Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-07-13
Senate Group
.Pigeonholes
Picketing Bill
Subcommittee Votes
FL After Hours
Debate on Ban
By Don S. Worren

The judiciary subcommittee Of
the Senate District Committee
today debated for an hour
whether Congress should ban
mass picketing around the White
House grounds and then voted
2sto to pigeonhole the bill.
Championing the measure was
freshman Senator Reynolds. Re-
of Nebraska, conduct
ing his first meeting of the sub
committee. Lined up against
were Senators Morse, Independ-
ent, of Iregon, and Nicely, Demo-
crat. of West Virginia. Mr.. Nicely
was at the hearing room
promptly on time at 10 am, but
found his colleagues hadn't ar
rived so he stalked out. in keep
ing with his practice of refusing
to wait for latecomers.
Senator Nicely previously had
registered his opposition view
and left his proxy with Senator
Morse.
While the subcommittee vote
was to postpone action indefi-
nitely, the issue will be taken to
the full District Committee at a
meeting to be held probably next
week. Senator Reynolds will
bring it up with a minority re-
port urging approval.
Senate Passage Doubtful.
Doubts were expressed as to
whether the Senate could pass
the bill, however, since it could
not gain unanimous consent and
would have to be scheduled for
a floor fight.
The bill was passed by the
House with little fanfare. It's
author. Representative Gentry,
Democrat. of Texas, first wit
ness at today's hearing, declared
mass picketing at the home of
our Presidents should not be
tolerated in country where
fairness and decency are sup
posed to prevail"
He cited the case of julius and
Ethel Rosenberg, the atomic spies
who were executed, recalling that
thousands of picketers were
massed in front of the White
House last year when the Presi-
dent was considering a last
appeal.
The President, Mr.. Gentry
said, twas virtually prisoner"
It was display of "incipient
anarchy" and an attempt by
mass pickets to force a decision
on the President, he added.
Representative Hiestand. Re-
publican. of California could not
attend, but sent a statement in
support.
White House Keeps Hands OF.
Robert c. Albrook, committee
clerk, said he had contacted the
White House and was told the
White House would not take a
position on the bill or send a
representative to the hearing.
The District Commissioners, it
was reported by Irving Bryan,
assistant corporation counsel,
have no objection to the bill,
but have not formulated report
on it. Likewise, Chief of Police
Robert v. Murray testified that
he had no objection to the bill
and was taking what he called
a neutral position"
Chief Murray confirmed re-
ports by Representative Gentry
that police protection during the
Rosenberg picketing cost the
District 5000 man hours of po-
lice service at a figure of $10,-
Morse Cries "Shame!"
Senator Morse reiterated his
view that it would be a great
mistake" to pass the bill be-
cause the right to picket con-
stituted an essential part of free
dom of speech and to petition
the Government.
Proponents had recalled that
Congress had banned picketing
around the United States Capitol,
the embassies and the Supreme
Court.
AS to the ban on pickets in
the Capitol grounds" Senator
Morse said, I'VE ought to be
of ourselves"