Evening star., 1939-08-02
Continued From First Page j

NSOllIlllucu FTOlH rlTSu Pdge.)
because 1T is my hope that if
properly administered the meas
ure can be made an effective in
strument of good government.
AS is usual with all bills passed
by the Congress, this bill has
been examined, on its receipt at
the executive offices, by the ap-
propriate departments or agen-
cies, in this case the Attorney
General of the United States and
the Civil Service Commission.
The Attorney General has ad-
vlsed me that it seems clear that
the Federal Government has the
power to prescribe as qualifica-
tions for its employees that they
refrain from taking part in other
endeavors which, in the light of
common experience, may well
consume time and attention re-
quired by their duties as public
officials. He points out, however,
that such qualifications cannot
properly preclude Government
employees from the exercise of the
right of free speech or from their
right to exercise the franchise.
Exercise of Rights
Unaffected by Measure.
The question of constitutional
ity being resolved in favor of the
bill, our next inquiry relates to
the exercise and preservation of
these rights. 1t is obvious that
the intent of the bill is to fol-
low broadly the provisions of
civil service regulations that have
existed for many years in regard
to political activities of Federal
employees.
1t is because I have received
and will continue to receive so
many queries asking what Gov
ernment employe may or may
not do that it seems appropriate
at the outset to postulate the
broad principle that if the bill
is administered in accord with its
spirit, and if it is in the future
administered without abuse, op-
preston or groundless fear, it will
serve the purpose intended by
the Congress.
For example, I have been asked
by employees of the Government
whether under this law they
would lose their positions if they
merely attend political meetings.
The answer is, of course, no.
I have been asked whether
they would lose their positions if
they contributed voluntarily to
party or individual campaign
funds without being solicited.
The answer is, Of course, no.
I have been asked whether
they would lose their positions if
they should merely express their
opinion or preference publicly
orally, by radio, or in writing
without doing so as part of an
organized political campaign.
The answer is no.
Recipients Of Federal Cash
Are Not Affected.
I have been asked if citizens
who have received loans from the
Home Owners Loan Corp, from
the Farm Credit Administration
or its subsidiaries, from the Farm
Security Administration, from
the Reconstruction Finance Corp.
and other Government lending
agencies, would be subject to the
terms of this bill The answer is
no.
I have been asked whether
farmers receiving farm benefits
would be bound by the terms of
the bill. Again the answer is no.
I have been asked if Govern
ment employees who belong to
Young Republican Clubs, Young
Democratic Clubs, Civil Service
Reform Associations, the League
Of Women Voters, the American
Federation of Labor, the Congress
OF Industrial Organizations and
similar DodleS are subject to the
penalties of the measure because
OF mere membership in thes or
ganizations. The answer is no.
There will be hundreds of SINH
lar questions raised in the actual
administration and enforcement
OF this bill. Such questions will
be asked in most cases by indi-
vlduals in good faith. And it is
only fair that they should re-
ceive an answer. I am, therefore,
asking che Attorney General to
take the necessary steps through
the new Civil Liberties unit of the
Department of Justice in order
that the civil rights of every