The Omaha guide., 1956-10-26
KefuUvers
Record On
Rights Bad


for Vice President, has a record
on civil rights as bad as that Of
Senator James o. Eastland, Demo
crat, Miss.), Val J. Washington,
Director o. Minorities for the. Re
publican National Commit ; e,
charged today.
According to Mr.. Washington,
Kefauver has been consistently a-
gainst civil rights ever since he
entered the Congress.
As proof, Mr.. Washington calls
attention to a speech made in the
House by Senator Kefauver while
he was a member of the House of
Representatives and a candidate
for the United States Senate, on
July %, 1913.
Opposes Civil Rights
In this speech Senator Kefau-
yer said: Il have always opposed,
and will continue to vigorously
oppose, the FEPc, the anti-lynch.
and any non-segregation provs-
ions"
IF Senator Kefauver has ever
changed his attitude on such
measures" Mr.. Washington said,
~'therc Is no record Of 1t because
he has voted for segregation and
the filibuster and against anti
Iynching at every opportunity"
Senator Kefauver's speech to
which MIR. Washington referred
follows and is to be found in the
Congressional Record of July 20.
1e48, page o54o:
MIR. KEFAUVER. Mr.. Speak
er, the civil-rights issue was toned
down by President Truman in his
message to Congress on July n. /.
am glad that he. indicated
that he was not anxious for the
civil-rights issue to be brought up
In this special session of Congress.
II hope very much that the
.civil-rights issue will not be push
ed at this Congress. for being
brought up would only add to the
fire Of prejudice and the disunity
In our Nation. -.
Most Of the matters embraced
In the Presidents ciyil-rights pro
gram cannot be dealt with by legis-
lation. I have always opposed,
and will continue to vigorously op'
pose, the FEPc, the anti-lynch bill,
and any non-segregation provis'
ions.
THE FEPC is, in my opinion, q
dangerous step toward regimenta
tion. Il is Of doubtful constitu-
tionality and Il certainly violates
the rights OF the employers Of our
Nation. 1t simply would moi
work especially in the South. Any
effort to put such a law in opera
ton would cause widespread diff
Guilty which would be very detri
mental to the Nation. 49,.
The anti-lyneh bill has been
before the Judiciary Committee, Of
which am a member, and | have
always opposed It.
There is no real demand foI
anti-segregation laws in tn {
South. The Negroes Of the South
are not interested in this kind Of
legislation. What Negroes doe:
he speak for, in Heavens namel-
Editor) They want schools, better
economic opportunity, and houses
/ hope their lot in these respects
can be improved. II would not be
In the interest OF their own vel
fare to fan the fires of passion and
disunity by espousal of federal
non-segregation laws"
That's what the man now aspir.
ing to the Vice Presidency-"one
heartbeat from the Presidency IT.
self''-said on the floor of Con
gress. And his voting record
when it did not show his absence
which is often, underscores his
own admission that he does moi
believe in non-segregation lawsl
His Voting Record
Mr.. Washington charged that
Senator Kefauyer voted as follows
in the House:
May 4, 1948-For a resolution
giving the consent of Congress Ia
a compact on regional education
entered into between the Southern
States at Tallahassee. February 8,
1048, to enable them jointly to
maintain racial segregation in
public education.
February q, 1946-Against the
Powell Amendment 10 the school.
lunch bill, providing that no funds
appropriated for the school-lunch
program shall be paid or disbursed
70 any State practicing racial dis
elimination in carrying out the
program.
May "a, lo43-Voted against mo.
tion to discharge the House Rules
Committee from further consider
alton of the anti-poll tax bill.
January 8, 1040-Against res
luton to discharge the House
Rules Committee from further
O~~~~