Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-22
Workers Civil Rights
Will Be Protected
Under Hatch Act
Complaints Of Violations
Must Be Specific on
Names and Dates

The new Hatch Act ban on politi-
cal activity by State or local gov
eminent employees performing func-
lions financed from Federal funds
will be administered 'in such a man.
ner as to protect the civil rights of
persons subject to its provisions, :"
the Civil Service Commission said
last night in promulgating rules for
carrying out the law
THE primary objective of the leg
islation is to prevent partisan polit-
ical activity in connection with the
conduct of political campaigns and
political management" the commits
sion added Administration of the
law will conform to this objective"
Explaining procedure. the commits
sion amplifled that on receiving COM
plants of alleged violations, 1t will
expect reports TO be specific as to
offenses. dates. names, places and
other matters essentia, to form a
proper basis for investigation. Pro-
. cedure will provide for systematic
handling of all matters of real sub
stance, and will assure due process
of law to any person charged with
violation
Covers Variety of Activities.
The commission directed attention
to the fact that the political activity
restrictions it has additionally en-
forced against civil service employees
apply to the State and local workers
t,x FN of Hn loy
These cover a wide variety of Of
lenses and forbid active participa-
ton in political management or po-
litical campaigns, including public
expression of opinion in such a way
as to constitute taking an active
part in political management or
political campaigns"
Distribution of campaign litera-
ture, soliciting votes, transporting
voters to the polls and participating
in parades are some of the pro-
scribed practices, and it is en-
phasized that employees are "ac-
countable for political activity by
persons other than themselves, in
Guiding wives or husbands, if, in
fact, the employees are thus accom-
plishing by collision and indirec-
ton what they may not lawfully
do directly and openly"
Allowance is made for nom
partisan activity where purely local
issues are at stake and questions
relating to constitutional amend
ments. referendums, approval of
municipal ordinances and the like
are outside of the prohibitions.
Some Are Exempt.
Governors and Lieutenant Cover
nors. Mayors, heads of executive de-
partments who are not classified
under State or municipal merit
or civil service system and persons
holding elective Office are exempt
from the law. Persons whose en-
ployment lis only temporary, part
time or intermittent or on a per
diem basis. in any case not occupy
ing substantial portion of the time
and not affording the employees
principal means of livelihood, are
subject to the law while on active
duty status, but not otherwise"
Under such conditions" the COM
mission continues, employees may
hold political Office or be listed as
candidates for such Office provided
that during periods of active duty
they do not engage in political &C
tivity or political management. The
period of active duty embraces the
whole period of status as a paid
employe, rather than just the work.
ing hours of day"
Retired Persons Not Affected.
AS an example, it points out, Off
GERS and members of the National
Guard are subject to the law while
on active duty and on drill nights
Persons retired from public service
are not covered.
The commission is empowered to
determine if the violation warrants
dismissal-the sole penalty pro-
vided-and where a removal order
has been ignored. or the offender
Is re-employed within 18 months.
the Government may withhold
funds from the agency involved in
amount equal to two years pay for
tho en1nlove