Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1952-07-18

date for the Republican party.
Thus. the issue of a suitable
civil rights plank remained unre-
solved as the convention closed
after five hectic days Of SQUAD
bling and debate in the party.
Even the nomination Of Gen.
Dwight d. Eisenhower for Presi-
dent has not overshadowed the
civil rights issue in the minds Of
Negro delegates. alternates and
guests and visitors.
Central figure in the split
among colored delegates was
Harold c. Burton OF the 22nd dis
trict in New York City. Burton
seconded the platform approved
by the resolutions committee to
the surprise Of nearly all the
1,2O6 delegates attending the con-
vention and nearly all the thou
sands of guests and newspaper
men looking on.
This platform contained a civil
rights plank which approved the
principle of states rights-de-
claring 1t was the right of states
to take basic action and that the
federal government should act
within its constitutions" limits.
II also encouraged fair employ
ment practices, but declared II
did not advocate the creation OF
another strong bureaucracy.
Bright Feature
Considered 70 be the bright fea-
ture of the plank was a declara-
ton calling for the end Of segre-
CATION In the nations capital,
Washington, ID. c.
DoublecrOssT
Delegate William Brooks Jr., Of
Detroit, Mich, declared outright:
"Purtsn doublscrossed the Ne
gro delegates. alternates and
guests and visitors"
He said this was the story of
how Burton let his fellow dele
gates down:
On Wednesday night, July o.
Negro delegates held a caucus
after seeing what they considered
q watered down version of civil
rights in the platform. At this
meeting four delegates. all lead
ers Of the Elks, composed what
they called an amendment to the
civil rights plank. This new state
men called for compulsory action
on the topic.
Delegate Hobson Reynolds of
Philadelphia was slated TO read
the document carrying the civil
rights fight TO the floor OF the
convention. A technicality, how
ever. led the delegates to approve
of a reading by Burton.
Burton, IL is said, originally
told the group he intended to
move the adoption Of the 1s4s
COP civil rights plank. then
agreed TO read the caucus report.
The floor battle on the plank
had been mapped out, and Negro
delegates were ready for a civil
rights battle when Burton arose
% speak. He had obtained per-
mission ahead Of time for five
minutes TO speak on this issue.
Instead Of denouncing the plat
form civil rights proposals, Bur-
ton declared that Negro delegates
met in q caucus and found that
since five Of seven states with
civil rights laws have Republican
governors. and that the proposed
planks contained means for pass
ing compulsory legislation. he
approved the civil rights section
He then seconded the approval OF
the platform, and the civil rights
night was dead
Why did Burton do what he
did? II IL said that about five
minutes before he was TO speak
he was called from the platform
for a few minutes. During this
conference with whites. reported.
~ Sen. Irwin Ives, New York;
Gov. Alfred Z. Driscoll. New
jersey, and a third Republican
liberal
The report Is that they told him
that the party's platform in IL
final statement left a loophoIe for
compulsory legislation IN connec
ton with fair employment prac,
tees. Under these circumstances
Il Il said the whites felt II wouIt
Be better IL the issue were no.
brought before the house
Under this pressure, Burton Il
said 10 have agreed 70 merely sc
ond the motion approving tn
platform.
Because Burton was the onli
Negro delegate VINO had arrangeC
with the convention chairman
Rep. Joseph Martin Of Maszachu
sits. no one else had the right d
speak
Throughout the convention
SEE. ooP Delegates
TCnntInued on mage o.