Trainman News

Senate Group
Report Shows
Ethics Laxity

WASHINGTON -- Some congressmen and federal officials haven't followed "decent standards of conduct" in office.

But, in general, "ethical standards of public officials probably are higher than those prevailing in business and other walks of life."

Such is the conclusion drawn by a Senate Labor subcommittee checking into ethical standards in government.

And where does blame rest for "influence peddling?"

Right with the public as well as government officials, declares the subcommittee headed by Sen. Paul H. Douglas (D-Ill).

Last July, President Kennedy replied to a query sent out by Senator Douglas for his views on the issue of raising ethics in the federal government and endorsed a congressional proposal to establish a Commission on Ethics in the federal government.

"People seriously interested in the affairs of government object to the House and Senate permitting its members to sit who have been convicted of crimes involving their offices," Mr. Kennedy said.

"They also look askance at the incomes of some of the members. They object to excessive employment of relatives--and condemn members who abuse their privileges of immunity by unfairly attacking the characters of citizens who have no defense or recourse against such attacks," the BRT chieftain added.

President Kennedy also was especially critical of the employment of "so-called dollar-a-year" men to direct and administer important departments of government while remaining on the payrolls of individual corporations.

The subcommittee's report said that "It is clear that influence peddling is so widely believed to exist that even the most professional practice of bona fide law firms in Washington tends to be tinged with the influence idea. It (the influence) may be imaginary, but it helps to encourage clients."

It pointed out, however, that "no group in society is in a position to point the finger of scorn at others. Gifts, improper pressure and bribes come from outside the government, from individuals, from organizations and from groups which are part of what we call the 'public'."

The report also takes Congress to task for being "unduly complacent" about moral matters.

"Neither house has been particularly diligent in searching out and punishing questionable conduct on the part of its members," it declared.

The following corrective steps are urged by the committee:

•A law (President Truman already has asked for this) requiring all members of Congress and high-paid government officials to disclose publicly all their income.

Stiffer bribery and graft penalties, and tougher laws restricting personal business dealings of federal officials with the government.

•A law to permit firing of government employees who make personal profit from their jobs, accept valuable gifts from persons doing business with the government, divulge confidential economic information or become "unduly involved" in "extensive social engagements" with outsiders doing business with the government.

•A 16-member commission to make a two-year study of conduct and standards in government.