Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-10
LIMIT IN POLITICS
FOR US. EMPLOYEES
Civil Service Commissions
Supplemental Explanation
OF Rights Under Law.

The Civil Service Commission toda,
issued a supplemental explanation Il
Government employees pointing out what
ere their rights and privileges IN 20.
litical activity, but warning against vio-
iation of the rules governing such ac-
tlvtty
AS tho campaign wakes warmer. thC
commission said 1t was receiving "nu-
ncrouS inquiries" as to what constitutes
political activity
a Federal empioye" said the com
mission. of course has the right to vote
Is n pleaScS, That right Is funda-
mental
He may express privately his views
and opinions on all political subjects
He may voluntarily make q contribu-
ton toward a political campaign. pro-
Nlde6 tho transaction docs not take
place in Government building. but he
cannot be required 10 do 81 A Federal
enplove is prohibited from receiving
such contribution from another Fed
eral empIoye
Civil Service Rule Quoted
The following is the civil service rule
on the subject.
No person in the executive civil
service shall use his official authority
or influence for the purpose of interior
ing with an election or affecting the re-
suits thereof. Persons who by the pro-
visions OF these rules are in the COM
pelltMe CLASSIFIED service While retain
ing the right to vote SIS they please and
- express privately their opinions on all
political subjects, shall take no active
part in political management or politi-
cal campaigns
Some of the forms OF activity held
10 be forbidden by the rule are: Service
on or for any political committee or
other similar organization; serving as
officer Of a political club. as member
o. officer Of any Of its committees. ad-
dressing such a club or being active in
Its organization. service in preparing
for: organizing. or conducting politi-
cal meeting or rally, addressing such a
meeting. or taking any other active
part therein except as a spectator; CIV
ing public expression to political views.
engaging in political discussions or con-
ferenceS while on duty or in public
places. or canvaSsing a district or Solic-
fling political support for any party.
faction, candidate, or measure; often
sive activity at the polls at primary or
regular election. soliciting votes, assist
Ing voters TO mark ballots or in getting
out the voters on registration or cleo
ton days.
Other Acts Forbidden.
They may not act as recorder.
checker. watcher. or challenger Of any
party or faction; assisting in counting
the vote. or engaging in any other
activity at the polls except marking
and depositing the employees own bal
lot: serving In any position OF election
officer. publishing or being connected
editorially. manageriaIly, or financially
with any political newspaper and writ
ing for publication or publishing any
letter or article, signed or unsigned, in
favor of or against any political party,
candidate. faction. or measure. candi-
oacy for nomination or election TO or
holding local office: distribution of
campaign literature badges or buttons,
or wearing such badge or button while
On duty: distributing or displaying cam
palgn 'stIckerS or signs on aut0m0-
biles. the circulation. but not signing
OF political petitions Including initia-
tive and referendum. recall. and noni-
nation petiiionsl; and general political
leadership or becoming prominently
identified with any political movement
party or faction. or with the success
Or failure Of any candidate for cleo
ticn to public Office
"A superior officer is prohibited from
requesting or requiring the rendition
Of any political service or the perform
ance of any political work by his sub
ordinates.
the restrictions against political
activity impose no hardship. They
leave the employee free TO vote, think,
and speak privately as he chooses, to
make q voluntary contribution, but not
in a Government building or to an
other Federal employee: but they pre-
vent MIN while in the service Of the
whole public from turning his official
position 10 the benefit of one Of the
parties into which the whole public is
divided OF from becoming in any man.
ner pernlciously active in politics"