The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1949-03-12
from the shoulder
By Luther Webb

TO the stage from the audience, around the nation
Yes millions around the world, also look on.
No doubt, common question fingers their lips.
The answer must from the combined efforts Of
90 senator's and 43O-odd representatives What will that
answer be? Will the mandate OF majority OF the Amer
can population for favorable action on civil rights be the
answer? Or will the ssyfooting, budozing,cam-
fougng tactics of little Hers New Blloos. Old Rankns
compelled with alleged" liberals of the socaed north
again bottle Geek the complete freedom OF neglected
millions of this country directly. and the teeming million:
of the world indirectly!
The visible 'seRe of Democracy" on the hor.
zon is not only political block Of President Trumans
civil rights program but insult 70 the minority people
of the nation who entitled to equal rights under the
laws of the land.
Present legislation has failed to provide the maxi
mum guarantee Of freedom, enjoyed by the majority
group Thus. the rightful battle by decent thinking
Americans for more complete democracy.
Although both the Republican and Democratic parties
advocated and promised to pass civil rights Legislation
during last falls prediction campaign, Representatives
of both parties for varying find difficult
put the program over.
True, 'rump' of Southern Congressman are opposed
to any civil rights legislation they have always
it is past time when they should be allowed styme the
mandate of majority of the American people
Should President Humans civil rights program fail
the blame should be placed the shoulders of both Re-
pubcans and Democrats of the Northern Mdwesten and
Western states
They command majority in Congress and have suH.
gressmen believing state rights
Primary purpose of the Civil Rights program is to give
few millions of Americans rights, privileges and free
doms enjoyed by many millions of fellow Amen
who, fortunately realize the rights under the
present constitution for which the former fighting
The slogan What this country needs-is five cent
cigar could very well be paraphased and read, What
Congress needs is Just five worth of
Many aarmists greatly concerned about what's
happening behind the Iron Curtain when they should
take peep upon the Open Stage here at home and
denim yociferously the ineptness Of nsncere
Many of whom Just un-American any red
who worships the hammer and sickle
Down through the years. Republican Congressman
and few Northern Democrats have allied their With
sad Southern Solons in crcumventing progressive egs
lation.
In doing. they Ghe Northern legislators) were
quick point to Southerners like Bbo Rankin and Their
k being responsible for the failure of piece of egs
lation passing.
1t during the hearings on the FEPC legislation in
1916. believe that Sen. Bilbo informed delegation Of
FEPC supporters from Detroit that they should blame
him when legislation affecting Negroes failed pass in
the Senate.
Bilbo quoted a saying, "You must remember one
in Congress cannot block bill; there are many
other Senators sitting along with me- who believe as
do If you'll check the record you'll find that there
than vote seven or eight southern
Senator: who voted against the legislation. I'm tired of
taking the blame for every piece Of legislation affecting
people, that does get passed; I'm going to get
on the Senate floor one day and call their names"
1.-The Man, passed into the great beyond without
naming those Senator'S However he was correct. and
they known.
Recent reports from Washington state that Repubi'
cans nave planned to aid Southerners in their attempt
defeat the entire civil rights program.
Meanwhile, alleged" liberal Senator'S have already
indicated IN the debate limitation of debate (cotuel
hat they are for varying opposed to changing
senate rules Just TO suit minority of the population.
Others. crawfishng have said. 81 am not opposed
70 civil rights but cannot go along with the manner
which the administration attempting to get il passed
similar statements and for opposing the program
nave been mouthed by other solons.
Citizens of Detroit and Wayne County should ion in
with czens OF other sections Of the nation in expressing
their dsapprova of the tactics employed by their repes
enatves IN blocking progressive legislation on the agenda
or pending in committees.
row IS the time to warn them of their "bad faith"
should they fail to heed the warning then list them
IN the little black book for hot Homecoming al the
next electon One Senator Vandenber0 will be around
IN couple Of years others in the house will also be
around soap-boxng about what they did on capitol hill.
Senator Hubert Humphrey Of Minnesota speaking at
tne democratic convention last summer stated "Some Of
ou contend that the time not ripe for civil rights
tam that we are 70 years late"
- ne senator IS lust as correct in his thinking today