Evening star., 1949-04-21
Vote on Housing Bill
Seen in Senate Today
AS Debate Continues

Senator Taft. Republican Of
Ohio, called housing lone of the
most important social and eco
nomic problems before the
country" as he took the Senate
floor today In the support of the
slum clearance and public hous-
ing development.
Indications are the Senate will
begin voting by midafternoon
and pass the bill late today or
tomorrow without substantial
change.
Senator Myers Of Pennsylvania.
acting Democratic floor leader,
predicted that all important
amendments would be beaten, in
cluding the effort of one Re-
publican faction to prohibit
racial discrimination in public
housing projects.
Although 1t lis not due to be
called up until later. the anti
Segregation amendment caused a
furry Of argument yesterday
afternoon. when Senator Cape
hart, Republican. Of Indiana,
urged its adoption.
Taft Opposes Amendment.
The amendment Is sponsored
by Republican Senators Bricker
Of Ohio and Cain of Washington,
but yesterdays debate revealed
that Senator Taft Is against the
amendment as being unnecessary.
The bill authorizes Federal
loans and grants to local housing
agencies to clear city slums, re-
place them with low-rent public
housing developments, and to aid
farmers In improving their homes.
Among other things theF bill
calls for construction of $4,000
public housing units during the
next six years. The Federal Gov
ernment would contribute up to
$3oS 100000 annually for up to
40 years to help finance the prof
ects. Az
However, most of the cost would
be met through the rents collected.
along with local community con-
tributions.
Senator Myers said the Bricker-
Cain anti-segregation amendment
Is designed to destroy the hous-
ing program"
Cricker Calls for Honesty.
The Senate debate on the pro-
posal was tied into President Tru-
mans civil rights program, calling
for q series of on-discrimination
laws. Nearly all members of Con-
.sress from the South are opposed
to the program, but the platforms
of both the Democrats and Repub-
1ican parties indorse the idea.
MIR. Bricker shouted that there
Is something wrong" with those
platforms If Congress defeats his
anti-segregation amendment.
IF we are for 1t (civil rights.
let's be honest about it,. Senator
Bricker demanded. q" IF we afent
for 1t. let's also be honest about it."
Several hackers Of Mr.. Trun1Rn's
civil rights program have FAN
nounced they are going to vote
against the amendment because
they feel 1t would kill the hous-
ing bill. They want civil rights
handled in separate legislation.
.-AssaiIs Public Housing Plan.
Senator Bricker said: IF it kills
the bill, well and good--then there
Is something wrong with the bill.
He sharply sassailed the whole
public housing section Of the bill.
He said 1t provides for an end
less program that just feeds. on
itself"
Senator Thye, Republican, Of
Minnesota contended there is
nothing In the bill which would
discriminate against Negroes.
Senator Capehart shot back there
is nothing In the bill, either, to
prevent discrimination.
Senator Taft, one of the spon-
sors Of the housing bill, said there
has been no discrimination in the
renting Of public housing in Ohio.
He added that If anything, Ne
.~ASs i,e that Gto%e hova haop