Evening star., 1938-01-12
By the Tail.


tail. Another two weeks probably will
tell whether the greatest deliberative
body IN the world can swing loose and
proceed with the administrations pro-
gram. This particular bear is the anti
lynching bill, which has aroused bitter
opposition among the Democrats of the
Southern States. If the measure is
finally passed-as its proponents insist
1t Will bet may leave scars and tears
which will in turn cause trouble.
The anti-lynching bill has the support
OF many of the Presidents most ardent
friends In the Senate. So far, however,
the President has not declared himself
on the measure, despite efforts which
are being made to obtain some statement
OF his attitude. Senator Barkley of
Kentucky, the new Democratic leader
OF the Upper House, is endeavoring to
steer the bill to final vote without
too much delay. Senator Pat Harrison
of Mississippi. who lost the leadership
to Senator Barkley by one vote after the
President had sent his Dear Alben"
letter to the Kentuckian, is taking
foremost part in the fight to defeat the
measure-by talking it to death.
To many it appears that the South
erners have set themselves a hopeless
task-that of preventing a vote on the
anti-lynching bill with the present ses-
sion stretching out indefinitely. But
they were successful in preventing
vote on the measure in the first regular
session OF this Congress which ended
last August, and again in the special
session of last November and December.
The only recourse of the proponents OF
the measure Is to wear down the physical
endurance Of the opposition by long day
and night sessions. This is tough job,
with score Of Senators ready to relieve
one another
One path seems closed to the friends
OF the bill-imposition of the cloture
rule. 1t takes two-thirds vote of the
Senate to impose cloture Republican
Senator's are unwilling to vote the cloture
at least enough of them to make it
more than doubtful that a two-thirds
vote could be obtained. And so it goes.
The Democratic leader has indicated
that he may demand night sessions, be-
ginning tonight, or certainly within a
day or two. Already Congress has been
IN session week and a half and the
fight has not passed beyond the pre-
hmlnary skirmish stage-although many
bitter things have been said.
The hope of the anti -lynching bill op-
position is that essential matters will be-
fore long be presented to the Senate-the
appropriation bills coming over from the
House, the conference reports on the
farm bill and the administration hous-
ing bill, the long-awaited tax bill etc.
They believe that in the end the anti
lynching bill may Of necessity be laid
aside. They do not believe that popular
opinion will condone the tie-up of all
business indefinitely while the contest
continues over measure which is Bit
terly opposed by one section Of the
country.
1t has happened beforehand not very
long ago-that the determination Of a
majority in the Senate to force through
a measure has in the end begged down
all legislation; has so aroused dissension
and strong feeling that the result was a
chaotic condition out of which little was
accomplished. On the heels of the anti
lynching bill is another measure which is
heartily disliked by many Senators, too,
the Presidents reorganization bill. And
behind that turks the still underlined ad-
ministration bill to deal with monopolies
and business. Decidedly the administra-
ton leadership in the Senate has its
problems today.