Evening star., 1936-02-28
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U. S. Workers Are Warned
Against Seeking Influence
of Congressman.
Employees In the taxes and penalties
unit of the Justice Department have
been warned by Administrator Joseph
Lawrencse not to seek congressional
influence to secure petty privileges
in their work and salary increases, I"
it was learned today.
He said legislators should not be
expected to godfather an appointee
for the rest Of his life in Govern
ment service" but conceded it would
be all right for the employe to asso-
ciate with his congressional sponsor
in social or political character"
Lawrence pointed out that Congress-
men should not be annoyed with such
requests, but his views did not meet
with uniformly favorable response on
Capitol Hill.
"Is His Name Stalin?"
SIS his name Stalin?" Mrs. Edith
Nourse Rogers, Republican, of Mas
sachusetts asked. She said there was
no reason why Government employees
should not call on their Congressman
when the Treasury did not hesitate
to ask the employees to buy $50 jack
son day dinner tickets.
Mrs. Rogers, who has fought for
the merit system in Government,
called the Lawrence warning another
instance of playing with fear"
Senator King, chairman of the SEN
ate District Committee, said:
Administrative officers, heads of
bureaus and others, no matter how
good they are, are not infallible, and
I cannot help but believe there have
been injustices in Government jobs.
OF course. it is improper to bring
pressur- on Congress, but I don't
think the best interests of the Gov
ernment, or the best interests of the
public, will be served If some servants
OF Government here, for instance, are
prevented from making a complaint. "
Friend Of President.
Lawrence is a former member of
the Connecticut House of Representa-
tives and vice president of the Stam-
ford Board of Education. He comes
from Attorney General Cummings
home town and is a personal friend
Of the President.
1T has been brought to my atten-
ton" his warning said, "that certain
employees of the unit have sought
congressional pressure to secure petty
privileges in their work and also
increases in salary, despite the fact
they were only recently advanced
through the recommendation of this
office. Especially in view of this, it
is almost inconceivable that such per-
sons should have contacted their SEN
ators and Representatives and solicited
their influence for this purpose.
Hence, must inform all employees
now that these are strictly admin
lstrative matters and action should
have been originated in this unit and
department. I exceedingly regret to
find that some persons, both recruits
and veteran civil employees. do not
realize the error and improperly of
seeking congressional influence in pro-
motions. leave, assignments, etc. This
is not fair to the legislators in ques-
ton, and 1t Is particularly not fair
to the department head concerned. I
am glad to say that the majority of
employees do not feel this way about it.
Debt" Paid in Full.
"If one considered that his Senator
and Congressman were indebted to
him and his family, was not that
debt paid in full when they helped
secure his appointment? Surely, they
should not be continually diverted
from their important legislative duties
and their labors in behalf of their
States and districts as whole. Ger
tainly they should not be expected
to godfather an appointee for the
rest Of his life In Government service.
1T Is my opinion that, after original
clearance and receipt Of appointment,
all future contacts, If any, with an
employees sponsor should be limited
to social or a political character,
and not affect his job, unless it is
in jeopardy or there Is evidence of
injustice upon which bureau head
or department head persists in closing
his eyes. OF course, no such evi-
dence has ever been presented to this
Office.
"our people will henceforth avoid
such contacts for the purposes stated"
Others to comment on the Lawrence
warning included Senator Clark,
Democrat, Of Missouri, who called at
tention to the fact that certain laws
forbid pressure upon Congress. But,
Of course" he added, most of this is
ignored. There is no doubt that
selfish interests always try to influ-
ence Congress"
Ashurst Is Silent.
Senator Ashurst, Democrat, of Ari-
zona, was shown the order and asked
to comment.
I'm grateful to you for asking me
to comment on this" he said, because
your polite question gives me the op-
portunity to say that I have nothing
to say. And that's the best answer
you'll get" he added with q chuckle.
Lawrence, questioned about his
order, declared: II am no reformer.
But real efficiency in Government has
proved possible under the party sys-
tem-even granting room for improve
ment. We should strive to perfect
this mixture of politics and Govern
ment by removing here and there
those ingredients that won't jell. This
Office letter is q small effort in that
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