Evening star., 1937-11-17
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

A Federal anti-lynching bill. after
knocking at the doors of Congress
for score or two of years. is about
to be laid on the doorstep of the
White House. If President Roosevelt.
signs it, the bill will become law.
Only prompt report of farm bill
TO the Senate might prevent present
action on the anti-lynching bill. In
that event, Senator's NAV be willing
to lay aside the anti-lynching bill
until the crop-control measure shall
have been disposed of. Even if that
course be followed, it is expected the
anti-lynching bill will be taken up
again as soon as the farm bill is out
OF the way and pressed to final action.
There is more sound than substance
to the filibuster against the anti
lynching bill now under way in the
Senate. Democratic Senators from
Southern States are intent on making
a record of opposition to the meas
ure. They will talk about it for DAYS.
But they do not believe they will be
able to prevent final vote-as Demo-
cratic Senators from the South have
dene in the past.
Connally Holds Floor.
When the Senate met today after
recess last evening, Senator Con-
nally of Texas again held the floor.
At his request. the clerk renewed
monotonous reading of speech de-
llvered in 1885 by Associate Justice
Black of the Supreme Court, when
he was Senator from Alabama. oppos-
ing an anti-lynching bill An hour
or two of reading was in prospect and
there was an immediate exodus of
Senators from the chamber.
Connally said he planned to speak
for an hour or two after completion
of the reading of the Black speech.
Then Senator Bailey Of North Caro-
lima is expected to take over the anti
lynching bill debate.
The anti-lyncfing measure is still
not formally before the Senate. Only
a motion to take up the bill, made by
Senator Wagner, Democrat, of New
York, is the pending question. In the
opinion of Senator Barkley of Ken
lucky, Democratic leader, the motion
to take up the bill will be adopted by
a 2-to-l vote. Senator Barkley said.
too the bill would eventually pass by
such a margin
Up to Chief Executive.
Once the anti-lynching bill has gone
to the President for his approval. it
will be up to the Chief Executive to
sign it or return it to Congress with a
Veto If the President signs the bill
as many believe he will-hls popular
ity is likely to wane with large num-
Der of voters in the South. Southern
Senators who have opposed the Presi-
dent on his court bill and on other ad-
ministration measures may not be
sorry to see this happen.
Many of the Presidents most ardent
followers in the South, who might be
expected to oppose these Democratic
Senators for denomination because
they failed to support the President,
may take different slant. Further
more, under such circumstances,
Democratic Senators and Represent
atives may feel at greater liberty to
oppose the President on other legisla-
tion which he may request of Con-
gress.
The anti-lynching bill may be at
tackled as unconstitutional. Senator
Borah, Republican. of Idaho more
than year ago declared it his opinion
that the anti-lynching bill violated
the Constitution. His frank state
ment about the matter drew the fire
of number of Negro organizations.
What the Supreme Court would do
about the anti-lynching bill if it came
before them it is impossible to predict
Whatever the fate of the anti-lynch-
ing bill, it is serving at this point to
hold up the legislative program recon-
mended to Congress by President
Roosevelt for this special session. II
it were not for the anti-lynching bill
the Senate would proceed to consider
the reorganization bill, affecting the
executive departments of the Govern
ment, one of the major subjects of the
Presidents program.