Evening star., 1952-08-31
Both Sides of the Street

There is more than little irony in the fact
that Governor Stevenson, within the span of 48
hours, has been warmly indorsed by Governor
Battle of Virginia and Representative Adam
Clayton Powell, Congressman from Harlem.
Both men had been shying away from an
Endorsement, principally because of misgivings
as to what the Stevenson stand on civil rights
might ultimately prove to be. Governor Battle
was afraid the Democratic nominee might 90
too far. Representative Powell was afraid he
might not 60 far enough. And now Governor
Stevenson has performed the remarkable feat
OF at least temporarily lulling the fears at both
extremes.
In announcing his Endorsement, concurred
in somewhat reluctantly by the Virginia Demo-
cratic State Central Committee Governor Battle
said: Governor Stevenson is, in my opinion a
high-type Christian gentleman, well qualified to
lead the party and the Nation in these critical
days, and it is my purpose to support and vote
for him"
Be that as it may, it seems quite clear that
Governor Stevenson is moving away from, and
not toward, the Battle position on civil rights,
which goes hand-in-hand with the larger ques-
ton of States rights On the basis of the latest
Stevenson statements, it is Representative Powell,
not Governor Battle, who is entitled to feel that
his point of view has prevailed.
Governor Stevenson has indorsed the
Humphrey fair employment bin. This bill, in
some minor respects, differs from earlier FEPC
proposals. But certainly the principle remains
unchanged-the principle that the Federal Gov
ernment in the last analysis should be empowered
to go into the States and control employment
practices =
Furthermore, there is an element of sham
about Governor Stevenson's Endorsement of the
measure. He says the Federal law should not
become operative until after the States have had
an opportunity to enact satisfactory employment
statutes of their own. But Governor Stevenson
certainly knows that the States of the deep
South, at least, are not going to enact laws on
this subject that would be satisfactory by Federal
standards. So his States try posi-
ton is really nothing more than an obvious
sugar-coating of the pill.
Moreover, there is something peculiarly
distasteful about this approach In effect, the
Federal Government would be waving the big
stick and saying to the States: We will give
you chance to do what we want you to do
(and what we know you are not going to do)
and If you fail we will do it for you II there
Is a substantial question of States rights in
volved in this issue, which there undoubtedly
is, it would be more fortnight and perhaps more
palatable, if Governor Stevenson were to come
out squarely in support of Federal FEPC, with
out reservations which, as practical matter.
are meaningless.
How this incongruity will be resolved as the
campaign progresses remains to be seen But it
does not seem possible that Governor Stevenson
can continue to bring Joy to the hearts of men
at such extremes as Governor Battle and Repre-
sentative Powell It is one thing to work both
sides of the street.. Candidates have done that
before. But that is not the same thing as work.
ing political miracles.