Evening star., 1939-06-25
Action Wanted

HSlIVI VEOulSU
Many weeks ago the Senate passed
the Hatch bill to take Government
workers and Government officials, as
far as possible, out of the business of
running political campaigns. 1t was
directed particularly against the use
of relief funds, put out by the Fed
eral Government, to influence elec-
tions. 1t was, and is, a sound
measure,
A subcommittee of the House
Judiciary Committee has considered
the measure and reported it to the
full committee without change ex-
cept to make it clear that members
of the Presidents Cabinet and men,
bers Of Congress are not covered in
the prohibition against political &C
tivity. That, as matter of fact, was
the original intention of the Senate
trainers of the measure.
More recently reports have been
spread that movement is on foot
to emasculate the Hatch bill. 1t has
been said that the higher-ups in the
New Deal organization look askance
at the plan to write into law strin-
gent provisions against the use of
collectors of internal revenue, post
masters, United States attorneys,
marshals and myriad of other Off
cials of the Government below the
rank of Cabinet officers to build and
operate political organizations.
The bill was passed by the Senate
while sentiment still ran high, as
result Of the exposures by the Senate
Campaign Investigating Committee
Of political activities in the w. P. A.
and by the attempted presidential
purge" of certain Democratic Sen
ators In the 1898 campaign. An
attempt was made then to halt the
bill-but it was swept aside, SO
strongly did the Senate feel in the
matter. If, as has been said, an at
tempt is to be made to pigeonhole
the measure in the House Judiciary
Committee, there will come a loud
demand for prompt action on the
bill. There is great sympathy and
support for the measure among
members of the House itself.
Delay in consideration of the bill
by the full Judiciary Committee of
the House is said to have been due
to the fact that other measures have
been taken up, and the Hatch bill
has had to wait its turn. Chairman
Summers, who is believed to be en-
tirely in sympathy with the pro-
posals contained in the bill, has been
away on account of illness. Now it
Is said the committe may act this
week.
The bill seeks to impose on the
vast army of Government officials
restrictions against political activity
similar to those imposed In the old
civil service law upon the classified
civil service workers.
Unless the bill is passed, the huge
governmental bureaucracy is in a
position to dominate political party
primaries, to name the candidates
and to do much to bring about their
election. Without it, the Govern
ment pay roll becomes a rich source
OF campaign funds, collected from
the Government workers by un-
scrupulous leaders.
There is one way that the Hatch
bill can be forced before the House,
II 1t becomes necessary The rules
Of the House provide for petition,
signed by majority of the body, to
discharge a committee from further
consideration OF, a measure. Already
threats are being made that such a
petition will be circulated, if the
House committee does not take ac-
tion soon. The bill does not die with
adjournment of this session of Con-
gress, and should it fail of action this
summer it will still be in order to
pass 1t next winter. The House most
certainly should take action on the
measure at this session, however.