New York Amsterdam News — 1963-02-01

keeping Him Busy! 1U • N. Y. AMSTERDAM NEWS, Sat., Feb. 23, 1963 NSW YORK Amsterdam Netos ? C. B. POWELL President k Editor P. M. H. Savcmy, Secy-Treas. - J. L. Hick*. Execute* Editor W K BMt. Comptrollari K A. WaU. Advertising Director. K M Jackm. Clrrulattoa Dtroctor; J. H Walkar. City editor. J. W. Wada. Claaatftod Advar D. Sheppard. Brooklyn Manager Published weekly by the Powell-Savory Corporation at 2340 Eighth Ave., N. Y. Telephone Academy 2-7800. Brooklyn office, 1251 Bedford Avenue. Telephone ULster 7-2500. orpot Mall aubacrtptMa rates 1 year r M - • moa . M« Stormy Weather ' Senate Rules * Did Vice President Lyndon Johnson act in the best interests of eivil rights legislation during the recent filibuster fight in the Senate? Elsewhere on this page in an editorial the Amsterdam News makes comment on that action. In the interest of fair re­ porting the Amsterdam News presents herewith a penetrating analysis of the situation faced by the Vice President as reported in the Washington Post of February 1, 1963: ,, “Much confusion has arisen from the criticism of Vice President Johnson for refusing to rule on the constitutional question implicit in the liberal bloc’s motion to amend the rules. The Vice President was accused by Senator Javits and others of not exercising the powers of his office to promote liberalization of the antifilibuster rule. What they were asking the Vice President to do, however, was to disregard limitations on his office that have a long history. “As early as 1826 the Vice President submitted a constitutional question directly to the Senate. That practice was followed by Vice President Calhoun in 1830 and apparently by all subsequent Vice Presidents who have had to confront such issues. When the question arose in Vice President John Nance Garner’s day, he said: ‘It stems to the Chair . . . that this is purely a constitutional question; and under the precedents for more than a hundred years, where constitutional questions are involved as to the fight of the Senate to act, the Chair has universally submitted the ques­ tion to the Senate.’ “In the debate on Monday some of the liberal Senators who are trying to induce the Senate to dis­ regard its old rules and vote on a new Rule 22 agreed with the Vice President’s ruling. Both Senators Clark and Humphrey voiced their assent. Senator Humph­ rey’s statement was especially significant. “I am not sure,” he said, “that I want to give the Vice President of the United States the power to choke off debate. I should like to have the Senate itself face the responsibility.” “This goes to the nub of the issue. The power to make rules belongs to the Senate. Should the Vice President say to the Senate that its old rule is un­ constitutional and that it may proceed to an im­ mediate vote on the making of new rules in disregard of the old rule, despite the insistence of a substantial group of Senators that the issue be debated ad infini­ tum? To say the least, such action would amount to an assumption of far-reaching power on the part of the Vice President. It would be welcomed in this cas^, by some groups, but in the long run would doubtless be resented and vetoed by the Senate. “Incidentally, former Vice President Nixon did not differ from Mr. Johnson on this particular issue. While he expressed the view that Rule 22 unconstitu­ tionally restricts the authority of the Senate to adopt new rules at the beginning of a session, he went on to say that “under Senate precedents, a question of constitutionality can only be decided by the Senate itself and not by the Chair.” In the light of the cur­ rent debate it may be assumed that if the Vice President should presume to rule on a constitutional issue, some of the sponsors of cloture reform would vote against him merely to keep the Vice President in his place. “The Senate’s rejection of the liberal bloc motion yesterday will not of course end the struggle to devise better means of limiting debate in the Senate. But it appears obvious that sponsors of the reform will now have to devise a more appealing approach than trying to induce the Vice President to assert the prerogatives of the Senate in the decision of consti­ tutional issues.” Additional Editorials Along This Way Lincoln’s Birthday On February 12 my mind went back not only to Lincoln and to the Emancipation Proclamation, but to the summer of 1957 when Congress enacted a civil rights bill which included a provision for a Civil Rights Commission. Last week this Civil Rights Com­ mission fulfilled the request of Presi­ dent Kennedy for a report on the civil rights progress of the nation during the past century. It WILKINS formally presented to him its findings and these, in printed form, were distributed to the nearly 1,000 guests at the White House reception on Lincoln’s birthday. (In passing, it would seem that an ironic twist of history prevented the Republicans from having a White House reception for civil rights leaders across the nation: a Democrat won the Presidency in 1960 by slightly more than 100,000 votes and thus was in the strategic spot when the Centennial year rolled around. He did not muff