pizza business states and reached a cumulative audience of nearly 120 million. The Jeff Russell, program director, KKIM , finds a judgment against his home package includes color art slides Albuquerque, N.M.: "Good!" because of failure to pay a debt and scripts for both a 30-second and Jack De Petris, public service owed to his associate-then tries to sell the property himself without a 10-second PSA; local announcers director, WDCX, Buffalo, N.Y.: read the scripts on the air. " Pertinent." disclosing the problem. Working with ALTA to produce the Gary Phillips, PSA director, KWCO In the other, a man with a name , slide package is North American Chickasha, Okla.: " These PSAs similar to his father's signs the deed are Precis Syndicate, Inc., New York great in a transaction involving sale of the for home buyers." City. Scott Fortney, public service director, father's house although the son has WCMB, Harrisburg, Pa.: "Better than no legal right to do so. Considerable most PSA recordings. " excitement develops when the (continued on page 7) difficulty is discovered. Both

Ron Glass Patsy Montana Max Gail

5 LAND EX® Automation designed for your title plant. LANDEX is an on-line minicomputer system that goes into your offices, where your people run it, under your control. Your system will be separately tailored to handle plant records according to your own rules.

LANDEX systems are in their fifth year of service to owners. Visit the units now in use (in seven states) and you'll find that-

• They serve big counties and small.

• They lower the cost of plant maintenance by speeding and simplifying the posters' work and by eliminating errors. (They catch hundreds that are posted to Compu ter Area indexes in ordinary systems.)

• Through terminals, they provide nearly effortless search and date-down.

• They are operated easily and comfortably by people who possess no prior computer experience.

• Some of them serve more than one county, through terminals.

• Some others serve several companies - again, through terminals. Use r Station s • They give managers firm control of plant operations.

• They are excellent aids to marketing and public relations, for they attest that their owners are concerned about costs and committed to service.

We'd like to tell you more. Just write or telephone-

Donald E. Henley, President

INFORMATA INC, makers of LANDEX

TITLE INFORM ATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

INFORMATA INC I 23241 VENTURA BOULEVARD, WOODLAND HILLS. CALIFORNIA 91364 I (213) 346-9203 Broadcast-(continued) Public Service Radio Spots Kansas-KKOY, Chanute; KANS, Early this year, an ALTA television (In Addition to Mutual Larned celebrity film announcement Radio Network) Kentucky-WMMG, package in which entertainment Brandenburg; WKDJ, Winchester personalities advise writing the Alabama-WKSJ, Mobile; WDJC, Association for free information on Birmingham Louisiana-KPEL and KXKW, home buying and land title Lafayette; KSDL, Slidell protection was aired by Alaska-KRBD, Ketchikan approximately 200 stations in 45 Maine-WDHP, Caribou; WMCS, Arkansas-KXOW and KGUS, Machias states and the District of Columbia Hot Springs; KWEH , Camden while reaching millions. Featured in Maryland-WITH, Baltimore; separate 3D-second film PSAs are California-KGO, San Francisco; WTIR, Westminister Rue McClanahan of CBS Television's KEWT, Sacramento " Maude;" Abe Vigoda of ABC Massachusetts-WOKW, Television's " Fish," and Donna Colorado-KHOW, Denver; Brockton; WCCM and WCGY, Fargo, country and western music KFEL, Pueblo Lawrence star. Connecticut-WMMW, Meriden; Michigan-WJZZ, Detroit; WTCM, The celebrity television film WFCS, New Britain Traverse City announcements also are produced in Delaware-WDSD, Dover conjunction with ADS Audio Visual Minnesota-KLFD, Litchfield; Productions, Inc. Florida-WSCM, Panama City; KDUZ, Hutchinson Development and production of WGMA, Hollywood Mississippi-WKCU and WADI, ALTA public service broadcast Georgia-WTJH , East Point; Corinth; WKRA, Holly Springs material are carried out by the WGIG and WYNR, Brunswick Missouri-KAYO, Kansas City; Association Public Relations WRTH , St. Louis Committee and staff. The present Hawaii-KNDI and KIOZ, membership of the Publ ic Relations Honolulu Montana-KCAP, Helena; KURL and KOOK, Bi ll ings Committee includes Chairman ldaho-KSPD, Boise; KIGO, St. Edward S. Schmidt, H. Randolph Anthony · Nebraska-KAHL, North Platte; Farmer, Earnest Hoberecht, Patrick KNLV, Ord lllinois-WVEM, Springfield; McQuaid, Francis E. O'Connor, Nevada-KNV and KLVC, Las LeNore Plotkin, James W. Robinson, WMBD, Peoria Vegas; WRRL, Rainelle Bill Thurman and Thomas Watson. lndiana-WXLW, Indianapolis; With responses still coming in, here WYLV, Fort Wayne New Hampshire-WKXL, Concord; WNPH , Plymouth is a partial list of stations that have IOWA-KSTI, Davenport; KSAY, aired the various ALTA television and Clinton (continued on page 11) radio public service offerings.

