Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-07-06
Republicans Charge
A. A. A. Is Turned
Into Political Agency
Wiley Leads Attack
As Hatch Bill Awaits
Action in House

With House action awaited on the
controversial Hatch bill to curb po-
litical activity by Federal offlcehold-
ers, a Republican charge that the
administration forces were attempt
ing to convert the Agricultural Ad-
justment Administration into po-
litical agency for the 1910 campaign
was injected into the issue yester-
day.
Asserting he had definite and
certain information" that Demo-
cratic politicians were utilizing the
farm agency for political purposes.
Senator Wiley. Republican, of Wis
consin, added:
Perhaps that is why the Hatch
bill is having so much trouble in the
other House"
The BILL passed in April by the
Senate. was approved last week by
the House Judiciary Committee after
the committee had made changes
which Senator Hatch, Democrat, Of
New Mexico, the author. told the
Senate "emasculated" the measure.
The committee eliminated a sec
ton forbidding such Federal off,
Gals as district attorneys and tax
collectors to act as political cam
paign managers for any candidate.
Meeting Is Set Today.
The judiciary Committee asked
the Rules Committee for special
rule to bring the bill up, but the
latter has not acted yet. A meet
ing of the Rules Committee was set
for today
Senator Wiley charged that when
1t became apparent that the House
committee contemplated action on
the bill, telephones began to jan
gle on Capitol Hill"
I'VE know" he shouted, that the
versatile and watchful Charles
Nicholson publicity director for the
Democratic National Committee)
and others stepped into the breach.
Il am here to say that figures
will be obtained to show that in the
month of June emissaries went forth
and started to do to A. A. A. that
which was done to w. P. A. in many
sections of this country in the last
election.
Says Information Is Definite.
IT repeat. this information is def
mite and certain that there exists
plan and scheme which has already
been put into operation in certain
portions of this country to make A.
A. A. a political instrument for the
administration forces in the next
campaign.
IF the so-called New Dealers are
not aware that the country is in
favor of passing the Hatch bill, they
will be made aware in no uncertain
way if they keep on trying to utilize
this instrument of Government for
political purposes"
Dempsey Suggests Changes.
Representative Dempsey, Demo-
crat. of New Mexico, a House leader
IN the fight for the bill, predicted
yesterday that the Senate would not
accept the House Judiciary Com
mittee amendments, and said he pro-
posed to offer these major changes:
/. Exempt the President, Vice
President and members of Congress
and their stats from the prohibition
against political activity.
2. Restore the provision forbid
ding administrative officers to en-
gage in political management or
political campaign
Representative Dempsey said
aides should not be subject to the
ban because we're elected repre-
sentatives-not appointive"
He said he would insist on the
other change because we don't want
Federal attorneys, for instance, 60
ing about in campaign with
pocket full of indictments"