The Oregon state employee., June 01, 1944, Page 28, Image 28

26
Federal Laws and Association Activities
used by the employe, constitutes the viola­
tion.”
H A TCH ACT INTERPRETATION
In a discussion of the Hatch Act
published in the April 1944 issue of
the Journal of State and Local Govern­
ment Employees, Colonel A. E. Carey,
expert counsel on labor legislation, ex­
presses the following opinion:
“Activity concerning constitutional amend­
ments, referenda, municipal ordinances and
similar questions are not considered political.
Presumably activity in behalf of State or
local candidates running on a non-partisan
ticket, that is, without political labeling,
would not be considered to be subject to the
act. The effect of the restrictions is limited
to activity on behalf of candidates and nom­
inees of political parties which were recog­
nized as such in the last preceding presi­
dential election.”
ASSOCIATION OBJECTIVES
Consider now the objects and pro­
grams of the Oregon State Employees
Association in the light of the above
interpretation of the Federal laws.
The objects of the Oregon State As­
sociation as expressed in its constitu­
tion are as follows:
1. To foster and preserve in the hearts of
its members a constant dedication to the
principles of constitutional democracy, as
reflected by the American form of govern­
ment.
2. To encourage among State employees a
sense of civic responsibility.
3. To maintain high standards of em­
ployee conduct on governmental affairs.
4. To disseminate a knowledge of depart­
mental activities among State employees to
the end that cooperation, efficiency, and
harmony may prevail.
J. To unite the employees of the State of
Oregon for the purpose of exerting an effec­
tive influence with respect to matters con­
cerning employees which are compatible with
the best interests of State government.
6. To advocate and support a merit sys­
tem of civil service in state government.
7. To urge and support the effective ad­
ministration of the laws of the State of
Oregon.
8. To cooperate with other organizations
in the civic development and the economic
growth of the State of Oregon, and to pro­
mote the substantial progress and develop­
ment of the State and its resources.
9. In so far as action by this Association
is compatible with the best interest of the
people of the State of Oregon, to sponsor
and support legislation beneficial to State
employees, and to oppose legislation detri­
mental to their interests, and to promote
and protect the welfare of the membership
of the Association.
The constitution provides further
limitations in Article IX, Sections One
and Two as follows:
Section 1. The State Association shall be
strictly non-political. The General Council,
board of directors, chapters, committees,
agencies, officers, or members shall take no
action which is incompatible with the ob­
jects of the State Association.
Section 2. A vote shall not be taken or
sanctioned by the General Council, board of
directors, chapters, committees, or agencies
thereof which relates to the political advance­
ment of any individual or group of individ­
uals.
The Oregon State Employees Asso­
ciation is now by official action of the
General Council pledged to support a
state-wide merit system of civil ser­
vice and a state-wide retirement plan.
Activities in behalf of this legislative
program in the light of the above in­
terpretations of the Hatch Act are
non-political and non-partisan and
therefore not within the scope of the
act.
SMITH CONNALLY BILL
Smith Connally Bill—The War La­
bor Disputes Act (Smith Connally Bill,
Senate Bill 7 9 6 ), which was vetoed by
the President and passed over his veto,
provides in Section 9 for the amendment
of the Federal Corrupt Practices Act
of 1925, Section 313, so that the sec­
tion now reads:
“It is unlawful for any------ labor organ­
ization to make a contribution in connection
with any election at which Presidential and
Vice Presidential electors or senators or re­
presentatives—are to be voted for, or for
any candidate, political committee, or other
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