OneAL TA minidrama stars Ton y and Sergio (photo below), partners in a pizza business. Discord erupts when Sergio finds a judgment against his home because he fa iled to pay a debt owed to Ton y. However, Sergio doesn't let that stop him from trying to sell his property without disclosing the problem to an unsuspecting buyer. --

In the second of the pair of new ALTA television minidramas, J.J. Smith signs the deed in a transaction involving sale of the house of his father-also named J.J. Smith-when he has no legal right to do so. Considerable excitement develops (above) when the misdeed is discovered.

7 e ALTA members, government reps mingle at reception

he second ALTA Federal Reception, held last legislators that afternoon and to attend the evening T month in the Cannon House Office Building reception. Caucus Room on Capitol Hill in Washington, proved As an adjunct to visiting their elected representatives, to be an unqualified success with an attendance in industry participants left an information packet in excess of 300. The event was planned by the ALTA each congressional office they visited. Items in the Government Relations Committee as part of its packet included a recently developed background efforts to strengthen the land title industry identity in paper entitled " Indian Tribal Claims Under the government circles. Nonintercourse Act;" a paper describing ALTA, its The guest list included senators, representatives, function and membership, and a copy of Volume II of congressional staff, federal agency personnel, The Title Industry: White Papers. representatives of real estate industry organizations, Among the honored guests at the reception were consumer advocates and media representatives. Reps. William Armstrong (R-Colo.); Thomas Ashley (D­ They were received at the door by ALTA President Ohio); Lindy Boggs (D-La.); Garry E. Brown (R-Mich.); C.J. McConville; President-Elect Roger N. Bell; Clair Burgener (A-Calif.); Mark Hannaford (D-Texas); Government Relations Committee Chairman Richard Elwood Hillis (R-Ind.); Robert H. Michel (R-111.) who is H. Howlett, and Executive Vice President William J. minority whip; Robert McClory (R-Ill.); Carlos McAuliffe Jr. Moorhead (A-Calif.); Ned Pattison (D-N.Y.); Matthew ; Wes Approximately 70 title people came to Washington to Rinaldo (R-N.J .); Dave Stockman (R-Mich.) (D-Pa.). participate in the Capitol Hill visits with their federal Watkins (D-Okla.), and Gus Yatron (continued on page 15)

In the photo at left, Bruce H. Zeiser, vice president, Lawyers Title right, they are: John R. Cathey, president, The Bryan County Insurance Corp., Boston, shares a light moment with Sen. Edward Abstract Co., Durant; Owen L. Harper, secretary, Southern Abstract W. Brooke (R-Mass.) and Rep. Margaret Heckler (R-Mass.). Some Co., Bartlesville; Sen. Bellmon; Jackson; F. Earl Harper, president, Oklahoma title people welcome Sen. Henry Bellmon (R-Okla.) and Southern Abstract Co., and John W. Warren, president, Albright Title Doug Jackson of the senator's staff in the photo at right. Left to and Trust Co., Newkirk.

8 At top, left, C.J. McConville, ALTA president and Title Insurance (D-Ill.) in the lower right photo are two Chicago Title and Trust Co. Company of Minnesota president (left) and ALTA President-Elect (CT& T) executive vice presidents and president of the Bureau County Roger N. Bell, president of the Security Abstract & Title Co., Inc., Title Co., Inc., in Princeton. Left to right they are Robert C. Bates of Wichita, Kan. , (right) discuss federal legislative matters with Sen. CT& T, Calvin F. Johnson, Francis E. O'Connor of CT& T and Rep. Robert Dole (R-Kan.). In the lower left photo, Rep. David Stockman Mikva. In the upper right photo, Title Insurance and Trust Co. (R-Mich.) makes a point in his discussion with David F. Upton, Executive Vice President Gerald L. lppel (left) and Ticor President president and treasurer of Southwestern Michigan Abstract and Title Richard H. Howlett (right) welcome Rep. Carlos J. Moorhead (R­ Co., St. Joseph (center). At right is Upton 's nephew Fred, who is on Ca/if.) Howlett chairs the ALTA Government Relations Committee Rep. Stockman's staff. Deep in conversation with Rep. Abner Mikva which organized the reception.