his chance, By ROY WILKINS but if the Republicans had been in ths White House they surely would have had a reception, would they not?) In 1957 there were loud cries among some Negro thinkers that the civil rights bill was nothing much and that the lobbyists for the race should have refused to accept it. It was not much, but under its provisions more law suits to protect registration and voting have been instituted than in all the years before. Also, the Civil Rights Commis­ sion has revealed in its official hearings and reports more about the race problem than any other Federal agency has ever done. Unnerved Politicians Its hearings, especially, have pointed up for the average Amer­ ican things he never knew. They informed white people, unnerved politicians and vindicated the complaints of Negroes. Most im­ portant of all, the Commission has often been far ahead of the officeholders, of the political leaders (and even of some Negro citizens) in its recommendations. In housing, for example, it urged much wider coverage for the executive order than finally appeared In the signed docu­ ment. It suggested Federal re­ ferees for the registration of voters. It has slammed head-on into employment discrimination. Within the limits of the legisla­ tion which created it, the Com­ mission has explored and report­ ed right up to the line imposed. The February 12 report does not bite its tongue, nor “get hap­ py” over progress to date. It ac­ knowledges progress. It does not sneer. But it says: “Citizenship, • however, is a fragile word with an ambivalent meaning. The condition of citi­ zenship is not yet fully realized for the American Negro. There is still more ground to cover. The final chapter in the struggle for equality has yet to be written.” This is not an Urban League report or an NAACP survey or a CORE memorandum, or the sum­ mary of, say, the Afro-American Citizens League. It is an official report bearing the seal of. the Government of the United States. It can help mightily as a guide line and as a prod in the continuing campaign for the Emancipation of America. For until we are free, she will remain bound. Pulse Of New York’s Public The Amsterdam Newt welcomes letters <m either Mi of «*r subject. « to preferred that letters not exceed 259 words and tMan nuut M rtoned. Names wtU ba withheld on request. Ho letters can be returned. AU must ba addressed to the editor. One of the big tests of a candidate for public office is whether or not he can swim against the tide and maintain his program when public opinion seems to be against him. Governor Rockefeller, whom many look upon as a possible presidential candidate in 1964, has exactly that kind of situation on his hand with his proposals to raise automobile registration fees, liquor licenses and other fees. The Governor has really rqn into a windmill on this one. It will be interesting to see how he works his way out of it. For The Record Big events come so swiftly and so close together in these days of newspaper strikes that it becomes downright difficult for a newspaper to keep up with them, to say nothing of getting them all into print as soon as they happen. A few days ago the Senate quietly put to death an effort by a group of liberals to change the rules of the Senate so that a filibuster can be killed and thereby have m&re civil rights legislation pass through that body. The record of the Senate vote on that important issue was not published in any newspaper in New York and we intend to rectify that omission right now. Let the record show that New York’s two Senators, Jacob K. Javits and Kenneth Keating, both Repub­ licans of New York, voted “right” in voting “yes” to allow the Senate to shut off debate. Let the record further show that as the effort to kill the filibuster was lost and the Senate voted to adjourn, Senator Javits was on his feet pleading for recognition by the Chair in order to continue the fight. Javits said that had he been recognized he would have made the point of order that a majority of the Senate had voted for cloture, and, regardless of rule 22 a majority is all that is required under the consti­ tution to terminate debate and write new rules at the start of a Congress. But the man in the Chair, Vice President Lyndon Johnson, refused to recognize Javits and instead rec­ ognized Senator Mike Mansfield, the Majority leader Mansfield moved to adjourn the Senate — a motion - -> j which is ordinarily not debatable. Here is the 54-to-42 vote by which the Senate re­ jected, the attempt to invoke cloture and thus to shut oft debate in the battle over the antifilibuster rule (although a majority favored the action, a two-thirds vote is required for cloture). — Democrats For. 36 Anderson (N.M.), Bayh (Ind.), Brewster (Md.), Burdick (N.D.), Church (Idaho), Clark (Pa.), Dodd (Conn.), Douglas (111.), Hart (Mich.), Hartke (Ind.), Humphrey (Minn.), Jackson (Wash.), Kefauver (Tenn.), Kennedy (Mass.); Lausche (Ohio), Long (Mo.), Magnuson (Wash.), Mansfield (Mont.), McCar­ thy (Minn.), McGovern (S.D.), McIntyre (N.H.), Mc­ Namara (Mich.), Morse (Ore.), Moss (Utah), Muskie (Maine), Nelson (Wis.), Neuberger (Ore.), Pastore (R.I.), Pell (R.I.), Proxmire (Wis.), Randolph (W. Va.), Ribicbff (Conn.), Symington (Mo.), Williams (N.J.), Yarborough (Tex.), Young (Ohio). Republicans For: 18 Aiken (Vt.), AUott (Colo.), Beall (Md.), Boggs (Del.), Case (NJ.), Cooper (Ky.), Dominick (Colo.), Fong (Hawaii), Javits (N.Y.), Keating (N.Y.), Kuchel (Calif.); Morton (Ky.), Pearson (Kan.), Prouty (Vt.), Saltonstall (Mass.), Scott (Pa.), Smith (Maine), Wil­ liams (Del.). 