Alexander J. Matturri v. United States Civil Service Commission

The only substantial question in this case is whether the term “principal employment” as used in section 12(a) of the Hatch Act, 5 U.S.C.A. § 118k(a), relates to public employment alone or refers to private employment as well so that both types of employment must be considered in determining which is principal. The district court took the latter view, concluding that the petitioner’s private law practice was his principal employment, and ruled that he was not subject to the act because of his membership in the Newark Housing Authority. The reasons for the district court’s action are fully…