Evening star., 1940-12-07
Municipal Law
Officers Debate
Hatch Act
Institute Takes Stond
Against Toxotion
Of City Bonds

as IL dueCLS municipal employees
caused its temporary withdrawal to-
day before the final session of the
National Institute Of Municipal Law
Officers.
The original resolution asked that
Congress lesson penalties Of the act
and to max other changes which
would permit easier administration,
Members of the organization, chiefly
city solicitors and assistants. imme-
diately declared that all municipal
employees should be removed from
Jurisdiction of the Hatch Act. Ed
ward S. McCluskey, city solicitor OF
Easton, Pa. declared that municipal
employees should have the same
rights to express political opinions
as do other citizens"
The resolution will be reoffered
later today.
Tax on City Bonds Opposed.
The institute, meeting at the May
flower Hotel, adopted unanimously
q resolution asking that Congress
refrain from taxing municipal
bonds because it would result in
great harm to municipal finances"
Another resolution asked for addi-
tional appropriations from Congress
for Slum clearance and low-cost
housing
Earlier Daniel W. Hoan, associate
director of the Defense Commis-
sion's division of State and local
cooperation and former Mayor of
Milwaukee, urged the attorneys to
have their communities participate
% the defense program rather than
depend upon the Federal Govern
inent.
Sees ajor War Tasks.
IF we ever get into a war" he
eaid, "the problems of cities will
be increased hundred fold"
He pointed out that activities OF
fifth columnists" alone would in
crease immeasurably the work of
police departments and that dam
ger of incendiary bombing would
place an enormous burden on local
fire departments.
Put pride in the hearts of local
officials" he urged. I'VE must make
local governments serve so well
that people will fight to preserve
them"
Model Legislation Drafted.
While members of the institute
discussed defense, the Justice De-
partment made public a draft OF
model State legislation on sabotage
prevention, control of explosives,
State home guard mobilization and
for the protection of public proper
ties, prepared by the Drafting Com
mittee of the Federal-State Confer
ence on Law Enforcement Problems
of National Defense, which met here
in August These model bills are to
be offered to the Legislatures of 43
States. which meet in January, ano
when enacted will depend in good
part on local officers for enforce
ment.
Outstanding is the proposed State
anti-sabotage act, which carries a
1O-year penalty for specific viola
tions. unless accompanied by mur-
der or other crimes for which more
severe punishment is provided. This
law would cover acts Of sabotage
already committed; regulates the use
of highways near national defense
properties; aids in the detection Of
saboteurs by providing for the ques-
tioning and detention of persons
found to have unlawfully entered
upon defense properties, and guards
against the legislation being used
as a means of depressing organized
labor.
Protects State Property.
An act for interstate protection of
public property is for use in those
States in which property of one
State, or any of its political subdi-
visions, is located in an adjoining
State. This would cover such Sit
uation as that prevailing in Cumber-
land, Md, where the reservoir for
the water supply is located in Penn
sylvania.
The Drafting Committee recon-
mended that a Federal law be
passed requiring the registration OF
all firearms.
The institute yesterday afternoon
elected William c. Chanler, cor
poration counsel of New York
City as it's president and named
other officers as follows: Walter
j. Mattison, city attorney of Mil
vaukee, first vice president; Ray
L. Chesebro, city attorney of Los
Angeles, second vice president, and
Philip H. HILL city solicitor, of
Charleston, w. Va, treasurer.
Addressing yesterdays session
Harry B. Mitchell, president OF the
Civil Service Commission, told the
law officers the commission will
carry out the intention of Congress
in enforcing the Hatch Act fully
and impartially" and "by rigid pros
ecution" where necessary. He asked
their help, in behalf of the commits
sion, in reporting alleged violations
of the law among municipal en-
ployes.
Since the extension of the Hatch
Act on July 10 to cover State and
local employees of federally financed
activities, approximately IS viola
tions, he said, have been reported
to the commission, and 81 cases now
are under investigation.
The commission did not ask for
this job of enforcing the provisions
of the Hatch Act" Mr.. Mitchell de-
clared. TT realizes that it is q
rather difficult one, and that en-
forcement may sometimes be g
rather unpleasant duty. However
Congress has given us the job anc
we entered upon it with consider.
able anxiety. but with hope that
we will be able to perform our duty
in manner that will be reasonably
satisfactory"
To Watch Civil Rights.
I'VE do not yet know how heavy
the enforcement burden will be
The law as it stands presents g
number of administrative Difficult.
ties. We hope to develop an en-.
forcement program combining in.