Evening star., 1939-07-23
|Hatchbi||Puzz|e
To Employees Of
Nearby Areas
u. S. Workers at Odds
Over Whether 1912
Order Will Remain

ginia were wondering yesterday how
their presently exercised right oi
participation in purely local elec-
tions would be affected by the Hatch
bill taking Federal jobholders out
Of politics.
Some believed the executive orde,
under which they have enjoyed this
privilege since 1912 would not be
disturbed; others who had antici.
pated this difficulty and had sought
to safeguard their rights by ar
amendment which they urged or
Representative Smith, Democrat. OF
Virginia, were perturbed by failure
to press the amendment.
Members of Congress themselves
were at odds on the bill, which is
awaiting President Roosevelt's sig
nature, and informal comment a,
Civil Service Commission Offices was
that the question is wide open. II
was pointed out that the Hatch bill
was directed at political appointees
and that under ordinary circum
stances it would not touch civil
service workers who already are un-
der restrictions. at the same time
however, it was conceded that the
general tightening up intended by
the new measure might easily be
construed to halt the activities per-
mltted by the executive order.
Can Become Candidates.
Under this order. civil service en-
ployes are permitted TO become can
didates for and hold local Office
where it is deemed necessary for
their domestic interest. They are
not, however, allowed to engage in
other political endeavors.
The concentration of Federal en-
ployes in the nearby communities
was responsible for this privilege
Representative Smith said yester-
day he believed the proposed safe
guarding amendment-which was
not introduced-was unnecessary
Speaking from his home near War
renton, he explained he had draft
ed the amendment in response to a
request from Arlington. but decided
it was not required after objection
able language was removed from
the bill.
Sponsored by Dempsey.
The amendment which is causing
the uncertainty, was sponsored by
Representative Dempsey, Democrat
of New Mexico, and provides that
no officer or employe in the execu-
tive branch of the Federal Gov
ernment, or any agency or depart
ment thereof. shall take any active
part in political management or
political campaigns. All such per-
sons shall retain the right to vote
as they may choose and to express
their opinion on all political sub
jects.'
At Mr.. Dempseys Office it was said
this language follows so closely that
prohibiting political activity by civil
service personnel that it probably
would be held that the liberalizine
rule now in effect would continue
to apply. Both Representative
Dempsey and Senator Hatch, Demo-
crat, of New Mexico, author of the
bill, were said. however. to have been
willing to go along with the amend
ment sought by the Virginians
which would have set up the local
office exemption.
The opinion that the bill would
have little effect in the nearby com
munities was expressed by Repre-
sentative Sasscer, Democrat. OF
Maryland. He pointed out that most
of the employees residing in Prince
Georges County are under civil serv-
ice and holds to the view that they
are covered by existing regulations
Mr.. Sasscer opposed the bill ir
the House.
5000 in Montgomery.
In Montgomery County, it is esti-
mated that about 5000 voters would
be affected if the local ban applies
Senator Minton. Democrat. of In
diana declared. 1T is my opinion
that the executive branch employe
would be prohibited from holding
local Offices He said he did not
believe the Hatch bill would prohibit
these employees from going out and
speaking in behalf of any one whom
they please" but he did not believe
they could engage in politics to the
extent of acting as chairmen of pre-
cinct committees or campaign man
ayers.
The immediate question of the
bills final Interpretation is the
effect it will have on candidates
intending to file for the County
Board in Arlington County, where
a Democratic primary is to be held
on August l. The general election
is scheduled November 7. Other
nearby Virginia Jurisdictions also
are to hold elections between now
and the fall
Study to Be Made.
Meanwhile, it was learned that the
Arlington County Civic Federation
has authorized Albert A. Carretta
and Secretary Julian D. Simpson to
study the effects of the bill on local
Government workers. 1t was Mr..
Carretta and Mr.. Simpson who pro-
posed the amendment to Repre-
sentative Smith. 1--WE received as
surances from Mr.. Smith that this
would be taken care Of" Mr.. Car
retta said. He expressed surprise
at the method by which the bill
passed without making provision for
the nearby communities.
Arlington County Commissioner
of Revenue Harry K. Green said he
is now engaged in survey to deter
mine the percentage of taxpayers
who are Federal employees. Pending
the findings Of his study, he said he
believed Government workers con-
stituted from between so and 10 per
cent of the taxpayers"
Mr.. Carretta expressed the belief
that If Mr.. Green's estimate is ap-
proximately correct, and if the Hatch
bill does prohibit most of the execu-
tive department employees from. en-
gaging in politics, control of ou1
Government will naturally fall into
the hands of the minority-the 80
or lf) Nor eent of nersons left free tr