Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1949-01-15
Rep. Dawson To
Have Broad Powers
As Committee Head


Washington The appointment
this week or Congressman William
Dawson to the craftsmanship of the
House Committee on Expenditures
IN the Executive Department not on
ly marked achievement of the most
powerful and influentian position ever
held by a Negro in U. S. politics.
but placed Representative Dawson
in a position to safeguard many Of
the rights of Negro citizens who are
Disseminated against in Federal en-
ployment
The responsibility of this commi-
ttee to investigate complaints in the
Federal Government arising from
action, rule, regulation, procedure,
order to directive (which) invades
the constitutional rights, privileges
Or immcnities of citizens of the Unit
ed States" is clearly and unmis
takagly set forth in House Resolution
118, Eightieth Congress, which is
part of the rules governing the du-
ties of this committee.
Easily one of the most powerful
committees of the House of Tepre
sentatives, this body has a wide
variety of legislative as we'll as in
vestigatory powers which can reach
into virtually every corner of the
Federal Government establishment.
The final technical hurdle which
had to be cleared before Represen-
tative Dawson would be officially
designated chairman of the COM
mittee was cleared last weekend
when the Democratic caucus nomin-
ated Rep. John Mccormack, Cd.
Mass.) as the majority floor leader.
He was the only Democratic congress
man having seniority over Represen-
tative Dawson and he publicly re-
nounced any elm to the chairman
ship in a statement issued last Sat-
urday. Floor leaders rarely accept
committee chairmanships. In fact,
said Congressman Dawson, Represen-
tative Mccormack has agreed to
serve on the Committee under Daw-
sons leadership.
LAUDED BY MCCORMACK
In a statement, Representative Nc
Cormack said: "It is a source of
pleasure to me that Mr.. Dawson will
become chairman of this important
committee. In addition, it will be a
happening of great and pleasant sig
nificance. In my opinion, Mr.. Daw-
son will make a great chairman. He
will perform his duties with ability,
with dignity and with courage" He
indicated that he had always intend
ed that he always intended to step
asile in Dawsons fafor.
This Craftsmanship will provide
Congressman Dawson with the oppor-
tunity to write and introduce con-
siderable legislation which is not
racial in lharacter.
IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS
The committee will conduct stu
dies and Investigations into COM
plants that agency orders exceed
ensconstituted authority and that
citizens are unfairly penalied by a
gency rules without fair trials. 1t is
authorized to sit and hold hearings
anywhere in the United States and
to issue, on the signature of the
chairman, subpoenas fir any person
or evidence it needs. 1t will control
bulge and accounting measures, 9TH
er that appropriations, it will exam
inc reports of the comptroller gener-
al, study all aspects of government
ing with economy and efficiency, and
to determine if agencies are oporat-
scpervise the expenditures of all
agencies of the executive branrh of
the Government.
Tt has numerous other functions,
all highly important in the opera
tion of the Federal Government.