Evening star., 1934-01-18
DEMOCRATS SOON
! TO TAKE 400 OR
500" LIBRARY Jobs
House Patronage Committee
Chairman Says Experts
Will Stay on Staff. Ii
"ASSURANCES" GIVEN
SHIFT WILL BE MADE
Lozier Committee Cooperating and
Chairman Says Activities Are
Not Hostile to President.

The Democrats are preparing 70 take
over 400 or 500 jobs in the Library
of Congress which they class as 'politi-
CAL" Representative McClintic of Okla
homa. head of a patronage committee
in the House, said today. He added
that 'it won't belong" until the shift
in personnel is accomplished.
McClintic. who started after the
Library billets in the last session of
Congress, disclaimed any intent on the
part of himself or his associates to
amplifying that what was wanted are
the clerical positions" whose incum-
bents can be changed without destroy
ing efficiency"
assurances" Are Given.
The Oklahoman said he had received
assurances" that the Democratic re-
placements would be used, but declined
to name the source of the "assur-
anceS."
asked if he had discussed the mat
ter with DR. Herbert Putnam. the libra
rian, he said he had not and II don't
intend to-"
What about those employees who
may have had Democratic backing for
their positions?" he was asked.
Il don't know of any," Mr.. McClin-
tic responded. though one or two or
three may have slipped in"
McClintic's patronage group Is sep
arate from that headed by Representa-
tive Lozier of Missouri which was
night. However. the two are working
together, according to the Oklahoma
Representative.
Formation of the LoZier committee
grew out of the move instituted by IS
disgruntled Democratic members who
contended that Secretary Ickes, Relief
Administrator Harry L. Hopkins, the
Farm Credit Administration and other
departments were employing too many
Republicans.
Policy Laid Down by Lozier.
Yesterday Chairman Lozier laid down
a policy that Democrats should be
appointed to all Federal positions that
are essentially political" but said no
meeting of his group had been held to
decide course of action.
The committee desires to be helpful
and hopes to make some suggestions in
reference to Federal patronage that will
be constructive. 1t was not the design
of the House Democrats, nor the pur-
pose of our committee to recommend
the abrogation of the Civil Service sys-
tenn. which, under the last three Re-
publican Presidents, has been ruthless
ly ravished and mala administered.
Nor do We advocate the introduction
of the Spoils policy into such of the
recently created agencies as are pri-
marily charitable and organized to re-
lieve human misery. but as to the per-
sonnel of these, while maintaining
fair balance between the political par
ties, l nevertheless believe that the
management and administration of
these should very largely be in the
hands of those in political harmony
with the administration.
Fav0rs Claiming Jobs.
Subject to the foregoing limitation,
I insist that Democrats should be ap-
pointed to all Federal positions that are
essentially political. or which, under our
long g-established political system, are
recognized as political appointments
and customarily filled by represent
atives of the party in power. In this
group I include the personnel of all
newly created governmental agencies,
except those organized primarily for
relief or charitable purposes"
Lozier stressed that the action Of
the House Democrats in appointing a
age problems should not be construed
as a hostile gesture toward the Pres
ident or his administration"