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Show Congressmen Keep Many Relatives On Government Payroll Three of Utah Congressional Delegation Employ Members of Their Families Despite De-spite State Anti-Nepotism Laws. )!y K.lv.MOXn CLAFFER rnitcil Press Staff Correspondent (CopyiiRht 1932 by United Press) WASHINGTON, May 7 (U.R) Congressmen may be accused ac-cused by some of being easily frightened, but they can display dis-play a good deal ol stamina when it comes to clinging to the family payroll racket. The case of Rep. Manlove, Repn., Mo., has attracted much attention in his district. Through two campaigns he has been criticized for employing his wife as a clerk, but despite de-spite this she remains on the house payroll at $291 a month. 1 sential in a congressman's office. He must let his secretary handle much of the correspondence with his district. The story is told of a disloyal secretary who trapped a southern congressman by writing a letter which the congressman signed without reading. The letter was sent to a negro of the district inviting in-viting him to visit the representative's representa-tive's home and have dinner on his next trip to Washington. Publication Publica-tion of this letter resulted in defeat de-feat of the congressman in the next election. Claims 11 rwwii. "This is a matter that has been thoroughly discussed in my district in two campaigns when my opponents oppon-ents published it." Manlove told the United Press. "There is practically nobody in my district, however, who does not understand the situation. situa-tion. "Mrs. Manlove is a very highly educated woman and has always helped me. I am permitted only two clerks and there have been times when it was necessary for me to use from three to seven or eight clerks. I will spend the equivalent of Mrs. Manlove's salary on the average of extra clerks. In some years I spend more." Many members continue the employment em-ployment of wives, children, inlaws, in-laws, or political workers despite state laws against nepotism. A congressman is regarded as a federal fed-eral officer so that legally he is under no compulsion to observe state laws in this respect. Senator Smoot Has None For instance,- Utah enacted a law a year ago against employment of ; relatives by state officials. Yet three of the four members of the Utah delegation continue to employ relatives on the congressional payroll. pay-roll. Senator Reed Smoot, who formerly had at least two members of his family on the payroll, claims lo have none now-One now-One reason advanced by those who insist on employing relatives is that unquestioned loyalty, is es- |