Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-14
Participation of Federal EN-
pIoyes in Municipal Elections.
EXECUTIVE ORDER ISSUED
Official Duty Must Not Be Violated
for Political Activity.
TAFT HEARS GOOD REPORTS
Informed That California Supports
the Administration and That
Progressives Are at Odds.

government employees living in nearby
towns in Maryland and Virginia are not
prohibited from becoming candidates for
or holding municipal offices in those
places.
President Taft today signed an order
settling this question, which has been a
redhot one in towns close to WASHINGTON
at different times, and which has given
the civil service commission endless
worry because of charges and counter
charges filed in that establishment
against civil service employees in the
government departments.
The executive order of the President,
mentions by name the towns of Takoma
Park, Kensington, Garrett Park, Chevy
Chase, Glen Echo, .Hyattsville and Mount
Rainier. in Maryland, and Falls Church
vienna and Herndon. in Virginia, but the
order is general in SO far as 1t touches
other towns where municipal politics be-
come heated at times.
Duty Must Not Be Neglected.
But President Taft adds a proyiso
against federal employees mixing in ma
tional. state or county politics. He says
In the exercise of the privilege granted
by this order officers and employees must
not neglect their official duties and must
not engage in national state or county
political activity in violation of the civil
service rules, and If there is such VIOLA
tion the head Of the department or in
dependent office in which the person is
employe shall inflict such punishment
as the civil service commission shall
recommend.
This order. which is recommended bv
the civil service commission, is based
upon the facts that a considerable num-
Der OF the residents and taxpayers of the
towns mentioned are employed in the
government service; that service as NUM-
cipal officers in such towns should in no
way involve general partisan political ac-
tivity, and that the principle Of home rule
and local self-government justifies such
participation
The home-rule and local self-sovern-
ment' remark of the President will be
OF interest In the District of Columbia as
we'll as in the nearby towns directly In
terested in the question that has been de-
cided.
Taft Hears From California,
The White House is getting much In
formation tending to show that Cali
fornia will send Taft delegates to Chi
cago. Today a telegram was shown
Secretary Hilles saying that a poll of
Sacramento. made by a prominent news
paper there. showed the city to be three
to one for Taft over both Roosevelt
has been regarded as a power in the
state, was at first for La Toilette and
then turned to Roosevelt.
Representative Hayes of California.
~
declared that California was for Taft
He said the situation is improving fast
and that the sentiment for Mr. Taft is
growing. Of the seven republican repre-
sentatfyes from the state. five are for
Taft. They are Hayes, Needham. Know
land, Kahn and Smith. Senator Perkins
is also for Taft. while Senator Works
Is for progressive. He has been for
La Toilette.
The Roosevelt and La Toilette forces
in California are now fighting each other,
as they are in many other states. The
feeling between the Roosevelt and La
Toilette people is said to be exceedingly
bitter In Indiana and elsewhere.
ieiegrams received today announced the
organization OF Taft clubs at various
points. One telegram announced that
Mercer county, Mo-, had elected Taft
delegates to the Missouri state conyen-
ton.
Prof. w. s. Scarborough president Of
Ohio, colored educator told the Presi-
dent that the situation in Ohio was i'm
proving and that he would carry the
state.
Pen Wanted as Souvenir.
Henry P. Robbins, editor of the News
Capital at McAlister. Okla, has asked
President Taft for the pen with which,
he signs the bill, just passed by Congress,
directing separate sale of the mineral
and surface interests of Choctaw and
Chickasaw lands in Oklahoma. The
President has written the editor saying
that he had promised the pen to Senator
Owen.
Miss Belle II. Bennett of Richmond,
KY, has written President Taft saying
that the Womens Missionary Council OF
the NJ. E. Church South will meet in
Washington. April ~ to II, and asking
the President to make an address. The
President has held the invitation for later
answer. He has also held open an en-
gagement to attend the benefit in the
Columbia Theater, April 16. for the Ma
sonic and Eastern Star home of the ids
trict.