Evening star., 1950-01-26
The Political Mill
FEPC Bill Likely to Make
Better Issue Than q Law
Action Expected by Public Put Off
Under New Policy Program
BY Gould Lincoln

The Fair Employment Practices Commits
sion bill apparently makes a better issue
than it would make law. judging from the
antics of the Trumancrats Gas distinguished
from the Dixiecrats) on Capitol Hill.
The general public was given the impress
sion-when Congress opened its present Ses-
sion-that the administrations leadership
would certainly get that measure before the
Senate for consideration within the first few
weeks. Now it appears from the statement
Of Senator Lucas of Illinois, the majority
leader of the Senate, that it will be at least
the middle of February before FEPC is taken
up-and it may be considerably later.
Having disposed of the oleomargarine tax
bill, the basing-point bill, and few minor
matters of business. the Senate, according
to the Democratic Policy Committee is going
to devote its time to the following breath
taking measures instead of the FEPC in
whose interest President Truman beats his
breast from time to time.
Policy Program Set.
First, joint resolution to declare Febru-
ary National Children's Dental Health Day.
Second, constitutional amendment spon-
Sored by Republican Senator Lodge of Massa-
chusetts to change the electoral vote system
by which Presidents and Vice Presidents are
elected. Third, a bill to construct new
dam at Bridge Cannon across the Colorado
River. Fourth. bill reported from the
Banking and Currency Committee to make
start at putting into effect President Tru-
mans Point 4"-American aid to back
ward" areas of the world.
FEPC, according to Senator Lucas, was
not even discussed at the meeting of the
party's policy committee which brought forth
this dynamic program. The administration
leader said on his own account however.
that 1t would not be right to take up FEPC
during the period of the Lincoln Day and
Jefferson-JackSon dinners, which will run
through most of February, with many Sena-
tors away.
Senator Taft of Ohio, Republican, in his
innocence, put out statement for release
the day after Senator Lucas made his an
nouncement regarding the program, saying
that during the month of January" the
Senate would consider the FEPC bill and
possibly the Federal anti-lynching bill, both
part of the so-called civil rights program.
Mr. Taft wished to make his own position
clear on these measures, as well as on the
anti-poll tax bill. With complete honesty.
Mr.. Taft said that he would vote to apply
cloture CLOSING debate and forcing vote)
on all these measures. He said, however,
he did not believe compulsory Federal Fair
Employment Practices bill should pass. In
Its place he would set up Fair Employment
Practices Commission to study the whole
problem, adding: II believe that the condi-
tlon can be greatly improved on study and
cooperative basis"
Taft Stand for Some Time.
This has been Mr.. Taft's announced stand
for some time, but he has taken this oppor-
tunity to reiterate it, Such an FEPC was
in effect during wartime and was able to
improve the industrial condition Of Negroes.
1t is Mr.. Taft's contention that a similar
commission, after studying the situation in
an industrial area, could call employers to-
gether and lay out definite plans for increas-
ing the number of jobs open to Negroes and
improving the grade Of such jobs and really
get somewhere
Like many others, Mr.. Taft is opposed to
setting up great Federal organization to
pass on 60,000,000 employment relations In
the United States, thereby subjecting mil
lions of employers to arbitrary action by a
Federal board. He believes, also, that the
rights OF employers. as well as the rights of
mlnorities, must be considered
So far as the other two civil rights meas
ures are concerned, anti-lynching and anti
poll tax, Mr.. Taft has always supported them
and will do so again.
If other legislators were as candid-and
honest-about the FEPC proposal as is Sena-
tor Taft, the issue probably could be deter
mined AS things stand today, however, too
many of them talk in favor Of a compulsory
FEPC law and at the same time naneuyer
to keep the measure from coming to vote.