Evening star., 1947-12-29
Sound Loyalty Principles

Sound Loyalty Principles
Chairman Seth W. Richardson of the
Loyalty Review Board shares the anxiety
of many persons in and out of the Govern
ment service over some phases OF the new
loyalty program. He and his colleagues
on the board particularly regret that 1t Will
not always be possible to confront accused
employees with the witnesses against them.
But most reasonable citizens will agree
Fundamentally with the board that to
abandon the whole security program on
this account-a suggestion which the
board says has been vigorously presented"
to it-would be unjustif1ed and contrary to
the public interest.
The Star believes that fully as much peril
lies in becoming hysterical over employees
rights" as In succumbing to the type OF
hysteria which leads to witch-hunting.
There is a sound middle ground between
both extremes and it is toward this ground
that the board is seeking to chart It's ad-
mittedly difficult course. The sincerity and
objectivity of the boards policies are evi-
dent to any fair minded person who reads
carefully Mr.. Richardson's thoughtfully
prepared statement of yesterday.
The board quite properly has laid en-
phasis on point that too often is over
Looked or submerged by critics of the
loyalty program: This is that rights of
citizens under the Constitution are not
analogous to those of civil servant. JUS
tice Holmes once pointed out that while
citizen has a right to do many things
under freedoms granted by the Constitu-
ton, he has no constitutional right to
Government Job. Federal employment Is
a privilege which entails grave obligations
and which Of necessity imposes certain
limitations on individual rights"
As the board stresses in its announce
ment, the Governments rights must be
considered too. The Governments rights
must be protected for the sake of all the
people. There can be no doubt as to the
right Of the Government to adopt safe
guards against the sort of fifth column
inflltration and disloyalty that threatened
the security of Canada prior to the Russian
spy ring expose.
The Government has full legal authority
to discharge an employe without telling
him why or affording him hearing 1t
does not propose to exercise this right
Under the Presidents loyalty ORDER how
ever. Suspected employees will be furnished
with the charges against them and will
have an opportunity to answer them In
hearings before departmental boards and,
under appellate procedure, before the Civil
Service Commissions Loyalty Review
Board. Employees may be represented by
counsel Of their own choosing.
Whenever permissible, the source OF the
information against an employe will be
disclosed. But this is not likely to happen
very often for the reason that In most
instances the Federal Bureau of Investiga-
ton will insist on protection of its conf
Dental informants. The FBI is not to be
criticized for" maintaining this position
Some of its most valuable and reliable tips
have come from persons who would not
talk if their Identities were to be made
known outside the bureau. Data bearing
on the credibility of anonymous informants
will be supplied by the FBI whenever pos
sible however.
The FBI will present only the facts as
revealed by it's investigation, not any con-
clusions its agents may have arrived at in
their own minds. The evaluation OF the
evidence will be the responsibility of the
various loyalty boards. The boards will be
free to give any weight they may deem
desirable to the FBI findings. The report
will be considered in relation to all other
facts known about the employe in ques-
ton. Consideration will also be given to
the fact that the accused was not permitted
to croSs-examine accuser The en-
ploye will have the right of appeal to the
head of his department and to the Loyalty
Review Board
Thus it is apparent that the Government
Is taking pains to provide every reasonable
safeguard for individual rights, consistent
with due regard for it's own security.
The statement of principles issued by Mr..
Richardson shows that the Loyalty Review
Board is conscious of the great responsible
ties devolving upon it and is determined to
discharge them fairly and forthrightly.
The Star sees no threat to the liberties
guaranteed by the Constitution If the board
adheres to its stated principles The real
threat OF the program will be felt by those
who regard lightly or not at all the oath
Of loyalty required OF every civil servant.