Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-02-06
Russell Says Truman
Plans FBI 'Gestapo''
To End Segregation
BY the Associated Press

The bitter Democratic feud
over civil rights hit a new pitch
today. Senator Russell, Demo-
crat, of Georgia contended that
President Truman is planning
an FBI "Gestapo" to break down
race segregation in the South.
Senator Russell told a reporter
the South's revolt against the Presi-
dents call for new measures to
knock down racial barriers "is more
serious than any have seen in my
lifetime"
This is true, the Georgian said,
because Southern Democrats have
interpreted the Presidents demand
for an end to Jim Crow laws on
trains and buses as the opening
wedge in fight to halt all race
segregation.
That could mean, he said, Negroes
and whites would attend the same
schools, swim in the same pools,
eat together and, eventually, inter-
marry.
Objectives AssaiIed.
1.-THE President has made the
fiat declaration that he considers
segregation to be discrimination and
violation of civil rights. Senator
Russell declared. HE wants to set
up a commission and hire a lot
of lawyers to fight segregation
wherever it exists.
He has ordered the Federal Bu-
reau of Investigation to work with
the Department of Justice Civil
Rights Division and says it is giving
specialized training to its agents.
This is nothing more or less than
an FBI Gestapo to break down race
segregation in the South"
Senator Russell's charge high
lighted these other developments:
l. Chairman Taft called the Sen
ate Republican Policy Committee to
meet at pm. to pick a spot on
the legislative schedule for an ex-
pected battle with filibustering
Southerners over one or more civil
rights measures.
2. Senator Ball, Republican, of
Minnesota predicted that Congress
will pass no antijob discrimination
bill with enforcement provisions.
Senator Ball voted mo" when the
Senate Labor Committee approved
such measure yesterday, to 5.
Wright Expected to Act.
3. Reports spread that Gov. Field
ing L. Wright of Mississippi would
move at Tallahassee. Fla, meeting
of Southern Governors today to have
them issue call for an "independ-
ent" Democratic convention to split
away from Mr. Truman.
4. A Democratic official said the
party's national committee will "sit
tight" to see what happens before
1t charts its course.
Senator Taft, who voted in COM
mittee yesterday against bill to
set up fair employment practice
commission with enforcement power,
told reporters it will be up to the
COP policy group and the confer
ence of all Republican Senators to
decide when it or any similar meas
ures should be brought up.
The Ohioan, a COP presidential
candidate, said he opposed the COM
mittee-approved FEPC bill because
he believes it would be better to set
up commission which would seek
to end job discrimination by vol
untary means.
The committee bill is sponsored
by Senator Ives, Republican, of New
York, who Is supporting Gov. Dewey
OF New York for the nomination.
Patterned after New York law,
the measure would require that vol
untary means be exhausted before
legal penalties were used.
Although Republicans generally
support such measures, COP men,
bers split on this one, as did their
Democratic colleagues.
Senators Ball and Donnell, Repub-
lican, of Missouri joined Senator
Taft in voting no" Senators Hill
of Alabama and Ellender of Louisi-
ana represented the Democratic
opposition.
On the Eyes" side were Senators
Ives, Aiken, Republican, of Vermont;
Jenner, Republican, of Indiana;
Smith, Republican, of New Jersey;
Morse, Republican, of Oregon;
Thomas, Democrat, of Utah, and
Murray, Democrat, of Montana.