Evening star., 1938-01-08
LYNCH BILL FOES
DEFYN|GHT THREAT
T0HA[TF|[|BUSTER
Schedule of Speakers Will
Insure Unending Flow of
0ratory, They Say.
SOUTHERN SENATORS
HEARTENED BY BORAH
1dahoan May Repeat His Address
by Radio to Garry Case to
Entire Country.
BACKGROUND

>SAASAA WV ~
Despite persistent opposition OF
southern bloc in Congress, laU
making lynching Federal o6ense
has been passed by House and Is
1ow ON Uay through Senate. Con-
s,deration in upper branch during
special session last fall Uas occa-
sion tor flibuster, but administra-
tion leaders hate announced de-
termination to enact measure at
present session and pote of approudl
is expected this month.
By the Associated Press.
Senators waging a parliamentary
battle against the anti-lynching bill
said today they had enough speeches
on tap to prolong their filibustering
tactics indefinitely.
Majority Leader Barkley OF Ken
tucky held out the threat of night
sessions to choke off their oratory,
but not even that, they said, could
upset their schedule.
Opponents of the bill took heart
from the vigorous attack which Sen
ator Borah, Republican, of Idaho made
on the measure yesterday. They said
it gave powerful support to their con-
tention the bill is unconstitutional and
should be shelved.
Southern Senators reported Sen
ator Borah had agreed to repeat the
address soon in radio broadcast to
carry their case to the country.
Sidetracking of Bill Sought.
The purpose Of the opponents was
plain-to continue speechmaking and
parliamentary delays until pressure
for President Roosevelt's legislative
program would force proponents to
.sldetrack the anti-lynching proposal.
To combat this, Senator Barkley
brought into play the weapons often
used against fllibusterers-more and
longer sessions.
Upsetting the Senate's usual week
end rest, Senator ,Barkley called ses-
sion for today and at the same time
made the threat of night sessions.
Senator Van Nuys, Democrat, of
Indiana. author of an anti-lynching
measure, predicted that opposition
oratory would run out Gin q week to
10 days"
Senator Borah held the close atten-
ton of his colleagues and the galleries
throughout his hour-long talk. The
galleries were sprinkled with Negroes,
and Representative Mitchell, Demo-
crat, of Illinois, only colored member
of Congress, sat at the rear of the
Senate chamber.
"The race problem" Senator Borah
said, lis one which doesn't yield read
lily to legislative treatment"
Discrimination Held Frequent.
Under present laws, he said, Negroes
often suffer discrimination at the
hands of the Federal Government"
A colored girl, he said, may win a
civil service rating by examination
Z" and when she comes to get a Job
and they see she is Negro, they tell
her the job is filled"
And they usually are telling a lie,"
he shouted.
The bill under debate would provide
for Federal prosecution Of local and
State authorities in the event of mob
violence.
The Senate, awaiting committee re-
ports on farm and housing bills passed
at the special session, had little before
it beside the lynching bill
The House. however, was to decide
Monday whether to consider the Lud-
low war referendum amendment.
Speaker Bankhead headed the admin
istration campaign to pigeonhole the
proposal.
Sixty of the 2l8 Representatives
who signed petition calling for con-
sideration decided yesterday, how
ever, to push their efforts. The amend
ment would require approval by the
people before this Government could
enter war abroad.
Meanwhile, proponents Of wage-hour
legislation were encouraged by the
Endorsement of their general idea by
the Southeastern Conference of Gov
ernors, in session here.