THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO KNOW---RELEASE OF GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL INFORMATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75-00149R000200830007-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: November 11, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 22, 1999
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: September 27, 1965
• Content Type: OPEN

The Public's Right To Know-Release of, Macy said In, an interview that his Com- attention of the public, Information about
mission 1s studyilig whether there is need for the Commission and It.,, work which in of
Government Personnel Information .., a Government-wide policy on making basin public interest. It is also the Commission's
Information about Federal employees avail- policy to give clear, complete, accurate, and
EXTENSION' OF REMARKS able when in the public interest. prompt replies to inquiries about It and Its
Aside from matters aiiecting 'national se- Work,
or
1n.. Crp~ curity, the Chairman said he personally be- ? All Commission employees have a respon-
HON. DONALD M. PRASER lieves the public is entitled to know the sibility to assist In the task of keeping tho
names, salaries, job. titles, and addresses of public Informed. rccauso of their official
os MarNESOTA Federal employees. connection with the Commission they can
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES . Macy said the Commission study was trig- expect to be considered as sources of infor-
Monday, 1965 gored by the controversy in which Post- motion about the Commission and Its work'
Monday, September 27, master General John Gronousld refused to by other members of the public. This
Mr. FRASER. Mr. Speaker, in recent give Congressmen or news media the names places them In a good position, both on
lnonths the Post Office Depa:'ialent hasof youths hired under the President's Youth and off the job, to help the public under-
been in the news because of its. unwill- Opportunity summer hiring campaign. stand better the purposes, functions, and
The names were requested after the Min- activities of the Commission.
ingress to reveal the names of those who neapolis Tribune disclosed that at least 3,380 It is very important, of course, that the
were given temporary summer jobs. postal jobs were distributed as congressional information which is conveyed to the pub.
Although the Postmaster General has patronage, Including some to Congresmen's lie be accurate and reliable. It Is also im-
now authorized. the release of these sons. The President and Civil Service Com- portant that Information and materials
names, the question remains unan- mission had ordered that the jobs go to developed and used by the Commission in,
needy youths selected through the employ- the conduct of its business not be used by
swered: 'What Is the right of a Govern- ment service. its employees or others for personal gain'
ment agency to withhold the names of After considerable criticism, the Postmas- or other. Improper p
those who work for that agency?" Na- ; ter General now has made the names avail- tant to ,the security uofsour Nation mthat?
tional security requirements justify a able through local postmasters, but he still classified defense Information be protected
restriction on the release of this infor- upholds the Department regulation prohibit. from misuse and unauthorized disclosure.
mation by agencies such as the CIA,.ing disclosure of names of postal cmployees..,To insure that these purposes are accom
NSA, and perhaps a few others. Macy emphasized ho has not studied the plashed. Commission employees ' are re-
John Macy, Chairman of the Civil , reasons for the postal secrecy regulation and quired to follow certain guides and in.
does Commission, has called attention does not want to criticize it without learning' structions which pertain to the use, dig-
o" what grounds It is being justified, cussion, and disclosure of Information'
to the, commission guidelines on release nut In his personal view, Macy said the, about the Commission's work.
of personnel Information. These guide- postal regulation-at face value-is not in RELEASE Or PERSONNEL INFORMATION
lines 'state a policy that strikes a rea- accord with Civil Service information guide All inquiries from outside the Commission
sonable balance between the public's lines in which he believes. should be referred to the Personnel Division
right to know and protection of em= These guidelines generally require that- , in the Central Office or to the official res on-
in nonsecurity matters-news media and p
pl0yees from commercial exploitation. Congress are entitled to know who works for sable for personnel activities in a r object of
Mr. Speaker, in my 12 years of public the Federal Government. The ? guidelines lice. The following guidelines, subject to: service I have always supported those discourage release of employee lists to com-c any applicable restrictions sot forth in chap-1
policies which affirm the public's right mercial firms or others desiring to use them. ter E7.03 of the Organization and Policy
to know. I believe that Government is for commercial or political solicitations, , Manual, will be observed In releasing infor-
the business of the people, and that Gov- The Commission guidelines are only ad- mation.
