Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-04
May Ask Code for All

Later, the chairman said, the
subcommittee may decide to
recommend a code of ethics to
apply to all Federal regulatory
agencies. instead of Just requir-
ing the FEC to adopt its own
code.
The subcommittee adopted
the report last night without
q dissenting vote. Mr.. Harris
said.
He indicated the Securities
and Exchange Commission and
the Federal Power Commission
are under investigation by the
staff now.
About the biggest change
made in the draft report was
substitution of highly i'm
proper" for "veritably astound-
ing" in describing conduct of
some FEC commissioners. Mr..
Harris explained the subcom-
mittee thought the original
phrase might be excessive"
Pattern Of Conduct
Under the heading Conduct
of FEC Commissioners" the
report charges:
lover the years a pattern
has developed of questionable |
conduct on the part of some |
members of the commission |
and on the part of some in
dustry organizations and men,
bers of industry who are SUBJ |
ject to commission regulation.
THE questionable propriety
Of some of this. conduct ;. has
seriously undermined public
confidence" in the FEC.
Celebrating, the subcommit-
tee scolds broadcasters for Civ
ing and the FEC for accepting |
excessive entertainment"
Some industry representa-
tives, the report states, "blacken
the names" of FEC commits
sioners through the "unsavory
practice" of falsely charging
expenses as entertainment for
commissioners.
Excess Fraternizati0n"
In the field of loans and gifts
10 commissioners, the subcom-
mittee accuses some FEC mem
bers Of excessive fraterniza-
ton" with the industry they |
regulate, and comments:
Certain conduct of some of
the commissioners in this re-
gard indicates that they were
insensitive to the requirements
of their high Office"
While a code Of ethics may
help a little. the report de-
clares, the real answer is that
commissioners must resolve
any question of doubt in favor
Of avoiding even any appear
ance of misconduct"
Want Less Travelling
The subcommittee in effect
tells the FEC members to spend
more time at their desks solv-
ing hroadcasting problems. and
less time travelling to conven-
lions and similar functions.
When travel to industry gath
erings is necessary. the report
urges, "such attendance should
be at Government expense"
Improper" pressures like
those in the Channel 10 case
cannot be tolerated" the sub
committee declares. 1t promised
to recommend legislation to
speed up decisions and thus
limit opportunities for such
pressure.
Future work, the subcommit-
tee states, will aim at strength
ening the true independence
of these agencies from the Ex-
ecutive branch" Study in this
field will cover such questions
as methods for selecting COM
mission chairmen, chairmen's
powers. the Budget Bureaus
powers and commissioners
terms of Office and salaries.
The subcommittee indicates
1t may propose stripping the
President Of power to appoint
chairmen. substituting annual
rotation.
Would Close LOophOle
Explaining its proposal to bar
acceptance Of honorariums. the
subcommittee states that COM
missioners would appear to
stretch the original intent con-
siderably" by taking fees for
speeches at "semi-social or
promotional industry gather
ings."
The recommended ban on
eX parte, or one-sided. con.