Evening star., 1939-01-29
BY ], A, O'LEARY,

The Senate passed the $725 900 900
w. P. A. relief bill last night and
sent 1t to conference carrying
series of last-minute amendments,
including far-reaching new provi-
sions to protect all Government en-
ployes from political coercion.
The ultimate fate of the anti
political amendments, some of which
are designed to safeguard from po-
litical pressure not only relief work
ers, but persons paid from any act
of Congress, rests with House and
Senate conferees who will meet this
week.
Driving ahead for six hours yes
terday, the Senate rejected several
moves to modify the prevailing wage
principle now applied to w. P. A.
workers, but agreed to these two
major changes:
A motion by Senator Borah, Re-
publican, of Idaho earmarking SIS
600, 900 of the new appropriation for
direct relief of needy cases not
otherwise provided for on work
projects.
A proposal by Senator Clark, DEM
ocrat, of Missouri to prevent use of
any of the new relief fund for naval
or military armaments, except i'm
provements of housing at military
posts.
Passed Without Roll CAN.
Final passage came shortly before
6 pm. without roll call, the climax
in the relief fight having come Fri
day, when the New Deal went down
to defeat, 46 to At, in its effort to
raise the bill to President Roosevelt's
estimate of $875 600, 900.
That vote settled the amount of
money for the time being, but op-
posing factions in Congress differ
as to whether it is all that will be
appropriated before June 80, the end
Of the fiscal year.
Leaders of the winning economy
group believe s7a6, 900, 900 will prove
adequate for the remaining five
months, although they have left pro-
vision for the President to recon-
mend more in the meantime If he
states an emergency has arisen, Ad-
mlnlstration spokesmen in the SEN
ate say he will have to make such
request some time in March.
The sweeping anti-political amend
ments approved by the Senate will
overshadow all other issues in con-
ference, since the size of the relief
fund is now settled.
AS the bill came from the House
two weeks ago, it contained only
one brief political ban, to the effect
that this appropriation could not
be used to pay the salary of any
person who hereafter attempts to
influence the vote of any relief
worker.
Senate Asks Restrictions.
The Senate struck out that pro-
vision and substituted a broad set
OF restrictions, containing sharp
teeth. Briefly, they would:
l. Make it unlawful for any per-
son, directly or indirectly, to promise
employment out of relief funds or
any other act of Congress as a re-
ward for political activity, or for
support of or opposition to any
candidate or any political party in
any election.
2. Make it unlawful to deprive, or
threaten to deprive, any person of
employment out of relief appropria-
tions on account of political activ-
ity, or because of race, creed or color,
or because of support of or opposi-
tion to any candidate or party. This
is limited to relief activities.
3. Make it unlawful for any one
in an administrative or supervisory
capacity in agencies paid from relief
appropriations, to use his official
authority or influence to interfere
with an election or affect the re-
suits thereof. All such persons
would retain the right to vote as
they please and to express privately
their opinions on all political sub
Jects, but they could take no active
part in political management or in
political campaigns. This is limited
in scope to the relief program.
4. Make it unlawful for any per-
son knowingly to solicit, or knowing
ly be in any manner concerned in
soliciting, any assessment or cam
paign contribution for any individ-
ual or political party, from any en-
ploye paid from relief funds, or
other acts of Congress.
Heavy Penalties Imposed.
Under the Senate bill the prac-
tices covered by the first, second
and fourth amendments are de-
clared to be felonies, punishable
by fine of not to exceed $1,000
or imprisonment for not more than
a year, or both. The penalty for
violating the third amendment
would be immediate removal from
ONCE.
Senator Adams, Democrat, of Col
orado said last night that, while
the amendment relating to cam
paign contributions from Govern
ment workers would not prevent
an employe who felt so disposed
from voluntarily contributing to a
political party. it would prohibit any
person, whether in or out of public
office, from in any manner solicit
ing contributions from those in
the service.
There was speculation last night
as to what effect 1t might have on
political banquets In future. where