Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-06-15
BY DAVID KOONCE
star stan Writer

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Powell. jr.. the Negro minister
Congressman from Harlem, has
been indicted on three counts of
income tax evasion, booted out of
his party in New York City by
Tammany. and attacked by promi-
nent Negro political leaders in his
city.
Yet most observers familiar with
New York City politics readily
agree with columnist who re-
Gently wrote that there is every
visible sign that Adam Clayton
Powell viii ride triumphantly
home to Congress next November
with one hand on the cross and
the other on the wheel Of his
Nash-Healy" sports car.
Such a predicament as the Con-
gresham now flnds himself in
could be expected--in Just about
any Of the other 434 congressional
districts-to attract hordes Of OPP
position candidates from all parties
anxious to make the most of the
incumbent's troubles.
Yet, in Mr.. Powell's district only
one opposition candidate will be
in sight in November land he had
to be assigned that unhappy task
by Tammany). Further, the
Republican organization in Harlem
has Endorsed Mr.. Powell, with
some of its leaders branding as
"a traitor to his race" any Negro
who opposes the 10th districts
seventeen veteran.
Why He Con Survive
The answer to why a politician
can survive-and more than that,
probably increase the strength of
his position-in the face of such
burdens can be found only in the
complexities of New York politics.
in the pain and the poverty of
Harlem, and in Mr.. Powell's self
portrait Of powerful and effec-
tive crusader for Negro rights.
Tammany, with all its opera
tons amongst skyscrapers and
machines, is politically feudalistic
in many aspects. The few in the
manor house live well on the many
who labor in the vineyards. Its
successful operation depends on
obesiance, which in politics is
called regularity. And regularity
among the overseers on its Har-
lem plantation is as necessary
to its safety as was discipline to
the safety of Old Massa.
But if there is anything regular
about Adam Clayton Powell it
is his irregularity. He has a dis
concerning affinity for far-flung
tangents. Too often, Boss Tam
many will find him at the wood
pile when he ought to be in the
cotton patch.
He is a lone wolf. An inde-
pendent. A rocker of the boat.
He is not team" And if Car
mine De Sapio, the Tammany
leader who is the source of the
preachers troubles with his party,
could succeed in throwing him
overheard, all would be safe in
Harlem.
Hos Been Used by Tommony
Tammany has used Mr.. Powell
on the rare occasions when it
could, when it needed the ace in
the hole provided by his wide Har-
lem following. 1t is said that at
any given moment he can deliver
minimum of 10000 votes on any
Issue.
But in the past, Mr.. Powell has
not been averse to limiting broadly
that prostitution and gambling
flourish in New York with the per-
mission of city officials in Tam
many Hall. He has been a vocal
and longtime enemy of the num-
bers operators.
1t is this war on the gamblers
that accounts, at least in part.
for the support he has among the
solid citizens of Harlem; With
Adam Clayton Powell in the
forum, they reason, the numbers
racketeers will keep their dis
lance These persons know that,
In Mr.. Powell, they have a man
who cares little for political eti-
quette when it comes to pointing
an accusing finger at a police
commissioner, mayor-or for that
matter, all of Tammany Hall.
This is not to imply that Tam
many would like Mr.. Powell out
in order to make it easier for the
gamblers; again, it's the lack of
etiquette" the irregularity, that
they don't like.
Actually, the man Tammany
has sponsored to replace Mr.. Pow
ell, City Councilman Earl Brown,
would hardly be viewed by the
gambling community as a friend.
Mr.. Brown, who has been a
champion of inter racial housing
In the city, also is liked by the
responsible citizens. But what
Tammany appreciates about him
most is his loyalty to the party.
Who His Constituents Are
Mr.. Powell's district is New York
City's darktown ghetto, where
some 100000 persons, mainly Ne
groeS, live. Most of them are the
unfortunates who know little
change from boom to bust. Life
is full of pain and luSts. haunting
sorrow and unknown terror. There
is easy laughter in the little knots
of the idle and the searching gath
cred at the poolroom or the quicl
lunch. And there is the love of thu
religious who come to worship a
the Rev. Mr.. Powell's Abyssiniar
Baptist Church at 1873 West 1851
street.
But there is also the fear-anC
the hate 49, of the downtrodden
Just as the unfortunate white o
the Delta is the prey of the dema
gogue whose posture is the accus
ing finger pointed at the Negro
the unfortunate black of Harlem
finds it not difficult to deposit tn