Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-09-01
Byrd Assai|s
High Courta al
Annual Picnic
Menace to Nation,
Senator Declares
To 1000 Guests
BY SAM EASTMAN
star star CORRESPONDENT

BERRYVILLE, Va, Aug. 81.
Senator Byrd described the
Supreme Court today as the
greatest menace to free gov
eminent in the Nation.
Virginia's 70-year-old Demo-
cratic Senator dashed out at
some Of his favorite targets
during his annual apple grow
ers' picnic here.
About 1000 guests-includ-
ing q generous Sprinkling of
politicians-were on hand for
the 31st annual gathering at
Senator Byrd's apple orchards.
Included were Virginia's
Democratic slate. Lindsay
Almond. jr., gubernatorial can
didate: A. E. S. Stephens, seek
ing reelection as lieutenant
governor. and State Senator
AlbertiS Harrison Of Lawrence
vile. candidate for attorney
general.
Three Decisions Cited
The Senator prefaced his
attack on the Supreme Court
by explaining that he had al
ways made a practice of shun-
ming "extravagant language"
and that he docs not like to
say a thing like this"
With this out Of the way,
the Senator declared:
1T appears to me that the
present Supreme Court wants
to destroy the democratic prin-
ciples of our country"
Senator Byrd added that it
is "a very sad thing" that the
Supreme Court has become
the greatest menace to free
government that We could pos
sibly have"
Specifically, Senator Byrd
denounced the Supreme Courts
decisions on school desegrega-
ton. opening Of Federal Bu-
reau Of Investigation files. and
trial protection for accused
Communists.
Civil Rights Act Hit
The civil rights legislation
lSo drew the verbal fire of
Senator Byrd.
Southern Senators. he said.
had won a great victory on the
Jury trial guarantee amend
ment.
Referring to the civil rights
legislation as "monstrous" and
evil" the Senator told his
audience:
They wanted to force us
down to our knees"
The purpose Of the civil
rights drive in Congress, Sem
ator Byrd declared, was mere
ly to punish the South and
force us to accept something
we can't accept and still main
tain our way Of life"
The sonly good thing that
came out Of Washington" ac-
cording to Senator Byrd, was
the Federal budget cut Of about
SIS billion.
Interrupted by Applause
Sci .tor Byrd was interrupted
frequently by applause during
mis- off-the-cuf address.
J. r. Magness Of Beltsville,
Md. a representative Of the
United States Department of
Agriculture, and DR.. Edwin
Gould, entomologist from the
Xearneysville. w. Va. Agricul-
tural Experiment Station, spoke
on the apple industry.
Among those on hand to en-
10Y the hospitality Of the leader
Of Virginia's dominant political
organization were:
Gov. Stanley. Virginia's
Democratic Senator Robertson.
the States assistant attorney
general. Kenneth Patty: Repre-
sentative Smith. Democrat Of
Virginia: H. Bruce Green. Arl-
ington County clerk; Alexan-
dria Delegate James M. Thorn
son: Marshall j. Beverley. for
mer mayor Of Alexandria.
Also, Ernest L. Lyons. Arling-
ton Democratic Executive Com
mittee chairman: j. Maynard
Magruder. Arlington Independ-
ent Movement candidate for the
Arlington County Board; An
drew w. Clarke, former State
Senator from Alexandria. and
Fred Gosnell. jr.. general chair
man ~ ATM