Evening star., 1944-07-21
Brief Platform Passed
Without Floor Fight
Over Racial Plank
By ]. A. O'LEARY,
Star star Correspondent,

form through the convention with
out a real floor fight by the South
against the racial plank, but it re-
mains to be seen whether colored
voters in crucial States above the
Mason-Dixon Line will be satisfied
with the brief reference to the rights
Of racial and religions minorities."
Although the platform drafters
did masterful job Of brevity, they
succeeded In touching on virtually
all of the subjects covered by the
Republicans, including equal rights
for women, the opening of Palestine
to Jewish immigration and recogni-
ton of some of the problems of the
Western States.
As predicted yesterday, the foreign
policy plank went further than the
Republicans in promising use Of
armed forces" to prevent future
wars and favoring making such
forces available "for joint action
when necessary"
Stands on Its Record"
Against the $500 words used by
the Republicans, the Democrats pre-
sented their bid for continuance in
The Republicans, however, being
The Republicans, however, being
out of Office, were faced with the
necessity OF explaining their objec-
tions to administration policies and
presenting their alternative rene
dies. The Democrats, having been
In control for nearly IL years, were
able to avoid such detail by their
simple, Introductory statement: ::
The Democratic party stands on
its record in peace and in war"
The platform builders settled the
conflict between Northern and
Southern viewpoints on the race
problem by adopting this plank
I'VE believe that racial and religious
minorities have the right to live,
develop and vote equally with all
citizens and share the rights that
are guaranteed by our Constitution.
Congress should exert its full con-
stitutional powers to protect those
rights"
Southerners' Amendment Lost.
The Resolutions Committee re-
tected a move by the Southerners to
add the following to the plank:
Exercise by the States of theil
reserved powers to determine the
qualifications of their voters and tc
regulate their public schools, in
cluding attendance therein. is moi
subject to control by either the
legislative or executive branches oi
the Federal Government. in the
absence of a constitutional amend
ment ceding such powers to the
Federal Government"
Eight Of the II States comprising
the solid South signed minority
report, but former Gov. Dan Moody
of Texas said the report could moi
be taken to the floor of the con-
vention because Of a rule requiring
action by IL States to file a minor
ity report. Those signing were
Texas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Ala
barna, Mississippi, Arkansas. South
Carolina and Virginia.
When the platform was read te
the convention by House Majority
Leader Mccormack, platform chair
man, the only semblance OF opposi'
ton was the request OF Tennessee
and Mississippi for an opportunity
to vote no"
Move for Roll Call Fails.
Senator Mcclellan of Tennessee
stated the opposition of his delega-
ton, but did not insist on roll call
The Mississippi group asked for a
roll call, but failed to get the back
ing of one-fifth of the delegates
required for that purpose. The con-
vention then adopted the entire plat
form by voice vote.
Toland Bradley of Texas tried to
amend the foreign policy plank in
the convention to include indorse-
ment of an international air force
to maintain peace, but was voted
down after Representative McCor-
mack and Senator Connally of Texas
declared the change unnecessary.
Although the Democratic racial
plank refers to voting rights, it does
not mention specifically repeal OF
poll taxes, which is in the Repub-
lican plank The Republicans also
promised to make the Fair Employ
ment Practices Committee perma-
nent.-t to have Congress investigate
any discrimination in the armed
forces. and to support antilynching
legislation.
1t is expected that, as the cam
paign progresses, orators will debate
the differences in the two party
planks in those States where the
colored vote is an important factor
Gesture to Conservatives.
The Democrats extended a gesture
to conservatives by asserting "fsitt
In competitive enterprise free from
control by monopolies. cartels o.
any arbitrary private or public au
thority."
They also promised to promote
the success of small business anc
to lift wartime controls as soon a.
possible.
In a general offer to enact add
tional humanitarian, labor, socia
and farm legislation as time and eX
perience may require, the Demo
Gratis added a pledge to amend O
repeal ANY law enacted in recen
years which has failed to accom-
plish its purpose.
This latter phrase was construed
by some observers as a possible an
swer to the request of leaders of tn,
AFL and the CIO for repeal of th
Smith Connally antistrike law, al
thougl. it did not mention that Law
by name. Labor spokesmen had tolt
the Resolu ms Committee that tn,
Smith -Connally Act failed to &C
connplish its purpose.
One page of the tersely writer
platform reviewed the New Dea
record back to 49,. Less than fou
other typewriter pages were re
quired to list current and futur'
problems.
leghorn Brewery Seized,
Rut Trnnne 1nf M 'Sude'