Evening star., 1951-10-22
Who Steals the Common

That morality in government is an ancient
problem is attested by the old English quatrain
quoted by Senator Douglas and his colleagues
in their report on ethical standards in the
Federal Government. The verse laments:
The laU locks up both man and tDomdn
Who steals the goose from of the common.
But lets the greater telon loose
Who steals the common from the goose.
Then, as now the little fellows knew they
were running the risk of Imprisonment if they
violated law. no matter how trivial the offense.
Then, as now, the big fellows who knew the
ropes, who knew how to evade the law or to avoid
punishment, we're likely to get away with even
major wrongs against the people Stealing the
common was not necessarily breach of the law
although it was an offense against morality.
It is offenses against morality with which
Senator Douglas committee primarily was con-
cerned. The concern is shared by many citizens
who have been shocked by the continuing series
of disclosures by congressional groups inquiring
into tax-colection scandals, RFC influence"
Federal job selling in Mississippi five-percenters
and acceptance of gifts and other favors by
higher-ups in the Government. Some of the
wrongdoingS apparently have come within the
scope of the criminal laws and prosecutions are
under way in number of cases. The perjury
laws have been invoked in certain instances But
most OF the offenses violated ethics rather than
laws
The Douglas committee would meet this prob
lem by setting up an official code of ethics for
Federal employees, violation of which would sub
ject them to summary dismissal Disclosure
by members of Congress, by Federal officials
earning $4,000 or more and by officers of
national political committees of all sources of
income also was recommended. And the creation
Tny,aYn 30
whole problem and make further recommended
tions to Congress was another proposal The
specific unethical acts which would lead to dis
miSSal would range from accepting gifts or other
favors from any person or firm doing business
with the Government to becoming unduly in
volved, for example through frequent luncheons
dinners parties or other expensive social en-
gagements with persons outside the Government
with whom they Federal employes) do official
business"
The recommendations came too late in the
session for Congress to give proper attention to
them. The report constitutes an excellent lecture
on governmental morality or the lack thereof.
There is much to be said, however, for the "addi-
tional views" of Senator Aiken, whe signed the
main report. While agreeing "in general" with
his colleagues on the gravity of the problem and
the need for raising the ethical standards of the
Government Senator Aiken expressed doubt that
the creation of commission or the adoption of
a code of ethics would automatically result in
the elimination of corruption and debasement
from the Government" He added: Laws alone
will never improve the ethical and moral stand
ards in the Government: only clear sense of
the honor and duty imposed on those who hold
the trust of public service can accomplish that
end" AS Senator Aiken further said, the people
have an effective weapon against corruption in
government if they choose to use 1.-THE ballot.
It is weapon more powerful against unfaithful
public servants than any laws or any commission
on ethics could possibly be.