9 POT 1fiOR NAME IN EVERY REAl TfiR'S PfiCNETI

YOUR Hard-Working fi/11 FOR REAlTORS!

Created by Realtors for Realtors

In addition to the conventional loan amortization payment tables, the latest 260-page Realty Computer provides over 30 real estate tables badly needed by real estate people in their daily transactions. A quality edition that fits pocket or purse. You owe yourself an appraisal of the REALTY COMPUTER - one of the finest professional fact-finders you have ever seen. YOUR REAL ESTATE CLIENTELE WANTS IT!

Write tod11y for your compllmenttlry copy (to Title Companies only) PROFESSIONAL PUBLISHING CORPORATION 122 Paul Drive • San Rafael, California 94903 • (415} 472-1964 Broadcasl-(concluded) St. Louis-KMCX Mississippi-WAPT, Jackson; New Jersey-WBRW, Somerville; Kansas City-KCMO WABG, Greenwood WMVB, South Vineland Nashville, Tenn.-WTVF Missouri-KSD, St. Louis; KRCG, New Mexico-KKIM, Jefferson City Birmingham, Ala.-WAPI Albuquerque; KINN and KPSA, Montana-KXLF, Butte; KRTV, Almagordo Toledo, Ohio-WSPD Great Falls New York-WDCX and WBEN, Nebraska-KETV, Omaha; KSTF, Buffalo; WVOR, Rochester Television Celebrity Scottsbluff North Carolina-WGOS, High Announcements Nevada-KCRL, Reno; KVVV, Point; WBMS, Black Mountain Henderson North Dakota-KFGO, Fargo; Alabama-WCOV and WKAB, New Jersey-WOMC, Wildwood; KNDC, Hettinger Montgomery; WKRG, Mobile WTVG, West Orange Ohio-WZIP, Cincinnati; WAQI, Alaska-KIMO, KENI and KTVA, New Mexico-KBIM, Roswell; Ashtabula Anchorage; KTVF, Fairbanks Arizona-KVOA, Tucson; KOAI , KFDW, Portales Oklahoma-KLCO, Poteau; Flagstaff New York-WTVH, Syracuse; KWCO, Chickasha California-KWHY, Los Angeles; WGR, Buffalo Oregon-KCCS, Salem; KEED, KEMO, San Francisco North Carolina-WWAX and Eugene Colorado-KNCH, Denver; KRDO WECT, Wilmington; WSOC and Pennsylvania-WCM B, and KKTV, Colorado Springs WBTV, Charlotte Harrisburg; WJAC, Johnstown Connecticut-WHCT, Hartford; North Dakota-KXJB and KTHI, Rhode lsland-WKFD, Wickford WATR, Waterbury Fargo; KFYR, Bismarck South Carolina-WTND, District of Columbia-KTOP Ohio-WLWX, Cincinnati; WHIO, Orangeburg; WSSC, Sumter Florida-WDBO, Orlando; WTVT, Dayton South Dakota-KORN, Mitchell Tampa Oklahoma-KTEN, Ada Tennessee-WDEB, Jamestown; Georgia-WANY and WAGA, KTVL, Medford; KPIC, Roseburg WUCR, Sparta Atlanta; WSAV and WJCL, Oregon-KTVL, Medford; KPIC, Texas-KMFM and KMAC, San Savannah Roseburg Antonio; KWET, Wichita Falls Hawaii-KHON and KITV, Pennsylvania-WTAE and WPGH, Utah-KNVU and KBLW, Logan Honolulu Pittsburgh; WJNL, Johnstown Vermont-WBTN, Bennington ldaho-KBCI, Boise; KPVI, Rhode lsland-WPRI, East Virginia-WRIS, Roanoke; WYFI, Pocatello Providence Norfolk lllinois-WBBM, Chicago; WHBF, South Carolina-WFBC, Washington-KUPY, Puyallup; Rock Island Greenville; WCBD, Charleston KVAC, Forks lndiana-WRTV and WTTV, South Dakota-KELO, Sioux West Virginia-WTRF, Wheeling; Indianapolis; WPTA, Fort Wayne Falls; KEVN and KIVV, Rapid City WSCW, South Charleston Iowa-WHO, Des Moines; KCAU, Tennessee-WSH and WNGE, Wisconsin-WJRN, Racine; KTIV and KMEG , Sioux City Nashville; WATE and WTVK, WJJK, Eau Claire Kansas-KAKE and KTVH, Knoxville Texas-Kill, Corpus Christi; Wyoming-KVOC, Casper Wichita; WIBW, Topeka Louisiana-WGNV, New Orleans; KTRE, Lufkin KTBS, Shreveport Vermont-WCAX, Burlington Television Slide Announcements Maine-WVII, Bangor; WAGM, Virginia-WDBJ, Roanoke; Presque Isle WHSV, Harrisonburg Chicago-WGN Maryland-WITH, WBFF, WMAR Washington-KSTW, Tacoma; Philadelphia-WPVI and WKBS and WJZ, Baltimore; WROC, KNDO, KAPP and KIMA, Yakima Glendale, Calif.-KBSC Salisbury West Virginia-WHIS, Bluefield San Mateo, Calif.-KCSM Massachusetts-WLVI, Boston; Wisconsin-WTMJ, Milwaukee; Boston-WNAC WRLP, Springfield WKOW, Madison Dallas-KXTX Michigan-WUHQ, Battle Creek; Wyoming-KYCU, Cheyenne; WILX, Lansing KTWO, Casper Baltimore-WBFF Minnesota-WTCN, Minneapolis; Cincinnati-WCPO KSTP, St. Paul Charlotte, N.C.-WRET

