Milford chronicle., 1960-09-02

plans for the holiday that it would be good
to observe Labor Day, 1861, and to be around
for the event in future years. Make this
holiday one of rest-not frenzied driving and
haste.
FINS TO~U-2 AFFAIR
Three things ought to be kept in the fore
front of ones thinking about the trial and
sentence of Francis Gary Powers The first
is the nature of what he did. The second is
the Soviet version of what he did, and of it's
significance The third is the true nature of
his trial on a charge of espionage.
As to, what Powers did: AS an agent OF
the Central Intelligence Agency, he piloted
specially equipped plane on reconnaissance
flight across Russia.
The Soviet government used the shooting
down of Powers aircraft as its pretext for
scutting the summit conference. 1t has
sought to persuade the world that the U-2
flights (of which, apparently, it had been
aware for long time before Powers was
shot DOWN were dangerously irresponsible
threat to world peace and an indication OF
Washingtons belligerent intentions.
The trial of Powers was staged for maxi
mum propaganda advantage. Though nations
allied with the United States doubtless will
not be taken in by it, there is reason to sup
pose that the propaganda will have some ef-
feet among so-called neutrals.
There we have it: the deed, and the Krem-
Inns attempt to make political capital OF it.
The fact of espionage must be acknowledged,
even as one rejects the distorted Soviet inter-
probation of it. This country has an obliga-
ton to seek Powers release, but aside from
that-and from whatever propaganda i'm
pact the trial may have-the U-2 affair now
appears to be closed.
KILL CIVIL RIGHTS BILL
The Democratic majority of the u. S.
Senate recently killed Republican-sponsored
civil rights bill. Both Democratic Presiden-
tial nominee John F. Kennedy and Vice Pres
idential nominee Lyndon B. Johnson voted to
kill the measure.
Some believe this means the end of civil
rights legislation hopes for the year, and if
this is true, it will not hurt the Democrats in
the South, in view of the very liberal civil
rights plank of the Democratic Party. Of
course, most Southerners know that politics
was involved in the Democratic move-in
that they certainly would not allow the Re-
publicans to get credit for having initiated
and passed civil rights bills this year.
johnson (and Kennedy want to pass leg
islation providing federal aid for school tea
chers, old age assistance, an increase in the
minimum wage, and other measures, which
. will require some time in debate. In the time
available to Congress, this will constitute
ROO0 Undertaking, SIiCo GOI OppOolClOu W
the Democratic measures is certain, in some
cases, and Presidential veto is already
possibility-wh might or might not be
overridden by two-thirds of the House.
The real civil rights test will come in the
first session of the Eighty-Seventh Congress,
which will convene in January 1861. A new
President will be in the White House, and he
will present message to Congress. What
he asks for, and what the Democratic major
ity in the Senate is willing to give him, will
be the determining factors.
If Majority Senate Leader Lyndon john
son is then Vice President, he will be the pre-
siding officer of the Senate; and it is believed
by some that he will still WELD considerable
influence in that body In the past Johnson
has not favored radical civil rights bills, but
has stressed the right to vote for all Ameri-
cans Yet he has endorsed the Democratic
platform for 1860 which includes most radi-
cal provisions. Since he is generally credited
with being the more talented of the two DEM
ocratic nominees, from the parliamentary
angle, his position in January may be the de-
Gliding factor. If he is not President, he
will probably be Majority Leader again Ia
Democratic majority in the Senate is as
sured) and therefore, in any eventuality,
Johnson may be the key man.