Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-24
j. s. WORKERS FACE.
POLL VIOLATIONS.
Federal Employees May Lose
Arlington Privileges if
Dispute Arises.
BY LESTER n. INSKEEP.

Federal employees who run for public
office in Arlington County. subject to
nomination by any one political party
are jeopardizlng the presidential rule by
which they were given the privilege OF
engaging in local politics, it was learned
today at the United States Civil Serv-
ice Commission.
While officials of the commission were
unwilling to make a definite decision in
the matter prior to receipt of COM
plant, it was stated that candidates for
any office who are definitely affiliated
with political party are skating on
every thin ice" and that serious conse-
QuenceS may result.
May Be Rescinded.
Attention Is called to that part oil
the presidential order which states:
The permission granted by this or
der may be suspended or withdrawn by
the Civil Service Commission when In
its opinion, the activities resulting
therefrom are, or may become, detri-
mental to the public interest or inimical
to the proper enforcement OF civil serv-
ice rules"
1t was also pointed out that the rule
states that service as local officers
san political activity"
j. E. Spaulding, Republican county
chairman, declared today that such an
Interpretation defeated the very pur-
pose of the Presidents order and he
will confer with Thomas E. Campbell
president of the Civil Service Commits
sion, today to get final and definite
ruling to clear up much-confuseo
situation.
The question was brought up in the
Scase Of candidates for the new county
board in Arlington County who are
seeking the Republican nomination
Two of the many candidates who desire
the Endorsement of the Republican con-
vention, which will be held tonight
are Federal employees, and it is ex-
pected that more will be placed in nom-
1nation at the convention.
Civil service officials stated that they
were not prepared to say that this was
a violation of the rule, and that they
were equally unprepared to say that II
was not. The line drawn is so fine as
TO require the careful elaboration OF
the commission. it was said, and the sit
uation is one that is charged with the
highest explosives"
Protests to Be Noted.
Any chickering's between candidates OF
matter to the official notice of the
commission, it was said, and that body
would not hesitate to withdraw the rule
If the evidence presented showed that
1t was being abused.
A greater number of the 80 candi-
dates for the new county board of five
have announced as independents, since
there is no Democratic primary for this
office and, therefore, no reason fol-
Democratic Endorsement. The Repub-
leans however, decided to hold con-
Nention, at which some 10 names were
placed in nomination. three Federal
employees One of these, William c.
Hull. who is an employee of the Civil
Service Commission. has written the
chairman of the convention asking that
his name be withdrawn from further
consideration by the convention.
1T is we'll known fact" Hull says
"that I have always held independent
political views. particularly with regard
to the filling of county offices. In fact,
think it is a great mistake to draw
party lines in the filing of such Offices.
In my opinion, there has never been
a time when it was more necessary to
disregard party affiliations than the
coming election of the members of the
county board. The best qualified per-
sons should be selected, regardless OF
their party affiliations"
Hull states that he will run as an
Independent.