Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-02-15
Erwin and BrowneII
Clash on Civil Rights

Clash on Civ
Senator Erwin, Democrat of
North Carolina. ard Attorney
General Brownell exchanged
tar5s today in a wrangle over
civil rights legislation proposed
10y the Eisenhower Administra-
ZION.
THE Senator commended during
a Senate Constitutional Rights
subcommittee hearing--and the
Attorney General vigorously
denied-thas the legislation
would deprive citizens o. their
fundamental rights.
Senator Erwin directed his fire
at proposals which WOULD permit
the Justice Department 10 file
Injunction proceedings when ii
believes individuals are denied
rights in such things as voter
registration.
Would Supplement Laws
Mr. Brownell testified that the
legislation would enable the Fed
eral Government 10 step in in
an effort TO provide relief frcm
discrimination and he has cited
instances in which Negroes were
barred from voting in Southern
States. This civil action is pro-
posed as a supplement to exist
ing laws on criminal proceedings.
Senator Erwin. former Judge.
declared the changes advocated
would deprive defendants in the
civil cases of such basic rights as
the presentation of evidence to
grand juries. trial Of cases by
petit jurors and the opportunity
to confront and examine &C
cuSers.
He contended this would be the
result because irjunctive pro-
Ceedings naturally WOULD be filed
shortly before elections, when
political emotions run high. He
said defendants would be unable
TO get the benefit of fair trial
in the calmer atmosphere afford
ed under the criminal procedure.
Sees More Protection
Mr. Brownell said repeatedly
that the civil rights legislation
proposed would take no rights
away from any citizen and simply
would supplement existing laws
to provide additional protection.
He was accused by Senator
Erwin of refusing to answer
questions directly anG the Two
men dominated the entire hear
ing by their controversy this
morning.
AT one point the Senator said
the Attorney General reminded
him of the man in a carnival
booth who sticks his head
through a hole in the canvas
SO people can throw baseballs
at him
II am sure you wo-ld never
be hit" the Senator smiled.
Mr. Prownell replied thai it is
difficult for an outfielder to catch
q baseball when t is thrown in
the direction of the catcher.
BrOwnelI Won't Bulge
Senator Erwin said several in
junction authorities nov vested
in the Federal Government
under other statutes preserves
the status quo when invoked
under restraining orders and
temporary injunctions. He said
changes do not become effective
until hearings are held which
lstify permanent lnjunctions
he WIS unable, despite repeated
attempts, to get Mr.. Brownell to
agree that the civil rights pro-
posals would differ in ibis re-
spect.
There is nothing in this leg
!slat'on which by any stretch OF
Inc imagination would take any
right FROM airy citizen The At
iorley General declared emphat-
i@ally. On the other hand. he
added. i you'd protect mai
piduals.
Senator i5r"in argued tnat Il
Judge sitting in 4 civil rigllts IN
iLhct'on case lacked wisdom or
vas TO- vel enough informed OF
happened 70 he & fanatic--ile
SAID he knew d Z few. the Judge
could, through lis own diec,e-
ion. DESTROY state avs.
!. appears 70 me, Senator.
80 The Attorney General. "yoli,
IN ex-judge. e IoL have conf
dence n the judicial evsten Of
this country"
Heated kctort
Tire Senator hotly retorted
tnat he has SO much confidence
~ the system he could not sec |
The wisdom Of changing the lew
SO as to deprive people OF Con. \
stituCionally guaranteed rights.
Then nc sarcGstically declared |
that civil suits under the civil
rights legislation would be- in U
stituted Or not, depending on II
whether the Temporary occu-
pant Of The ATTORNEY Hnnnrals