Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-10-17
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By ROBERT X. WALSH
star staff Writer

Kennedy and Presidential As
SiStant Lawrence F. OBrien to-
day in an effort to unity and
strengthen support for the ad-
ministration's civil rights bill.
The previously unannounced
conference in the office of
Committee Chairman Celler,
Democrat Of New York. fol-
lowed a sudden poStponement
until next Tuesday of a sched-
uled full committee session to
start voting on individual pro-
visions of a much broader bill.
All Democratic Committee
members at the conference
were from Northern or West
ern States, except Representa-
tive Brooks of Texas. Those
members present, however, OBJ
viously had differing views on
how strong the civil rights bill
should be made.
General Agreement Sought
Mr.. Celler disclosed that one
reason for the conference was
to try to determine whether a
majority Of the committee
Democrats could agree at least
in general on legislation which
most Republican m e m b ersI
would accept. He said he might
confer later today with Rep
resentative McCulloch of Ohio,
ranking Republican on the
committee. Mr.. McCulloch in
dictated, meanwhile. he might
arrange a strategy session with
G. o. P. members before Tues
day.
The chairman conceded that
the conference with most of
his fellow Democrats on the
35-member committee resulted
in no firm agreement and that
there was mo signing on the
dotted line" Nevertheless, he
voiced confidence that consid-
cradle progress was made
toward improving the prospect
of bipartisan passage of a civil
rights bill this year.
II can't say there is a solid
Democratic position in the
committee" the chairman told I
newsmen. But I think we got |
a rapport today at this meet
ing"
Carrying Out Pledge
He said he also believed that |
the conference would help him
carry out the pledge to the full
committee yesterday to work |
for approval of the admins
tration's bill instead of the !
much broader bill he helped |
shape as chairman Of an IL
member subcommittee.
The presence Of Attorney
General Kennedy and Mr..
O'Brien at the secret meeting
was not known to outsiders
until after the conference
ended. Announcement Of the
cancellation of the scheduled
committee meeting this morn
ing came only a few minutes
before the time set for the ses-
sion. There had been no ad-
vance word of the strategy |
conference until several DEM !
ocratic Committee members /
were seen entering Mr.. Celler's !
office some time later.
Mr.. Kennedy. who late yes
terday completed two days of
closed session testimony and
discussion with the full COM
mittee, referred all inquiries
about his unexpected return |
today to Chairman Celler. Mr.. !
OBrien remarked only that |
81 was Just making my rounds"
His White House position is
mainly that of a liaison man
between the administration and
Congress.
Mr.. Celler explained that the
Attorney General was asked
to attend the conference prin-
cipally because I'VE had to have
some legal matters cleared up
so that We could be fortified
in answering questions later
about any bill"
AS for the presence of Mr..
O'Brien, Mr.. Celler remarked
that "of course the White
House is interested in civil
rights legislation and is watch
ing this committee very care
fully"
To Delete Title III
Mr.. Celler and other mem
bers Of the conference indi-
Gated that they reached gen.
eral agreement to support the
administrations suggestion
that Title III be eliminated
from the subcommittee bill. At
torney General Kennedy earlier
this week told the committee
this proposed authority for the
Justice Department to file in
junction suits in civil rights
cases was much too broad, I'M
necessary and perhaps danger
GUS.
The Democrats at the con-
ference, viewer, indicated
considerable differences of
opinion about the bills pro-
visions relating to voting rights
and public accommodations.
The full committee today was
to have started test voting on
the section relating to racial
discrimination in State and To-
cal, as well as Federal, cleo
tions. An a m en- DIN mt was
pending to limit this section to
Federal elections. Mr.. Celler
said he expected the committee
to vote on that amendment
Tuesday.
GPaana lie HnnfiYmed