Evening star., 1953-09-05
6. 0. P. Will Attempt
To Pass FEPC Law,
Dirksen Predicts
BY the Associated Press

of Illinois. predicted today Re-
publicans will attempt to force
passage of fair employment
practices commission legislation
in the next session of Congress.
His prediction came after the
Agriculture Department an
nounced it has abandoned a
controversial requirement that
banks which make farm price
support loans must promise not
to practice racial discrimination
in employment.
The Senate in the past has
bottled up civil rights bills ap-
proved by the House, largely be.
cause of Southern Democratic
f1libusters against such measures.
Senator Hill, Democrat of Ala "
bama, said in a separate inter-
view he sees no lessening of
Southern opposition to measures
Of this character.
Recalls Campaign Pledges. -.
Senator Dirksen said he real
ICES the Southerners may talk
at length against such legisla-
tion, but that he believes Re-
publicans should try to pass
such a measure to carry out
campaign pledges made last
year.
A variety of FEPC proposals
have been made, most of which
call for establishment of a Fed
eral commission to prevent
racial, religious and other dis
elimination in hiring.
Assistant Secretary of Agri-
culture John H. Davis, who is
president of the Commodity
Credit Corp, said last night the
discrimination clause no
longer would be required. He
said the decision was made on
"a question of fact"-that en-
ployment was not involved, since.
lending agencies generally han
died the loans without increas-
ing their stats.
The acrimony over the nom
discrimination clause began only
recently when Southerners dis
covered it has been contained
in all lending agency agreements
since May.
Secretary Benson said in South
Carolina earlier this week that
he regarded the clause as "un-
necessary"
White Assails Decision.
But Walter White, executive
secretary of the National As
soc1ation for the Advancement
of Colored People, said that If
the President allowed the nom
discrimination clause to be
dropped "he might as we'll dis
band Immediately the Govern
ment Contract Compliance Com
mittee." This group was set up
recently to check on observance
OF non-discrimination by Gov
ernment contractors.
Mr.. Davis called in reporters
late yesterday and gave them a
statement announcing it will be
entirely optional with banks
whether they sign the anti
discrimination pledge.
"They can scratch it out and
We'll accept the contract" he
said.
Mr.. Davis said he presumed
some Southern banks already
have signed the pledge-perhaps
without reading the fine print.
He was asked whether they
could exchange their contracts
for another without the clause.
We'll have to study that out
when it comes up," he COM
mented.
Byrnes Launched Move.
Gov. James F. Byrnes of South
Carolina, who backed Gen. Eisen-
howerhower in the last presiden-
tial election, wrote the President
August 27 saying many banks
would refuse to sign agreements
containing the non-discrimina-
ton clause.
Mr.. White called reversal of
the order "humiliating capitu-
lation" to Gov. Byrnes. .
Full responsibility" for inclu-
sion Of the controversial clause
in the contracts is being assumed
by Karl D. Loos, the depart
ment's solicitor and one of Mr..
Benson's first appointees.
Mr.. Loos told reporters "the
solicitors Office" recommended
the clause go in on the basis Of
a 1943 executive order requir-
ing Government contractors to
pledge non discrimination in
their employment practices. Mr..
Loos said he approved the rec
ommendation and takes full re-
sponsibility for it.