Evening star., 1950-01-20
Hatch Act Shift
.ToAid Nearby
Areas Pushed
Conferees May Get
Senute-Pussed Bill
To Ease Poll Activity

More freedom to participate in
local elections would be given
Federal employees living in the
nearby Virginia and Maryland
areas under a measure being
worked out in Congress today.
The proposal was adopted by
the Senate by a voice vote late
yesterday as an amendment to
the Hatch Clean Politics. Act
While designed particularly for
Washington's nearby areas, ii
would allow Federal workers to
take an active part in party poll
tics in a town, county or other
political subdivision where 10 per
cent or more of the qualified
voters are employed by the Gov
ernment.
Such activity is now barred ex-
cept on an independent or nom
partisan basis under regulations
drawn up by the Civil Service
Commission.
House Measure Changed.
The provision for participation
in party politics in local elections
was added to a House passed
measure removing the mandatory
penalty, under the Hatch Act, for
dismissal of any Government
worker taking an active part in
party politics.
Unless the House accepts the
additions made by the Senate, a
conference committee of the two
branches will seek to work out a
compromise.
The measure was strongly sup
ported in the Senate debate by
Senators Tydings of Maryland
and Byrd and Robertson of Vir-
ginia, all Democrats.
Senators Byrd and Robertson
saw in it a step toward combating
a growing trend. toward non-
partisan elections already under
way in such places as Arlington.
Such a trend. Senator Robertson
emphasized. IS a serious threat to
the countrys tWo-party system.
The measure Immediately drew
the opposition of some of the lead
ers of the Arlington movement for
bipartisan local elections.
Harley Williams, chairman of
the Arlington Better Government
League. said. "It is not a suitable
substitute for non-partisan local
elections"
THE mass of Federal en-
ployes," he added, would only
gain a theoretical right and not
an actual right. Neutrality
and impartiality toward political
parties is necessary in a perma-
nent civil service if it is not to
be replaced by the spoils system
every time there is a change in
the national administration"
He said the number of Federal
employees in Arlington and "the
machine controlled, one party
domination" makes indispensable
the non-partisah election system.
Aid to Partisanship Seen.
Granting of a theoretical right
to be active in local party affairs, "
he continued, "at this time would
be merely aiding and abetting
those who want partisan local
elections in order to insure ma
chine rule"
Mr.. Williams said the Demo-
cratic organization in Virginia re-
quires party loyalty and that as
long as such binding of candidates
prevails there can be no real
separation of local, State and ma
tional party politics in Arlington" +"
"In order to run for local Office
as a party candidate in Arlington -
he concluded, "the Federal en-
ploye would have to violate the
general provisions of the Hatch
Act"
The Senate bill provides that If
the Civil Service Commission finds
by unanimous vote. after hear
ing. that a violation of the Hatch
Act was not willful a lesser penalty
than dismissal may be imposed
In no case, however. could the
penalty be less than suspension
for go days without pay.
While not wiping out the dis
missal penalty. it would allow
employees heretofore dismissed to
request reopening of their cases
The commission would be required
to file each month a report to
Congress on all cases in which il
had imposed a lesser penalty than
dismissal.
Another new provision would
permit two-year jail sentences and
a $4,000 fine for persons found
guilty of sending anonymous cam
naipn ma feria1 thro1IUh tho m lie