Evening star., 1954-12-08
Arlington Federation
Refers Hatch Act
Issue 10 40 Units

e~@WAS ~ ~ ~ssss~
Suggested changes in the |
Federal Hatch Act to permit |
Government workers to partici- |
pate locally In partisan politics |
and hold community Offices un-
der. party labels will be sub |
mitted to 40 Arlington civic
groups for approval.
The Arlington Civic Federation |
declined to take immediate ac-
ton on the proposal last night |
after Malcolm D. Miller, chair |
man Of the Legislation and
Legal Action Committee, de-
clared:
1--WE doubt whether the Vir-
ginia General Assembly will ever
pass any law to permit Federal
employees to hold local Office un-
less they could do so as Demo-
Gratis"
Repeated efforts to repeal
sections of the State law SO that |
Government workers may hold
strictly local Offices have failed. |
Mr.. Miller said that one trouble
is that the Hatch Act prohibits
Federal employees from being
elected as party candidates.
Amendments Offered.
'It has been suggested to me
by our legislators" he said. that
the General Assembly would
view more favorably a bill such
as failed to pass the last time
If the Offices could be filled by
Democrats" .
His committee offered specific
amendments to the Hatch Act
to permit classified civil service
workers to engage in partisan
activity and be elected to Office
on a party label and to prohibit
discrimination against the en-
ployes for this type of activity.
Leroy F. Deming of Fort Myer
Heights Citizens Association,
however, said there are too many
Federal workers in Arlington to
pass the resolution hastily and
successfully offered an amend
ment to refer the plan to the
civic groups. Mr.. Miller did not
oppose this.
Mr.. Miller's committee failed
to make recommendations on
complaints of election practices
reported at the last meeting.
Some said poll watchers were
prohibited from witnessing the
counting of ballots in some pre-
cincts. Mr.. Miller said that in
such cases. election officials were
wrong but the law already pro-
vides for official observers Of
ballot counting.
Road Report Offered.
Also referred to constituent
organizations was a report by
Howard Cannon, chairman Of
the Highways Committee, detail
ing the status of road construc-
ton plans during the next year.
The Federation already has
indorsed the County Highway
Departments request to the State.
for an ALLEGATION to widen Glebe
road from North Washington
boulevard to Old Dominion drive.
Some feel, however. that WIDEN
Ing of Lee highway from
Cherrydale to G1ebe road de-
serves a higher priority. Mr..
Cannon said.
In recommending that mem
ber groups make their position
known so that the Federation
may act accordingly by the
February meeting, Mr.. Gammon's
committee raised six questions
for individual associations to
study.
Harmony Sought.
Mrs. Shirley Wheeler. Local
Government Committee chair
man, presented a report which
sought to arrive at a meeting of
minds between civic groups and
business interests in the county.
At her request the Federation
referred to the Revenues and
Expenditures Committee two
recommendations: That the
committee study the. feasibility
of exempting new businesses
from the county's business and
professional tax for two years.,
In an effort to stimulate COM
mercial growth. and that every
effort be made to find additional
sources of revenue not already
taxed.
1--WE all recognize" Mrs.
Wheeler reported. that a wide.
unbridged chasm exists between
those of our citizens who are
salaried and work outside Of
Arlington and those who engage
in business in Arlington Coun-
ty." She pleaded for mutual
understanding on both sides.
Mrs. Laura Hutchins, School
Committee, chairman, recon-
mended that additional study
be given plans to locate a
Northern Virginia University
Center of the University Of Vir-
ginia permanently in Arlington.
She said adjoining jurisdictions
of Fairfax, Alexandria and
Falls Church already are bidding
for the center, now located in
High School with an enrolment
of 1900.