Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1952-03-14
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Minneapolis, Minnesota, Sen
ator Hubert II. Humphrey urged
the Democratic party 10 reafhrm
It's civil rights platform at the
coming Democratic convention at
the Civil Rights Leadership con-
vention held on Feb. II at the
Statler hotel in Washington. u.
c,
On his last trip To Minneapolis.
in an exclusive interview. he
told this correspondent that he
could not support Senator Estes
Kefauver for president unless he
drastically changed his views ON
civil rights.
In his speech to the conference,
Humphrey declared;
In newspaper headlines our
politicians fiji the air with cries
for unity in this time OF emer-
gency, Some of the leaders Of my
political party are now urging
Harmony" their yardstick for
harmony is to gloss over or re-
treat from the proclaimed plat
form outlining our detectives in
the field OF civil rights legislation.
This is not harmony. This is cap
itulAtion, surrender"
II is the opinion of some obser-
vers on the local and national
political scene that Humphreys
speech has spiked the rumors that
he was deserving the civil rights
fight,
These rumorS were started
when Humphrey was quoted ~
stating that ne would support Ne
fauVer for president.
During his interview with this
reporter. Humphrey very emphati-
cally stated that Il have repeated
Iy told Senator Kefauver that
could not support him unless he
came out in strong support of
such measures as FEPC with en-
forcement powers.
II Is believed that Humphreys
influence on the thinking Of the
caused him to state recently that
he would. II nominated support
the Democratic platform.
II In assumed that he meant he
would support stranK ciVu
rights PLATFORM. 10 the party plat
form contained such a plank.
Whether he would fight 10 have
civil rights included in the party
platform Is not known.
Humphrey also made Il clear
that II Truman wanted the Demo
cratic nomination, he would sup
port the President at the Demo
cratic convention that will be
held in Chicago this July
He also stated that "Kefauver's
failure TO declare Cstrong civil
rights standD himself, will negAte
his campaign for the nomination
and the presidency.
In an attempt 10 split the Ne
gro vote, Humphreys critics have
ignored his frisndiineHs toward
the candidacy OF AdIai Stevenson.
Illinois governor, but instead have
concentrated on his frtendlineas
for Kefauver. who recently voted
against removing segregation in
the armed forces.
In his Washington speech, Hum
phrey predicted that the Demo
cratic party would be- q "dwtnd.
ling political minority" ~ u com
promised ItS stand on civil rights.
He said that he planned 10 pre-.
sent TO the Democratic party =
plank that would strengthen the
civil rights plank in the party
platform.
The plan calls for:
o The establishing Of a major.
ity rule cIoture rule instead Of the
present two-third'a rule which IL
the primary reason that any civil
rights Legislation has been block
ed in the senate:
. Establishing permanent
Commission on civil Rights:
"a joint Congressional com
mittse on Civil rights:
o The elevation Of the existing
and weak civil rights unit Of the
Department Of Justice 70 the sta
tus Of assistant 20 the Attorney
General
" We cannot rest on evolution
alone, particularly in . period
when revolution which sweeps
vast areas 81 the world. II IN i'm
[ perstive that America under.
stands this revolution which
sweeps Asia and Africa la q yio-
lent demand for equality. II
America fails 10 recognize this ap-
parent political fact II has then
failed 10 equip itself with the
| philosophy and the mind for world
leadership" Humphrey declared
| Humphrey SAID, Americas
foreign policy was weak because
u has failed TO declare by pub
nc law and pubic policy 10 our
selves and the whole word not
only our desire for equality but
our willingness 20 practice II here