ernment carries a very heavy burden of 'visory and not binding on other agencies. CREDIT INQUIRY
Macy said the purpose of his study is to With the following restrictions, personnel
proof if it seeks to justify a denial of, see whether these guidelines are .adequate information may be furnished upon request
Information to the public. today, and whether they should be made ? to reputable business firms and credit organi-
Encroachments on the right to know uniformly mandatory for all Government ' zations. If the employee has not applied to
about Government are inherently dan- agencies, the organization for credit, verification only
, gerous. Government exists to promote ? in his role as the President's personnel will be made of all information other than
the welfare of the people. The power I adviser, Macy could order a uniform em- the title of the employee's position and the
Of government Is awesome. Govern- ployco information policy for all Govern date he began working for the Commission.'
ment departments. If the employee has made application for
!meet 'can go astray-and sometimes; "I start off with the view that basic facts credit with the organization, other lnformn-
does. One of the most important checks; about public employees are public business,". 'birth such as salary; home address, and date of
,on possible abuse of that power is the said Macy. "The public is entitled to know birth may also be furnished when requested.
right of the people to have access to the names, salaries, job titles and addresses , If there, is any doubt as to whether'the om-'
information about what it does and how., of Its Federal employees. Such information ployco has applied for credit or as to the .
For these reasons, Mr. Speaker, I was should be given out on requests of legitimate 'Identity or credibility of the inquirer, a call
public Interest." back must be made and, If feasible, the em-
gratified to read the recent statements: Macy said he can see no reasons why sup- ployee contacted for confirmation.
by the chairman of the Civil Service plying such basic information would not DEBT COLLECTION
Commission, His suggestion that the be in the public interest. If the employee has left the Commission,
;guidelines permitting the release of ' In disagreement with a Post Office Dc-';the creditor will be given this Information
'basic information as to who works for partment position, Macy does not believe in the personnel office, No other Informa-
.the Federal Government become man- that release of names, salaries, and addresses tion will be given, other than namo of
datoly upon all agencies is a wise one. would constitute an invasion of employees' agency to which he transferred (if requested) '
I personal privacy, , ? 'and verification of the employee's address on
strongly support such action. He has j "The privacy of employees should bo' pro file if the creditor presents that address: No
.my unqualified support for putting into ltected," said Macy, "but I think we. also, Information other than verification of cm-
t effect such a policy, need to consider the public becau.50 the- ployment will be given to persons attempt-.,
By unanimous consent Mr. Macy's, public is paying the bill.' Ing to collect debts from present employees.
views as reported In the Minneapolis' Macy said tho lists of employees should not The employed contacted will explain the
Tribune for September 26, 1965, and ex be furnished to commercial firms or organs- Commission's policy regarding employee in-,
cerpts from the Commission guidelines!zations for commercial or political debtednoss and suggest that the creditor put'
are inserted at this point in the RECORD: 'solicitations. his complaint in writing.
CIVIL BERVICY Boss ORDERS SXUDT or U,f3, POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS
SECRECY RULES EXCERPTS FROM CHAPTER 22 CIVIL SERVICE ,
?' COMMISSION PERSONNEL MANUAL When the potential employer is another
(IIy Nick Kotz) GENERAL STATEMENT .i Government agency, complete information
WASHINGTON, D.C,--John W. Mr oq Jr., Civil requested may be furnished. When a private,
Service Commission Chairman, d The Commission recognizes that the cats- employer telephones, verification only will be
Post Office, Commission Chairman, d
regulation sagree wit Eons of our Nation should have available made of all information except the title of.
and has ordered. With
them accurate,. information about the the employee's position and the data he be-,
concerning osoffic its employees socra
A.
study of information policies in all Govern. Commission's functions, objectives, pro- may worklng for thr,Cammisaton.
wont agencies. , ? grams, and activities. Therefore, it IS the .
"' ? ^- '-L i:' policy -of the, Commission to bring to ; Wse' Cu11t... ..9d
Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP75-00149R000200830007-5