4- Democrats Against: 27 Bible (Nev.), Byrd (Va.), Byrd (W. Va.|, Cannon (Nev.), Eastland (Miss.), Edmondson (Okla.), Ellen- der (La.), Ervin (N.C.), Fulbright (Ark.), Gore (Tenn.), Gruening (Alaska), Hayden (Ariz.), Hill (Ala.), Holland (Fla.), Inouye (Hawaii), Johnston (S.C.), Long (La.), McClellan (Ark.), McGee (Wyo.), Monroney (Okla.), Robertson (Va.), Russell (Ga.), Smathers (Fla.), Sparkman (Ala.), Stennis (Miss.), Talmadge (Ga.), Thurmond (S.C.). Republicans Against: 15 Bennett (Utah), Carlson (Kan.), Cotton (N.H.), Curtis (Neb.), Dirksen (111.), Goldwater (Ariz ), Hick­ enlooper (la.), Hruska (Neb.), Jordan (Idaho), Me- cjiem (NJd.), Miller (Iowa), Mundt (S.D.), Simpson ” (Wyo.), Tower (Tex ), Young (N.D.). Housing Complaint have found that to ba generally painful. Sir: I don't know what I want you to do, but I Just thought somebody should know about the way some people have to live. I am the mother of four small children, ranging from three years to three months. We are on welfare. At the present time I am living in a four room apart­ ment. The bathroom ceiling has fallen down twice. The water stops whenever It feels like it. The only room my children have to sleep in, the floor caved in. Rats are running around so bad that I am afraid to go to sleep at night. The toilet doesn't flush. Do you think the landlord would do something? Oh, no. I am on welfare, they are going to pay the rent if the whole house falls apart. Why do people have to live this way? Mrs. Patricia Barber Riverdale Ave. Brooklyn, N.Y. The first of R. J. Mead- dough's articles has taken some of the sting out of Uncle's bite, and I suppose it will get even better as it goes along. Mr. Meaddough realizes that every little bit counts and I appreciate his advice on how to save a lit­ tle here and a little there. I'd like to thank the Amsterdam News and Mr. Meaddough for the help. Keep up the good work John Eaton 571 W 159th St. New York. N. Y. Proofreading Sir: I enjrty reading the Am­ sterdam News every week, but It irka me when at times I en­ counter egreaious errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc., which are obvious and should not have escaped the no­ tice of a careful and efficient proofreader. With no intent at being an ad­ verse critic, I suggest an Im­ provement in your proofreading staff, and would be happy to co-operate with You in the parti­ cular area. previously. It ia certainly tibia to let the general public know that we are more decent than the American whites claim we are, and that we too have an Interest in current world af­ fairs. I am also glad that it was not necessary for me to fold your paper to conceal its front page while walking in public. Vitriolic Attack Sir: Tha article by Father Robert Chapman In a recent Issue of the New York City NAACP Bul­ letin is such a twisted, hateful document until I am forced to reader. I am again an Amsterdam Gloria La Bordorlis New York, N. Y speak out against it, not only because it dares to speak for all men of color but because 11 might go unchallenged because it emanates from a civic and religious leader. Rev. Chapman launches a vitriolic attack on all vie_____ ki__white people on the strength of an Uolated albeit ,ignlflcanti ln. wrong name Sir: Carried on page 6 of your cident of economic pressure. Bis was proudly displayed In the window of Lloyd’s Res taurant on 125th Street. * Feb. 9 issue was a story on the New York State Brotherhood Award to Commissioner Robert Risley and to Benjamin G. Har­ ris. meaning me. I have never gotten a greater ribbing in my life s;nce I ami,', Bertram G. Harris. I am now being charged with impersona­ tion. Please make the necessary cor­ rection in the nest issue if pos­ sible. I will still be a loyal reader in spite of the oversight. Bertram G. Harris 9th Ave., New York Granted, we as Negroes have been mistreated for years, but let us examine ourselves. Is ev­ ery Harlemite in agreement that all whitemen must be sacri­ ficed” and that we must ‘‘eat our captor to be free?” These words would more appropriately Issue from the hate-twisted bow­ els of the Muslims than from a man of the cloth. Milions of dollars are spent by Harlemites yearly. Before we "sacrifice” the Apollo, Whatever its faults, let us see how many theatres our young talent can make a try for fame and fortune. How many of us are ready and willing to open businesses where our youth and adults can earn their living Editor's Note: Elswhere ln this we ourselves own where ssue we happily apologize to Mr Harris for our error. Thank You Sir: On behalf of The Young *‘.U Adult Group and our church, I wish to tharfk you for publishing our article about a trip to the Hudson Girls* School. It was beautifully edited by your staff. This article did much to let the