Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1946-12-14
RESIDENT TRUMAN COMMITTEES TO RECOMMEND CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS
Justice Department To Cooperate In
Writing Laws For Freedom From Fear

not only in accord with that of
Attorney General Tom G. Clark
but is a part of the latter's pro-
gram for getting effective legis-
lation to insure Constitutional
guarantees to all citizens.
The executive order authorizes
the committee ION behalf of the
President to inquire into and to
determine whether and in what
respect current law enforcement
measures and the authority and
means possessed by federal, state,
and local governments may be
strengthened and improved to
safeguard the civil rights of the
people,
1t directs all federal executive
departments and agencies to CO.
operate with the committee in it's
work and to furnish it such in
formation or the services of such
persons as it may require in the
performance of its duties.
If requested to do so by the
committee, federal employees are
required to testify and furnish
any documents or information it
map desire.
The committee is directed to
| make recommendations with re-
spect to the adoption or establish
mentt by Legislation or otherwise,
of more adequate and effective
means and procedures for the pro-
lection of the civil rights of the
people of the United States"
Upon submission of its written
report to the President the COM
mittee shall cease to exist unless
otherwise determined by further
executive order.
In his statement President Tru-
man said:
Freedom from Fear is more
fully realized in our country than
in any other on the face of the
earth. Yet all parts of our popu-
lation are not equally free from
fear. And from time to time, and
in some places, this freedom has
been gravely threatened. 1t was
so after the last war, when or
ganized groups famed hatred and
and intolerance, until, at times,
mob action struck fear into the
hearts of men and women because
of their racial origin or religious
beliefs.
To-day, Freedom from Fear, and
the democratic institutions which
sustain it, are again under at
tack. In some places, from time
to time, the local enforcement of
law and order has broken down,
and individuals sometimes ex-
servicemen, even women = have
been killed, manned, or intimi-
dated.
"The preservation of civil lib
critics is a duty ov every Govern
ment - state, federal, and local.
Wherever the law enforcement
masure and the authority of Fed
eral, state and local government
are inadequate to discharge this
primary function of government,
these measures and this authority
should be strengthened and i'm
proved.
THE Constitutional guarantees
of individual liberties and Of
equal protection under the laws
clearly place ON the Federal Gov
eminent the duty to act when
state or local authorities abridge
or fail to protect these CONSTITUTE
l
iOnal rights.
"Yet in it's discharge of the
obligations placed on it by the
Constitution, the Federal Govern
ment is hampered by inadequate
civil rights statutes. The pro-
lection of our democratic institu-
lions and the enjoyment by the
people of their rights under the
Constitution requires that these
weak and inadequate statutes
should be expanded and improved.
We must provide the Department
of Justice with the tools to do
the job.
II have, therefore, issued todap
an Executive Order creating the
Presidents Committee on Civil
Rights and I am asking this Com
mittee to prepare for me a writ