Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-01
BLACK ANSWERS LEE
Says Civil Service Rules Will
Be Enforced in Campaign.
BAR POLITICAL ACTIVITY.
Commission Head Defines the Scope
of Its Jurisdiction.
NOTES ONE CLASS Is IMMUNE
Tells Indianian Presidential APP
pointees Are Not Restricted.
Asks Cooperation in Work.
NOTES ONE CLASS Is IMMUNE

There is another class of cases that
does not come within the jurisdiction
of the commission-namely, cases of
alleged political activity on the part
of officials outside of the competitive
classified service but within the de-
partmental or executive civil service,
| as declared by executive orders. This
class is properly subject to the con-
sideration Of the President or the
heads of departments, Independent
offices and commissions under which
the persons concerned serve"
The above class of civil service
appointments is the only one which
can mix in the race between
President Taft and Mr.. Roose
Welt or become active in behalf of
any of the other numerous candidates
for the presidential nomination or cleo
ton without being subject to i'm
mediate dismissal by the civil service
commission, according to letter Whlcn
Gen. John G. Black, chairman of the
commission, has just sent to Edwin NJ.
Lee of Indianapolis, former chairman
of the republican state central commit
tee of Indiana, who is now declared to
be active in promoting Col. Roosevelts
candidacy for the presidential nomina-
ton.
While the republican national COM
mittee was meeting in Washington last
December Mr.. Lee issued a statement
declaring that President Taft could not
for reelection as chairman of the In
diana state central committee.
Telegram of Mr.. Lee.
In Mr.. Lees telegram to the head Of the
commission he says:
For certain reasons many federal Of
flee holders under the civil service in
Indiana are now active in politics for the
purpose of obtaining delegates for Mr..
Taft to the Chicago convention. Many
of these prefer Col. Roosevelt as the re-
publican nominee.
.If some federal Office holders are per-
mitted to work for President Taft will
others be permitted to work for Col
Roosevelt? If 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 these working for Mr.
Taft do not wish to do so, but are led to
believe that they must
In case any federal office holder re-
fuses to take part in the contest will he
be disturbed in his Office because he does
refuse? An answer to these questions is
earnestly desired because it is important
not only from the points OF view OF square
W.,
Of what the civil service law requires un-
der all the circumstances stated, and
whether 1t is to be enforced"
Black Replies in Detail.
In his reply to Mr. s14ee, Gen. Black
goes into the question deeply, saying it
will be necessary to explain the pro-
visions of the civil service act and rules
governing the political conduct OF per-
sons in the federal service.
Section 2 Of the act" he says. pro
vides that no person in the public serv-
| ice is for that reason under any oDlga-
tons to contribute to any political 1uno
| or to render any political service, and
that he will not be removed or otherWlse
prejud1ced for refusing to do SO. II IS
further provided in the same section that
no person in the public service has any
right to use his official authority or
influence to coerce the political action
| Of any person or body. Section OF civil
service rule 1 is as follows:
mo person in the executive civil serv-
| ice shall use his official authority or in
| fluence for the purpose OF lnterIerlns
with an election or affecting the results
| thereof. Persons who by the provisions
Of these rules are in the competitive Gas
sified service, while retaining the right 70
vote as they please and to express PIT
| yately their opinion on all political SUD
iects. shall take no active part In polti-
:afhe following provision contained in
section 2 OF rule relates to the question
| of discrimination for political or religious
reasons:
mo discrimination shall be exercised.
threatened, or promise by any person
| in the executive civil service against OF
| in favor of an applicant, eligible, or en-
Move in the classified service because or
his political or religious opinions Or anil
| iations
Must Enforce Regulations.
at is the commissions duty to see
that the provisions Of the civil service
act and rules are strictly enforced, and
It employs every legitimate and available
means to secure the prosecution Of per-
sons who may Violate them. Its jurts-
diction, however. Is limited.
There is another class of cases that
does not come within the jurisdiction of
the commission-namely,c cases of alleged
political activity on the part of officials
outside of the competitive classified serv-
ice but, within the departmental or eN-
ecutive civil service. as declared by eX-
ecutive orders. This class is properly
subject to the consideration of the Presi-
dent or the heads of departments, indie
pendent Offices and commissions under
| which the persons concerned serve.
The commission moreover, up.I. the ne
any cases of alleged improper political
| activity. including those of presidential
appointees, reporting to him the results
Of such Investigations, but having no
power to enforce its conclusions. that
resting with the President.
Unaware of Violations.
Coming now to an immediate reply to
YOU. inquiries. it may be stated
ssFirst That the commission is not
aware that some federal office holders are
permitted to work for any candidate.
| The commission exercises its jurisdiction
with strict impartiality, inquiries into the
activities OF competitive employees violat-
ina thA act and rules without r0garA to