Evening star., 1961-04-27
MESSAGE
Kennedy DepIores
N Station Deals

tine claim for a tax refund, but
it would be permissible for a
cabinet officer to seek to in
fluence an independent agency
to award a license for a valu-
able TV station to a business
associate in a venture where
he shared the profits"
The proposed Employees
Standards Act would apply
uniform penalties of $4,000
fine or a year in prison or both
for violations of the criminal
provisions. In addition the
proposed law would give agency
heads added authority for TAX
ing disciplinary action in deal
ing with violations.
| Asks Agency Codes
| Because of the independent
nature of regulatory agencies
the President proposed that
the problem of back-door con-
facts and other types of using
influence would be reached by
having each agency establish
codes Of behavior.
He asked Congress to enact
legislation requiring each
agency, within 100 days. to
establish such codes. When
they were approved by Con-
gress, the President said, they
will have the force of law, and
be subject to appropriate sane
tions."
White House officials are un-
derstood to consider that this
proposal, if enacted, would
apply also to members OF
Congress.
The proposed law would also
repeal all. exemptions for Off
cials who are working or might
seek to work for the Govern
ment without compensation.
Would Bar Gifts
Under executive orders, in
addition to regulating the con-
duct of presidential appointees
Mr.. Kennedy proposed to:
| /. Prohibit gifts to Govern
ment employees which would
appear to affect official action
Where it was impossible OF
inappropriate to refuse, a gift
would be turned over to public
or charitable institutions.
2. Prohibit employees from
using information not available
to the public for private gain
such as stock market specula-
ton.
3. Prohibit officials or en-
ployes from using their position
to obtain anything of economic
value"
4. Ban outside employment
deemed incompatible with Gov
eminent work.
! S. Prohibit presidential ap-
pointees from engaging in out
side activities of any sort I'm
compatible with the proper
discharge Of official duties" in
Guiding a ban on writing and
lecturing for pay.
s. Apply government = wide
standards on officials continu-
ing to hold property and stock
These standards, the President
said, will apply to persons re-
quiring as well as not requiring
Senate confirmation.
Notes Senate Action
In regard to officials divest-
ing themselves of stocks and
property before taking office,
the President noted that the
Senate had taken the lead in
insuring that there were nc
conflicts Of interest.
The administrators pro.
posal, it was understood, woulC
make it possible, subject to de-
partmental and agency regula'
tions. to allow appointees tc
share in pension, health, profit
sharing and stock bonus pro-
grams which they had earned
in their work in private bust
ness.
Mr.. Kennedy said that ir
! maintaining high ethical stand
ards in Government "the grav'
est responsibility Of all rest
upon the office of President,
: and added:
mo President can excuse O.
} pardon the slightest deviation
: from irreproachable standard
: Of behavior on the part Of an,
member of the executive
branch. For his firmness ant
: determination is the ultimat
=: source Of public confidence il
the Government of the Unite,
9 States. And there is no con
sideration that can justify tn
0 undermining of that conf
= dence."