Evening star., 1960-02-14

A Wloe range OF DlllS VIII
expected to center around pro-
and to bring about school de-
segregation in he South.
The battle is almost certain
to last several weeks, but no
one can predict exactly how
long.
Noting that there are a num-
Der Of Senators with their eye
on the presidential or vice
presidential nomination. Sena-
tor Russell. chief strategist for
, Southerners. commented:
"The South is accustomed to
the role Of political whipping
boy, but the almost fanatical
determination to please the
Americans for Democratic Ac-
ton, the National Association
for the Advancement of Col
ored People, COPE Qabor's
Committee for Political Edu-
cation and other affiliated
groups gives this years ex-
cursion into the South the air
Of a political carnival or Roman
circus"
Johnson Is Key Figure
The key figure In the battle
will be Senate Democratic
Leader johnson of Texas, and
the big question in Capitol cor
ridors is. How far will he 90
in supporting new civil rights
proposals." He was not avail
able yesterday to answer the
question.
The job facing the Texan, a
contender for the Democratic
presidential nomination, is to
strengthen his position in the
big Northern States, where the
Negro vote may be decisive,
without alternating the support
he already has in the South.
The Eisenhower administra-
ton has a Seven-point program,
introduced by Republican Lead
er Dirksen of Illinois, which
includes the controversial pro-
posal for court-appointed Fed
eral referees to see that Ne
groes are allowed to register
and vote.
1t Is probable that Democrats
outside of the deep South, will
try to get together on a pro-
gram of their own. But what
is not clear at the moment is
what role Senator johnson will
play in shaping the legislation
finally adopted.
Senator johnson has a bill
pending from last year. It's
main feature is a proposed con-
ciliation service to deal with
disputes over civil rights, in
the same way that Labor De-
partment mediators try to settle
labor management disputes.
His bill also seeks to deal with
bombings Of public buildings,
and to give the Attorney Gen.
eral subpoena power to inquire
into complaints Of denial of
voting rights.
Strategy Not Disclosed
No civil rights bill has been
reported out of any Senate
committee in this Congress.
But leaders have about decided
to use as a vehicle a House bill,
approved by the Senate Judi
ciary Committee, to celebrate
the centennial of the land
grant colleges. Civil rights
amendments would be offered
to this measure.
The Southerners have not
disclosed their strategy of op-
position. But if they follow
past practice, they will begin
their fight Immediately by
speaking against the motion to
take up the college measure.
The civil rights fight may not
start until Tuesday if leaders
attempt to get action tomorrow
on the House-approved stream
pollution and tobacco-control
bills.
The Senate Rules Commit
tee will meet Wednesday in an
effort to decide between court
appointed referees or registrars
named by the President toI
protect voting rights. This
meetlng may produce some new
alternative on which Democrats
can agree to deal with voting
rights.
Hennings Has a Plan
Rules Committee Chairman
Hennings, Democrat of Mis-
souri,, said last night he has
a plan for protecting voting
rights which he will present to
the committee Wednesday.
In place of registrars" as
proposed by the Civil Rights
Commission, or referees" as
proposed by the administra-
ton, Senator Hennings calls
his plan the Federal Enroll
ment Officers Act" Pending
the Wednesday meeting he did
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