Evening star., 1939-08-03
Hatch Plans Move
To Extend Law 10
State Workers
Opposition to Such
Proposal Forecast
By Senator Minton
BY the Associated Press.

Senator Hatch, Democrat, OF New
Mexico, smiling because President
Roosevelt signed his bill to curtail
political activities of Federal en-
ployes, said today he would try dur
ing the next congressional session
to extend the law to State workers.
Senator Hatch is studying a sug-
gestion advanced by Mr.. Roosevelt
yesterday that Congress might have
the power to prevent "pernicious
political activities" by State and 10
cal employees who engage actively in
Federal election campaigns.
The New Mexico Senator, who
took the measure over several con-
gresSional hurdles before it was ap-
proved, said Congress certainly could
enact legislation to forbid political
activity by State workers who are
paid in part from Federal funds.
These employees include many of
those working for State road and
unemployment compensation de-
partments.
Senator Minton, Democrat. of In
diana, on the other hand, said there
would be substantial opposition" to
extending the law to State employees
Bans Intimidation.
Among other things, the Hatch
measure forbids all Federal EN-.
ployes except members of Congress
and policy making officials from
participating in national election
campaigns. 1t also bans intimidation
of voters, solicitation or acceptance
of political contributions from per-
sons on relief and promises of jobs
in payment for votes.
Signature of the Hatch measure
yesterday stirred up new talk about
a possible third-term candidacy for
Mr.. Roosevelt, with Senator Bridges,
Republican, of New Hampshire con-
tending the Presidents action was
the first definite indication" ne
would not run again.
Senator Hatch and several other
Senators said Mr.. Roosevelt's ap-
proval of the bill had no bearing
on the third term issue.
Seen Strengthening Position.
IF the nomination of President
Roosevelt for another term should
come about by the action of free
convention. such as is contemplated
by this BILL" Senator Hatch added,
lit certainly would strengthen him
in the general election.
"On the other hand. II he were
nominated with the support of po-
litical employ IS, it would weaken
him"
After signing the bill, Mr. Roose-
welt conferred with officers of the
Good Neighbor League, which aided
him during the 1886 campaign.
Walter Jones, Pittsburgh financier,
who heads the league, declined.
along with the other officers, to say
whether the organization was to be
put in working order for the 1910
campaign.
Mr.. Roosevelt outlined his views
on the Hatch bill yesterday in a
2.000-word message to Congress.
which, officials agreed, would serve
as an Interpretation of Its scope
until court test is made.
The President regarded the bill as
fixing broad policies. He said. for
instance, that its restrictions would
not prevent a Federal employe from
expressing political preference. as
long as that expression was not part
Of an organized campaign. Nor
would it, he said. prevent an en-
ploye from making an unsolicited
political contribution.
The measure would not apply, he
said. to persons obtaining loans
from Government agencies, to farm
ers receiving Federal benefits. nor
to war veterans drawing pensions
Mr.. Roosevelt asserted the civil
rights of Federal workers should be
safeguarded and that nothing in the
act should prevent an offceholder
from defending himself or his work
from unWarranted attack