Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-06-02

in House and Senate feel they
have made an especially effective
drive and have won support from
many Democrats from the
North. Midwest and Far West.
Would Authorize Suits
Under present law a Federal
Judge has authority to punish
q person for contempt of court
in most instances without q jury,
and especially when the United
States is q party to the proceed
Iings in an injunction suit. The
civil rights bill would authorize
the attorney general to bring
Federal Court suits in the name
tof the United States against
private persons or public officials
such as election officials by seek
Ing injunctions or damages.
This, according to opponents
OF the bill, would deprive such
persons or officials Of "the right
to jury trial" If they were
charged with violating court
orders enjoining them from acts
affecting voting or other civil
rights. Opponents emphasize
they are not necessarily chal-
longing the power Of a Judge to
punish summarily a person who
shows contempt in or near the
courtroom.
The principal proposed amend
ment along this line would
contain practically the same
language as q Norris-LaG uardia
Act provision which established
jury trial guarantees in labor
cases involving contempt charges.
Numerous other amendments
likely to be urged cover practi-
Ically the entire bill. A summary
OF the bills provisions is perhaps
the best indication Of where the
amendment attacks will be made.
Four Part Of Bill
The bills four parts would:
!. Establish q six-member, un-
paid. bipartisan Commission on
Civil Rights TO be appointed by
the President with Senate con-
sent. 1t would exist for two years.
1t could subpoena witnesses and
documents and hold hearings
under much the same rules gov
|erniag House committees. It
would investigate allegations in
writing under oath that certain
citizens are being deprived Of
their right to vote by reason of
their color, race, religion or ma
tional origin"
Proposed amendments report
edly being prepared by the OPP
position would try to take away
the subpoena power. make the
commission merely a study rather
than investigating group, remove
religion" from the list, and put
tighter limits on the size Of the
commissions staff and its au-
thority ito utilize services OF vo-
luntary and uncompensated per-
sonnet" on expense accounts.
2. Greatly expand the Justice
Departments civil rights section
by putting 1t under an Assistant
Attorney General as a division
The present bureau is In the
criminal division.
Besides attempting 10 prevent
broadening Of a civil rights divi-
sion. amendment moves would
try TO fix definite limits on the
number and duties OF the in
creased personnel.
3. Allow the Attorney General
TO institute for the United States
or in the name Of the United
States q civil action in FEDERAL
courts for preventive relief. such
as inJunctions. whenever any
persons have engaged or thereI
are reasonable grounds to believe
that any persons are about to
engage in any acts" to deny
or other civil rights to any
citizen.
4. This part Of the bill is
somewhat similar in design to
protect voting rights Of persons
otherwise eligible to cast ballots
Tor Federal ONCE candidates. AL,
in Sections 3 and al,
especially disliked by opponents
IS the Jurisdiction 1t would give
10 Federal courts whether or not
! complainant has exhausted \
III other remedies. particularly
n State courts.
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