Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-06-19


be changed.
Walter p. MuIllgan. retire.
Of Prince Georges County
Civic Federation. asserted he
wouldn't change q comma.
for II Is the greatest protection
the Government worker has
and q change would mean q
return to the spells system. !"
Urge CIassiiicatIons
Another retired employe,
Frederick w. Cast. called for
clearer provisions In the act
as did Norman Lawrence.
president OF the County Coun-
ell Of Parent Teacher associa-
tons.
"As IL Is now. Federal en-
lployes are 50 conscious Of the
Hatch Act IN general and so
uncertain Of where the line
between permitted and for
hidden activity actually Is
drawn. that most are intimi-
dated into not awaiting them
selves Of some political rights
which the law does permit"
said Mr.. Lawrence, who is q
Federal employe.
II propose that the act be
revised TO permit Federal en-
ployes to participate In BIZ
partisan political organiza-
tons and in political matters
generally to the same extent
as do other citizens but that
there be the most stringent
sanctions against attempts to
influence or coerce other Fed
erai employees politically or to
make political considerations
factors affecting Federal en-
ployment."
DR.. william B. Prendergast.
one-time Republican nominee
for the fifth district congress
sional seat. advocated that
Federal workers be allowed to
engage in political campaigns
as unpaid rank-and = file
workers. However, he did not
feel that they should be per-
mite dto be candidates for Of
fee or to become campaign
managers or publicity direc-
tors.
virtually all Of the witnesses
advocated elimination Of the
restrictions which the act inn
poses on certain State and To-
cal employees part Of whose pay
may come from the Federal
Government.
Backs Local Activities
DR.. Prendergast. taking note
Of the heavy Federal employee
population in. nearby areas.
felt that some provision should
be made to allow those persons
to serve In local ofhces pro-
vided the duties do not conflict
with their duties for the ma
tional government.
David Sculi, chairman Of
Montgomery county's commit
tee Of the Republican State
Control Committee, said that
the Hatch Act restrictions dis.
couraged voting in this county.
Richard H. Speidel. Demo-
cratic precinct chairman in
Montgomery and q recent
candidate for his party's
nomination in Maryland's sixth
district said that there was a
great need for participation by
Government workers in local
politics and civic affairs.
Albert A. Rapport of West
HyattSville, an attorney, said
that the Hatch Act should be
Matched itself into q new en-
vironment and be adapted to
present day needs and wants"
This was much the same posi-.
ton as that Of DR.. r. s. Mar
vim, president Of Montgomery's
civic federation.
Rights" Interference
Witnesses called one provi-
sion of the Hatch Act which
restricts political activities of
State and municipal employees
an Outrageous Intervention of
States rights"
They asked the subcommit-
tee. which began hearings in
Hyattsville. Md, to bring about
repeal of the provision, which
affects local jobs that are A.
nanced in part by Federal
grants.
State Delegate Blair Lee III
Iof Montgomery County said
that the provision made it
impossible for affected en-
lployes to participate in politi-
Ical affairs.
He explained that the pro-
vision came about as a result
Of the distribution Of relief
funds to local governmental
units.
Calls for Repeal
Eat that time the provision
no doubt was q good thing. but
that time certainly has passed
and the section should be re-
pealed in my opinion. Mr.. Lee
said.
Another witness, State Sen
. ator H. Winship Wheatley. jr.
of Prince Georges County, also
strongly advocated repeal Of
the section. He called It 8
blackjack" held by the Fedora