Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-05-19
Civil Rights Bill
Expected 10 Get
Committee OK
BY ROBERT X. WALSH

There could be many a slip be-
tween House Rules Committee
clearance Of civil rights bill
Tuesday and the chances of
prompt action by the House it.
self on the measure.
The bill approved by the Judi
ciary Committee seven weeks ago
seems certain to receive a 60
ahead vote Of perhaps 8 to 4
when the Rules Committee meets.
1t also seems likely to win House
passage. But its arrival on the
House floor may be delayed until
well into June and the House
may tangle on debating it for a
few days.
Rules Committee Chairman
Smith, Democrat Of Virginia,
would have three days in which
to report the bill formally to the
House after the committees ex-
pected Tuesday vote for clear
ance. Then he would have seven
legislative days to call UP the
bill on the House floor.
Smith NOncOmmittal
II Mr.. Smith. an outspoken foe
of the legislation, does not act
within that time, any other
member Of the committee could
ask the Speaker for recognition
to call up the bill. Such a move,
however, could be made only on
the second or fourth Mondays OF
a month. which. in this instance,
would be June 8 or %.
Mr.. Smith has not disclosed
whether he intends to send the
bill to the House immediately
after the committee acts Tuesday
or whether he might use up the
three days and sit on the bill
for the full seven legislative days.
Advocates Of the bill say that
II the Rules Committee chairman
shows signs OF undue reluctance
they will try to have the House
hold an unusual Saturday session
this week to provide an extra
legislative day.
House Democratic and Repub-
lican leaders show no disposition
to delay or prolong House con-
sideration Of the bill bearing the
name Of Judiciary Committee
Chairman Celler. Democrat OF
New York. and supported by the
Eisenhower administration. DEM
ocratic Leader Mccormack pre-
dicted to the Associated Press
several weeks ago that the House
would pass the bill by the end
OF May. He repeatedly still is
confident that the bill will 60
through early in June.
Wary Of FiIibuster
House passage even within the
next two or three weeks might
come too late to give the bill
any lighting chance Of being
considered by the Senate this
year. The 1857 congressional ses-
sion may go into August. but the
threat Of an almost certain fill
buster by Southern members
might deter leaders from bringing
up the bill.
A Senate supporter of the
civil rights bill yesterday gave
only a $3.50 chance of enact
ment this year. Senator Javits. /
Republican Of New York, told
reporters that early this year he
thought the prospects were "bet-
ter than ever"
The major immediate hurdle
in the Senate ID in the Judiciary
Committee. headed by Senator
Eastland. Democrat OF Missis-
sippi. Senator Hennings, Demo-
crat Of Missouri. chairman OF a
subcommittee which approved
bill last March. has been at
tempting unsuccessfully every
Monday since then at regular
committee meetings to have it
reported out.
Southern members have been
able to bottle it up thus far. The
committee meets again tomor-
row at $3.50 am. but the Senate
will convene earlier than usual
at 10 am. Southern members
are likely to invoke the rule
against committee meetings
while the Senate is In session. /
Senate Democratic Leader
johnson has promised he would
not stand In the way Of action
m the hill Dax,t,klfcan TaaAo.