Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-11-21


the open.
A n EXTRAORDINARY thing
"A about the effort of the
Roosevelt forces TO bring to a
vote this bill which would assert
the power OF Congress 70 set up
a strong centralized dictatorial
government in Washington, is
that so many Republicans Are
supporting the bill, which is one
OF the keystones of the New
Deal arches Of political power.
They are doing this, presum-
ably. because they desire 10 con-
clllate and win back. if possible.
the Negro vote in northern and
eastern states.
However, the recent elections
showed that in some states two
thirds Of the Negro vote al
ready has returned TO the party
OF Lincoln. Grant and Mckinley
These Republicans also over
look the fact that if this bill is
defeated, the Democrats will be
blamed, and the Republican
Party Will become the bene-
ficiary.
Republican support of this
measure also is detrimental 10
the future relations between
conservative Democrats. and the
Republican side of the Senate
and the House. as well-the two
together now being numerically
strong enough TO take control
OF legislation on Capitol Hill.
and put an end of New Deal
socialism.
THE weight of the Go has
Il been thrown 10 the support
of the poll tax bill. which
would deny TO the states their
constitutional power 10 estab-
lish the qualifications Of their
own voters, since il is A pre-
liminary step ID the major Go
objective, the organization into
industrial unions OF the vast
Negro labor element in the
South.
The reimbursement Of MANY
thousands of Negro citizens in
the South, under the poll tax
laws which exist in eight states
OF this section. would give them
a voting power in the states
essential TO the organization of
Go unions.
The Go is ready 10 move
into the South with this object
IN view as soon as this bill can
be enacted into law-if il can
be, which is. of course, exceed
lngly doubtful.
A great many senators but
probably not two-thirdS Of them
are ready 10 vote for the bill.
If IT can be brought 10 vote.
and this Notwithstanding il is
Illegally presented 10 the SEN
ate, is admittedly unConstitu-
tional.
IT IS illegally presented be-
Il cause less than a quorum Of
the judiciary committee voted
10 report H. The bill was re-
ported by the employment Of
the proxies OF nine absentee
senator's.
In passing I would like 10 re-
mark that the practice of per-
hitting votes in committees by
proxies is A vicious one which
the Senate should abolish.
For example. the Ruml plan
was voted down by the Senate
finance committee by one vote
a.proXy cast for Senator Smath-
erS Of Kew Jersey, who was
absent.
Thus, this great measure Of
tax relief 10 the hard pressed
pcopleN of this country was
denied them by an absentee SEN
ator.
A two-thirds vote would he
required 10 clamp down clio
ture' on the debate. and thus
force a comparatively early
showdown. but it is unlikely
that two-thrds will agree 10
Cloture.
The Senate Repu blicans
should watch their step, and re-
fuse 10 fall into this trap. They
arc a minority
They should have a mind 10
the future. when they may find
II important that a Senate mi
nority should be free 10 debate
as long as II pleased, the consid-
Grafton. for example. of a peace
treaty submitted by Mr.. Roose-
welt
The Senate filibuster is pre-
serving the Senate as the only
open forum left anywhere on
this earth.
II is a heritage to be preserved
az all costs
Eight y cent Stamps will pay
for one MESS KIT. one of the
most important items a soldier