The Washington herald., 1907-06-21
ARCHITECTS IN FIGHT
Whiteand COlOred DraughtS-
men Have Fist Affray.
RACE FEELING THE CAUSE
william r. Rider knocks Down
Henry WOodsOn, the Latest Negro
AppOintee-An InveStigntiOn Being
Made by Chief Clerk Kemper-SIt-
uation In Offices Grows Acute.

That tie white members Of the Super
vising Architects Office are by no means
pleased with the recent addition Of an
other colored draughtsman to the force
was amply demonstrated when one Of
their number engaged in a fist fight with
Henry Woodson, the latest colored ap-
pointee
It happened IN the washroom Of the
Office Wednesday afternoon, and although
several efforts were made 10 stop the mill
IL went 10 a finish, and was at all stages
disastrous 10 Woodson. William P.
Rider, Of the Lafayette apartment house.
a young white draughtsman. small in
stature. but muscular from a long So
journ on Maryland farm. wsi the
negro's opponent
The two. Rider and woodson. went 20
the washroom just before the closing hour
Wednesday afternoon. and Immediately
became engaged IN a dispute as 10 who
should wash first. Ryder insisted that
it was his prerogative, in point of both
color and service. Il is said the Colored
man finally assented, but not without
much grumbling and a few uncompli-
mentary and pointed remarks. Rider.
who was at that point well coated as 20
his face and hands with lathery soap. i'm
mediately resented the statements Of his
co-worker. and without stopping 10 apply
a towel TO his visage met the negro
advances.
Lively Fight Follows,
A wild rush at the colored man resulted
in no damage; then a few moments Of
wary sparring followed. and at last the
encounter assumed a scientific front.
while the room began to fiji with eager
spectators. Among these was ". ".
Cook, the other colcred employe Of the
office. who was plainly in sympathy with
his fellow and who evidenced this atti- |
tude by displaying a willingness to Join
in the fray He was kept in the back !
Fround, however, by other clerks. who |
' shed to see a finish battle. notwith- /
standing the fact that he made several /
false starts toward his hip pocket, as if |
with the Intention Of causing a more Sc
riOus melee.
In the meantime Rider had secured some /
little advantage in the exchange Of blows.
and II was soon evident 10 the spectators /
that his duslIy opponent was in for A /
beating. This did not appear 10 discon- /
cert them in the least and cries Of Nail |
him. Rider" and similar admonitions /
were soon distinctly audible in the sur
rounding office rooms. A wild swing by
the negro, neatly ducked By Rider. was
the beginning Of the end. for il threw the
,olored man of his guard and left a neat
opening for his opponent.
Knocks Woodson Down.
A well-directed straight-arm Jolt
and Woodson measured his five feet
eleven on the floor. But he was not
beaten yet, and hurriedly jumped to
his feet, implying that he had not had
enough. Whatever portion was lacking
Ryder then endeayOred to administer to
him, for in a few seconds he was again
'eposing uncomfortably under the
wash bowl At this juncture the fight
vas stopped by the onlookers. al
hough both contestants protested
themselves ready and willing to con-
inue the battle at any time or place.
As yet they have not met. Ryder /
vas scarcely touched during the en-
counter. and bore no marks whatever.
While the cOlored man, Notwithstanding
his two mishaps. came off equally for
innate as regards his exterior When
sked yesterday afternoon how he felt
Ie said: You don't see any bruises
IN me-"
The matter is being investigated by
'hief Executive Officer Kemper. who
will make a report within the next few
lays.
II is thought that such occurrences. as
Y Wednesdays cannot be avoided in the !
department. as long as the white clerks
re so expressive of their dislike to their
olored colleagues and take such strenu-
us methods of showing their disap- {
roval
Cook in QuarreIs Also. {
It was said that Cook. the other negro. /
las had several wordy wars during his
Continued on Page 2, Column 4.