Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-10-25
Liberals Plan
Bipartisan Try
For RIGHTS Bill!
BY J. A. OLEARY
Star stan Writer


Liberal Senator's in both par
ties are getting ready to Join
forces in support Of q strong
civil rights bill when Congress
Ireconvenes.
Senator Clark, Democrat Of
Pennsylvania, predicted such a
bipartisan effort in a speech
prepared for a State confer
ence Of the National Associa-
ton for the Advancement Of
Colored People in Pittsburgh
last night, and Senator Case,
Republican of New Jersey, ex-
pressed the same view here.
1T is no secret that civil
rights legislation must have
the active backing of the lead
ers Of both parties to win con-
greSsional approval" said Sem
ator Clark.
The Pennsylvania Democrat
said President Eisenhower
asked Congress for "only minor
improvements" in the civil
rights law at the last session.
He said the weak stand" Of
the administration was all the
SouthernerS needed to head off
action this year on all bills ex-
cept the two-year extension Of
the Civil Rights Commission.
Responsibility Divided
| Senator Clark said both
parties must share response
bility for the failure of further
action this year.
Senator Case said in an in
terview here that he feels sure
there will be bipartisan support
for a meaningful program. But
he indicated he does not ex-
pect any specific plans to be
disclosed until the time for the
debate arrives.
Although leaders have agreed
to call up the subject again on
February Is. the Senate will be
in for a long struggle before
any action is taken.
Southerners are expected to
use all their rights under the
rules to prevent passage of leg
islation or to increase Federal
control over election machinery
in the States.
Election Is Factor
Several leaders from the
South are up for reelection
next year, a fact which will in
tensify their opposition to civil
rights legislation.
BY the same token, the APP
proach of the 1860 presidential
election will make the liberals
in both parties more determined
than ever to get action because
of the Importance of the Negro
vote in populous Northern
States.
The contest over civil rights
also will be important to the
several Democratic Senator'S
Kennedy of Massachusetts,,
Humphrey of Minnesota, Sy-
mington of Missouri and john
son of Texas-who are potential
presidential nominees.
Important to johnson
1t will be especially important
to Senator johnson, the Demo-
cratic leader, who insists he is
not a candidate but whose
name has been put forward by
his fellow Texan, House Speaker
Rayburn.
At the last session Senator
johnson sponsored moderate
civil rights bill, based on the
use of Cancellation machinery.
The part he plays in next years
debate may determine whether
he has a chance to finish strong
as a dark-horse contender at
the convention.
Senator Clark said last night
the report of the Civil Rights
Commission made public near
the end of the last session will
provide "the necessary back
ground for success" in the fight
for new legislation.
The commission made a long
list Of recommendations to deal
with school integration, voting
rights and equality in housing.
1t is too early to tell how many
of its recommendations will be
enacted.