11 Jerome Howard Peter Welch Isidore Teitelbaum Frank Geraci

Jerome L. Howard, past president of the Mortgage Bankers Association of America and chairman of Mortgage and Trust Inc. of Houston, Tex., has been elected to the board of directors of Chicago Title and Trust Co. and to the board of its subsidiary, Chicago Title Insurance Co. Howard is a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association's William Foley Robert Jackson Wesley Atkfns Joseph Walker board of governors and a trustee of its Research and Educational Trust Fund.

The board of directors of Title Insurance Company of Oregon in Portland, a subsidiary of First American Title Insurance Co., recently announced the appointment of Larry Feagans as president of the Larry Feagans Charles Hedgepath James Mills Jr. Harry Fisher firm. He succeeds Budd G. Burnie, president since 1966, who was named chairman of the board. Lawyers Title of Louisiana Inc. has Title Insurance and Trust Co. (TI) Feagans, associated with First announced that its president and recently announced the appointment American Title Insurance Co. since chief executive officer, James W. of Robert I. Jackson as sales 1962, was vice president of sales and Mills Jr. has acquired all of the manager of its newly formed Special headed the company's sales staffs outstanding stock of the corporation. Title Operations Division. The special in Riverside, San Francisco and San Also announced were the title operations team was formed to Diego, Calif. appointment of Karl F. Heeter as centralize the company's title and escrow services in commercial and Also announced was the vice president of finance and industrial real estate. It will be appointment of John C. Cape to administration and the promotion of responsible for Tl's services involving senior vice president and secretary. Peter C. Keenan to vice president, government projects, subdivisions Orleans Parish. and second trust deeds. USLIFE Title Insurance Company of Dallas board of directors has Isidore Teitelbaum, formerly manager Tl also announced that Frank Geraci announced the election of Harry A. of the Somerville, N.J., branch office has been named manager of its Fisher as vice president, chief of Lawyers Title Insurance Corp., has Santa Clara County office. Geraci financial officer, treasurer and been named manager of the has been with Tl for 23 years. controller. During the past 18 company's New Brunswick, N.J. months, Fisher was regional branch office. Succeeding Catherine B. Disney and Francis M. manager (audit and control) for the Teitelbaum in Somerville will be Connolly have been elected assistant parent organization, USLIFE Corp. Robert L. Nieltopp who joined secretaries of The Title Guarantee Lawyers Title in February of this year Co., Baltimore, Md. Disney, William P. Foley has been appointed with 21 years of title insurance associated with the company since vice president of the Clayton, Mo., experience. 1957, was manager of the office of Commonwealth Land Title Other branch managers recently Administration and General Services Insurance Co. Foley has been in the named by Lawyers Title are James Department. Connolly joined the land title industry for 20 years. W. Atkins, Roanoke, Va; Patricia A. company in 1975 as a senior title Quattlebaum, Petersburg, Va., and examiner. Title Insurance Company of Joseph R. Walker, Richmond, Va. The Commonwealth Mortgage Minnesota has announced the In addition, Peter F. Welch was Assurance Co. has announced two appointment of Michael A. Pollack elected counsel for the Richmond recent appointments: David B. King as vice president. Pollack is manager branch of Lawyers Title and Charles as regional manager of its California of the Milwaukee and Waukesha E. Hedgepath of Columbia, S.C., was office and Robert E. Benning of branches and has been in the title elected senior title attorney. Hershey, Pa., as account executive. industry for 17 years. (continued on page 13)

