The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-06-16

NeA'fill iit Nl4t-
caco T 2 Cox
Harry McAlpin of Camilla. Ga |
Howard ". Smith II Alexandria
Va ! Rsysra CLARK ~ Fayette- !
vile y c John ! Delaney ~ I
Ncv YORK Civ WIihs1, ~ Col /
-,cr 81 Pascseoula. MS Joe r /
Bates ~ Greenup X Roccr c |
Slsuehier ~ Kansas CIV Mo Leo I
Y Allen o. Gslens III Earl c /
Michener ~ Adrian Mich Charles I
A Hslleek az Rensselaer, Ind and ,
Clarence :. Brown Of Manchester, /
Ohio
They are members 81 the Rules
Committee III the House Of Rep
resentatives Tho first eight are
Democrats and the last four are
Republicans
During the pendency Of the
rEPC hill before this commit
tee 7 have watched them per-
form on several occasions. Last
week ] spent practically my en-
tire reporting time following
their antics. Their despotic con-
duct is not confined 10 the FEPC
issue alone.
IHAvE SEEN chairmcn NJ other
powerful committees OF the House
and many outstanding congress
men come nat in hand" 10 the
Rules Committee have seen
members Of the Rules Committee
subject these men 70 searching in
curry about the merits OF legiSls-
lion which had received long de-
liberation by legislative commit
tees with as many as 20 or more
members - and after exhaustive
public hearings I've heard Rules
Committee members say u don't
like so and so about your bill.
why didn't you put in this or
that'-"The Rules Committee will
never vote for such bill" etc.
And this little group of indi-
viduais. some Of them power
drunk, have II within their prov ..
ince 10 refuse ~ta-let the House
NJ Representatives consider and
vote upon . measure reported
fsverably by the majority of \
legislative committee.
THE FEPC Is case In point.
Only two members ~ the Labor
Committee voted against favor
able report Of that legislation. Ex-
haustive hearings were held on the
measure The President OF the
United States has emphasized the
neeesNsy for IT, But since Feb, %.
stten,pt after attempt has been
made Ia get a rule to bring the
legislation before the House A
majority Of the House Of Represen-
tatives is believed 10 be in favor
q, he measure.
, Six Southern Democrats finclud-
ing Kentucky and Missouri aided
and sbetted by the four Republic
cans have stymied every effort.
And tn make bad matters worse.
ehicarery has ben added 10 dcs-
ro'isn. The Republicans playing
roli,ies TO- all IL is worth. are sing
ing = song 10 soothe the Nero
Noie-pretendlng 10 be ready to
vote fsvorahly on the measure
whenever il comes 10 vote But II
Is their chicanery which is pre-
venting 're measure from coming
before the House.
Only two men have stood four
square Tor FEpC in the Rules
Cornni .,ee--,hev arc SABBATH the
chairman. AID Delaney 81 New
York TNcv have been present al
s'l tho eeiings where votes were
scheduled e. he taken and they
have votec against poStponements
and sdjoGr :Tnents
The Republicans have done a
good Job cf talking about their
intentions Of voting for FEPC-
hat their actions have belied
their words. Only with their
support could the motions o :,
Smith 81 Virginia or Colmer Of
Mississippi for adjournment be
carried.
THE FLY in the ointment has 2
been Slaughter Of Missouri His
ABSENCE from the last few meet
inrs has been used as an excuse for
not votinE-based on gentle
mems agreement 81 which SABBATH
the chairman, SAYS he knows moth
Ing Slaughter is expected 10 vote
against favorable rule when ne
"a present This the Republicans
know--and il gives them a mighty
talking point II they can hold
things up until he returns then
have The vote cone out SIS which
would keep the measure in com
rAt'ee They could then crow
how they gave about support bat
tire Democrats KILLED IT,
Pretty cute en-
But few peosle have been lei
Ting them know their game IS
known. and orders naye been eN-
pec,ed 20 come down from the Top
n them IN forget the "2eu,lenerS
agreement" 1--WE At the same 'Ime.
II j. possible ina, the President
having stuck his neck out on this
issue. may throw his weight around .
: h., against Slaughter from ms
home state. whose attitude on The
measure may make me difference +
be,woen pat on me back or
tlsr M the face ~ me President .
Ry ire time THIS is printed me
eomTIttee NAV have taken some .
positive acuon-st least ne hope