The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1935-08-21
MEMBERSHIP
IN POLITICAL
CLUBS0.K.
BY J. EARLE MOSER


Does membership in the Young
Democratic Club endanger the
status of Government employees?
According to Lewis Fisher, Civil
Services expert on the subject,
the answer to this question
which has bothered quite a few
prospective and actual members
lis no.
Mr.. Lewis, chief Of the division
of service records and retirement
at Civil Service, has held that
workers in the emergency agen-
cies do not come under the rule
forbidding political activity II
they were appointed via patron
age rather than from Civil Service
rolls.
He pointed out, however, that
while those who do hold a Civil
Service status may safely become
members of a political club, they
may not hold office, serve on COM
mittees or make speeches, quoting
from the law as follows:
Employees may be members
Of political clubs, but it is i'm
proper for them to be active in
the organization Of such club
to be officers of the club, or
members or officers Of any OF
its committees or act as SUCH
or to address a political club.
Service as a delegate from such
q club to a league Of political
clubs is service as an officer or
representative Of q political club
and is prohibited
It is not believed there are any
officers or committee members OF
the District Young Democrats
holding Civil Service appoint
ments, although President Paul
Best, FILA administrative assist
ant, estimates there is a large
percentage Of such employees hold
ing rank-and-file membership.
About so delegates from Wash
ington are to attend the national
convention of the organization in
Milwaukee, which will open Fri
day.
A gain of 121 new members
during the year ended March IS
has been reported by the Depart
ment of Labor'S beneficial aSso-
citation, bringing its total strength
to 1,778. Headed by Samuel j.
Gompers, president; Benjamin r.
Sherwood, vice president, and
Ralph H. Horner, Secretary-treas-
urer, the unit is revealed in
strong financial condition by its
fiscal report.
Cash assets of almost $4,000
were reported along with more
than $4,000 invested in Govern
ment bonds. Since its organiza-
ton, the association has paid a
total of $29,730 in death claims.
Answer to query: Federal Hous-
lng's dance Friday at the Ken
nedy-Warren will have a union or
chestra. Maxim loves Shoreham
lads, all carrying cards, have been
engaged.
George H. Day, member of the
Agriculture Community Housing
Committee, has announced that
II workers have "laid cash on the
line" for new homes in the de-
partment'S housing project at JEFF
ferSon Heights, Va, near AleXan-
dria. Between 40 and so homes
are expected to be ordered within
the next IL months, he said, more
than so acres being available.
Just a Year Ago-The Central
Labor Union attacked the delay
in deciding the Donovan-NRA
case. e. Claude Babcock, of the
AFGE, cited the value of organi.
Zation for Federal employees. .es-
Inmates indicated that getting pay
checks cashed cost clerks two
hours of leave per month. the
Civil Service Reform League, via
epistle, asked the President to
Aend an ear to the current tend.
ency of the Administration to re-
store the spoils system. Evelyn
Lusby, Helen Feldman, Merle Dor.
ing and Peggy Boyer received per-
manent status in the Finance and
Accounting unit of Hole. .PWA
allotted $4,000 to keep tempo
buildings "E" and ''F'' in service.
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