Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-18
Lyons Cautions
Postal Union
On Politics
BY JOSEPH YOUNG
Star Stan Correspondent

DAN GNAINO40OOs wv 10
A top administration official eau
toned Federal employe unions
today against getting involved
lin partisan political activities.
Assistant Postmaster Genera
Eugene Lyons, obviously referring
Ito the virtual official indorse-
ment given Adlai Stevenson BY
1.-THE National Postal Transport
Association convention here. tolo
1.-THE NPTA delegates:
II do not believe it is right OF
ethical to make a partisan polit-
ical forum of your convention.
The NPTA previously had
Unanimously adopted a resolu-
ton calling for a standing ova-
ton for Mr.. Stevenson, whose
message of greeting was read to
the convention, In contrast, the
delegates heard a message from
president Eisenhower in COM
Iparative silence.
Leader Challenges csc Ruling
The political atmosphere of
the convention Of the NPTA-
one of the big three" AFL-CIO
postal mploye unions - was
heightened yesterday by its
presidents challenge to a Civil
Service Commission ruling that
Federal employe leaders cannot
have pictures taken of political
candidates and have them pub
1liShed in newspapers.
NPTA President Paul Nagle
had his picture taken with Sem
ator Johnston, Democrat of
South Carolina, and San Fran
cisco papers published the pic
ture yesterday.
The NPTA also is seriously
considering indorsing those
members Of Congress from Cali
neutrality-suspicious. and Demo-
crats-who have been friendly
to the cause of Federal employee
Legislation.
Claims Union Right
No Federal employe union has
ever given official Endorsement
to political candidates. although
yesterday the convention heard
Guest Speaker William c. Do
herty. president of the powerful
National Association of Letter
Carriers, declare:
1--WE have the right to follow
the advice of Samuel Gompers
first president of the AFL) to
help elect our friends and defeat
our enemies"
Assistant Postmaster General
Lyons, in his speech to the
NPTA convention, departed from
his prepared talk to caution
Federal employe groups against
active partisan political activity.
Those who do so violate the
spirit of the very civil service
system that is your protection, "
Mr.. Lyons said.
In his speech. Mr.. Lyons also
challenged Democratic claims
that the retirement and other
beneficial Federal employee legis-
Ilation was enacted into law over
the objections Of President
Eisenhower and the Republicans.
Don't ever think for a mo-
lment that if President Eisen-
hover had been opposed to these
benefits. that Congress could
have overridden his objections
and that these benefits could
have become law" Mr.. Lyons
said. He also declared that POST
master General Summerfield
played a crucial role in lining
up the support of his friends in
Congress in behalf of the retire
ment bill.
Cites Department Policy
Mr.. Lyons also said the Post
Office Department. through new
instructions in the Postal
Manual, recognized employe
unions officially for the first
time.
The instructions to post
masters and postal officials
state: Local employee organiza-
ton representatives are elected.
and courtesies extended to them
are courtesies to the groups
which selected them. Con-
sultation with employee organiza-
tons concerning mutual pro-
blems is not only the sensible
course. but also the policy of the
Department"
Commenting on this new provi-
sion, Mr.. Lyons declared: If
that isn't official recognition, 1
don't understand the term. The
Executive Branch of the Govern
ment does not have the power to
negotiate wages and benefits
contracts with you, as is done
in private industry. Only Con-
greSS can do that"