Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-04-11
EQUAL ACCOMMODATIONS.

President Roosevelt has done a
commendable thing In sending a let
ter 10 the Department Of Justice con-
corning the order Of the Interstate
Commerce Commission under date Of
June p, 1907 directing that the rail-
roads in question furnish equal ac-
commodations for white and colored
passengers. President Roosevelrs
letter is as follows:
WASHINGTON. Apr. S.-Presi-
dent Roosevelt to-day made public
his letter OF April TO the attorney
general, directing proceedings by in
junction 20 compel certain railroads
OF the South 90 furnish equal accom-
modations TO white and Negro pas
sengers.
The text Of the Presidents letter
is as follows:
To the Department Of Justice:
4 forward herewith report OF the
Interstate Commerce Commission
containing its order OF June %, 1907
and the report of the failure OF the
railroad company 90 obey this order
under date of March 90, 1905. to-
gether with a letter OF the commits
sion Of Auril /, 1908.
1t appears that the Nashville.
Chattanooga and ST. Louis Railway
Company has not complied with the
order of the commission 10 furnish
the same facilities TO colored passen-
gers paying first class fare that are
furnished TO white passengers pay
ing first class fare. From time to
time various complaints have been
made 10 me by reputable colored PEG
pie 20 the effect that the accommo-
dations furnished 70 colored persons
on certain railways are filthy and in
adequate compared 10 the same ac-
commodations furnished TO white pas
sengers paying the same fare.
The commission has taken what
is unquestionably the right Of
grounds: That where separate ac-
commodations are provided for white
and colored passengers the accom-
modations for colored passengers
shall be as good as those furnished
10 white passengers for the same
money. In other words, while there
IS nothing in the law which forbids
separate recommendations these ac-
commodations must be equal. This
principle of equality of accommoda-
ton is set out explicitly in various
State laws.
State of Alabama provides that there
shall be equal. but separate accom-
modatiOns for the white and colored
htrr "a
senger cars for each passenger train,
or by dividing the passenger cars by
partitions The action of the COM
mission has simply been TO insist
that the accommodations be equal
in convenience and comfort. for the
same money, wherever the separation
IS made. In this particular case
where the railway has neglected to
comply with the order of the COM
mission it is important that COM
pliance with this order be immed-
lately obtained.
i suggest that you proceed to en-
force the order by Injunction pro-
i ceedings unless In your judgment
some other course is preferable.
Signed. THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
This is step in the right direction
and indicates that the mighty pro-
test of the colored people of this
country has reached the ear of the
distinguished occupant of the White
House in a way TO cause him to sit
up and take notice. We are graft
fed to know that he has at least a
spark of appreciation left for the
brother in black" and hope that
this evidence of a latent feeling ex-
listing in his breast for colored peo-
pie and their interests will lead him
to make the vital step now needed
TO bring him back TO his former
first love" by making the effort OF
his life to undo the great wrong