Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-03-02
Three Questions Asked.


Three Questions Asked.
III some federal office holders are per-
rnittsd TO work for President Tart win
others be permitted to work for Colonel
Roosevelt u no federal office holder
can take part in this contest. but under
the civil service law must remain neutral.
what Is the punishment for their taking
part?
Many Of those working for Mr.. TAFT
do not wish TO do 50. hut are led 70
believe thsy must In case any federal
office holder refuses 70 lake part in the
contest will he be disturbed IN his office
because he does refnsey
AN answer 10 these questions Is ear
nestly desired. because Il Il important.
not only from the point Of view of a
square deal out also from a clear under.
standing Of what the civil service law
requires under all the circumstances
stated and whether II Is to be enforced"
No Improper Activity Allowed.
Chairman Blacks reply TO the three
direct questions follows;
THE commission IL not aware that soma
federal offieeholders are permitted 10
work for any candidate. The commission
exercises Us Jurisdiction with strict i'm
Partially. inquiries into the activities of
competitive employees violating the act
and rules without regard to their political
Affiliations and makes such recommenda-
tibn as the nature OF the case demands,
Irrespective OF political consideration.
The conclusion Is obvious that the COM
mission cannot permit any person over
whom IL has Jurisdiction to be improperly
active in political AFFAIRS.
with reference to the punishment to
be inflicted upon person found to have
been politically active in violation OF the
civil service act and rules. Il is to be OBJ
served that that punishment viii depend
upon the nature and degree OF the activ-
ity and VIII extend to criminal prosecu-
ton, separation from the service or else
Discipline as the case may seem 10 re-
quire and the laws and rules prescribe.
IN reply to the inquiry whether a fed
erai offieehoider will be disturbed in his
office because he refused to take an
active part In the campaign. your atten-
ton Is invited TO the executive order OF
February s. 1915. revising the civil service
rules relating 20 removals and reductions.
That rule applies TO persons in the com
petitlve service and. Of course. has no
application to federal officers whose ap-
pointments are made by the president
Your attention Is also invited to the ex-
ecutive order OF February 10. showing
the punishment to be inflicted upon rural
carriers who take an active part In
political management or in political cam
paigns."
Political Aid Vet Resaired.
Chairman Blacks direct reply TO the
three questions Is preceded BY an ex-
PLANTATION Of the provisions Of the civil
service act relating to the political con-
duct Of those in the service. He quotes
sections which specify that no person In
the service Is under obligation to con-
tribute to any political fund or give
political service and that the employe
VIII not be removed fer refusing to do 50.
Further provisions CT the act. which
provide that no person In the service may
use his official authority to influence
political action. or may be subject to
oasSfttaAdiAush TOT Trikfoue W pohNSaA
reasons are also quoted.
The ehairman's reply then continues;
1T 10 the commissions duty to see
that the provisions Of the civil service
act and rules are strictly enforee1 alid
n employs every legitimate and available
means to secure the prosecution Of per-
sons who may violate them Its juris-
dieticu. however. Is limited and extends
TO the Investigation Of all acts of al
legged improper political activity con-
trary TO the civil service Law, such acts
embracing. among others. those Of i'm
proper political activity on the part
Of competitive classified employees OF the
United States and unclaSsified laborers.
- well rs violations Of the statute in any
particular. as for instance. the provision
that no person in the service OF the
government shah solicit or receive pc-
nticaI contributions In any room or
nuIiding cccugsed By an officer or en-
pioye Of the United States IN the dis
charge Of Official duties