The Washington times., 1912-05-01

lSOhbtSob lOI IcuTeSS Oh grievances
The House adopted with whoop late
yesterday that section of the Postoffice
appropriation bill which provides that
postal employees shall have the right of
petition as well as the privilege of affli-
iating with labor organizations or other |
associations formed for mutual benefit.
The action of the House can apply, |
of course only to the employees Of the
Postoffice Department, since the Post
toffice budget applies only to that de-
ipartment, but the action taken Is pro- |
Iphetic and indicates that the gag will |
ultimately be removed from the mouths
of all Government employees.
Mann Opposes 1t.
Congressman Mann, the minority lead |
ler, offered an amendment to strike out |
the section multiplying the gag order. |
When the vote was taken Mr.. Mann |
alone stood up in favor of the retention
Of the executive orders. Just 1872 men,
bers voted to retain the section.
The House, therefore, seems to stand
in the ratio Of 1872 to l against gag" |
orders as such.
The provision adopted by the House,
which effectively removes the gag
from the thousands Of employees con-
nected with the Postoffce Department.
Is similar to a bill now pending before
the Goodwin Committee of the House,
and which If enacted, will apply to all
civil service employees
What Section Provides.
The unanimous attitude of the Post
office Committee on this question and
the 1872 to 1 attitude of the House is
reflected in the wording of the amend
nnent adopted in the Postoffice budget:
Sec. 8-Tbat no person in the clas-
sified civil service of the United
States employed in the postal service
for such cause as will promote the
efficiency of said service and for
reasons given in writing, and the
person whose. removal is sought
shall have notice of the same and
of any charges preferred against
him, and be furnished with a copy
reasonable time for personally an
swering the game in writing; and af-
hdavits in support thereof; but no ex-
animation of witnesses nor any trial
or hearing shall be required except
in the discretion Of the officer max
ing the removal; and copies Of
charges, notice of hearings. answer,
reasons for removal, and of the or
der Of removal shall be made
part of the records of the proper de-
partment or office, as shall also the
compensation; and copies of the same
shall be annually reported to Con-
gress and furnished to the person
Service Commission also shall, upon
request, be furnished copies of the
same or the originals thereof:
ah,n a0WeVeo aoW oceaS ehS' 'as assoeiatien
club, or other form of organization
Of postal employees, having for its
objects, among otner dting thiingSc I'M IN
Dor of its members, including hours
OF labor and compensation therefor
and leave Of absence, by any per,
son or groups of persons in said
postal service. or the presenting by
any such person or groups of per-
sons OF anv grievance or grievances
to the Congress or any member there
of shall not constitute or be cause
for reduction in rank or compensa-
tion or removal Of such person or
groups Of persons from said ser
vice.
Spirited Debate.
Spirited debate preceded the adoption
of the section which nullifies the execu-
tive orders issued by the President and
the Postoffice Department. Mr.. Mann
argued that there may be at all times
lust complaints against the administra-
ton Of the law as to employees of the
Government, but 1 do not believe 1t
advisable to invite the employees to band
together to make assaults upon Con-
gress or members of Congress"
Mr.. Mann said he did not regard the
executive orders as forbidding an en-
ploye to talk with member or Con-
sress regarding his grievances me The
result in abuses because employees would
feel at liberty to band together and
threaten Congress.
ithe adoption of the provision and said
that It had the unanimous backing OF
the Postoflce Committee, regardless OF
Congressman Martin of Colorado, and
Congressman Goldfogle OF New YORK
made strong speeches against the gag
order practice.
II want to say that do not believe
in the denatured Americanism that re-
suits from these Executive gag orders
/ think the sacred rights of American
citizenship too high price to pay for
any Job, even under Uncle Sam. And
sincerely hope that the House will
emphatically and Overwhelmingly sus-
tain the action Of the committee in this
matter, re-establishing the full citizen
ship rights of Government employees
and so put the attitude of Congress or
this question forever beyond dispute.
Favored By Goldfogle.
Congressman Goldfogle said:
"No greater danger to a free govern
ment can be suggested than to attemp
TO deny to any of the people the righ
or free speech anu IlBhl W pclillOi
Congress. 1t Is humiliating that II
this day of progressive government th'
Congress should find it necessary &
enact legislation to give back to SOM
of our citizens the right whicl
) was guaranteed to them under the Con
stitution. The provision incorporated II
this appropriation bill by the Postoffic
COMMITTEES, to the effect that the post
office employees shall have the right t
petition Congress or any member o
congress for a redress of grievances
that no employe of the civil seryiS
shall be removed from the service with
ont having been furnished with a cop
OF the charges on which the order TO
portunity to make a written defens
and to submit afidavits in support o
his defense is but an act or elementa
Justice.
Again, the committee is to be con
graduated for having brought this pre-
posed legislation before this body. n
better evidence of the responsiveness 9
Congress TO the will of the peopl
could be than In the enactment OF thi
legisla ton. .-.,-. r,.