Atlanta Daily World

Two Negroes Sworn In
As
Congressmen
Dawson Escorts Powell To Floor;
Sit Together
Hazel Scott Is Present During First Session
BY HARRY S. HAMPTON

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The historic 79th Congress of the United States before a packed gallery which had less than 30 Negro spectators in it, two Negroes take the oath of office when congressmen William Dawson (D. of Illinois) and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. (D.) of New York were sworn in. The oath was taken by the entire body of 374 Congressmen present at the same time.

Powell, newest member of the Congress and the first Negro from the State of New York, was escorted to the Legislative Chambers by Dawson. Their offices are next to each other in the old house office building. The two Negro Congressmen sat together during the preliminary organization of the House during which time Representative Sam Rayburn (D) of Texas was reelected speaker.

Later, during the session, Powell spent much of his time talking with Representative Vito Marcantonio (ALP) of New York, who will be their colleagues during the 79th Congress.

Rumors that Powell would be seated beside Representative John Rankin (D of Mississippi) failed to materialize during this first session. Rankin occupied five different seats during the session. No one was assigned to any particular seat.

Powell, by choice however, was seated on the Democratic side of the House, though elected on the Democratic, Republican and American Labor Party ticket.

From New York for the swearing in ceremony and to pay their respects to the new Congressmen came Hazel Scott, of movie and night club fame, whose name has been romantically linked with Powell; Joseph E. Ford, Democratic leader of the 12th Assembly District (South); Guy R. Brewer, Democratic leader of the 12th Assembly District (North); Acy Lennon, secretary to Ford; David Licorice, assistant pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church, of which Powell is pastor - and Elizabeth C. Bullock, a Democratic District captain and Dr. A. C. Powell, Sr., father of the congressman.

MRS. BETHUNE WATCHES
Seen in the galleries were Mrs. Mary McLeod Bethune, president of the National Council of Negro Women; Mrs. Mamie Mason Higgins; assistant to Mrs. Bethune Mrs. Regina Chandler and Mrs. Venice Spraggs.

(Continued on page 6, col. 3)
Dawson Escorts
(Continued from Page 1)
Powell had an opportunity to make his maiden speech in Congress in answer to Rankin when the Mississippi Congressman made the first order of business, after organization of the House and other preliminaries were out of the way. a resolution amending the rules of the House so as to make the old Dies Committee on un-American activity a regular standard committee of the House with Powell to introduce Legislation.
Opposition to the measure seemed so strong. however. that Powell made no move on his first day toward carrying out his campaign pledge to answer Rankins whenever he shouted off with his anti-Negro and other reactionary spiels. Rankin's amendment was passed 270 to 186