The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-07-21
CLEAN POLITICS.
 BILL IS ASSURED
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oppose a coalition of Republicans and conservative Democrats.
 On the final roll call 83 Democrats and two Progressives joined with all the Republicans present-15T-to vote for passage. It was opposed by 132 Democrats and one American LabOrite.
 It was certain after last nights action that the final bill which House and Senate conferees will re- port will be as strong as it's sponsors desired.
 If MT. Roosevelt signs the bill and makes it law, an early court test was assured. Rep. Frank Hook, D., Mich, promised to be "the first man to violate" 1t so as to test its conStitu- tionality in the courts.
 Tt is a violation of the first amend ment to the Constitution" he said.
 Major controversy in House de- bate last night centered over the provision barring United States dis trict attorneys, postmasters, internal revenue collectors, and other vote- getting officials whose jobs are con- sidered of the patronage variety, from participating in politics. That provision was stricken in commit tee on the grounds that 1t was too broadly drawn and might be inter preted to include the president and other elected officials or cabinet of- ficers. But the House restored it.. Dempsey introduced an amendment specifically exempting those ofilcials and it was adopted.
 The political notifications of the bill are tremendous since it will bar from national political organiza- tions those federal employees who heretofore, under both Republican and Democratic organizations, have been their chief functionaries.
 One of the crucial tests in the House fight last night was on an amendment by Rep. Sam Hobbs, D., Ala, who would have struck out of the bill the words: "They federal employes) shall take no active part in political management or in po- htical campaigns"
 The amendment was approved 181 to 3.
 Hobbs rnaneuver had been pre- ceded by long speech on the con- stitutional rights of the voter and he caught the opposition of guard. When 1t realized what had happened 1t demanded a reconstruction and the amendment was defeated, 200 to 124. Opponents said 1t would have "disembowled the bill"
 Shortly before midnight an at- tempt to recommit the bill-a ma- neuver designed to kill it,-was de- feated, 232 to 146. The motion was introduced by Rep. Arthur D. Healey, D., Mass, who charged that the bill was unconstitutional. Final passage followed. The House then had been in session 11% hours. It adjourned two minutes after midnight, having approved bill that would:
 l. Make it unlawful for any per- son to "intimidate, threaten or coerce" to interfere with the rights of any other person to vote as he pleases in any federal election.
 2. Make 1t unlawful for any per. son in governmental administra. tive position - departments, inde- pendent agencies or corporations controlled by the government-to use his official authority for the purpose of interfering with or af- fecting" an election for federal office.
 3. Make 1t unlawful for any per- son directly or indirectly to promise employment, position, work, com- pensation or other benefit" provided for or made possible by an act of congress to anyone as a reward, favor or consideration for "any DO. litical activity"
 4. Make 1t unlawful for any per- son to deprive, threaten or attempt to deprive by any means any person of "any employment, work, cornpen- sation or other benefit" made pos- sible by congressional acts on ac- count of any political activity, race, creed or color.
 5. Make it unlawful for any per- son to solicit or be connected with such action of any assessment, sub- scription, or contribution for any political purpose whatever" from any person receiving compensation or employment under relief appropria. tions.
 6. Bar disclosure of names of per- sons or lists of names for political purposes of persons receiving em- ployment through acts of congress, providing for relief, to "a political candidate, committee, cam aig n manager" or to anyone for delivery to such candidates, etc. It also makes it unlawful for anyone to receive the lists "for political purposes" 2. Bar use of any appropriation or any part of appropriations made for relief for "the purpose of inter- fering with, restraining, or coercing any individual in the exercise of his right to vote at any election"
 8. Make 1t felony to violate the act and provides a fine of $1 900 and one year imprisonment.
 9. Make 1t illegal for any admin istrative or supervisory employe oi the federal government ito use his offlcial authority or influence for the purpose of an election or affecting the results thereof" and provides for removal of any official violating the section, and stoppage of pay.
 10. Ban public jobs to persons advocating overthrow of constitu- tional government" (This section was added by the House). II. Extend the language of the bill to cover nomination contests al well as elections. (This also was