The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-01-27
WANT JIM-CROW CARS
Makers of Oklahoma C0nsti-
tuition Fear Interference.
PRESIDENT GIVES WARNING
Washington Democrats Confer and
Send TeIegrams 20 Guthrie, Urging
That Race Question BE Avoided.
Statehood in Jeopardy-Anti-RaiI
road CIauses VIII BE Omitted.

Following the announcement of Presi-
dent Roosevelt that he would reject the
Oklahoma constitution if it contained pro-
visions that are Tepugnant to him, the
Democratic leaders in Congress yesterday
Sounded a warning to the leaders Of the
constitutional convention.
The announcement N the Presidents
attitude evidently reached Guthrie yester-
day morning This fact was indicated by
kilograms from the Oklahoma capital 10
Democratic Senators and Representatives
in the afternoon. These messages showed
plainly that the convention leaders 90 not
realize that the constitution they propose
to adopt will be in danger.
Among the messages was one to Repre-
sentative James r Lloyd. of Missouri,
the Democratic whip Of the House. IL
was from a prominent Democratic dele
gate, and It read:
Nearly all district platforms pledge
Jim crow provisions; hence delegates
hesitate to leave it out Of constitution I'M
less there is real danger of rejection.
United advice of Democratic Senators and
Representatives, desired. Please consult
them Immediately as to the policy that
should be pursued"
The Democratic leaders in Congress
were hastily communicated with by Mr.
Lloyd John Sharp Williams. and others
/ The interchange Of views that followed
showed an entire unanimity Of opinion re-
garding what the convention should do.
It was agreed that IL the constitution
proposed were sent to the President the
delegates would be playing directly into
his hands politically The provision that
was considered especially obnoxious to
Mr.. Roosevelt is that relating to discrim-
/ inatiOr against the negroes. The Demo-
Gratis al the Capitol declared that II a
Jim crow" constitution were sent TO the
I White House the President would reject
il and write a statement that would go a
| long way toward restoring him In the
confidence Of negroes. The provisions re
lating TO the corporations were not dwelt
upon, as the understanding here Is that
the convention is not committed TO them
Telegram of warning.
Representative Lloyd was requested to
send a telegram that would outline the
views of the Democrats In Congress. He
sent this message to c. \. Haskell, a
Democratic delegate from the Muskogee
district The dispatch was as follows:
John Sharp Williams and ali Demo
cratic leaders here say leave out Jim
crow provisions. If put in. constitution
viii be rejected here"
/ Mr.. LlOyd's message was sent before
| the fun announcement Of the President
reached the Capitol. When it became
known that Mr.. Roosevelt had declared
/ he would not accept the constitution if
/ il contained the anti-railroad provision,
/ the Democrats became more anxious than
] ever regarding the situation. The leaders
/ of the convention will be further advised
/ of the danger In which their proposed
| constitution will be placed. They will
also be told IN very emphatic Language
/ that if they do not heed the warning they
/ can expect no aid and comfort from Dem
/ Ocrats in Congress
/ Representative Lloyd last night made a
| statement which reflects the opinion Of
/ his colleagues. lie said. The delegates
! in the convention seem 10 have an entirely
/ erroneous idea regarding the work they
were called together 10 perform Their
/ business is 20 prepare a constitution. not
/ 10 pass "A lot OF laws They propose %
/ insert IN the constitution provisions that
I clearly come within the province Of the
! new State legislature. They have no busl-
/ ness dealing in the constitution with Jim
/ crow and anti-corporation propositions
I The shorter the constitution the better.
{ The kind Of constitution they ought "a
adopt could De presented in less than
! twenty printed pages They do not seem
/ 10 realize that they are placing Statehood
/ in jeopardy by loading the constitution
/ down with a lot Of things that should not
I be there. The sooner they learn Of the
situation at this end of the line the bet
/ ter The upshot Of their work may delay
/ the admission Of the new State indch-
nitely."