12 divorces and defendant wives were Names in th e News-(concluded) granted custody of minor children The executive vice president of The Judiciary but denied motions for restoration of Industrial Valley Title Insurance Co ., their maiden names . They appealed located in Philadelphia, recently from these denials. The Supreme appeared on a local television show Committee Court remanded with directions that to discuss home buying. IVT's the Superior Court grant the changes Marvin H. New and Joe Sindoni, or hear evidence against the relief president of Bon-Sin Realty Co., reports ... sought, stating that "mere Philadelphia, met with Channel17 speculation as to possible Host Dorie Lenz. New is currently embarrassment " to the children was president of the Pennsylvania not Land sufficient ground for denial, and Title Association. The following are recently decided that "the burden of proof rests with court cases reported by members of either the court or interested parties President of the Federal National the ALTA Judiciary Committee. to prove that there exists a lawful Mortgage Association Oakley Hunter Committee members reporting this objection which overrides the . . . was re-elected chairman of the time are Henry Keyes, the right to a name change." FNMA Board of Directors. Massachusetts reporter, who The court said "Our The vote was submitted the case on name conclusion is held during the board's based on statutory meeting which changes; Jack Gehringer, the grounds," but immediately followed cited cases in other jurisdictions the annual meeting Wisconsin reporter, who reported the of the based both on statutes corporation's case on mortgages-subrogation, and and the stockholders at the common law-including in Capital Hilton Hotel Dan Terrell, the New Mexico reporter, the latter in Washington, category Secretary who submitted the case on of the D.C. Commonwealth v unauthorized practice of law. . City Clerks, decided last August in Names-changes Massachusetts and promptly Ticor acquires firm reported in Title News, approving, as Ticor recently acquired the New York Moskowitz v. Moskowitz and the New Hampshire court says, an Bolduc City-based firm of O'Fiyn & Verity, v. Bolduc individual's change of " his name at Inc. The company is a real estate tax _ N.H.__, _A. 2d_ will without resort to any legal (N.H. search organization, servicing 1978) proceedings if the change is not made for a fraudulent, criminal approximately one million loans for In two divorce cases which or came wrongful purpose." more than 100 major customers, before different masters and judges, including many leading New York (continu plaintiff husbands were granted ed on p age 14) commercial and savings banks.

You CAN benefit from computerized title plants!

Computerized title plants are: • Fast and accurate • Easy to use • Easily shared Title Data • Builds computerized title plants • Maintains joint title plants • Offers an automated title plant maintenance and searching system

For information on the services offered by Title Data, Inc., please call our President, Stanley Dunin.

Title Data, Inc. 1835 Twenty Fourth Street Santa Monica, California 90404 (213) 829-7425

13 e Judic iary -(continued) ALTA film reaches 14 million Reporter's comment: This is the latest of a series of cases encouraging effective changes of names with no record available to title examiners. Suggested legislative remedies include a requirement of recording, possibly with municipal clerks, but preferably in probate courts or registries of deeds. Another suggestion looks toward bona fide purchaser status for a buyer or mortgagee who takes title under an instrument using the latest name for the grantor appearing in the registry. (continued on page 15) ALTA

