Roanoke Rapids daily herald., 1948-11-09
Mrs. Rooseve|t,s Proposal to Purge
|DXiectats from Party Is Given Cold
Shoulder by Leaders of Democrats
McGra+h Says
Congressman
Will Name
Group Heads

Washington, Nov. 9-P)- De-
mocratic leaders turned q cold
shoulder today on the proposal
by Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt that
States Rights supporters be pur-
ged from the party.
National Chairman ]. Howard
McGrath told a reporter it will
be up to the Democratic mem
bers of the House and Senate
to decide who gets the priced
chairmanships in the new Con-
gress.
He indicated the national COM
mittee doesn't want to mix in
any such possible fight. Nc
Grath is a senator from Rhode
Island.
He limited further-but didn't
say so flatly-that any repris-
al program such as Mrs. Roose-
welt suggested wouldn't fit in
with current efforts to solidify
Democrats behind the legisla-
tive proposals President Truman
will send to Congress In Janu-
ary.
In a radio broadcast from Pa
ris yesterday, Mrs. Roosevelt
said she would like to see "the
permanent ousting Of the South
ern DixiecratS from the Demo-
cratic party"
The widow of the late Presi-
dent suggested that some SOUTH
erners who opposed Mr.. Tru-
mans civil rights program
would be denied Congressional
chairmanships if they aren't re-
cognized as Democrats.
She named specifically Rep.
John Rankin (Miss), clubbing
him zone of the worst reaction
aries" and Senator Olin john
ston IS c..
She said Johnston "snubbed
President Truman, campaigned
against him and then was one
of the first on the train at Wash
ington to congratulate the VIC
torious President after his cleo
tion."
Johnston refused to attend the
Jackson Day dinner here last
winter because of his opposition
to the Presidents civil rights
proposals but later announced he
was voting for Mr.. Truman. He
declined comment.
But democratic committee Of
ficials said Mrs Roosevelt was
off base on Johnston's campaign
record. William J. Primm, as
sistant to McGrath, said: "Sen-
ator Johnston was very helpful
throughout the campaign. H e
worked with the committee in
every way we asked"
Johnston can get a coveted Sc
nate committee Craftsmanship
only if Senator Chavez (D-NM),
who outranks him in service, de-
cides not to become head of the
postoffice and civil service
group.
Chavez also is senior Demo-
crat on the public works COM
mittee and might elect to take
that Craftsmanship.
Rankin. however, is top Dem
ocgat on the House veterans
committee and is in line to head
it.
He said at his home in Tupelo,
Miss: "The less the American
people hear from Mrs. Eleanor
Roosevelt, the better off the
country will be-
OF is Senate committees, on
ly four chairmanships will be
filled by southerners if the con-
gressional seniority rule stands.
They include Senators Connal-
ly (Tex), in line to become chair
man of foreign relations; NC
Kellar (Tenn), appropriations;
George (Ga), finance, and Nc
Clellan (Ark), executive expen-
ditures.
Eight southerners are in line
for house committee chairman
ships, but except for Rankin few
if any openly opposed Mr.. Tru-
man after he won the democra-
tic nomination.
Those due to return or move
up to the presiding chairs in
clude Reps. Doughton (NC). ways
and means; Cooley (NC), agri-
culture; Vinson (Ga), armed SER
vices; Wood (Ga), un-American
activities; Bland (Va), merchant
marine; Murray (Tenn), postof-
flee, and Wilmington (Miss),
Public works.