Fugitives: The Elusive Adam

There may have been Congressmen who griped at the brief 92 days between sessions—but not Harlem's Adam Clayton Powell. When the 89th Congress convened last week, Powell was finally free to go home. Such are the paradoxes of being the House's No. 1 fugitive from justice.

For 21 months, Powell has ducked paying a $46,500 libel judgment won by Mrs. Esther James, a Harlem widow whom Powell labeled on TV as a "bag woman" for gambling payoffs. With interest, Powell's debt is now close to $51,000. With rare severity, New York has issued a warrant for his...