Special recognition recently was extended to ALTA by Modern Talking Picture Service after the Association's film, " 1429 Maple Street", reached a nationwide audience of more than 14 million in television public service distribution over a three-year period ending in 1977. Shown The ALTA Government Relations from left with copies of Modern 's "More Than 10 Million Film Achievement Award" presented Committee met June 9 at the for this accomplishment areAL TA Director of Public Affairs Gary L. Garrity, Modern Vice Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, President Robert A. Kelley and ALTA Public Relations Committee Chairman EdwardS. Colo., to discuss the disposition of Schmidt, Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company. In addition, the film has won top the Arthur D. Little Torrens study. honors in the Overall Public Relations Category of the Public Relations Society of America The study is expected to be handled national television distribution of the film for ALTA. Film Festival. Modern completed in the near future and additional details regarding its distribution will be made available at ERRORS that time. Richard H. Howlett, Ticor AND president, Los Angeles, is chairman of this year's Government Relations OMISSIONS Committee. iTLE INSURANCE The Title Industry Political Action Committee (TIPAC) Board of Trustees met May 31 in Chicago to For discuss candidates for TIPAC contributions. Nearly 90 candidates Abstracters are expected to receive support from Title Searchers TIPAC. Title Insurance Agents Approximately $55,000 has been collected for campaign contributions, Title Opinions making this year's solicitation effort , the most successful. Francis E. h O'Connor, executive vice president, "~ Title Man for Title People" Chicago Title and Trust Co. , is chairman of the TIPAC Board of Call or Write Trustees. BOX 516 Branch office opens 109 NORTH COLLEGE R.J~ TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA 74464 NTRELL Lawyers Title of Louisiana, Inc., has (918) 456-8883 announced the opening of its fifth GENCY, INC. branch office in Kenner, La. , a suburb of New Orleans. Judiciary-(concluded) The Unauthorized Practice of Law common knowledge regarding An owner can die without fraudulent Committee of The San Juan County information to be inserted, does not intent and make his estate under a Bar Association, John Cain, Joseph constitute the practice of law. The new and unrecorded name even A. Palmer and C. C. Koogler, v. court further held that when filling in more difficult to follow in a chain of Guardian Abstract and Title the blanks affect substantial legal title than it is now. Company, Inc., and San Juan County rights, and if the reasonable The reporter favors a national vital Abstract and Title Company, Inc., protection of such rights require statistics headquarters to deal with 575 P. 2d 943 (N.M. 1978) legal skills greater than that this and other problems of identity On June 26, 1957 the New Mexico possessed by the average citizen which get wrose as our society State Bar and the Realtors then such practice is restricted to becomes increasingly mobile. Association entered into a statement the members of the legal profession. of principles which conceded that Mortgages-subrogation realtors could fill in blanks in forms involved in real estate transactions. Rock River Lumber Corp. v. Universal The defendants, abstract and title Federal Reception-(conc/uded) Mortgage Corp., 82 Wis . 2d 235, 262 companies, had also been filling in N. W. 2d 114 (Wis. 1978) such forms for at least the past 16 Senators attending included Henry Under the general term years. These forms now include Bellmon (R-Okla.), Edward Brooke (A­ "conventional subrogation," a lender statutory forms for a warranty deed, Mass.), Robert Dole (R-Kan.), and will be granted subrogation where special warranty deed, mortgage, Minority Whip Ted Stevens (A­ money is advanced in reliance on a release and partial release of Alaska). justifiable expectation that he will mortgage; forms for right-of-way Press pictures were taken of ALTA have security equivalent to that easement, promissory note, VA and members with their respective which his advances have discharged, FHA mortgages and notes, HUD representatives and disseminated to provided no innocent third parties disclosure-settlement, lender's local newspapers in home states of will suffer. Equity will treat such a mortgage and note, affidavit as to the elected members. Coverage of transaction as a tantamount to an debts and liens, lien waiver and the event also appeared in National assignment of the original security. surveyor's affidavit. Thrift News, national newspaper for This principle is applied in The Bar Association contended that savings/mortgage industry consolidated actions for foreclosure the filling in of these forms by the executives. of a real estate mortgage and of abstract or title companies construction liens on the property. constituted the unauthorized practice To secure a loan used to finance the of law. The court held that the construction of buildings on lots it unauthorized practice of law was had purchased, the owner difficult of definition but that filling Miami office moves mortgaged the property to a savings in the blanks in the legal instruments and loan corporation. That mortgage involved in this case, where the The Miami, Fla., branch of was promptly recorded prior to the forms have been drafted by Commonwealth Land Title Insurance filing of any lien claims and thus had attorneys and where filling in the Co. has moved to its new quarters at priority under Sec. 215.21 , Stats. blanks required only the use of 2250 S.W. Third Avenue, (Coral Way). After the visible commencement in place of the work of improvement, the owner refinanced its debt by obtaining a loan from the mortgagee Texas elects Dietert president plaintiff, which was similarly Diane Dietert was elected president secured. The proceeds of this loan of the Texas Land Title Association were used to pay the debt of the at the recent TLTA annual S & L corporation in full and that convention. President and manager mortgage was satisfied. Plaintiff's of Guaranty Title Company of mortgage was recorded some three Boerne, Dietert is the first woman to months later. fill TLTA 's presidency. Because the visible commencement Other officers elected are Bill of work of improvement preceded Thurman of Austin, president-elect; the recording of plaintiff's mortgage, George M. Ramsey of Dallas, vice various unpaid subcontracts and president; Russell L. Abraham of materialmen claimed they were Houston, secretary, and Norman entitled to priority over it. While the Moize of Dallas, treasurer. trial court determined the lien claimants had valid liens, it held Elected titleman of the year was plaintiff was entitled to priority John A. Caselli, resident vice because it was subrogated to the president and divisional counsel for Dietert priority of the earlier mortgage. The Chicago Title Insurance Co. He is a receives the presidential gavel from supreme court affirms. TLTA past president and has been in outgoing President Alex H. Halff at the the title industry for 30 years. Texas annual convention. Unauthorized practice of law The meeting speaker roster included Hobby. In addition, ALTA President U.S. Rep. Bill Archer; state Sen. John C.J. McConville addressed the 600 The State Bar of New Mexico, The A. Traeger and Lt. Gov. William P. persons who attended. San Juan County Bar Association,

