The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-07-02
Employees in Sixth Audi
tors Division of Post
office Latest to Show
AntagoniSm.
Official Explanation of
incident" Diplomatic
ally Made, Temper
arily Closes 1t.

Ihat the race feeling, which first
MADE Itself manifest among the drafts
men employed in the Treasury Depart
ment' has spread TO the clerical force
OF the sixth auditors division, quartered
IN the Postoitce building, IS the rumor
which has gained wide circulation in
Government circles within the last few
days.
The feeling between the whites and
the blacks IN the auditors division. Il Is
SAID Is not an outgrowth OF the trouble
which broke out among the craftsmen
some ten days ago. but only became
manifest after the more serious trouble
In the Treasury Department. which has
called for an official investigation.
Although there has been an official
denial that any I'll feeling exists among
the white and colored clerks of the
auditors Office. many OF the clerks are
discussing with much gravity an in
cident which occurred a few days ago
In the adding machine division OF the
money order department. IN which eight
negroes and two white men are en-
ployed.
Facts Of the Incident.
The department gossip about the IN
cident IS that during an alteration be-
tween one Of the negro employees and
MI. Atkinson. the white clerk
who is in charge OF the room, an
electric light bulb was thrown, and that
II exploded at the feet OF Mr.. Atkinson.
The official explanation OF the incident
is--that HGVea-of the colored clerks IN
this room are accustomed to having
much merriment at the expense OF the
eighth colored clerk. On the afternoon
In question it is said by the officials that
the clerks were teasing the sensitive
employe. and during their fun-making
one Of the men threw the electric bulb.
which was shattered at Mr.. Atkinson's
feet.
Mr.. Atkinson. it is said. made strenu-
Gus enoTts 10 suppress the boisterous
clerks, but falling 10 do so he reported
the matter 10 F. F. Allen. in charge of
the division. Mr.. Allen immediately
came TO the assistance OF Mr.. Atkinson
and told The clerks that he was willing
thaI they should have fun toward the
closing hour. but that he would have to
draw the line at such an exIberance of
spirits as leads to the smashing OF cleo
tric light fixtures.
No Official Explanation Made.
This official explanation OF the AFFAIR
has never been made public before. and
as a consequence many OF the clerks are
connecting the rumored outbreak against
Mr.. Atkinson, with an occurrence in the
same division few weeks ago, when
one Of the white clerks started to raise
a window near him, and a coIored clerk
ordered him to let the window alone
A heated argument ensued and threats
were freely exchanged until the head OF
the room commanded silence The white
clerk asked 70 be excused from the room
until he could master his emotions.
He went to the sidewalk and began
walking up and down in front of the
Postoff1ce building. A few moments
later the colored man appeared on the
street also The white clerk, believing
that the negro had come down with the
intention Of continuing the dispute. made
ready for a hand-to-hand conflict. To
his surprise. however, the negro came
forward and apologized. and the incident
was closed.