Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-06-20

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elections for local governing
bodies.
There IA no such thing as
q Democrats sidewalk or a
Republican storm sewer" she
said. Local ofiicials should be
chosen on the basis Of their
qualifications and views on To-
cal issues. not their national
party label"
"Two-slded Coin"
Mrs. Cox. whose husband,
Robert Cox. was one OF three
nonpartisan County Board
members ousted by court or
der In 1881 because they were
Federal employees. said In her
statement:
The ban on partisan polit-
ical activities Il q two-sided
coin. True. Il does limit the
Federal employee political
freedom. but IL also protects
him against overt or subtle
pressures 10 participate-and
discrimination II he refuses to
do so-or does 90 for the
wrong side"
Mrs. Cox went on 10 say
that: Even now many Federal
employees are reluctant 10 take
sides In controversial local po-
litical issues. Add national
party labels and you reduce the
number who viii take part to
the vanishing point"
Similar Viewpoint
A similar viewpoint was to
be presented TO the subcom-
mittee, by Rutherford Day,
ABC's other co-chairman.
Joseph H. Freehill. q Demo-
cratic primary candidate In the
nearby Virginia congressional
race. was to testify In. favor
of allowing Federal workers to
take part In local political
affairs.
Such q revision in the Hatch
Act. he said, might require
strengthening Of the merit
system TO give greater protec-
ton to the employees whose
political philosophy may differ
from the political party In
power.
Mr.. Freehill. who is o mem
Der Of the Fairfax Board Of
County Supervisors. said the
changes could be made without
impairing the impartial adj
ministration Of the Govern
ment or Of the Federal en-
ployes proper discharge Of their
Government duties.
Favors Easing Law
Arlington Delegate william
L. Winston. In Q prepared
statement, also backed relax
ing the provisions to allow the
employees fun participation in
local politics. In its present
form. he said. the Hatch Act
discriminates against both the
Federal employe and the major
political parties "in favor Of
the collapsible and often ire
sponsible splinter groups :"
After yesterdays hearing In
Hyattsville committee members
expressed concern over some Of
the executive interpretations Of
the act which have tended TO
make some Government EN-
ployes even fear appearing for
testimony on the matter.
Six other speakers backed a
revision Of the Hatch Act. They
were Arlington Delegate Har-
rison Mann, Augustus johnson,
Fairfax County Democratic
Executive Committee chair
man: David Donaldson, Arling-
ton Young Republican Club
chairman: Ray Cromley, 10th
district Republican Committee
chairman; Douglas Hunt, vice
chairman, Alexandria Demo-
cratic Executive Committee,
and Marshall Beverley, former
Mayor Of Alexandria.
Mr.. Beverley, citing light
voter turnout at municipal
elections in Alexandria, said
that Federal employees in the
city consider the Hatch Act
provisions to constitute o gag
rule"
Only one other speaker tes-
titled in favor Of retaining the
present Hatch Act regulations.
He was Karl o. Spices. ST., Of
Arlington, who is q Government
worker.
All of the Republicans who
spoke backed the idea Of O poll
to obtain the opinions on the
matter Of the Federal workers
living in the suburbs.
The hearings by the subcom-
mittee are an outgrowth Of a
resolution introduced by Rep
resentative Landlord, Democrat
Of Maryland. urging that q
commission be designated to
study the Hatch Act.