Minneapolis spokesman., 1963-07-11

Dixiecrat bloc and DR.. Martin
Luther King, who more than any
other one man, Is responsible for
bringing the issue to the doorsteps
Of Congress.
As soon as the President an
nounced his intention Of seeking
further civil rights legislation In
Congress, Russell, who once sought
the Democratic presidential nomin-
alton, declared after caucusing
with IS deep South senators a plan
to obstruct Kenney's efforts by
launching q full scale filibuster.
A long, bitter battle was
signaled when Senator Russell
met with IL other Southern sem
ators, then issued an angry de-
nouncement Of Kennedy's speech
to the nation.
Russell said the Southern Demo
Gratis would resist any further ex-
tension Of federal power over priv
ate property for political ends"
He lashed out at the Administra-
ton for what he called appease-
ment of Negro demonstrators for
civil rights.
Russell said there would be an
increase in racial disturbances un-
less Kennedy stops using threats
Of mass violence" to push civil
rights bills through Congress. In
reply, a spokesman for DR.. King,
said Congress would become the
focus Of a massive, militant and
monumental sit-in" the likes of
which the nation has never known.
Meanwhile, the Administra-
ton is trying to circumvent some
of the known tactics Of delay
customarily used by the Dixie
crat bloc In the Senate.
Administration stratgy Is con-
centrated on the Senate which his
torically has been the graveyard
of civil rights legislation. In sew
eral previous sessions legislation
benefiting Negroes has passed the
House only to be doomed in the
Senate. Its two favorite devices
have been to bottle it up in COM
mittee or, If forced to the floor, to
talk 1t to death.
Efforts to invoke cloture have
invariably been unsuccessful.
To avoid problem No. 1, 1t is
expected that the Presidents bill
will be referred to a COMMITTEES
not headed by a Didecrat, presum-
ably the Commerce committee
headed by Sen. Warren G. Magnu-
son Of Washington.
To cope with Russell's talkathon
strategy, the Administration is
trying to line up the vote required
to limit debate, convinced that II
the Senate is permitted to vote, 1t
will be passed.
Already resentment among tho
deep South Senators to the
threat Of q massive demonstra-
ton ON the part Of Negroes In
being expressed.
Alabama Senator Lister Hill
called the threats an attempt tc
bludgeon Congress into passing the
Presidents Civil Rights proposals
He declared he will oppose the
Presidents civil rights bill with
every power in my command anc
as a team captain Of the Southern
Senators, I viii use the filibustel
and any other means that are
available"
Hiss made his statements this
week in reply to a declaration is.
sued earlier last week by Rev
George Lawrence, of Brooklyn, N
Y, who said the capital will be the
seen Of a massive, Militant and
monumental sit-in" demonstration
unless the Congress acts fast to
assure full equal rights for the
Negro now"
Rev. Lawrence Is pastor OF
Brooklyn's Antioch Baptist church
and is also northeast regional rep
rese tative for the Southern
Christian Leadership Conference,
headed by DR.. Martin Luther King.
Speaking at press conference
at the Park-Sheraton hotel, In New