The Washington herald., 1918-10-24
M'ADOO EASES
BAN ON POLITICS
Strong Protests by Railmen
Against Ruling Cause
z Notifications.

The Railroad Administration has
modified its general order of Au-
gust il against the participation OF
railroad employees in politics.
The changes In the order come as
a result OF strong protests from
the employees and officers and from
union labor. A previous modification
had been announced to the order of
August 81, which permitted the EN-
ployes then holding an Office to con-
tfnue their Offices until their terms
expired. This modification is con-
tinued in the new order.
Dismissal n Penalty.
The regulations as now in effect
are:
No officer. attorney or employe of
the Railroad Administration shall:
L Hold position as a member or
officer Of any political committee or
organization that solicits funds for
political purposes.
= Act as a chairman of a political
convention or use his position in. the
railroad service Of the United States
to bring about his selection as a
delegate to political conventions.
Solicit or receive funds for any
political purpose or contribute to any
political fund collected by an official
or employe OF any railroad or any
official or employee of the United
States or any State.
{. q Assume the conduct of any po-
htical campaign.
3. Attempt to coerce or intimidate
another officer or employe in the ex-
ercise OF his right OF suffrage. Viola
ton Of this will result in immediate
dismissal from the service.
May Complete Terms.
'6. Neglect his railroad duties to
engage in politics or use his position
in the railroad service of the United
States to interfere with an election.
An employe has the right to vote as
he pleases, and to exercise his civil
rights free from interference or die
tation by any fellow employe or by
any superior or by any other person.
Railroad employees may become can
didates for and accept election to
municipal offices where such action
viii not involve neglect on their part
OF their railroad duties, but candidacy
for a nomination or for election to
other political office or the holding
Of such office is not permissible. The
positions Of notaries public, members
OF draft boards, officers Of public
libraries, members Of school or park
boards. and officers Of religious and
elemosynary institutions are not con-
strued as political offices.
-. In all cases where railroad off,
GERS. attorneys and employees were
elected to political Offices prior to
the Issuance OF General Order No.
t2. on August q, 1918. they will be
permitted to complete their terms Of
Office so long as it does not inter-
fere with the performance OF their
railroad duties. After the compile,
tion Of said terms of office. they will
be governed by the provisions of this
order
81 In all cases where railroad Off
GERS. attorneys and employees were
nominated for political Offices and had
become candidates therefor prior to
the issuance OF General Order No. q,
August 81, 1918, they will be per-
rnitted to hold and complete the
terms Of Office to which they may be
elected at the general election to be
held November. 1913, to the extent
that the holding of such Offices shall
not interfere with the performance
Of their railroad duties. After the
completion OF such terms Of ofice.
they shall be governed by the pro-
visions OF this order"