Evening star., 1950-08-16
Democrats Battling
6. 0. P. SubVersiVe
Rider in Control Bill
BY the Assoeioted Press

BY the Assoeioted Press
Senate Democratic leaders to-
day sought to turn back Repub-
lican drive to force an anti-Com-
munist amendment into bill Civ
ing President Truman sweeping
home-front controls.
At the same time the House
Committee on Un-American Ac-
tivities started closed sessions
today on pending bills to curb sub
versiveS and provide for interna!
security.
There were plenty of indications
that the Senate leaders faced an
uphill job.
First the Democrats are appar-
emily not in agreement among
themselves either as to strategy or
as to the type of anti-subversive
legislation they want.
Secondly, there is strong Sen
ate sentiment for tough curbs on
Communists, regardless of what
kind of a bill provides them.
The issue was brought to a head
yesterday when Senators Mundt,
Republican. of South Dakota and
Ferguson, Republican, of Michi-
gan offered their bill requiring
Communists to register as rider
to the controls bill. Senator
Johnston, Democrat, of South
Carolina, a co-author, did not join
in the move.
The Senate agreed to vote on
all amendments, including the
undt-FerguSon rider, and the
bill itself, beginning at noon Mon
day.
Senator Myers, Democrat, of
Pennsylvania, assistant Demo-
cratic leader, said the admins
tration might move to substitute
its own anti-Communist bill for
the Mundt- Ferguson rider.
But another key administration
lieutenant, who asked not to be
named, said he didn't think that
would be done.
lie said the administration hopes
to amasS enough votes, both Dem
ocrat and Republican, to beat
down the rider through the prom
Use of an opportunity to take up
anti-subversive legislation on its
own merits later on.
Majority Leader Lucas gave that
assurance to the Senate yesterday.
The plan calls for debate on
anti-subversive legislation to start
after the Senate finishes the war;
time tax bill, perhaps late next
week.
The situation was further con-
fused by the fact that the Senate
is likely to have at least three |
major anti-subversiVe bills to pick
from. They are:
The Mundt-F FerguSon-Johnston
bill, which still would remain on
the Senate calendar should the
rider be defeated; an omnibus
measure, Incorporating the Mundt-
Ferguson-J Johnston bill and others,
offered by Chairman McCarran OF
the Judiciary Committee, and a |
bill being prepared by the admin
istration.
Chairman Celler of the House
Judiciary Committee disclosed yes
terday that he, Senator Lucas and
White House staff members are
working on the administration
substitute. Mr.. Celler said it may
cover all phases of internal Sc
curity, including measures to deal
with aliens.
Mundt Predicts Victory.
Meanwhile, there was a sharp
disagreement over whether the
administration had the votes to
beat down the Mundt-FerguSon
rider.
"It will stay in the bill" Senator
Mundt told reporters. THE only
objection to it was that it would
delay this bill and that is no
longer valid. We've got the votes
to pass it."
Senator Sparkman, Democrat,
of Alabama, a key member of the
Banking Committee, said just as
hatly in a separate interview that
the rider will be left out"
A bill giving the heads Of II
Government agencies the right to
FIRE employees for security reasons
was sent to the White House yes
terday.
The bill carries authority fol
President Truman to extend its
provisions to any Federal agency
besides the IL agencies named.
Agencies named are State De-
fense, Army, Navy. Air Force,
Treasury Gin case of Coast Guard
Commerce, Justice, Atomic En-
ergy Commission, National Secur-
ity Resources Board. and the
National Advisory Committee for
Aeronautics.
Heads of these agencies may