Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-27
HOOVER CARD INDEX
CHARGE is DENIED
ShouSe's Statement Claiming
Political Use Called
BaSeIeSs.

Denial was made at the White House
today Of the charge made in a state
ment issued by Jouett Shouse, chairman
of the Democratic national executive
committee, to the effect that President
Hoover was having prepared a card
index of information regarding ap-
pointees to Office not in the classified
service for political purposes.
1t was explained that as matter
of Office routine card index is kept of
certain appointees to positions not under
the civil service, but this system Is
nothing new, inasmuch as former Presi-
dents, including President Wilson, kept
such an index. BY way of further ex-
PLANTATION, it was stated that the In
formation contained in this index is for
the guidance of the Executive. The
card contains the name and homs
address, the salary of the office, the
date of appointment. confirmation and
the date Of the expiration of the term,
If it is a term position, and the name
Of the appointee's sponsor
Index Held Necessary.
In behalf of the President it was said
TODAY. in reply to implications that this
system was inaugurated by him for po-
Itical purposes, that there was no basis
for such a suggestion. AS matter OF
fact such a system was necessary, 1t was
stated. if the President is to be kept
posted as to his appointments, partlcu-
iarly the background of the appointee
and the date for the term OF the APP
pointee to expire and the salary, etc.
This card index is kept up as routine
of the executive Office, and according TO
walter II. Newton, one of the Presi-
dents secretaries, neither the President
nor he had "ever heard Of the matter
until it appeared in the press"
Mr.. Newton denied emphatically the
charge of Chairman StouSe that the
President was compiling this intornna-
ton for the purpose of bringing
patronage influence to bear against
recalcitrant members OF Congress.
Such phrases as Democratic propa-
canda bureau" and mot an item OF
truth. nor basis of fact" were mingled
in the reply Of the White House, New
ton said.
Cards Sent Departments.
The Democratic statement said Mr..
Hoover had sent cards to all depart
Tnents "to be filled out by every en-
Move giving fun picture of the his
tory Of his employment" This, he
said, was "dificult to explain on any
non-political hypothesis.
card index of presidential ap-
pointees and other non-civn service
employees is kept at the White House
as q matter of Office routine, Newton
said, and some eight months ago, cards
were sent out for the purpose OF bring
ing this list up to date. Three nun
bred cards have been catalogued since
that time, he added, and no ciYl
service employe was included"
Shouses statement suggested that
members Of Congress saw in the new
system, which he charged to the Presi-
dent. a purpose of visiting presidential
displeasure" upon appointeeS for the
sins of their sponsors, such as voting
independently" Of the Chief Executives
desires.
welding the patronage club is moth
ing new in the efforts of Presidents
who have sought to compel congress
sional obedience" he said, but in the
past, this concerned future patronage,
and not interference with men who
were already in the jobs and doing
their work satisfactorily"
Newton, after describing the method
of keeping records said in reply that
several weeks ago this same Demo-
cratic propaganda bureau launched an
attack" upon the Chief Executive which
was so unfair as to invite condemna-
ton, with the result that the public has
been free from their assault for sew
eral weeks" He added that "this last
is just as baseless. as were the Others"