Evening star., 1944-04-05
Negroes Preparing
10 Demand Vote in
Southern Primaries

Texas officials were preparing
today to seek a rehearing of the
Supreme Court decision outlaw
ing the "all-white" Democratic
primary, while from two other
Southern States came reports
that Negroes were preparing to
demand the right to vote in
forthcoming elections on the
basis of the ruling Monday that
the racial ban violated the 18th
amendment.
At the same time, the 81 deci-
sion of the court, read by Justice
Reed, was under study in the JUS
tice Department. where spokesman
said Attorney General Biddle called
on staff members for an analysis
of the decision. and also for a re-
port on any existing complaints
about discrimination against Negroes
in Southern primaries.
The Associated Press said in a
dispatch from Atlanta that C. A.
Scott, chairman of the Public Affairs
Committee for the National Associa-
tion for Advancement of Colored
People, hailed the decision as a new
Emancipation Proclamation" ano
asserted: "It should give us ar
effective vote and I expect to cast
one in the primary of July f."
May Appeal to Court.
Mr.. Scott said If Negroes were
denied ballots, despite qualification
under State election laws, an appea
would be made to the Federal Dis.
trict Court. Electors have until May
8 to pay poll taxes. a requirement
for voting in Georgia.
In South Carolina, J. M. Hinton
a colored attorney, said more thar
5000 had been raised to appeal 9
case similar to that in Texas.
In Arkansas, Chairman j. c. Bar.
rett of the State Democratic Com.
mittee said he believed Negroes who
had paid poll taxes could vote ir
primaries there for Senate ane
House candidates, but might be ex.
cluded from voting on State anC
county officers.
Conner Analyses Decision.
In Mississippi, former Gov. Mix,
Conner said the opinion lis in &C.
cord with the policies and purpose.
Of the New Deal" which he said hae
"repudiated the principles of tn.
Democratic party"
Mr.. Conner said the decision
seeks to deny to any and ever.
group of American citizens tn,
privilege Of organizing a politica
party, choosing their associates i,
such organization and prescribin,
the qualifications of those who ma,
become members of that party ant
participate in the selection of tn,
party's nominee for public Office
both Federal and State"
'It overthrows the former ant
long established rulings of tha
court" he said. "Its import goe
far beyond the matter of Ne
groes voting in Democratic pri
maries. ="
In Miami, Senator Pepper, Demo
crat, of Florida said, THE Soutl
will allow nothing to impair whit,
supremacy"
Florida Law Different.
IT think the Florida law is differ
ent from the Texas law on voting IL
primaries, and therefore the Su
preme Court decision should not af
feet Democratic primaries in Flor
ida. In Florida, not the State, bu
the Democratic party, determines tn,
qualifications Of members of tn,
party"
/ While the Justice Department
spokesman said Attorney Genera
Biddle's move did not mean thar
any immediate action is contem.
plated, it followed an appeal to tn.
Attorney General from Negro lead.
ers for vigorous" prosecution ol
any person denying Negroes ths
right to vote.
Mr.. Biddle's purpose, the spokes.
man said, lis to find out what tn.
decision does mean-just what tn,
score is"
The memorandum will be pre-.
pared by Victor Rotnem, chief O,
the civil rights section, and Ton
Clark, Assistant Attorney Genera
! in charge of the criminal division.