Evening star., 1950-07-13
Civil Rights Problem
Dealt Severe Blow
By Extremists Acts
South CoroIinu Primary
Third in Which Negro
Issue Has Been Ruised
By David laurence

KY DUItU AULCT CWtC
The extremists-so frequently
the worst enemies of the very
cause they are championing-have
made a mess of the civil rights
problem.
Today the advance of the Negro
toward a better deal in the eco
nomic life of America has been
dealt a severe blow by those who
insist on a Federal law to regu-
late hiring and employment prac-
tices.
The latest contest in the Demo-
cratic primaries in which Sem
ator Johnston defeated Gov.
Strom Thurmond for the United
States Senate nomination in South
Cardinals the third in which
the Negro issue has been raised
in the South. Emphasis on this
led to the defeat of Senators Pep
per of Florida and Graham of
North Carolina for denomination.
Senator Johnston's victory was
due to his claims on the stump
that he was less inclined toward
the Negro side Of the argument
than his rival In fact, Mr.. john
ston pointed with scorn to the
fact that Gov. Thurmond-though
a Dixiecrat-had appointed a
Negro to medical board.
This very week also in the Sen
ate the proponents of a Federal
law. with compulsion in it on the
subject of hiring, have tried with
out success to get the measure to
a vote. The move toward cloture
to cut off debate has now been
defeated twice in this session.
Liberal Efforts Retarded.
Where does all this leave the
Negro, particularly in the South?
1t is evident that the sincere ef-
fort of liberals in the South to
advance the cause of the Negro
have been retarded and restrained
by extremists in the North. For
years various Negro leaders in the
South have felt they were being
used as a political football. They
have not been fooled by the talk
of "anti-poll tax" and "anti-
1ynching" laws. They have felt
that the politicians were merely
exploiting the issue and that any
improvement or real change in
conditions would have to be
worked out with Southern people
and not by force If it were to
be at all effective. The mere
passage of law, they have recog-
nized, would not help toward nom
discrimination any more than the
enactment of the prohibition law
changed drinking habits of long
standing.
The Republicans In the North
have supported the civil rights"
crusade. though many Of them
have conceded privately it was a
phony issue and that it was done
solely to offset the efforts Of the
Democrats to capture the Negro
vote in the populous areas Of the
North.
The acid test Of sincerity on
civil rights comes when Democrats
as we'll as Republicans in Congress
turn their eyes away from Federal
laws to punish mass picketing and
the use of violence in labor dis
putes-the alibi being offered that
this is matter for State power.
However, every one knows the same
political influences affect State
authorities and local police chiefs
and make them wary about pro-
tecting the civil rights of nom
union workers or union employees
who want to cross a picket line.
Hardening of Lines.
In spite Of the fact that the civil
rights issue. as manipulated by
the politicians, has caused har-
dening of lines, the climate of
thought in the South on the prob
lem is changing constantly toward
more and more recognition Of the
economic rights and opportunities
Of the Negroes.
The biggest mistake was made
by the Truman administration
when it rejected the recent pro-
posal of Representative Brooks
Hays, Democrat, of Arkansas, and
others who joined with him. This
would have created a council or
commission to help advise with
employers and employees so as to
help broaden job opportunities for
Negroes. It would not have been
compulsory but would have been
educational and advisory. It
would have carried the prestige
Of Federal policy and yet would
not have required compliance ex-
cept on voluntary basis.
Many Southern members of
Congress would have voted for the
Hays plan as simple way out of
the deadlock on civil rights. With
administration backing, it would
have gone through Congress.
But the extremists among the
Negro leaders vetoed the project.
With them, as usual, it's all or
nothing. The administration
played ball with the extremists,
believing they represented the
largest number of votes in the
North, and turned down the pro-
posal. Thus is progress retarded
by the very friends of q cause
which both parties perhaps like to
keep alive because it means votes
for them and a chance to exploit
the voters.
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