The Administration-supported F.E.P.C. bill which was introduced by Rep. Adam Clayton Powell of New York was today defeated by a vote of 221-178 when a coalition of Republicans and Southern Democrats combined to force the substitution of a bill which provides for a voluntary adherence to the principles of F.E.P.C. The measure, which was introduced by Rep. Samuel K. McConnell of Pennsylvania, has been described by civil rights advocates as “meaningless and ineffective.”
The vote on the measure came at 3:20 A.M. this morning after 15 hours of intensive debate, filibuster and parliamentary maneuver. This was the first time in six years that a bill to establish a permanent F.E.P.C. managed to get out of committee and on to the House floor. The McConnell measure provides for a five-man commission to study the problem of discrimination in employment and to make recommendations to eliminate it.
At his press conference later today, President Truman said that he believes that it is possible to legislate equality in employment opportunities for persons of all faiths and races, without taking from business the right to hire and fire.
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