New-York tribune., 1912-03-01
W|CKERSHAM FOR NEGRO
DenounCeS Bar Association for
Rejecting Lewis.
RACE PREJUDICE CHARGED
In Sharp Letter to Members At.
torney General Says Committee
Assumed Unwarranted Power.

Washington. Feb Ga decision By IN.
! executive committee of the. American Bar
Association to oust William H. Lewis. a
negro and an Assistant Attorney General
Of the United States, from MEMBERSHIP IN
tho Bar Association has aroused Attorney
General Wickcrshsm 10 the defence Of his
assistant IN a spirited letter sent 20 each
OF the i.7Vo members Of the association IN.
Attorney General charges the executive
committee with an arrogance OF power un.
warranted by the body's constitution, In
order TO crafty a race prejudice enter.
tanned by some of its members"
The Attorney General saws that Lewis
was elected after he had been regularly
nominated and invited To- join by the sec
rotary Of the association. lie calls atton.
ton to tho fact that tho committee which
elected Lewis went out of Office and va.
succeeded by another containing TWO now
members. IT was the now committee, h.
adds. which took action.
"Thc object. or tlc association" the ~.
torDey General continues rs stated In the
constitution to he TO advance the science
of Jurisprudence. promote the admlnis,ra-
ton OF iustcc. Uphold the honor y,
tUe profession OF rDP law ann encourage
cordial intercourse among tho members ~
the American bar Any person fulfilling
certain requirements IL eligible for membcr.
ship"
The action Of the executive committee. hn
declares. can hardly he considered 20 tanh
10 uphold the honor Of the profcss ion of
tho law and encourage cordial intercourse
among tho members Cf the bsr. il Ger.
tainly does not tend to promote the al
ministrstion Of justice"
Mr.. Wickersham inclosed in each latter a
postal card addressed 10 George White
lock. secretary Of the American Bar As
ISOLATION protesting against the commit
tees action and requesting it's revocation
He asked every member dsapproving o.,
the course TO sign the card.
Copies Of correspondence between tho Nt-
torney General and Mr. Whitclock also sc-
companied Mr.. Wickershams letter.
On January q the attorney General
wrote to Mr. Whitelock:
| am especially moved to- make this pro-
test because Mr.. Lewis Is an Assistant Al
tOrney General Of the United States hold
ing, as | DO. the commission Of the Presi-
dent of the United States. issued 10 him
by and with the advice and consent of tho
Senate. III may 10 mat some OF the NON
hers Of the association prefer not 20 have
colored man as fellow member bu
the constitution or the association makes
no such discrimination.
Mr.. WhlteIock replied that 10 one hut l
white man had ever been elected 10 meui-
bership IN the association. and added that
as the committee had elected Lewis IN the
belief that ne was white. Il was felt that
IL could not do less than rescind its own
action. inadvertently taken. The commit
tee had not decided, Mr.. Whiteock added.
that n negro was not eligible for member
ship.
The Attorney General replied that ira
the face of such outra geous action" he
would appeal TO the members.
Lewis was appointed by President Taft
last year. lie has been In charge Of Indian
depreciation claims IN the Department Of
Justice. He has frequently called AT The
White House and attended receptions there.