Evening star., 1948-03-06
|NewCiiviI Rights
Fight Launched
by21 Senators
All From Solid South
But Pepper Demand
Equal Rudio Time
By the Associated Press

By the Associated Press
TWenty-one Southern Sena-
tors today demanded equal radio
time to answer broadcast
dramatizing President Truman's
civil rights program.
The group, representing II South
ern States, made the request in
telegram to Edgar Kodak, president
Of the Mutual Broadcasting Co.
Noting that the Mutual system is
broadcasting a series of programs,
ITO Secure These Rights" the Sem
ators asked Mr.. Kodak to grant
them equal time to explain their
stand on the civil rights proposals.
The Southerners said they are op-
posed to the measures recommended
by the Presidents Committee on
Civil Rights las are millions OF
American people whom we repre-
sent"
Kodak ON Vacation.
I'm view of the fact so many OF
your outlets are located in the
South, we feel you will gladly COM
ply with our request" their tele-
gram said.
Mutuals offices in New York re-
ported that Mr.. Kodak was on vaca-
ton touring the South" In his
absence, Robert Swezey, vice presi-
dent and general manager, Issued
this statement:
I'm the true American spirit we
naturally want the subject matter
.of our broadcasts to receive the
fullest possible treatment in the
public interest. We will be very
glad to consider the request Of this
group to comment on the Presidents
committee report, which is the basis
for these broadcasts."
Senators who signed the tele-
gram included many of the South
erners who organized Senate
guard set to filibuster at moments
notice against any civil rights bill.
Hill Signs, Pepper Doesn't.
Senator Pepper, of Florida a Tru-
man supporter, did not sign, but
Senator HILL of Alabama, who is
running as pro- Truman candidate
in his State for delegate to the
Democratic National Convention,
did.
Other Senators who signed were:
Russell and George, of Georgia;
Mcclellan and Stewart, of Tennes-
see; Connally and O'Daniel, Of
Texas; Byrd and Robertson, of Vir-
ginia;; Overton and Ellender Of LOU
isiana; Hill and Sparkman, of Ala
bama;; Maybank and Johnston of
South Carolina; Eastland and STEM
mis-, of Mississippi; Mcclellan and
Fulbright, of Arkansas; Hoey and
Umstead, of North Carolina, and
Holland, Of Florida. The ready-to-
fllibuster guard was set UP at a
secret session of southerners who
agreed to keep one of their number
on hand at all times the Senate
is in session.
The group arranged, 1t was dis
closed, to have speakers ready to
start talking whenever any of the
anti discrimination measures is
brought up.
Russell Named Chairman.
Senator Russell was named chair
man at the meeting in the Office Of
Senator Byrd. Senator Byrd has
been mentioned as a possible South
ia Hn
presidential nomination.
However, Senator Hoey told a re-
porter the Senators did not link
their filibuster plans with any move
to depose Mr.. Truman as the partys
candidate.
There was no relation to sup
porting or not supporting Mr.. Tru-
man." he said. eve met solely to
determine our actions in regard to
stopping civil rights legislation"
Senator Johnston said We're
solid Southerners in the Senate, all
right. We will work as unit against
civil rights proposals"
Senator Maybank predicted
"southerners in Congress will con-
tinue to stick together for all pr1n-
ciples of the South which have been
or may be attacked"
Rebel Group in House.
A similar Democratic rebel group
already has been organized in the
House to join forces with the South
ern Governors Conference. which
first spanked the organized revolt"
House Minority Leader Rayburn an