The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-10-05
KEEP OUT Of POLITICS.
IS SARGENT'S ORDER TO
j. S. OFFICIALS IN STATE
Attorney General Writes to
All Federal Appointees of
Senator Watson.
ADMINISTRATIONS VOICE
No Obligations to Contribute,
Letter Asserts.
Keep out of politics"

Keep out Of politics"
This was the order issued to cv.
cry Federal official in Indiana today
by John G. Sargent, attorney. general
Of the United States.
1t is leveled at the appointees Of
Senator James A Watson, who have
been unusually active in the cam
paign this fall and applies to Dis
trict Attorney Albert Ward, United
States Marshal Linus Meredith and
all subordinates.
Significance is seen in the fact
that the order came to these. officials
Immediately following the start Of
developments in the Stephenson scam
dal. 1t is interpreted in some quar-
ters as an indication that the
Coolidge forces do not intend to be
involved in Indiana politics this fall.
The letter from Sargent, sent to
all the Indiana officials, is specific
in its demands that they keep out
of the campaign.
Shall Not Interfere
The order declared that mo person
in the executive civil service shall
use his official authority. or infu-
ence, for the purpose of interfering
with an election or affecting the re
suit thereof"
1t also was pointed out that while
these persons retain the right TO
vote as they please and to express
privately their opinion on all polite.
al subjects they shall take no active
part in political management or in
political campaigns"
In addition, the following rule is
given as governing the political ac-
tivity of presidential appointees:
mo presidential appointee, or.
other uncIassified empioye of the
Department % Justice will here
after be permitted to hold a posi-
tiOn as member of any political
committee that solicits funds; to
display such obtrusive partisanship
as to cause public scandal; to at
tempt to manipulate party pri-
maries or conventions; to use his
position to bring about his selec-
tiOn as delegate to conventions; to
act as chairman of a political con-
ventiOn; to use his position to in
terfere with an election or to effect
the result thereof and to neglect
his public duties"
Section Mentioned
In connection with political as
sessnents and contributions, there is
mentioned the section of the civil
service act providing that mo per-
son in the public service is for that
reason under any obligation to con.
tribute to any political fund or to
render any political service, and he
will not be removed or otherwise
prejudiced for refusing 20 do So"
1t was pointed out that no polit-
ical contributions are to be solicited
in any room or building occupied in
the discharge Of official duties by
Federal employees. 1t also was or
dered that it was unlawful to dis
charge. promote or degrade any off.
Ger or employe for Withholding or
negletcing to make any political con-
tribution.
According to recent Washington
dispatches. Federal employees were
said to be assessed 10 per cent of
their annual salary for the cam
paign Of Watson and Robinson. Of
f1cials and employees here said that
they had not been assessed, but
that 1t was considered gentlemanly
to make voluntary contributions to
the campaign.
Sargent's order points out that vio-
lators may be punished with impris-
onment of not more than three years,
fine of $1,000, or both.