Evening star., 1940-07-11
A3-122 House Vote
Assures Enactment
OF Hatch Bill
Measure Restores Right
OF U. S. Workers to Hold
Office in Nearby Area
BY the Associated Press.

OVERWHELMING l1OuSc pdSSdsC VI
the Hatch anti-politics bill assured
today it's early final enactment, for
the Senate had only to agree to
minor amendments before sending
the legislation to President Roose-
velt.
Both the Chief Executive and
Wendell Willkie, Republican presi-
dental nominee, have Endorsed the
measure. 1t bars political activity
by State, county and municipal
workers paid in part with Federal
funds, limits campaign contribu-
tions to $1,000 a person, and places
a $4,000, 900 top on the expenditures
of political committees.
The 14,50o employees Of the District
government are subject to the pro-
hibitions of the act, which eXempts
only the three Commissioners and
the recorder of deeds, but inasmuch
as most local workers are voteless,
the measure will have practical
effect only on those who might want
to take part in the affairs of the
Democratic or Republican State
committees.
Workers Living Nearby Benefit.
The bill will restore to Govern
ment employees residing in nearby
Maryland and Virginia the right to
hold municipal Office in those COM
munities where they comprise a
heavy percentage of the residents.
This privilege had long been ac-
corded here and in some other 10
calities vnere similar conditions
prevail, out it was Cancelled by the
Original Hatch Act
With the potent backing of the
two party heads, the bill went
through the House in less than two
days, although in the spring it had
been a major controversy. The
final House vote last night was 243
to 1872, with SO Democrats, 152 Re-
publicans and 2 Progressives favor
ing enactment. Opposed were 120
Democrats, Representative Ball, Re-
publican, of Connecticut, and Rep
resentative Marcantonio, American
Labor, of New York.
The Virginia oelegation-with two
exceptions-voted solidly against the
bill. Representatives Drewry and
Burch were not recorded.
OF the Maryland delegation, Rep
resentatives Ward and Cole voted
for the bill; Representatives D'Ales-
sandro, Kennedy and Sasscer against
recorded.
Highway Workers Covered.
The legislation supplements the
Hatch law, enacted last year, for
bidding political activity by most
Federal employees. This years bill
covers many State Highway Depart
ment workers, agricultural agents
and the like. All workers affected
by the two measures may continue
to vote, but cannot participate in
political campaigns or management.
Dismissal is the penalty for State
or local employees violating the act.
1t would follow determination by
the Civil Service Commission that
a violation had occurred If the
State or local agency employing the
violator failed to dismiss him, the
commission would order the Fed
eral agency concerned to withhold
certain funds from the State equal
to two years compensation for the
violator.
The measure permits an appeal
by the employe to the Federal
courts, but an amendment offered
by Representative Dempsey, Demo-
crat, New Mexico, co-sponsor of the
bill, and adopted, 131 to 80, on
teller voted, would remove a guar
ante of jury trial.
Those affected are officers and
employees whose principal employ
ment is in connection with any ac-
tivlty which is financed in whole
or in part by loans or grants made
by the United States or by any Fed
eral agency
Limit on Contributions Amended.
Although the bill in general linn
its national campaign contributions
by individuals and organizations,
including business concerns, to
$4,000 year, State and local party
committees were exempted from
this provision under a last-minute
amendment offered by Representa-
tive Freeland, Republican, of New
Jersey.
Firms under contract or seeking
contract, to be financed in any part
with Federal funds, are denied the
right to make any political contribu-
tions.
Another provision bars contribu-
tions in the form of purchases of
such articles as the Democrats 1886
Campaign book" which in some
cases brought s10O a copy, or adver-
tising therein
The bill fixes penalty up to five
years in prison or $4,000 in fines for
buying any commodity or advertis-
ing, proceeds from which go to a
candidate for Federal office or a
national party campaign The same
penalty is provided for those who
contribute more than S. 900 directly
Delegates Believed Exempt.
The bill will become effective as
soon as the President signs it, but
Representative Dempsey interpreted
its provisions as broad enough to
exempt delegates to the Democratic
National Convention next week, be-
cause they already have been select
ed. Otherwise, it will apply to the
remainder of 1910 political cam
paign.
One proposed amendment, which
was defeated, 100 to "a, would have
barred political activity by officers
and employees of public utility con-
Germs. Representative Rankin, DEM
ocrat, of Mississippi, longtime foe
of Mr.. Willkie and the power COM
pany he represented until recently,
said the amendment was aimed at
corrupt practices which constitute
the most pernicious political activity
In this country"
The final House action came after
the bill once was thought to have