Evening star., 1949-06-30
House Inquiry Closed
After Reporters Tell
OF Alabama F|oggings
Dy the Assoeiotsd Press

VI AIdDdlIld HUyyInyS
BY the Asseeiatsd Press
A congressional investigating
group washed its hands today OF
further inquiry into Alabama q
hooded nightrider troubles.
After a brief hearing yesterday
Representative Byrne. Democrat
of New York said he had no plans
for continuing an investigation
into hogging incidents which al
ready are under study by FBI
agents and Alabama law enforce
ment authorities.
Mr.. Byrne Is chairman of a
House Judiciary Subcommittee
which heard testimony from three
Alabama newspapermen yesterday.
The reporters-the only three
witnesses called-related accounts
of violence by hooded mobs. But
they suggested that Congress let
the home folk handle the sit
uation.
Testimony by Negroes Urged.
Although Mr.. Byrne indicated
the hearing would not be reopened,
Edgar G.. Brown. director Of the
National Negro Council, demand
ed that the committee call in Ala
bama Negroes for testimony on
foggings and terrorism" at the
hands Of white-sheeted mobs.
I'VE don't agree that everything
is all right in Alabama" said Mr..
Brown. a white-bearded Negro. 1T
hasn't been for 80 yeras."
MIR. Byrne adjourned the hear
ing without comment on the de-
mand.
At one point during the session,
Mr.. Brown interrupted the testi-
many by shouting that reign Of
terror" had been going on against
Negroes in Alabama for 80 years
and "it's worse now than ever
before"
Battle Criticizes Hearing.
Representative Battle, Demo-
crat. of Alabama, who had called
the investigation a political ma
neuver" in behalf of the Truman
civil rights program. said after
ward that the hearing proved
nothing"
1.-THE only thing it proved" he
told a reporter, lis that law en-
forcement officers are cooperating
with the State, the FBI and citi-
zens to clean house. Alabama is
on the move against lawlessness.
"A political congressional in
vestigation will prove nothing, only
muddy up the waters"
All three witnesses-Clancy E.
Lake Of the Birmingham News,
Clarke Stallworth Of the Birming-
ham Post, and Frank Trawick OF
the Jasper Union News-told the
committee of instances Of violence
which they had investigated as
reporters.
:ezsss,=.=.:@.s4 Homes -Dynamited, ~-
The incidents included the
dynamiting of three Negro homes,
foggings and lynch threats against
q mother and her two daughters
and other similar occurrences both
in the vicinity of Birmingham and
IN neighboring Walker County.
Mr.. Trawick, q stocky. confident
young man, said. II am satisfied
everything is being done that Is
humanity possible to end these dis
turbances."
But he was critical Of the in
vestigation made by Sheriff
Grover B. Baggett Of Walker
County, saying the sheriff's office
was undermanned. He expressed
satisfaction with the work OF State
investigating officers.
"The great majority OF the
people Of Alabama regret these
floggings. The exception are a
minority bunch of lawbreakers," l"
he told the committee.
Predicts Indictments.
MIR. Lake, city hall reporter for
the Birmingham News, urged the
committee not to dig too deeply
while criminal investigations were
still in progress.
But, he added, "I can guaran-
tee there will be q batch Of in
dictments in the Jefferson County
(Birmingham) incidents"
Alabama law enforcement OH
cials have acted promptly and
vigorously" Mr.. Lake said, and
State investigators are working
day and night and doing a darned
good job"
Mr.. Stallworth. 23-year-old re-
porter for the Birmingham Post.
told the committee he had been
.slugged at the mining town OF
.Sumiton when he was sent there
. by his newspaper to get informa-
.tion on a fiogging case involving
three women at the town OF Dora
in Walker County.
{: 1.-THE only complaint made has
been made by you?" Representa-
tive Hobbs, Democrat. Of Ala
bama. asked Mr.. Stallworth
and that has been properly
attended to. the persons have
been arrested and the trial set?"