Evening star., 1949-05-29
By Gould Lincoln

By Gould Lincoln
Although President Truman
campaigned In ls4s for civil rights
legislation. the issue has become
a veritable "step-chld" In the
Democratic-controlled s1ss Con-
gress. according to Republican
Senators and ofiicials Of tho Re-
publican National Committee.
Val J. Washington. assistant to
Chairman Hugh Scott Of the Re-
publican National Committee and
in charge Of Negro activities for
the committee. In a statement
made public yesterday. said
Southern Democrats In Congress.
aided by the Trumanites". have
adopted q new technique. They
hamstring and delay the civil
rights bills In congressional COM
mittees and subcommittee. thus
keeping them from coming before
either house Of Congress. Mr..
Washington contends. He said:
Actually what is going on Is
a back-door filibuster against civil
rights bills. made possible by con-
nivance between Truman Demo-
crats who are chairmen of COM
mites and Dixiecrats. whom they
appoint In some instances to serve
as chairmen Of subcommittees."
Two Months Since Rules Change.
In justification of the charge. it
may be pointed out that 1t is more
than two months since the Senate
changed its rules SO as to make a
cloture motion applicable to a mo-
ton to take UP a bill. as well as
to bill already before the Senate.
If a two-thirds vote Of the total
Senate membership voted it. In
those two months not single civil
rights bill has been reported out of
a congressional committee and
placed on the legislative calendars.
MIR. Washington gave the status
Of civil rights bills before both
House and Senate committees, as
follows:
The FEPC bill Is before a sub
committee Of the House Labor
Committee. headed by Representa-
tive Powell Of New York. a Negro.
More than 70 witnesses have been
heard and the subcommittee Is ex-
pected to complete its work this
week.
The anti-poll tax bill is before a
subcommittee of the House Ad-
ministration Committee, headed
by Representative Harrison Of
Virginia. The subcommittee has
been holding hearings once a week.
from 10 am. to IL noon. for ffve
weeks. Continuous hearings have
been refused. Mr.. Washington says
Mr.. Harrison insists he cannot
close his hearings until IL more
Southern members Of Congress
have been heard. ......
The bill to eliminate racial dis
elimination in the Army Is before
the House Armed Services Com
mittee. headed by Representative
Vinson Of Georgia-no action so
far.
The bill to eliminate Jim
Crow" In interstate travel is be-
fore the House Commerce Com
mittee. and no hearings have been
set. 49, 81
The bill to abolish racial dis
elimination In the National Guard
is before the House Armed Serv-
ices Committee and nothing has
been done about 1t.
The bill to abolish segregation
In the District Of Columbia is be-
fore the House District Commit
tee. headed by Representative
Mcmillan of South Carolina, and
no action has been taken what
ever.
The anti-lynching bill is before
the House Judiciary Committee,
Of which Representative Celler Of
New York is chairman. No date
has been set for hearings.
The status Of civil rights bills
In the Senate is as follows:
The FEPC bill is before the
Labor Committee, and nothing
has been done about 1t.
The bill for a permanent COM
mittee on civil rights is before
the Judiciary Committee and
nothing has been done. This bill
was introduced by Senator Nc
Grath of Rhode Island, chairman
Of the Democratic National Com
mittee.
The anti-lynching bill Is before
the Judiciary Committee, and no
effort has been made to start
hearings on it. although requests
to be heard have been filed.
Filibuster Threat Lessened.
The bill to end racial discrim-
ination In interstate travel Is be-
fore the Commerce Committee,
headed by Senator johnson Of
Colorado. No hearings have been
arranged. A similar bill Is before
the Judiciary Committee. headed
by Senator McCarren Of Nevada.
No action has been taken.
The change in Senate rules, al
though 1t was not all that was
demanded by the Republicans and
by President Truman, has lessened
the opportunity for successful fill
busters In the Senate. The fact
that no steps have been taken to
place civil rights legislation on the
congressional calendars. Mr..
WaShinctnn insists Is lust another