15 June 23-25, 1978 October11-13, 1978 Illinois Land Title Association Dixie Land Title Association Breckenridge Pavilion Hotel Holiday Inn-Callaway Gardens St. Louis, Missouri Calendar Pine Mountain, Georgia i July 13-15,1978 't>. October 11 -14, 1978 Idaho Land Title Association of Florida Land Title Association Sun Valley Lodge ..... Colony Beach & Tennis Resort Sun Valley, Idaho Meetings Sarasota, Florida July20-22,1978 · ~·, October 13-15, 1978 Wyoming Land Title ·Associci'tion~' , Palmetto Land Title Association Fountain Motor Inn Palmetto Dunes Hyatt Newcastle, Wyoming Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

August 3·10, 1978 October 19-20, 1978 American Bar Association Nevada Land Title Association Annual Convention Hyatt Lake Tahoe New York, New York Incline Village, Nevada

August 1 0·12, 1978 September 14-15, 1978 October 21-25, 1978 Montana Land Title Association Wisconsin Land Title Association American Bankers Association Big Mountain Ski Resort Midway Motor Lodge Annual Convention Whitefish, Montana Green Bay, Wisconsin Honolulu, Hawaii

August 11·12, 1978 September 14-16, 1978 October 25-27, 1978 Kansas Land Title Association North Dakota Title Association Land Title Association of Arizona Holiday Inn & Holidome Williston, North Dakota Skyline Country Club Hutchinson, Kansas September 15-18, 1978 Tucson, Arizona Missouri Land Title Association 29-November 2, 1978 August 17-19, 1978 Tan-Tara Resort October of Savings Associations Minnesota Land Title Association Lake of the Ozarks U.S. League Annual Convention Normandy Hotel Osage Beach, Missouri Duluth, Minnesota Dallas, Texas September 20-22, 1978 October 30-November 1, 1978 9-12, 1978 Nebraska Land Title Association September Mortgage Bankers Association Lincoln Hilton Indiana Land Title Association Annual Convention Lincoln, Nebraska Indianapolis Hilton-Downtown Atlanta, Georgia Indianapolis, Indiana September 24-27, 1978 10-16, 1978 ALTA Annual Convention November National Association of Realtors September 10-12, 1978 Boca Raton Hotel & Club Annual Convention Ohio Land Title Association Boca Raton , Florida Stouffer's Dayton Plaza Hotel Honolulu, Hawaii Dayton, Ohio December 6, 1978 September 10-13, 1978 Louisiana Land Title Association New York State Land Title Association Royal Orleans Hotel Buck Hill Inn New Orleans, Louisiana Buck Hill Farms, Pennsylvania

American BULK RATE Land Title U.S. POSTAGE Association PAID 1828 L Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 Silver Spring, Md. Permit No. 550

"'· ;•,-,,. ~ --=