St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1946-12-13
President Truman Names
Committee On Civil Rights
Wilson of G. E. Chairman

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Of individual liberties and Of equal
protection under the laws clearly
place on the Federal government
the duty 10 act when state or local
authorities abridge or fail to pro-
tect these Constitutional rights.
"Yet in its discharge Of the obi
cations placed on it by the Con-
stitution, the Federal government
is hampered by inadequate civil
rights statutes. The protection OF
our democratic institutions and the
enjoyment by the people Of their
rights under the Constitution re-
qnires that these weak and made
duate statutes should be expanded
and improved. We must provide the
Department Of Justice with the
tools TO do the job.
IL have, therefore, issued today
an Executive Order creating the
Presidents Committee on Civil
Rights and am asking this Com
mittee TO prepare for me q written
report. The substance Of this re-
port will be recommendations with
respect TO the adoption or estab-
Iishment by legislation or other
wise Of more adequate and effec-
tive means and procedures for the
protection Of the civil rights Of
the people Of the United States"
Outbursts Of mob violence, such
as the Columbia, Tenn, race riot
Of last February and the lynching
Of four persons near Monroe, Ca,
last July, and police brutality, such
as the Florida case where a con-
stable beat a prisoner with his
pistol and a COW whip until the
man jumped into the Suwanee river
and drowned, spurred Attorney
General Clark TO begin a fight for
a comprehensive civil rights law.
Attorney General Clark had plan
ned 10 send a report 10 Congress
when IL returns, pointing out the
facts and outlining the experiences
Of the Justice Department IN cases
involving violations Of civil rights
and also pointing out the weak
nesses Of existing federal civil
rights statutes and the need for
legislation to protect every citizen
in his right.
Mr.. Truman named Charles E.
Wilson, president Of the General
Electric company, as chairman Of
the civil rights committee. Mr..
Wilson was formerly executive vice
president Of the War Production
Board.
Other members Of the committee
are:
Mrs. Sadie T. Alexander, lawyer,
Of Philadelphia; assistant city solic-
itor, City Of Philadelphia; member
Of the board Of directors, National
Urban League; member Of the In
ter-Racial committee Of Philadel-
phia.
James B. Carey Of Washington,
ID. c.; secretary-treasure Con-
gress Of Industrial Organizations;
chairman, clio committee to Abol-
ish Racial Discrimination.
John s. Dickey, president Of
Dartmouth college; formerly spe-
cial assistant to the Secretary Of
State.
Morris L. Ernst, lawyer and
author, Of New York City.
Rabbi Roland G. Gittelsohn Of
New York City; spiritual leader Of
the Central Synagogue at Rock
vile, Long Island; recipient of the
Navy Commentator medal for
his services as the Jewish Chaplain
Of the Fifth Marine Division at
Two lima.
DIR. Frank P. Graham, president
Of the University Of North Caro-
lima; formerly member Of the War
Labor Board.
The Most Rev. Francis J. Haas,
Bishop Of Grand Rapids, Mich;
formerly eonsultant to the War
Loan division, United States Treas
uTy.
Francis P. Matthews Of Omaha,
Neb., former Supreme Knight Of the
Knights Of Columbus; vice presi-
dent Of the National War Fund;
designated Papal Chamberlain by
Pope Plus XII.
Franklin d. Roosevelt, Jr.,
lawyer Of New York City; chair
man Of the housing committee of
the American Veterans Committee.
The Right Rev. Henry Knox
Sheriff. Of Boston, Mass, presiding
bishop Of the Episcopal church;
member Of the Governor Of Massa-
chusetts' Committee on Racial and
Religious Understanding.
Boris Shishkin Of Alexandria, Va;
economist for the American FEEDER
alton Of Labor; formerly a mem
Der Of the Presidents Committee
on Fair Employment Practice.
Mrs. NJ. f. Tilley Of Atlanta. Ga.
secretary, department Of social re-
lations. Women's Society Of Christ
ian Service, Methodist church.
Claiming II. Tobias Of New York