Evening star., 1934-01-30

senate
date they sever their connection with
the national political organization.
It is further necessary to provide that
no official or employe of any depart
ment should be permitted to practice
before Q department within two years
after he has severed his connection
with the Government. He has not only
appointed men in the departments, but
has promoted those already in the serv-
ice. To practice before such employees
should be embarrassing to him and to
the employees However the law should
be enacted, not to save him embarrass-
ment. but to save money to the tax
payers
While these things are necessary, I
can think of nothing more hypocritical
than the Congress legislating to pro-
hibit such activities on the part Of ma
tional committeeman and departmental
officials, and not legislating as to men,
bers of Congress. Many years ago the
justice of this position was recognized
and Congress prohibited a member OF
Congress from accepting compensation
for services rendered in connection with
any claim involving the payment OF
money out Of the Treasury.
Aim Is Just Spending.
However. this does not 60 to the
heart of the evil. The object Of this
legislation was not to limit the income
OF member of Congress but to prevent
him from exercising political power to
influence an employe OF q department
in rendering a decision favorable to
some individual in whom the member
of Congress was interested. The object
is to assure the people Of this Nation
that when their money Is dispensed by
an Official, it will be done because the
merits of the case demand 1t. and not
because some man in political life de-
mandS 1t.
While most Of the recent discussion
has revolved around the members OF
the national committee the truth is
they are few in number and their in
fiuence is limited. This is true of the
department officials who resign and
practice in Washington. 1t is certainly
true of. ex-Senators and ex-Congress-
men. The politically wise know that a
congressman-elect has more influence
than an ex-congressman. There is
more danger in the political influence
exerted by g. live congressman than In
the influence attempted to be exerted
by a politically dead congressman.
It is fair to assume that the members
of the United States Senate and the
members of the House of Representa-
tiveS have had more to do with the ap-
pointment of officials in the depart
ments of the Government than have
the members Of the national commit
tee. Many of the higher officials OF
Government must be confirmed by the
Senate, and many of them are appoint
ed upon the recommendation Of men,
bers of the House. All of them have a
vote and voice in determining whether
a particular bureau shall continue to
exist and whether its appropriation
shall be increased or decreased.
Would Antagonize Benefactor.
Let us assume that upon the recon-
mendation of member of the Senate
lawyer is appointed to the legal staff
of the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
Thereafter a corporation in the Sena-
tors State asks him to appear in a case
where the corporation claims refund
OF taxes. When the Senator appears
ne finds sitting on the conference COM
nittee considering the claim the lawyer
appointed upon his recommendation.
The lawyer has sought the assistance OF
the Senator to secure employment in
order to support his family. He may
not believe the corporation or individual
is entitled to secure the payment OF the
claim under consideration. The Sena-
tor tells him he believes 1t should be
paid. Would 1t be surprising II the
young lawyer takes the position that
inasmuch as the Senator who must tax
his people in order to secure the money
to pay this claim declares that 1t should
be paid, he is not going to assume the
burden of saying that the Senator is
wrong and antagonize the man who
gave him an opportunity to support
his family.
Under such circumstances there is
absolutely nothing between the Treas
ury and the man who wants to put his
hands into the Treasury.
Let us further assume that q contract
is to be awarded. One contractor asks
that a Senator appear for him before
department. Another contractor is the
lowest bidder, and. relying upon the JUS
tice and fair dealing of the Govern
ment, he seeks no political influence.
If the contractor for whom the Senator
appears is awarded the contract by rea-
son OF a determination that the lowest
bidder Is not responsible person, could
any one convince the lowest bidder that
he has not been defrauded of the con-
tract? II as a result OF the decision
the Government assumes a greater OBJ
legation. the taxpayer pays the bill.
As q part Of the recovery program,
officials of the Reconstruction Finance
Corporation are authorized to make
loans to railroads, insurance companies,
and more recently to mortgage corpora
tions. Under this new program 1t is
apparent that whenever an application
for a loan is rejected because OF the
inadequacy of the security offered. the
Senators and Representatives are to be
called upon to persuade the ofncials
that the security Is adequate and the
loans should be made. The Congress-
man knows that he will be asked to ap-
pear, not because he is an expert IN
valuing securities, but solely because the
borrower believes that he possesses po-
litical power to influence the decision OF
the department official.
Influence Is the Evil.
There is another angle to the ques-
ton. Whenever a departmental en-
ploye determines upon the awarding Of
contract, the payment of claim or
the granting Of loan as the Senator
wishes 1t to be done ne can then tell the
chief of his bureau that the Senator Is
under obligation to him. If few weeks
thereafter the chief of the bureau, in
order to expand his activities and there
by Justify a larger salary appeals for