Evening star., 1949-06-08
Citizens Oppose
Current Plan 10
ModifyHatchAct
Arlington Federation
Urges Other Steps
To LiberuIize Low

/ BY close vote, the Arlington
Civic Federation last night went
on record against a proposed
Senate committee amendment to
the Hatch Act which would per-
NIT Government employees in
nearby areas to participate ac-
lively in local partisan politics.
/ The amendment. recommended
by the Stennis subcommittee and
approved by the Senate Rules
Committee, would sharply modify
the Hatch Act, allowing Federal
employees full political freedom in
local contests providing that as
a group they constitute at least
10 per cent of their community.
The federation. however, adopted
a second resolution suggesting
another way of liberalizing the
Hatch Act.
The federation vote, opposing
the present plan, which came
after more than 80 minutes of
discussion and involved parlia-
mentary procedures. was 1927.
The vote was taken on a motion
by Harley Williams. chairman of
the Local Government Committee.
Cites Party Oath Rules.
! Mr.. Williams contended that
because of party oath require
ments, the mass of Federal en-
ployes would only gain a theoreti-
cal right and not an actual right"
by the amendment.
This empty political theoretical
right would be used as a justifi-
cation for the continued blocking
of efforts to obtain a better sys-
tenn of non-partisan local elec-
tions," Mr.. Williams declared.
Prohibitions against partisan
political activity by Federal en-
ployes are merely recognition that
active participation in party af-
fairs would constitute a threat to
the security of career employees
and thereby decrease the efficiency
of the Federal Government" he
added.
Democratic Leader Replies.
Harrison Mann. Arlington
Democratic chairman, a delegate
to the federation, declared that
Mr.. Williams apparently knows
more about my business than I
do myself"
Hes wrong from the beginning
Of his assumption to the end" the
Democratic leader asserted.
Previously Mr.. Mann had stated
that the party oath which candi-
dates must take may be amended
so that the candidate is pledged
only to support nominees in local
elections. Mr.. Williams contends
that changing the oath takes &C
ton by the State organization.
Supporters of the Stennes
amendment contend that the av-
erage voter is not affected by po-
litical oath requirements. and that
the proposed liberalization of the
Hatch Act would permit wider
participation than now is possible.
A voter in the party primary, if
his vote is challenged, however,
might be required to subscribe to
the regular party oath. If this
happens to a Federal employe, he
would not be able to vote. Demo-
cratic sources. point out, how
ever, that there have been very
few challenges in the past.
New Resolution Adopted.
After taking a stand on the
suggested amendment the fed
Grafton adopted another resolu-
tion asking legislation liberalizing
the Hatch Act and permitting
participation by Federal workers
in local. partisan politics provid-
ing the political parties made GER
tain concessions.
These, under a resolution Of
fered by Malcolm D. Miller. would
be that Federal workers be per-
mitted to serve on the executive
committees Of political parties
and not be required to take a
party oath binding them to sup
port other than party nominees
to local offices. Local Offices was
defined as those on which only
residents of the political subdivi-