The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1957-11-22
By BARROW LYONS
Special to PEOPLES VOICE

WASHINGTON, IL. C.-lf the Sec
ond session of the 85th Congress is
more productive of progressive legis-
lation than the first, one cause prob
ably will be the little known activities
of group of about 83 northern Dem
ocrats in the House of Representa-
tives. Although the impact of this
group has been almost completely
overlooked by the press, it has COM
manded considerable respect and at
tention from members of Congress.
It's somewhat self-effacing leader,
Eugene J. Mccarthy of ST. Paul, Min
nesota, is 40-year old former pro-
fessor of economics and education at
st. Johns College, Collegeville,
MINI. The group has gravitated to
his orbit chiefly because he drafted
a prediction program for liberal
House Democrats in early 1856, which
was signed by 20 House members.
Since the 85th Congress convened in
January, the group has met in his
office for counsel and advice perhaps
a dozen times. Thus it got the name
of "The Mccarthy Group, a tag
which some have considered unfortu-
nate because of its suggestion of an
other Mccarthy, now deceased.
Although thoroughly informal,
this group has given effective sup
port to civil rights legislation, a
program for public power atomic
reactors, adequate appropriations
for foreign aid, and a more gener-
Gus use of farm products in foreign
assistance. Its principal defeat was
failure to push through the school
construction bill.
NO CLASH WITH LEADERSHIP
To many it appears remarkable
that this group has not clashed with
House leadership. The venerable
Speaker Sam Rayburn still rules with
an iron hand beneath velvet glove.
Part of the reason for continued har-
mony may be the fact that the group
claims to represent strictly regional
interests, generally legitimate rea-
son for deviation in Congress. Also |
it claims never to have solicited any
one to join, and that its operation as
whip for liberal legislation has been
without heavy pressure. It's members
hope not to antagonize Rayburn. 1t
is slowly gaining strength without
reaching for power.
Thus, the group has avoided includ-
ing in it's membership any of the
House leadership Sin order not to
anyone. A number of
chairmen of powerful House commit
tees have voluntarily become part of
this operation, however.
Among such committee heads is
Emanuel Celler of Brooklyn, chair
man of the Judiciary Committee,
which has been ferreting out unethi-
cal operations of businessmen in gov
eminent, and exposing monopoly
practices of big business. Other mem
bers are Clair Engle of California,
chairman of the Interior and Insular
Affairs Committee; Thomas S. Cor
don of Chicago, chairman of the For
eign Affairs Committee; and William
L. Dawson, also of Chicago, chairman
Of the Government Operations Com
mittee. Chairmen of several active
such as Earl Chudoff ,
Of Philadelphia, and Wayne N. Aspi- ,
nall of Colorado, also are included. ]
BREAK COULD COME c
AS the Mccarthy group grows in
conflict with House leader
ship could develop. Probably for this
'eason, number of strong liberals
n the House have avoided participant !
ng in the groups deliberations and |
,riefing sessions.
Had it been able to upset the lead :
,rship's position on civil rights, or oil :
md gas, break might already have
occurred. Such a rupture could seri- =
usly weaken Democratic influence =
" splitting the party. On the other f
and, on such issues as public power, !,
he Mccarthy group has worked in e
with some of the older lead /
RS although the private power COM -
anies have been too strong in the :
louise for even the Southern leader y
hip and the Northern liberals COM
ined.
ReOreSentativa Mccarthy tho mod l.