Evening star., 1939-07-26
Hatch Bill Curbs
Party Speakers
From Capital
EmpIoye Campaign
Donations Expected
To Be Slowed


political spring periodically pouring
new party life into the remote cor
ners of the Nation through the lips
of -tongued Government et-
torneys.
Under the bill, now awaiting
presidential signature, approximate
ly 5000 attorneys in the Federal
Government, scores of whom for
merly have been loaned by admin
istrationS in power to become head
liners at party rallies here and
there, will be required to stay at
their desks or stay away-perma-
nently.
William N. MorelI, a member of
the Board of Veterans Appeals and
president of the Federal Bar Asso-
citation, today agreed that the party
whips of the country's cities and
hamlets, who heretofore have in
vited many of the upper r-bracket
attorneys to foresake Washington
for couple of days to needle their
constituents into new activity, would
have to seek elsewhere for banquet
orators.
He pointed out, however, that the
rank and file of Government at
torneys, not under civil service,
would not be seriously affected by
enactment of the measure, though
they are covered by its provisions.
Many of the attorneys in the
commanding posts undoubtedly
would feel the effects of the law
Mr.. Morell commented, but I
don't think the average Government
attorneys participate actively in
political matters after their ap-
pointment.
Special assistants and division
heads of various departments-par-
ticularly the Justice Department
are the ones who in the past have
waved the party banner at city
county and State rallies. Special
events, such as Jackson Day dim
ners, have provided most of the
settings.
AS the diminution OF oratorical
talent furnished from the District
would be a concern Of the party
in power, so would be the probable
decrease in contributions poured
into the party's Golfers by the thou
sands Of Federal workers in Wash
ington.
Though solicitation and reception
of funds from Government en-
ployes, except in the cases of relief
workers, is not prohibited in the
legislation, party leaders fear that
some employees might withhold
their contributions on the ground
that such acts might be construed
as active campaign participation.
One official in the Democratic Ma
tional Committee commented that
the enactment of the bill would
make solicitation a much more diff
cult matter adding that it probably
will result in a decrease in funds
received from party members in
Government positions.
Aside from these broad local
aspects of the bill, participation in
polillSol VI
campaigns will be barred for all en-
ployes of the executive branch of
the District Government, some of
whom have taken active roles in
both national and nearby Maryland
and Virginia campaigns in the past.
1t is thought possible in some
quarters that the District Commits
sioners would be exempt under the
bill as occupying policy making"
positions
United States Marshal John B.
COlpoys, who would be barred from
his usually active participation in
the Democratic party here, said yes
terday however, that he believed the
Commissioners woNld come under
the bill on the grounds that they
are paid from the same source as
the rest of us"
Colpoys Must Lose Craftsmanship.
Mr.. Colpoys, incidentally, would
have 10 give up his post as chairman
OF the Democratic State Central
Committee for the District under
the provisions of the bill.
Others who would be barred from
political participation would be Re-
corder of Deeds William j. Thomp-
kins, Chief Deputy Marshal c.
Michael Kearney, Postmaster Vim
cent c. Burke, United States Attor-
ney David A. Pine, the assistant
United States attorneys for the Dis
trict, the judges of Municipal, Po-
lice and Juvenile Courts and the
clerks of these courts.
Corporation Counsel Elwood Seal,
who for some time has taken an
active part in nearby politics. would
be barred from further political ac-
tivity; however. he announced prior
to congressional consideration of the
Hatch bill that he intends to re-
tire in the fall
Mr.. Colpovs stated that the men,
bership of the local Democratic
Committee will feel little effects of
the measure, outside his own case.
Minimizes Juggling.
He was inclined to minimize re-
ports OF a vast reShaping of party
machinery at its base upon the en-
actment of the legislation, contend
Ing that the percentage of Federal
offlceholders in city, county and
State committees throughout the
country is small.
There will undoubtedly be shake
ups in the committees of the Ter
ritories ALASKA, Hawaii, Puerto Ri
co, Virgin Islands, Philippines and
the Canal Zone)," he stated.
He added that though the effects
on the committee in the District
probably would be greater than in
the majority of the States most of
the active committee members here
are longtime, influential residents
of the District or former cabinet
members or Congressman who have
made Washington their home upon
retirement.
President Jacob Baker of the
United Federal Workers of Amer