Atlanta Daily World

COUNCIL HITS
VIOLENCE
Atlanta Conferees
Note 50 Cases,
One Conviction

Following demolition of a school in Osage, West Virginia, by an "expertly rigged dynamite bomb," the Directors of the Southern Regional Council have called for "an all out effort by law enforcement officers against this upsurge of violence which has grown steadily worse in the past three years."

In its annual meeting in Atlanta, the Council directors, representing both races, pointed out that there have been approximately 50 bombings or attempted bombings in less than three years in Southern states.

"It is shocking," the Council said, "that out of this number, court conviction has been secured in only one case." (This case involved three members of a Ku Klux Klan klavern in Charlotte, N. C., who were convicted on a charge of plotting to plant a homemade bomb at a Negro school.)

And although state law enforcement officers in four Southern states have recently taken steps to make it difficult for terrorists to acquire explosives for their handiwork, Council members pointed out that the spread of bombings and bomb threats, coupled with the lack of convictions, emphasizes the need for more vigorous law enforcement in all Southern states.

COMMEND CONTROLS

The Council commended the announcement by four states - Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama - that they are moving toward stricter control of explosive materials and urged other states to follow this lead. A partial list in this field in Southern states, garnered from press reports, follows:

FLORIDA - A special law enforcement division has been created to combat dynamiters. Licenses are required for the possession and use of explosives. It is a felony to use, keep, possess or distribute explosives with intent to cause harm and a license is required to transport explosives.

TENNESSEE - It is now a felony to possess or transport explosives except by specific authority to the state fire marshal. The fire marshal sets regulations for keeping, storing, manufacture, sale, and transportation of dynamite.

ALABAMA - Control of explosives here is also vested in the state fire marshal. Six months ago, after the state experienced a number of bombings, the state fire marshal ordered all explosive dealers to keep a record for five years of all dynamite or other volatile substances purchased.

GEORGIA - The state fire marshal also regulates matters dealing with explosives. Laws regulating the sale, possession, storage, and transportation of explosives are on the books; but until the bombing of the Atlanta Jewish Temple, there laws were not strictly enforced. The state fire marshal has since warned dealers they face prosecution "to the fullest extent" if they fail to abide by state regulations.

VIRGINIA - Localities are given authority to regulate explosives. Most have ordinances dealing with safe storage and handling of explosives but nothing restricting their sale.

SOUTH CAROLINA - Sellers are required by law to keep records on amount of explosives sold and to whom. Reason for the purchase must be given and the state regulates how explosives shall be transported.

NORTH CAROLINA - Reports in writing are kept by dealers on purchases of explosives, use plans

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LOUISIANA - The public safety department requires a permit to transport explosives in a motor vehicle. Ownership or possession of explosives with the intent to commit a crime is prohibited; but there are no regulations dealing with the sale or purchase of explosives.
WIDE REPRESENTATION
The 37 directors present at the meeting came from 12 Southern states - Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

Officers of the Council are James McBride Dabbs, South Carolina, President; Dr. Albert W. Dent, Louisiana, Vice-President; Paul D. Williams, Virginia, Vice-President; Marion A. Wright, North Carolina, Vice-President.