Evening star., 1960-07-06
PLATFORM
Continued From First Pag,

he nlnCeQ tnaC SOuCnernerS,
If beaten on the civil rights is
sue in the committee, might
get together on a minority re-
port to submit to the conven-
ton itself.
Senator Erwin sharply criti-
cized Democratic National
Chairman Paul M. Butler, who
has said he expects the plat
form will include a strong civil
rights plank, for making no eff
forts to work out a compromise
in advance of the convention,
"As far as I know" he said,
Butler has not talked to any
body on this subject in the
South who has enough influ-
ence to get elected to political
Office"
Before the 1856 convention,
Senator Erwin said, other
Southerners had been consult
ed on the issue. I'VE tried to
devise a civil rights plank that
everybody could live with" he
added.
There has been no effort to
do a similar thing, which !
think is unfortunate. always
thought it was the function of
the chairman to try to har-
monize the diverse elements in
the party"
Text Offered
Mr.. Rauh. a leader in Amer
leans for Democratic Action,
said the civil rights advocates
would urge adoption of a plank
adopted by the leadership con-
ference on civil rights:
THE students of the Nation,
Negro and white alike, have
given all Americans a sharp
reminder that the pace toward
true equality has been much
too slow. The students Sit-ins,
carried on as a peaceful exer-
else of the historic right of
protest, have evidenced the
deep yearning for equal and
dignif1ed treatment.
BY dramatizing the refusal
to serve Negroes on the same
basis as other citizens, the sit
ins have brought home to every
American the inadequacy of
our efforts toward equality and
the realization that time alone
will not end discrimination. We
are firmly committed to the
continuous positive employ
ment of the powers Of govern
ment in the interest of equal
opportunity and justice for all
Americans, in every aspect of
American life"
Mr.. Perlman indicated in
talking with newsmen he
thought some such expression
should be contained in the
civil rights platform. Represen-
tative Blatnik of Minnesota,
another member of the plat
form committee, said he would
favor it but his States delega-
ton had taken no position on
the issue. In the 1948 conven-
ton Senator Humphrey Of
Minnesota, then Mayor of Min
neapolis, led a floor fight that
brought about the adoption Of
a strong civil rights platform
and the walkout of several
southern delegations.
Problems for Rivals
The almost certain battle over
civil rights posed some prob
lens for supporters of Senators
Kennedy and Johnson, the
chief rivals for the Democratic
nomination.
The chairman of the plat
form committee is Representa-
tive BowleS of Connecticut, who
is also one of Senator Kenne-
dy's foreign policy advisers.
Any strong position taken by
Mr.. Bowles on the issue would
probably reflect on Senator
Kennedy and lessen his chances
of carrying some of the South
ern States if he wins the presi-
Dental plum.
In even a more uncomfortable
position would be Senator
Johnson's supporters. They
would be forced to accept a
civil rights plank they resented
unless they were willing to
walk out, taking from Senator
Johnson much of his solid sup
port.
The civil rights question re-
ceived only passing attention
in the first round of the plat
form hearings, with the COM
mittee members turning most
Of their fire on the ANA. rep
reSentative and a spokesman
for the American Farm Bureau
Federation when he testified on
the politically sensitive farm
problem.
Bishop Gerald Kennedy, Los
Angeles Methodist minister rep
resenting the National Council
of Church of Christ in the
U. S. A., called on the platform
writer's to make clear your
readiness" to facilitate school
desegration and to assure I'll
citizens equal enforcement Of
the law. He also said hi;
church organization believed
that "When governments re-
quest information and scientific
aid for responsible parenthood
we believe our government
should comply with such re-
quests"
Would Bolster Commission
The United Presbyterian
Church also called for an end
to discrimination in schools
housing and Government con-
tracts, and legislation tc
strengthen the Civil Rights
Commission.
Mrs. Richard Glass, repre-
Senting the League of Womer