The Omaha guide., 1956-03-16
II Dixie Senators Gang Up On Powell
Inside Washington. by Robert S. Allen

Inside Washington. by Robert S. Allen
Washington
There is a highly significant development in the Senate in the in
tenshyng battle over the amendment of Rep. Powell to bar federal
funds to segregated schools.
Southern leaders Of the Senate have quietly launched a powerful
legislative counterattack against this proposal.
Their challenge is in the form Of a farreaehing bill sponsored by
Sen. Mcclellan (D-Arkl chairman of the Government Operations Com
msiee. and 10 other sOutherners. Purpose of This measure TO TO curb
federal courts in matters affecting state powers. particularly relating
70 civil rights, education and labor.
Under this bill, states could not be required to desegregate their
schools.
require Congress to clearly express its intention when legislatng.
Failure on the part Of Congress to do that would compel the federal
are not to be ruled invalid or superseded simply because Congress has
also legslated on the same matter"
Sen. McCleIan's bill was introduced on February 6. Unlike the
headline publicity which has accompanied Rep. Powells amendment
since ITS inception, the Senate counterattack is unknown to the general
public There has been no announcement or fanfared discussion about
The measure is pending in the Senate judiciary Committed OF the
Committees eight Democrats, five ire southerners. Of whom Mcclellan
and TWO others ar eoaUthors Of the bill. OF the seven Republicans.
twO n considered critical Of the Powell proposal.
The cosponsors of the Mcclellan measure are:
Sens. George Ga), chairman of Foreign Relations Committee;
Russell Gal, chairman Of Armed Services Committee; Byrd Wal,
chairman Of Finance Committee; Hill Alal, chairman of Labor and
Public Welfare Committee; Johnston SCI chairman of Postoffice and
Civil Service Committee; Robertson Wa), second ranking member of
Banking and Currency Committee; Stennis MBS), Appropriations Com
mtteei Easland Missl, and Daniels CTex), Judiciary Committee;
Thurmond Scl Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee.
The IftIe-known Mcclellan bill was the main subject of that pri
vate meeting of 81 Southern Senators in Sen. Georges office.
They discussed strategy to block the Powell amendment if it
reaches the Senate a part OF the schoolaid bill now awaiting consid-
GRAFTON by the House. The Southern Senators unanimously agreed to
make every effort to enact the Mcclellan measure at this session Of
Congress.
Confidence was voiced that influential support would be received
from Northern sources both in and out of Congress.
Foremos. among fhe powerful organizations il raj claimed favor
This legislation are: The American Farm Bureau Federation, National
Association of Attorneys General. and the National Association Of
Manufactures.
1t was asserted that last year, during hearings before the House
Judiciary Committee, spokesman of these organizations endorsed a
similar bill by Rep. Smith Dval, chairman of the Rules Committee.
Nothing was done about his proposal. but it could be brought up at
any time.
The Mcclellan bill consists of a single paragraph. as follows:
mo Act of Congress shall be construed as indicating al intent
on the part OF Congress TO occupy the field in which such Act operates
70 the exclusion Of all state laws OF the same subject matter, unless
such Act contains a express provision to that effect. No Act of
Congress shall be construed as invaidahng a provision of state law
which would be valid in the absence of such Act, unless there is a
direct and positive conflict between al express provision Of such Act
and such provision of the state law SO that the two cannot be reconcH.
ed " consistently stand together"