people in our com­ munity know what its local churches are doing for society. Thank you again. I also enjoy all youi fine articles and col­ umns. Sylvia Burnett. Secy. Forest Ave. Community Church East 166 St. our resources so that we can meet business competition a s part of the American way of life instead of cringing and calling names when It appears. I do not know Frank Schlff- man, the first sacrificial victim chosen by Rev. Chapman. I cannot vouch for his motives or character. I am, and always have been an active member of the NAACP and have spent hours bringing In new members this very year. But I will not have its local executive call me "in­ capable of self-examination” or The Poor Consumer Recent reports have brought more clearly Into focus the cheating of the small consumer and install­ ment buyer that goes on. Madison Jones, executive director of the City Commission on Human Rights, is determined to combat what he calls “the unscrupu­ lous salesmen, businessmen and out-and-out schemers” taking advantage of minority group con­ sumers. .Underscoring this are the reports from Bedford-Stuyvesant and Harlem that shoddy merch­ andise is being dumped into stores there. We are relieved to see Mr. Jones go into action on this point. Unfortunately the people who suffer most from this are minority groups and lower economic groups who can buy only on the installment plan. Coincidentally they are the very ones who have no ability to read the fine print in their chattel contracts dnd are caught in the swindle which the law allows. Only last week,' Brooklyn Civil Court Judge Frank Composto dismissed a creditor’s complaint against a Brooklyn man, Jake Aiken, who had bought an auto battery on the installment plan and didn’t make the final payment of 111.75 after paying $23.75 of his bill. He wound up losing his car and owing $128.80. This is only one of the numerous and flagrant abuses of the law, most of which will never reach the courts or the light of day, because the consumer does not have the money to hire a lawyer to protect him. Judge Composto is urging remedial legislation to curb these abuses of credit charges and to protect the installment buyer. We are definitely on his side and earnestly urge Brooklyn legislators who are already sympathetic to the Judge’s opinion to rush some of the drafted bills into law. a “liar” because I do not hate all white men because of the sins of a few. I would be as wrong as the author If I con­ doned hia anti-Semitic name­ calling. He offers the pro-Chris- tian doctrine of “an eye for an eye” in place of the concerned Chriatlan teachinga which e n-i treat us to “do good to them that hate you" and to “love your neighbor as yourself." I have been away from New York for several years and am appalled at what I find on my return. The loudest voice heard on every street corner is that of the Harlem Black Muslims. (Mrs.) Betty Brown, 418 Central Pk W. N YC. Not voting, but announced as paired: Metcalf (D- Harsh Criticism Mont.) and Engle (D-Calif.) for cloture, and Jordan g^r. j rea(j your artjcje ,n (D-N.C.) against. New York Amsterdam News the ‘‘Workers.*’ I think that you were very harsh and cruel. (Pairs are used to denote opposing positions of Senators when one or more are absent. On a cloture petition it takes two affirmative votes to offset one negative vote.) Not voting, nor paired, but announced as against cloture: Bartlett (D-Alaska). Many of my co-workers are so­ The suggestion Is offered In cial workers and they are doing fhe Interests of g'xxi Journalism. a wonderful Job in working with the children of Harlem. I think they should be praised and com­ plimented, not critized and spat at. , Encouraging Isaac X. Araithwaite Seventh Ave Man At Work Let the record show that as this is being written In the 73rd day of the newspaper strike in New York, Mayor Robert F. Wagner stepped back into the nego­ tiations “with every intention to stay to the finish.” I hope ln your next article that you will think twice before put­ ting It in print. Lynne D. Peterson New York, N.Y, ' Helpful r Sir: I purchased a copy of the Amsterdam News last week for the first time in slmoet a year. I would like to compliment you and your staff on the removal of degrading topics from your ifrmt page. It's about time you I decided to olace the negroid type If the job of being Mayor of New York City includes trying to settle labor disputes we feel that even Mayor Wagner’s most severe critics must admit that he is performing his duties in the highest tradition. Good luck, Mr. Mayor. Sir: I have been reading the ’ saves behind first page Amslerdam News for a good many years now and have al­ ways found it interesting and helpful in many ways. I have been paying taxes to old Uncle Sam for a long time too, but 1 Since I reside in the down town area. I noticed that the white newsstand dealer had your paper out where the pass­ erby could see It and not hid­ den under other publications as H iI* Untitled Document file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/Administrator/Desktop/hello.html2/18/2007 11:01:03 AMThomas M. Tryniski 309 South 4th Street Fulton New York 13069 www.fultonhistory.com