European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 21, 1968, Darmstadt, Hesse                                By Elizabeth Wharton up staff writer tics As played in America i expensive game residential election years when i the White House but a larger of local and state officers Arete total political costs Are Esti it somewhere Between $225 Mil u $300  at stake Range from local jus of the peace through county Sher fan mayors state governors and state officials All members of the House of representatives and one third of the . Senate to the president him self. According to the citizens research foundation a nonprofit research organization in Princeton n.j., presidential year costs were approximately $140 Mil lion in 1952, $155 million in 1956, $175 million in 1960 and $200 million in 1964. But other political experts have criticized these figures As too Low since Little attention was paid to estimating costs at the local level where Candi dates occasionally will spend up to $20,000 campaigning for election to slowly office carrying an annual salary of $3,000. Even if the foundation estimates Are accepted this year is expected to Showa greater increase than previous years because of a jump in the Cost of living Index during the past four years in creasing dependence on expensive Tele vision and radio exposure and costly primary campaigns in the pre Conven lion months. Four years ago for instance there were Republican primary and pre convention expenses but no democratic costs because president Lyndon John son was assured of  1960, the situation had been re versed the democrats had expensive re convention primary campaigns but the republicans spent Little since then vice president Richard Nixon s Nomina Tion was  Nixon technically was unopposed in the primaries this Spring he campaigned widely. He is reported to have budgeted $5 million for his pre Campaign efforts and is estimated Mohave spent More than $3 million so far. The democratic race has Cost several times that amount not Only were  Kennedy and Eugene Mccarthy spending freely but vice president Hubert Humphrey reportedly has ear marked More than $3 million for his Delegate Hunts in the non primary Stales. If a figure Midway Between Low and High estimates for the total Campaign costs is chosen then the presidential race would represent approximately Fiot million of the approximately $275 million. A he conventions themselves Are costly. Four years ago the Republican convention in san Francisco Cost around $665,000. The democrats spent $2 Mil lion but their Delegate Choice formula meant a much larger attendance an they had the Security costs of guarding president Lyndon Johnson in Atlantic City which has Only a Small police Force of its  much is spent on the presidential election itself must be Only Guesswork since it is almost impossible to break Down. The National democratic and re publican committees have an election budget of course but it represents Only fraction of the total spent on the Campaign and even then is distributed be tween key state races and the presidential  addition a countless number of Campaign committees Are organized on Bot state and National Levels and their funds too Are used to promote both state and National  estimates Are that the top of the iceberg the presidential race exclusively from the first primary through election Day in november consumes Little More than one third of the total. Don t play Button Button with the Hatch act iday june 21, 1968 by Arnold Sawislak up staff writer More than three million rational free adult americans required Topay taxes and eligible to vote Are Tor Bidden by Law to seek or hold Public office As democrats or republicans. The Law passed in 1939 under the title an act to prevent pernicious political activities is known to the Federal state and local government employees whose partisan activity it restricts As the Hatch  Hatch act limits political activity by 2.9 million employees of the Federal government 35,000 District of Columbia workers and thousands of state local territorial and private Agency employees whose jobs Are financed by Federal fut he civil service commission which acts As the Hatch act watchdog won estimate How Many non Federal pm loves Are covered by the Law. But there is no doubt about what it permits Eneal the Law permits these pm no Oyez to Register vote and express Seir opinions on candidates and issues in Public or private. They May take Par fully in non partisan election campaigns and in Many cases May see Public office if there Are no partisan lines. Workers under the Hatch act also May join a partisan political Organiza Tion contribute funds and even display Campaign buttons and bumper stickers but not at the same time or place As they Are carrying out their government  Are flatly forbidden to solicit funds for partisan political causes or candidates to seek office under a party Label or to take Active part in a partisan Campaign. The last goes so far As to forbid backs Xii envelope stuffing Tor partisan candidates. Covered workers May take part voter registration drives but May not attempt to influence registration in one or the other party. They May work As election officials for the state or local government but not As poll watchers for political parties. They May drive members of their families to the polls but May not take part in election Day shuttles transporting others to vote. But the civil service commission says with a straight face that Mem Bers of a car Pool on the Way to government work May Stop Oft at the polls. There Are some exemptions. Wives and other relatives of covered workers Are free to engage in any partisan activities. So Are Federal depart the stars and stripes ment Heads and their assistants White House staff members and other policy making officials who Are appointed by the president and confirmed by the sen  the Law fully covers the District of Columbia s employees and Federal workers living in the capital including the new mayor although he is a presidential appointee some exceptions Are made for covered workers m the nearby Maryland and Virginia suburbs. These persons May take part in partisan elections but Only As Independent Candi Date or supporters. The Hatch act provides penalties ranging from a 30-Day suspension to Dis charge. Other Laws such As the corrupt practices act forbid such acts As seek ing giving or receiving political contributions among Federal  Laws carry criminal penalties including fines imprisonment or both. State and local employees whose Prin Cipal employment is financed in part or wholly by Federal funds such As fed eral state employment service workers and some Highway officials Are Cov ered. So Are employees of private local Community action agencies carrying out Antipoverty projects with Federal fun s. These employees were Addun to Gnu age very recently. Page 11