Evening star., 1948-05-25
Uraes Action on FEPC Bill

Nearlv lOSu III the WGlteT Ol HdbiOildI AhO
international events claiming public attention
is the effort to have Congress enact legis-
lation to remove some OF the basic inequalities
among citizens that have caused our Govern
ment such embarrassment. If an order Of
Importance could be given to the various
pending civil rights measures, the fair employ
ment practices bill, S. ss4, now on the Senate
calendar awaiting floor action, surely would
be given highest priority This bill is designed
to prohibit job discrimination because OF race,
religion, national origin or ancestry.
Here are incontrovertible facts supported by
the voluminous evidence presented to the ap-
propriate committees of this and previous
Congresses:
l. Job discrimination against Negroes and
other racial and religious minoritfes is wide
spread and national in character.
q This discrimination has prevented great
groups of citizens from contributing their
talents to the productive economy OF the
Nation and has caused them to be frozen IN
the least fruitful OF occupations and denied
even the minimum standard Of living that
Nation as rich in resources as ours can anord
8. Voluntary and educational methods al
ready used extensively have not been effective
in materially reducing this social evil.
L. Legislation with adequate enforcement
powers and judicious administration can be
effective as shown in New York, New jersey
Massachusetts, and Connecticut where fair en-
ployment statutes are in force.
5. Employment discrimination as a national
problem can best be and should be attacked
by national legislation.
In the 18th Congress, FEPC legislation was
nlibustered to death in the Senate by group
of southerners Cloture failed by eight votes.
The leaders of the 80th (Republlcan) Con-
gress. Senator Robert A. Taft in the Senate
and Speaker Joseph w. Martin and Majority
Leader Charles A. Halleck in the House, are. In
effect, killing the bill by inaction
Senator Taft has proclaimed his opposition
to the enforcement powers in the bill. This
is tantamount to opposition to any effective
measure-for what useful purpose would be
served by enacting bill without enforcement
powers? Speaker Martin has told reporters
he favors FEPC legislation but has not yet
done anything to move the bill in the House.
Why has this bill not been acted upon1
The Senate Republican leadership CONTENDS
it Is maneuvering to counter an anticipated
filibuster. 1t seems to us that the maneuVers
thus far have put the bill in position where,
If 1t is called up at all, 1t can best be defeated
That is by holding it for the last minute rush.
The opponents never will be caught mapping
by any such tactics, and the mere threat
Of hlibuster in the closing days will De
enough to lay 1t aside. In the House no other
explanation is given than that the leaders
are waiting for the Senate to act.
Naturally, this Is all very disappointing and
disillusioning to the affected mnorities Is
this all we can expect from party clearly
on record for this legislation, in absolute con-
- t>~tt uith members in A fair
state of discipline? There still is time. The
congressional leaders can act positively and
forthrightly by calling the FEPC bill up. by
permitting reasonable debate and constructive
amendment, by closing ranks against the nll-
buster and by passing the bill.
ELMER w. HENDERSON.
Executive Secretary, National Council for
Permanent FEPC.
Ur&es Another Chance for Boys
To the Editor Of The Star:
In answer to Dutton S. Peterson OF Odessa,
New York on a cash incentive for Army serv-
ice, I believe that there are hundreds OF young
boys 1921 years old who have been SO un-
fortunate as to come from broken, poor,
underprivileged homes and who have tr1eo
enlisting In one Of the services at II or l7h,
only to be led astray, then convicted and
sentenced by heartless judges to serve IN
jail with hardened criminals, and because OF
their records get bad conduct discharges.
Would it not be fair to give these hundreds
of boys 4 chance by allowing them to enlist
in the services again?
The National Training School, I am sure,
has many boys that would give anything 10
enlist, without . cash incentive; also tnefe
are many in the District jail
Why hasn't someone asked congress OF
the services If these boys couldn't De gwen
.no.h.r chance to serve their country? You
cant conscript patriotism, but I do believe
vountarv enlistments would soar II such
young boys were given = chance.
Why not make survey Of the men available
In the iail here and in the National Training
Schools? I am sure the Attorney Genera
vo.,IA baek n I'm. I. K. SUNDAY.