Evening star., 1948-04-13
us. WorkerBan
.|nAr|ingtonVote.
Laid 10 Party
Democrats Accused Of
Using Procedure That
Violates Hatch Act

CQCl al WOIhClC WAL NC bdAA GU
from voting for delegates to the
Democratic State Convention at the
Arlington party convention July l
because OF action taken by the
county Democratic Committee, it
was charged today.
Arthur F. Souther, chairman OF
the Americanism Committee of the
Virginia State Society, Sons of the
American Revolution, said the pro-
cedure selected for naming the IS
State delegates prohibits members
of the party, who work for the Gov
ernment. from participating.
This was denied, however, by
Chairman c. Harrison Mann Of the
Arlington County Democratic Com
mittee. The Hatch Act has placed
certain limitations on political ac-
tivities over which county party
leaders have nof control, he con-
tended.
S. Fee Violates Act.
Mr.. Souther said that by requiring
delegates" to the county convention
to file IS fee. the county committee
has brought the matter within the
scope Of the Hatch Act which pro-
hibits Federal employees from attend
ing any political convention as del
egates or alternates.
c. H. Barnes, counsel for the
Hatch Act Division of the Civil
Service Commission, said Federal
employees would be prohibited from
participation in the convention, re-
gardless of whether they were iden-
titled as delegate, participant" or
any other title. They could only
participate, he said, in an open mass
meeting in which they would vote
as an individual, he said.
The Arlington convention is not
an open mass meeting" inasmuch
as candidates who file must pass GER
tain qualifications established by
the County Democratic Executive
Committee.
Telegram Unanswered.
"The State convention" Mr.. Mann
said, will be held this year before
the Democratic primary in August.
Last year we were able to elect dele
gates to the State convention to
nominate a Senator because the
primary came before the convention.
1t is obviously impossible to elect
delegates to the June 2 State con-
vention when our primary does not
come until August"
Mr.. Souther said he has not re-
ceived a reply from Mayor. Horace
Edwards of Richmond, chairman of
the State Central Committee, to a
telegram asking by what authority
the county convention is requiring a
S. filing fee.
Mr., Mann declared that the fee is
customary and that it has nothing
to do with the application of the
Hatch Act.
y Must Support Convention.
With Indications that the State
convention will support Gov. Tuck
and the recent General Assembly in
lining up a program to defeat the
denomination of President Truman,
Mr.. Souther charged that the dele
gates from Arlington will be bound
to support that movement. This is
because county delegates will be re-
quired to sign a pledge to support
the action taken by the State con-
vention."
This is pure speculation on Mr..
Souther's part" Mr.. Mann said. 1T
is true that delegates will be bound
to support the action of the conven-
ton, just as Democratic primary
candidates are required to- support
the party nominees for the ensuing
election. 1t is conceivable, however,
that more delegates who support
President Truman could attend the
State convention than those who
oppose him. Therefore Mr.. Souther
is attempting to predict the outcome
of that convention"
Candidates for the county con-
vention may file with Mr.. Mann
prior to 6 pm. next Tuesday.