The Denver star., 1914-09-12
RACE PRESS SHOWS COURAGE
Editors Denounee Segregation as =
Menace and Demand Fair Play.

Editors Denounee Segregation as a
Menace and Demand Fair Play.
Mnssogee. Okla.-Before adJourning
its annual meeting recently held In this
city the National Negro Press associa-
ton unanimously adopted the follow
ing resolutions:
Whereas. The members of the National
Negro Press association are in position
to give to the public such Information as
to what the race is doing along indus
trial. Intellectual. moral. political and
spiritual lines. and whereas the clergy are
in position to give great encouragement
to our cause. we cali upon each Of them
to give hearty cooperation by instruct
ing their congrega tions to read race news
papers, magazines and periodicals and
pay for them in order that we may con-
duct our publications on higher busi-
ness standard: and
Whereas. There are but few white pa
pers that publish the facts Of the progress
of our race. and that as the Negro paper
is the only medium through which we
may receive due credit;
Be it resolved. That we beseech our ed
ucators and fraternal organizations that
they insist that Negroes support the jour
nails of their race which are struggling
for advancement and race betterInent and
their social and political rights. realizing
that to do so means an outlay Of time.
energy and money; and.
Whereas We find that the accommoda-
tions for Negro passengers on the Mis-
souri,, Kansas and Texas railway. in the
state Of Oklahoma. are unequal to those
granted the white race-that the fare for
both races is eQual-that the conditions in
the 'jmcrow cars are as follows: Ono
toilet for both sexes, poorly ventilated:
badly lighted and insanitary cars: no
smoking accommodations except among
women passengers: their general equip
ment much inferior to those '.for white
people only" and.
Whereas The officials of the Missouri
Kansas and Texas railway permit their
employees to violate the laws OF tho state
and nation in that they allow these indig-
mites to be forced upon us,
Be 1t resolved. That we, tho members OF
the National Negro Press association. re-
sent this treatment on their part A. =
badge Of inferiority placed on our race.
4 curb to our highest ambitions. an insult
to our womanhood. a reflection to our
manhood and a denial Of our human
rights in direct violation of the laws OF
the state OF Oklahoma and the constitu-
tion OF the United States
Be It further resolved. That We con-
denim the interstate commerce commits
sion and the state railroad commission
for allowing such conditions to exist: that
II Il unfair to exact the same fare of the
Negroes as of the other races and deny
them equal accommodations, and to force
them by rules of the company. not by
laws Of the state. to bs treated much
worse than cattle
That we especially commend the action
Of Editor Philip H. Brown of Hopkins
Vile, KY. who led a successful fight
against the violation of the separate
not provide equal accommodation in sep
arate coaches.
We recommend that q copy Of these res-
olutions be sent to the officials Of the Mis-
souri,, Kansas and Texas railway. the
members OF the state railroad commission
and the interstate commerce commission.
Be 1t further resolved. That we denounce
all "jimcrow laws" and class legislation.
segregation OF government employees and
acknowledgements: that We make a special
protest to all railroad officials against the
inhumane treatment OF Negro passengers
In the southern states. and that We do so
publicly and fearlessly-not tacitly and
Observation-Disclosures that 1t Ii our duty
to do SO regardless Of the adverse argu-
ments and policies Of many Of our leading
Negroes. realizing that-Hs who would be
free must himself strike the first blow.
Resolved further That We extend our
thanks for the publicity given our meet
ing by the Muskogee Daily Phoenix. for
the courtesies shown our delegation. whose
request that the letter NJ be capitalized
in the word Negro was granted: also
to all other mediums of publicity for val
liable services rendered.
. Resolved also. That We express our
thanks to the people of Muskogee for
their cordial welcome extended US. also to
the National Negro Business league. the
Oklahoma State Business league and es-
pecially to the Muskogee Business league
for their arrangement and hospitality. un-
der the supervision of Hon. T. J. Elliott
and his able assistants who made tho
meeting success
Be II further resolved. That we invoke
the divine blessings ON each and every
member of our association and on the hu-
man race. returning thanks for all op-
portunities accepted and all privileges
granted
NICK CHILES. Chairman.
MISS IDA NJ. BECK.
CHARLES SUMMER SMITH