Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-07-28
Move for Trial
In Rights Bill
Seen Abating
BY J. A. O'LEARY

hnOWlano SalQ yesterday tnal
signs Of weakness were showing
up in the ranks of advocates of
a jury trial amendment to the
Civil Rights bill.
One such sign was their ac-
ton IN offering a broad new
amendment to require jury
trials in all criminal contempt
cases, including those involv-
ing labor under the Taft Hart
ley law.
The Republican leader came
out fatty against the new
amendment. He confidently
predicted that jury trial
amendments would be defeated
But he admitted the vote would
be close.
Senator Knowland said he
had been ready to agree to vote
Tuesday on the crucial jury
trial issue, but added that there
had been some cooling of on
the other side" toward fixing
a time to vote.
Draw Own Conclusion
Senator Knowland. who is
leading a bipartisan group in
support of the House-approved
bill, told reporters they could
draw their own conclusions as
to what such a cooling of"
meant.
Senator Russell, Democrat of
Georgia, leader of the Southern
opposition to the bill. said he
could not state that he was
ready to vote Tuesday. because
he would want to discuss it
with others. He said no one had
formally suggested a vote on
Tuesday.
The Georgia Senator gave his
support for the broad new
amendment. He said 1t was not
all he would like, but was as
much "as we can hope to get. "
He agreed with Senator Know
land that the vote would be
close.
Senator Russell said he did
not know whether labor leaders
were for the new amendment.
But he insisted that it would
be a desirable protection for all
groups of Americans. The reac-
ton of labor spokesman during
the next few days may deter
mine how much effect the new
amendment will have on the
vote.
New Appeal
In a new appeal for trial
by jury. Senator O'Mahoney,
Democrat of Wyoming, said:
I'VE cannot undermine our
Constitution here at home and
expect it to sustain us in. the
worldwide struggle against
communism nor can we
hope to prevent the develop
ment of. faScistic governments
if we allow our own free gov
eminent under our Constitu-
ton to be weakened. There is
no such thing as trial by jury
in Soviet Russia. Arbitrary gov
eminent through all history
has claimed and exercised the
power to throw people into
prison at its ruthless will"
Senator O'Mahoney said trial
by jury was The keystone of
the public's protection against
big government.
IF we surrender it, if we
yield now to the thoughtless re-
quest of the Attorney General
. we shall be wrenching the
keystone from the arch of in
dividual liberty" he added.
Senator O'Mahoney has
joined Senators Kefauver of
Tennessee and Church of
Idaho, also Democrats, in spon-
soring the new amendment.
Aiken Doubtful
Senator Aiken. Republican Of
Vermont, said he doubted that
the broad new amendment
would make any material diff
ference in the final outcome
He thought it also could result
in a tightening of party lines.
Senator Aiken Joined a coali-
ton that succeeded last week in
narrowing the bill down to the
protection of voting rights.
This was done by striking out
a House provision that would
have enabled TN Attorney Gen.
eral to use the injunctive proc
ess to bring about racial inte-
grafton in schools and other
public places or to protect any
civil right. But Senator Aiken
is going along with the Admin
lstration in opposing jury trial
amendment.
The bill still permits the At
torney General to obtain in.
functions in Federal courts tc
protect voting rights, and. as
the United States Code now
stands. when the United States
is party to an injunction. per.
sons cited for contempt for VIC.
latlng II are not entitled to q
jury trial.
On the test vote last week to
limit the injunction process to
voting rights, 30 Senators were
present and they voted So tc
38 to narrow the scope of the
bill, The 38 who stood by the
Administration consisted of rs
Republicans and Is Democrats
If only 80 vote on the jury
trial issue. the administration
could keep the amendment out
OF the bill with a minimum OF
IS votes, because amendments
fail on a tie.
This means the administra-
ton needs a net gain of seven