St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1952-02-15

federate flag. They become indig-
nant about IL, but they seem I'M
concerned about more deadly ex-
amples OF southern powers such as
the filibuster in the u. S. Senate
and the hard fact that northern
states, including Michigan, help. to
pay for segregation in the South
out of Federal Tax funds.
The NAACP Is IA non. partisan
organization and what I am about
20 say must not be interpreted as
advocating the defeat or election
Of any Presidential candidate.
However, this In an election year
and the people should know the
kind Of candidates who are seek
O.. ing nomination In their respective
parties.
President Truman. who has not
yet announced his candidacy. has
established a high standard on
civil rights matters. What he has
done and what he can do to imple-
ment his own program, ! will
mention later.
First, however, wish 10 speak
of the record of Senator Estes Ke-
fauver OF Tennessee. He is seek
ing the Democratic nomination in
the primaries in the State Of H.
linois.
senator Kefauver has boldly an.
nOunced that he opposes FEPC.
He says that he ls against the
filibuster. A review Of the record
shows that on March IL, 1919, he
supported the ruling Of Vice Presl-
dent Barkley, which would have
limited debate, but ON May 10,
1850, and July IL Of the same
year, he had opportunities to vote
in support Of clOture which would
have limited debate and helped to
break a filIbuster against FEPC.
On both Of these occasions, he
voted with the old South.
Senator Richard Russell of
Georgia introduced an amend
ment which would have required
segregation in the Armed Ser
vices. The NAACP was success
full in defeating this amendment
on June 81, 1850. But on that date
Senator Kefauver again voted
with the southerners TO require
segregation in the Armed Ser
vices.
In the period between March IL
and May 10 Of 1850, there had
been a great deal of rabble-rous-
ing in the South aimed, particu-
larry, at Senator Claude Pepper OF
Florida, and Senator Frank
Graham of North Carolina, who
were defeated in their bids for re-
election to the Senate. In other
words, when the hounds Of the
South began nipping at the heels
of Senator Pepper and Senator
Graham. Presidential candidate
Kefauver threw away his coon
skin cap and fltntlock rifle anC
ran like a rabbit back to IN,
woods of reaction.
In the Republican ranks, Scna
tor Robert A. Taft, has Away
voted for clOture and has gone oI
record against the filIbuster, but
in his speeches through the South
he sounded more like candidate
running for the Governor Of Mis-
SissippI than an Ohioan seeking
the Presidential election.
He has openly opposed FEPC
with enforcement powers ant
broadly hints that the Fedora
Government should not use il
proper Constitutional powers I,
end segregation in the southern
states.
General Eisenhower record OF
civil rights Is meagre, but he ha
yet to live down the statement
made before the Senate Arme,
Services Committee In Hearing
on Universal Military Training Il
the Second Session of the 80tl
Congress. His statements appea
on Page 996 OF the record. Gen
eral Eisenhower said at that time
In general. the Negro is les
well educated than his brothe
citizen that is white, and IL yo
make a complete amalgamatior
what you are going to have 4
every company the Negro is &c
ing to be relegated to the mino
jobs, and he is never going to &c
his promotion TO such grades a
technical sergeant, master ser
geant and so on because tn
competition is too tough"
Already the Air Force IN
shown how ridiculOusly false thi
statement was. By the lates
count, the integrated Air Forct
where promotions are based Of
merit rather than race, has owe
$50 coIored commissioned Officers
Each one Of them won his place 4
fair competition with white mem
bers Of the Air Corps.
General Eisenhower also said
Il do believe that II we attemp
merely by passing a lot OF laws .
force someone TO like someon
else, we are just going to get int
trouble"
This was sheer demogoguery
since no laws were under oonsdd