victories that can best be described as "hollow," Two good examples are the direc-'~ tive of the Defense Department curtailing civilian discrimination against Negro servicemen and ratification of the twenty-fourth amend~' ment to the U.S.Constitution,
Last summer the New York Times [uly ev, 1963] carried a front-— page story headlined "Pentagon Fights Bias Near Bases," The Presi~ | dent's Committee on Equal Opportunity in the Armed Forces had reported many complaints of discrimination against colored servicemen, and the Defense Department was requested to do something about the matter,
"The Pentagon authorized military commanders today to designate as off limits to servicemen any areas in the vicinity of mie stary bases that practice 'relentless discrimination! against Negroes, t the Times! article.
said
"A directive issued by Secretary of Defense Robert S, McNamara
af
2300
. Said that commanders were responsible for opposing discrimination affecting their men not only on bases but talso in nearby communities where they may live or gather in off-duty hours,.! ...
"The directive also called for the military departments to institute. in each service ta system for regularly reporting, monitoring and monsuring progress in achieving equal opportunity on and off~base.'. . .
"As indicated by Mr. McNamara in his memorandum to the President, recommendations for placing certain areas off limits would be made by military commanders only after they had failed 'in their best efforts with community leaders,!"
"Unexpected Difficulties"
The antibias order was hailed as a significant victory for