Evening star., 1939-07-22
President Expected
To Sign Hatch Bill,
Despite Criticism
Senote Completes Action
On Political Activity Bon
For Federal Workers
Sy the Associated Press.


~ the Associated Press.
Usually well-informed Senators
forecast today that President Roose-
velt would sign the Hatch bill de-
spite some criticism he has made
OF the measure, which prohibits
political activity by most Federal
employees.
The Senate sent the bill to the
White House yesterday without a
vote being recorded against it, but
only after a stormy scene which
developed over talk of side-track-
ing it.
Weeks ago. the Chamber passed
the bill unanimously. It came be-
fore the Senators again on the
question of accepting minor House
amendments. Senator Hatch, Demo-
crat, Of New Mexico, warned that to
reject them would mean sending
the measure ito the graveyard"
Those who predicted today that
Mr.. Roosevelt would sign the bill
pointed to public utterances in
which the President expressed ap-
proval OF its major objectives.
Speculation on Effects.
There was much speculation
among members of Congress, how
ever, as to the practical political
eHect OF the bill if 1t should become
law.
Some members have contended
one provision would prohibit most
Federal workers from taking part
IN national political conventions,
and thus would weaken any admin
stration effort to control the 1910
Democratic nomination.
Vice President Garner told report-
ers after the Senate passed the
measure originally that they could
write it down that the bill would
become law at this session.
After the final action, Mr., Garner
strode Jovially about the Senate
1loor, shaking hands with several
senators. Senator Hatch and Sen
ator Minton, Democrat of Indiana
the latter had urged unsuccessfullv
That the bill be sent to a Joint Com
mlttee to compose differences be-
tween the Senate and House-also
shook hands.
Triumph for Hatch.
During debate, Senator Minton
oenled an assertion by Senator
Hatch that there was "a move on
loot to side-track the bill. He told
the Senate he had felt the bill
ShouId be sent to conference COM
mlttee because it had not been
studied sufficiently by the Senate.
Il have no dagger uu my sleeve for
his beloved BILL" Senator Minton
declared. II have no intention of
knitting my friend in the back. I
want him to have his bill. He has
MS heart set on it, and SO far as I'm
concerned-God bless him"
For the smiling, soft-spoken Sen
ator Hatch, the Senate's action was
a major triumph in a three-year
fight to outlaw political activity by
Federal employees.
1t was his observation of Re-
publican political machinery in New
Mexico, when that party controlled
the State, that first led him to be
interested In such legislation, he told
reporters.
First Effort in 1896.
When my own party came into
power, he added with a smile, "I
saw things I didn't like either. It
seemed to me time to make good
the promises we had been making
back as far as 1870"
Immediately after the 1886 elec-
ton, Senator Hatch made his first
effort He joined former Senator
Steiwer, Republican, of Oregon in
offering legislation to prevent ap-
pointive officials from being dele
gates to conventions. The measure
was defeated.
Last summer he tried again, Of
fering an amendment to the relief
bill designed to prevent political use
of relief funds. The Senate rejected
the amendment by one vote.
This year. joined by Chairman
Sheppard, Democrat, of Texas, Of
the Senate Campaign Expenditures
Committee and Senator Austin, Re-
publican. of Vermont, he submitted
the more far-reaching proposal
which Congress has accepted.