Evening star., 1950-03-30
The Political Mil
Lines OF Battle Drown Y
By Alabama Factions
Democratic Voters Will Elect
Stote Committee on Nay Z
By Gould Lincoln

By Gould Lincoln
A battle for control Of the Democratic
Party, between the Dixiecrats and sup
porters of President Truman-Truman-
crats-will be determined on May 2
when Alabama voters will elect the State
Democratic Executive Committee This
committee, u strong. has absolute au-
thority In party matters in the State.
If the Trumancrats elect majority Of
the committee, and control it, the States
Rights-Dixiecrat-m will re-
ceive body blow, and conversely. the
Democratic leadership in charge OF the
national party will be on the up-and-up.
1t was the State Democratic Execu-
> tive Committee which in 194S pledged
the Democratic electors not to vote for
Mr.. Truman or for any candidate who
supported the Truman civil rights pro-
gram. 1t was this committee which kept
Truman electors off the Alabama ballot.
Senators Spark Drive.
The drive to get the Democratic Party
organization In Alabama back In the
fold OF the National Democratic Party
Is sponsored by Senators Hill and
Sparkman, and by five of the nine Ala
bana members Of the House
The election of the State committee
u an unusual ocedure-but 1t effec-
lively places great power In the hands
OF the committee once it has been
chosen. Eight members Of the committee
are chosen In each congressional dis
trict. In the Birmingham district, the
lines are clearly drawn-with a slate of
states Fighters on the one hand and a
slate OF Trumancrats on the other. In
some OF the other districts, too, ths
lines are distinct and presumably every
candidate for committeeman will eventu-
ally have to declare himself on one side
or the other.
State Chairman Gessner r. McCorvey
II strongly opposed to the election OF a
pro-Truman committee. He has attacked
Senator Hill because the latter has
said he would campaign in Alabama to
defeat the election of States Rights
Committee. Mr.. McCorvey says that II
Senator Hill leaves his duties In the
Senate to return to Alabama to cann-
paign in the State Committee fight, he
should not draw his salary as Senator
for the period Of his absence
Mobile Paper Vigorous.
majority of the daily newspapers In
the State are said to be supporting the
Hill-Sparkman side of this issue. How,
ever. the Mobile Press Register editori-
ally takes the hide off the movement to
select State committee which will 20
along with the Truman leadership. It
said in one editorial:
"On May the Democrats Of Alabama
will choose between independence and
the brass collar of the Truman Harlem
alliance. Either they will select Stats
Democratic executive committee which Is
pledged to uphold and defend principles
dear to Alabama Democrats or they will
choose 4 committee subservient to the
patronage dispensing Trumancrat or
Hanization In Washington"
Senators Hill and Sparkman are trying
to convince the Democrats Of Alabama
that they should return to the fold Of
the National Democratic Party and that
they should not remain-as they say
they area splinter party" Senators
Hill and Sparkman call themselves and
their followers Democrats" and their
opponents "Dixiecrats." They do not USE
tho name Estates Rights'-for they say
I'VE are all believers IN States rights"
There is difference, too they say; dis
Alabama Democrats back Into the ma
tional party and sentiment for and
against Mr.. Truman.
Hill Up for denomination.
The States Fighters, for their part. In
sist they are the true Democrats, and
they call the opposition "Trumancrats."
which gets right under the skin OF the
anti-Dixiecrats.
Whether Mr.. Truman is more disliked
in Alabama today than he was in 1948
is 4 problem. Even Trumancrats admit
that the President probably could not
have carried Alabama If his electors had
been on the ballot two years ago.
Senator Hill himself is up for renomi--
nation. and 1t is expected he will win
against Lawrence McNeill. . 37-year-old
Birmingham real estate man, who appar-
entity will have the support Of many Of
the Dixiecrats. 49,.