Evening star., 1943-05-26
Poll Tax Ban Voted
By House as Sailor
Joins in Debate
Seaman Lets OF Steom'
Southerners Look to
Senote to Kill Bill

oS INC ASSOC1AtcO ETeSS.
Routed Southern members of
Congress looked to the Senate
today to kill legislation outlaw
ing the imposition Of poll taxes
In national elections.
Passed late yesterday by the House
on roll-call vote Of 2o5 to no over
almost solid Southern opposition,
the legislation is similar to previous
bills approved by the House and
talked to death in the Senate.
Opponents professed to see In the
present Senate makeup an even bet
ter chance to halt the measure. since
the veteran George Norris of Ne
braska, who was influential In bring
ing the bill to the floor in past years,
no longer is . member.
Affecting primary As well a. gen.
eral elections. the legislation was
described by its author, Representa-
tive Marcantonio, American.Labor,
of New Yerk as designed to protect
the voting rights Of 100000 citi-
zens, including 1000, 900 colored per-
sons. in seven Southern States hav-
ing poll taxes.
Sailor Makes Speech.
House debate, which centered on
the constitutionality of the proce-
dure, was enlivened when 4 sailor
nimbly leaped to 4 railing in the
visitors gallery yesterday and started
making an impromptu speech
against poll taxes.
Before being elected by police, he
asked, why does a man have to. pay
tribute for the right to vote?"
He identified himself as Evan
Owen Jones. jr., n. Los Angeles, q
signalman, second class, and said he
had been on active duty for two
years. including participation in the
battle OF Singapore.
Jones climbed to the railing sur
rounding the gallery just AS Repre-
sentative Wilmington, Democrat, of
Mississippi rose to oppose the bill.
You don't have to pay to fight,
why should you have to pay to
vote?' he shouted
Here on Leave.
Taken to the Capitol police room,
Jones said he came here on 48-hour
leave ito see what makes this coun-
try click
And I'm disgusted." he told Ken
meth Romney, sergeant at arms.
Those people in there (the House
chamber) are fighting the Civil War
all over again. They should spend
their time fighting this war"
Jones acknowledged he spoke out
of turn but observed the legislators
were Just wasting their time any
how"
But Jones told DR.. George w.
Waiver, Capitol physician, he believes
we have the best Government any
where, and I've seen lot Of them,"
and said he and others are fight
ing to keep it the best Government
in the world and believe Congress
should do its part"
DR.. Calver said the sailor had been
released to return to his ship. The
physician, naval captain himself,
expressed the opinion Jones WAS
lust letting of little steam
Debate Follows Old Line.
Debate on the bill followed the
lines of past years, Southern oppo-
nents contending Congress has no
authority to interfere with the rights
Of States to prescribe qualifications
for their voters, and proponents in
/ StStinR Federal 1eQiSlaf afiOn il naoas
sary to safeguard voting rights for
thousands of Southern colored per-
! sons
An amendment to limit the bill to
general elections, offered by Repre-
sentative Hobbs, Democrat, of Ala
bama was defeated on standing
vote OF IS to Is. An amendment pro-
posed by Representative Hoffman,
Republican. of Michigan to prohibit
the prescription Of voters educa-
tional requirements, was shouted
down by voice vote.
Mr.. Hoffman chided Northern
members for opposing requirements
for the payment of 81 fee to vote
while, he said, they uphold the right
Of labor unions to charge their men,
bers "sl2 a year for the right to
work
Representative Starnes, Democrat.
OF Alabama said John L. Lewis and
Philip Murray, labor leaders. want
the tax abolished so they can rid
the country" Of Representatives op-
posed to them.