 In a committee vote on the Anti-Poll Tax bill in 1949, he was the only Republican to vote with six conservative southern Democrats against the measure.In 1951, Congressman James introduced a bill to fix the strength of the Marine Corps and make the commandant a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.In 1953, as a member of the majority party, and thirty-seventh in party seniority, James was appointed to the Appropriations Committee.