The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-10-24
RAILROAD MEN MAY
HOLD POLITICAL JOBS
III Duties with Company Are Not In
terfered with, Order II
Nodded.

Washington. Oct. 23.--The railroad
| administration has modified Its gen
eral order Of August 81 against the
participation of railroad employees In
politics SO that they may hold office
| in cities where practically the entire
population Is composed Of railroad
men and their families. and when their
/ political activity Is necessary to the
civic organizations: or whore the hold
ing OF office will not interfere with
! their duties to the railroads.
| The general orders of the govern
ment on political activity will apply to
| railway men except in these areas
which are similar to exceptions above
to employees Of navy yards.
The changes in the order came as a
result of strong protests from the
| employees and officers and from union
labor. A previous modification had
| been announced to tho order Of August
81. which permitted the employees then
holding office to continue their offices
until their terms expired. This modi-
ilcation is continued In the new order
The regulations as approved by Pres
| ident Wilson and now in effect are:
mo officer. attorney or employees Of
the railroad administration shall
II. Held a position as member or
officer of any political committee or
organization that solicits funds for
political purposes.
/ "2 Act as the chairman of poliu-
cal convention or use his position in
the railroad service of the United
States to bring about his selection as a
delegate to political conventions.
80 Solicit or receive funds for any
political purpose or contribute to any
political fund collected by an official
or employees OF any railroad or any Of
fetal or employe of the United States
or any state.
T. Assume the conduct Of any po-
litical campaign.
-. Attempt to coerce or intimidate
another officer or employees IN the ex-
ercise Of his right of suffrage, Viola
tion OF this will result in immediate
dismissal from the service.
g Neglect his railroad duties to en-
gage in politics or use his position in
the railroad service OF the United
states to interfere with an election. An
empioye has the right to vote as he
p,eases and to exercise his civil rights
free from interference or dictation by
iHnv fellow employee or by superior,
or ny any other person. Railroad EN-
ployes may become candidates for and
{aCcept election to municipal Offices
where such action will not involve neg
ftCt on the part OF INElf caA uu-
ties, but candidacy for a nomination or
for election to other political offices
or the holding OF such office is not
permissible. The positions of notartes
public members Of draft board. Off
GERS OF public Libraries. members OF
school or park boards and officers of
religious and eleemosynary institu-
tons are not construed as political
j. sffieefs.
IT, In all cases where railroad Of
tlcers. attorneys and employees were
elected 20 political offices prior to
the issuance of general order No. AZ.
August 81, 19is, they will be permit
ted to complete their terms of onice
so long as il does not interfere with
the performance of their railroad du-
ties After the completion OF said
terms of office they Will be governed
by the provisions Of this order.
] IS. In all cases where railroad Off
GERS, attorneys and employees were
nominated for political offices ana had
become candidates therefor prior 70
i the issuance of general order No. AZ,
August 81, 1918. they will be permit
/ ted to hold and complete the terms OF
! offices to which they may be elected
a. the general election to be held No
vember. 1918. 70 the extent that the
! holding Of such offices shall not Inter-
fere with the performance OF their
.vauread ,tiuties After the ecnptesten
3nt sns6 rerYtis OF office. they shsti be
governed by the provisions Of this
order.