Evening star., 1952-08-02
Democrats See Unity,
But Differ On nFHibusfer
..ls.ssg.gss S.sSSs
And Civil Rights :
By Robert K. Welsh

Democrats took differing views
of their platform planks on civil
rights and filibusters today, but
predicted that Northern and
Southern elements of the party
will stand together and win in No
Ivember.
Senator Robertson Of Virginia,
Ipledging his support for a straight
Democratic ticket, disagreed with
some of his fellow Senators who
regard the civil rights plank as
much stronger than the 1948 YER
sion, which caused a walkout of
lDixiecrats.
1T is less threatening to the
Southern viewpoint than the 1948
lplank," he said.
Senator Green of Rhode Island,
who served on the preliminary
platform drafting committee for
the Chicago convention, told re-
Iporters he was not worried by
Northern-Southern disputes over
the meaning of the plank. He said
he believed it was a workable COM
promise which should eliminate
any bolt by Southern States.
Stronger Plank Seen.
Describing the civil rights plank
as stronger than four years ago,
the Rhode Island Senator said the
anti-filibuster proposal also de-
fines a practical objective "by
saying that a small minority
should not be able to block a
majority in the Senate" Conced-
ing that the exact words of the
plank may hold different mean
ings for different Democrats. the
Senator added:
That's all right with me as
long as they all vote right in No
vember."
The civil rights section in the
platform promises continued DEM
ocratic activity in racial relations
to eliminate discrimination in po-
Ilitical rights, employment and
other fields. Another section ad-
vocates improvement of congress
sional procedures so that legisla-
ton could not be blocked by end
less debate in the Senate or
House.
O'MahOney Predicts Agreement.
Senator O'Mahoney of Wyom-
ing was another veteran Demo-
crat who declared that all ele-
ments of the party would unite
behind the platform. He pre-
dicted, in a separate interview,
that the Stevenson-S -Sparkman
ticket not only would win by a
greater majority than the Tru-
man-Barkley ticket did in 1948
but that it would carry New York
State. He noted that "there will
be no third party ticket to throw
New York into the Republican
column"
Senator Moody of Michigan, a
leader in the Democratic con-
vention battle on the party 10y
atty pledge, said at a news con-
ference yesterday that he had not
tried to drive Southern Democrats
from the party. He described
himself as a "peacemaker" and
said the issue arose at the recent
convention only because of the
1948 situation.
The civil rights plank, in Sena-
tor Moody's opinion. is strong"
He as well as Senators Lehman of
New York and Humphrey Of Min
neSota have said they believe it is
stronger than the one in 1948.
Sparkman Answers Powell.
Earlier yesterday Senator
lSparknan of Alabama, the vice
presidential nominee. promised to
work whole -heartedly for the
platform but did not give detailed
views on the civil rights plank.
Senator Sparkman, who was a
member of the convention plat
form committee, telegraphed Rep
resentative Powell, Democrat. of
New York, that "our platform
provides program on which we
can wage our campaign and win"
Mr.. Powell. a Negro. had asked
Senator Sparkman several ques-
tions about specific civil rights
issues. The Alabama Senator re-
piled that "as an experienced
legislator you will understand, /
am sure, that no one can properly
give blanket assurance in advance
as to his action on any and every
measure"