Evening star., 1948-07-23
Robertson S Aid
Boosts Truman
Hopes in South
~.
Virginia Senator.
| Opposing Platform,
| Still Won't Bolt

Hopes of President Truman
and other Democratic leaders
that revolving Southerners will
come back into the party fold
before the November election
were bolstered today by a state
ment from Senator Robertson
of Virginia.
The Virginia Democrat, one of the
partys rebels, publicly promised his
support for Mr.. Truman and SEN
ator Barkley, the vice presidential
nominee.
| I have been a Democrat all nv
life and intend to vote the Demo-
cratic ticket this fall" Senator Rob-
ertSon said.
His statement came shortly after
National Chairman McGrath had
predicted that most of the Southern
Democrats would line up for the
party ticket before the election.
Disagree With Truman.
The junior Virginia Senator made
it clear that he thoroughly dis
agrees with Mr.. Truman on the
issue of civil and States rights. He
also said he opposes the platform
pledge to repeal the Taft-Hartley
Labor Act.
At the Philadelphia convention
Senator Robertson voted against Mr..
Truman and for Senator Russell of
Georgia.
Other Democratic leaders in Vir-
ginia, including Senator Byrd and
Gov. Tuck, have not disclosed their
plans. Senator Byrd was away from
his Office here, and friends said he
was not consulted sby the junior
Senator regarding his statement.
Senator Robertson, candidate
for reelection this fall. emphasized
that he will not retreat from his
support of the Taft-Hartley law. He
described the act as definitely in
the interest of the rank and file Of
labor as well as all consumers"
Aid to Truman Seen.
The Robertson campaign against
James p. Hart, jr., of Roanoke for
the Senate seat was regarded by
party leaders as favoring Mr.. Tru-
man in the State balloting. Their
theory Is that Virginia Democrats
going to the polls to vote for Senator
Robertson against his Republican
opponent will also vote for the ma
tional ticket despite the boiling"
threat.
Armistead 'Boothe, former Alex
andria City attorney and member
of the Virginia House of Delegates,
predicted that the States rebel
Democrats will be back in the fold
before November. In speech yes
terday before the Cosmopolitan Club
| at the Carlton Hotel, Mr.. Boothe
said he was willing ito wager 10
to 1" that Virginia will not make
concerted effort to carry the State
for the Southern presidential ticket
headed by Gov. Thurmond OF South
Meanwhile, cIo President Philip
Murray said after a White House
visit that his organization has not
decided on which presidential can
didate 1t will back. The question,
he added, will be taken up at
meeting of the CIo-PAC Executive
Committee next month, probably in
Washington.
Submits Program.
Mr.. Murray went to the White
House at Mr. Truman's invitation
to submit the CLOS 12-point pro-
gram for the special session of Con-
gress starting Monday.
It's major recommendation calls
for freezing of prices at some recent
! level and increased taxation on "ex-
orbitant profits" of big corporations.
Others included passage of the Taft
Ellender-W Wagner housing bill, re-
peal of the Taft-Hartiey Labor Act.
bill raising the minimum wage to
IS cents, passage of Federal aid to
education bill, the fair employment
practices legislation, anti-poll tax.
anti-lynching and the anti-segrega-
ton bills
Mr.. Murray said the CIO program
also calls for extension and increase
by SO per cent of social security
benefits, a national health program.
increase in veterans benefits to
meet price increases, removal Of
alleged religious determinations in
the displaced persons act, long
range housing program, and ap-
proval of a $65 100000 loan for the
erection of United Nations head
quarters in New York.