Representative Ford. Is that by law or by regulation?
Mr. Rowley. That I cannot say. I would always interpret it as under law. I may be wrong on that, Mr. Ford, but this is what happens. When our men spend 2 years on the detail at the White House, they come within that classification.
Mr. Rankin. Chief, can you clarify Commissioner Dulles' inquiry? The Civil Service does not direct that you put certain people in the White House?
Mr. Rowley. Oh, no; we do that in order to—I see your point, sir. We do that in order to give them the permanency that they should have to continue their employment with the Secret Service.
Mr. Rankin. But that is the choice of the Secret Service rather than anybody else?
Mr. Rowley. Yes, sir.
Mr. Dulles. I gather the Civil Service prescribed if they did not do this, they could not be retained. Is that correct?
Mr. Rowley. That is right. In other words——
Mr. Dulles. There is some pressure, I should think.
Mr. Rowley. There is no pressure, because we voluntarily entered into an agreement with them, sir, for this arrangement, explaining that we frequently don't get from the register the type of men that we want, and that, therefore, we want the opportunity to recruit the men from the universities or colleges. Once they have served on the White House detail for a period of 2 years, then they would get this permanent status. However, during the 2 years, they have an opportunity and they are encouraged to take the civil service examination, so they get career status. But there is no pressure from the Civil Service. It is a convenience or agreement that they have arranged with us.