New-York tribune., 1912-03-01
Chairman Black Answers Lee.

The ouestion Of whether federal ofice-
roldars will he perrnitted 10 do politica'
work for President Taft or Colonel Roose-
vol, has been brought before the civil SER
yiee Commission.
Edwin II. Lee. of Indianapolis. former
chairman Of the Republican State Central
Committee Of Indiana, who Is reported 10
he active In Colonel Roosevelts behalf
ca,led for ruling in telegram "a Chair
man John E. Black.
Lee asks the commission 70 say " some
federal officeholders will be permitted to
work for Colonel Roosevelt II others WORK
for President Taft He wants 10 know what
punishment will he given 10 those VINO
NAV violate the prohibition Of political sc-
tvity. and II federal offceholder VIII ne
disturbed In his office II he refuses 10 take
part IN the contest
When the Republican National Commit
tee met In Washington last December Lee
issued a statement saying that President
Taft could not carry Indiana. Later he
vas defeated for reelection as chairman
of the Indiana state Central Committee.
in his telegram he says that many ot
those working for Mr.. Taft do not wish
10 do So bat are led to believe that they
must
Chairman Blacks reply 10 tho three
direct questions follows:
| r'irst-The commission ie not aware thai
some federal off1ceholders are permitted I"
} work for any candidate. The commission
exercises its Jurisdiction with strict i'm.
partialitv. inquiries into the activities Of
! competitive employees violating the act and
| rules without regard 10 their political al
| ihations, and makes such recommendation
Il of
J spective Of political considerations. Inc
! conclusion is obvious that the commission
| can not permit any person over Wnom II
| has Jurisdiction TO be improperly active In
! POLITICAL affairs.
Second-With reference 10 the punish
ment to be inflicted upon person found
| to have been politically active In violation
| of the civil service act and rules. II Is 10 ne
! observed that that punishment viii depend
! upon the nature and degree Of the activity
and will extend 10 criminal prosecution
| separs ton from the service, or less disclp-
| line, as the case may seem TO require ana
| the law and rules provide.
| Third--In reply 10 the inquiry Whether q
| federal oficcholder will be disturbed In his
! office because he refuses to take an active
! mart in the campaign, your attention Is II
/ yited 10 the executive order OF teorudtE >,
| 1912 revising the civil service RUE realms
! 70 removals and reductions. That rule ap-
! niles 10 persons IN the competitive service
| and Of course has no application 10 tederal
officers whose appointments are mace pF
he
| S,ited 70 the executive order OF Decemper
! IN 1911 showing the punishment 10 pe IN
! Aicted upon rural carriers VINO take an
| active part In political management OF III
political campaigns.
Chairman Blacks direct reply to the three
questions is preceded by an explanation OF
the provisions Of the civil service act relat-
ine 10 the political conduct OF those in the
service. lie quotes sections which specify
chat no person in the service is under obh-
cation 10 contribute 10 any political fund
or give political service. and that the en-
rIove will not be removed for refusing to
do So Further provisions OF the act which
rrovide that no person IN the service may
,,ee his ooioial authority to influence politi-
cal action or may be subject 10 discrinina-
tion for religious or political reasons are
also quoted.
Commissions Powers Defined.
The chairman's reply continues
| !, g. tho commissions duty 10 sec that
.n r,ovi.ions OF the civil service act aud
rmIcs are strictly enforced, and II employs
rCerv legitimate aud available means 10
| secirc the prosecution OF persons VINO may
,,ioiate tl,m lis jurisdiction, however u
limited ana extends 10 tne ini,itSsi sc,,V
All acts Of alleged improper pohtlch dcuN-
ttv contrary 10 the civil service law. sucl
acts embracing, among others, thosc OF
;onroner Dolitical activity on the part ot
"nnn,ne,itiye classified employees OF ths
I-uited states and unclaNsied lhboreTs as
u,niI as violations Of tho statute IN any par
tcular. as. tor instance; inc prVVls'on va