Atlanta Daily World

Ga. Democrats Form "States Rights Council"- To Keep Jimcrow

Georgia democrats closed ranks Friday and patched up factional rifts as they formed the States Rights Council of Georgia. Inc., in a Baltimore Hotel dinner meeting. The council's purpose is to preserve segregation-'with legal methods only."

The meeting. under the joint sponsorship of Governor Marvin Griffin and political leader Roy Harris. attracted 200 democrats who pledged themselves to the aims of the council.

Among those present and joining the organization were: Former House Speaker Fred Hand, former Highway Chairman Jim Gillis; former Agriculture Commissioner Tom Linder: Former Governor Herman Talmadge: Lt. Gov. Ernest Vandiver; Senate Floor Leader Howard Overby: Speaker Pro Tem Harold Willingham; House Leader Denmark Groover.

Also present and joining were: Robert Arnold. Georgia Board of Regents: Charlie Block, same; Roy Harris, Same and Phil Spooner, same.

Members of the State School Board who joined included: James Peters, Herschel Lovett, William Bodenhamer and Henry Stewart.

The state director of vocational rehabilitation Paul Barrett also joined.

Other officials who were signed up included: Judge Oscar Mitchell of Decatur: Judge Mack Hicks of Rome: Sheriff Robert Broome of DeKalb and others.

Attorney General Eugene Cook was present and became a member as were: Comptroller General Zack Cravey. Revenue Commissioner T. V. Williams. Welfare Director Alan Kemper and Dr. Walter Blasingame of the state highway board.

State Democratic Chairman John Sammons Bell and other party functionaries attended and joined.