Evening star., 1914-11-13
REVIVAL OF RACE
ISSUE IS FEARED
Trotter's Affront to President
Promises to Develop a Po-
IiticaI MuddIe.
NEGROES IN u. S. SERVICE
DISAVOW HIS ACTION
Democratic Paper Denounces "Jim
Crow Government" Causing Dis
sension in Party Ranks.

That the incident Oh yesterday at the
White House, concerning the segrega-
tion of negroes in government depart
ments, promises to develop into a po-
litical issue and possibly revive in Sc
rious manner the race issue, was the
conclusion today of visitors to the
White House. who are students of this
question.
One of the leading newspapers Of the
country, almost uniformly friendly to
the administration. today prints an edi-
torial condemning what it calls Jim
crow government" in some of the de-
partments, and crit1cising the Presi-
dent for permitting conditions to reach
the point they have, at the same time
denouncing the attitude of w. NJ Trot-
ter, whose language and manners gave
offense to the President.
Other newspapers approve the state-
ment of the President that he does
not think there has been discrimina-
ton as extensive as alleged by Trotter
and those with him, and that he does
not see that any wrong has been done
the race.
The fear expressed today was that
the incident will lead to indiscreet
speeches in Congress and elsewhere
and precipitate a feeling that will nee
essarily do harm.
Trotter an Agitator.
Boston people and others familiar
with the history of Trotter-who apol-
ogized to the President before the con-
ference ended and disclaimed any pur-
pose to make unfair insinuations re-
garding the attitude of the President
say that Trotter, reared in the atmos-
phere of Massachusetts,. has long diff
fered with Booker Washington and
other negro leaders as to the education
of an element that holds that the des-
tiny of the negro race is dependent
upon it's having every privilege en-
joyed by the white man. including edu-
cation in the highest universities and
equal rights ali along ths the priecin,es ae of
Washington, who holds that the in
dustrial education of the negro, max
ing him an expert In all lines OF IN
dustry that furnish living, is the
country.
Letters on the subject have begun to
reach the White House. The first one ts
to9nev toqm waae in Oakland XII % Cal and now in in the
general land office here. He asserts
that Trotter does not represent the
opinion Of the colored people Of the
partments under this administration
the colored employees have Jared as
well as under previous administrations
and are satisfied with conditions.
Other letters intimate that Trotter
and his league are agitators seeking to
make political capital and that hard
working and thoughtful negroes in the
departments deplore the manner in
which the question has been handled.
Wilson Promotes Negroes.
It was recalled today at the White
House that President Wilson had done
much for individual negro employees of
the departments when representations
were made to him as to their long and
faithful service and their loyalty to the
interests Of the government. In two
notable cases within the last three or
four months he signed executive orders
raising the negro messengers from
their positions to the clerkship grades
solely because of records of great
merit. These men were Richard Green,
for many years messenger to secre-
taries of the Treasury, and Eddie Sa-
voy. filing a similar position to secre-
taries of State.
Enjoys a Day Of.
President Wilson enjoyed a day off,
today. No cabinet meeting was held
and there were no engagements with
callers. In the morning the President
went out for game Of golf, returning
before noon and going to his offices
to sign letters and papers requiring
his attention. He plans to go to New
York tonight to stay over Sunday with
Col. E. NJ House. his personal friend.
He probably will return to Washington
Monday.
If public business permits, Mr.. Wilson
will make another trip next week, 60
ing to New York or to one of the Vir-
ginia resorts