The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1914-11-20

alleged determinations against Negroes
in the departments, President Wilson to-
day abruptly rebuked his critic, telling
him not 20 come to the White House
again.
Trotter. speaking for the National In
dependence Equal Rights League, in a
lengthy speech filled with insinuations OF
broken pledges" frankly told the Pre-
ident that MIR. Wilson had offended the
Negroes Of the country by not insisting
that Negroes he treated on an equality
with the whites
The Negro spokesman. who came from
Boston, was fianked by Negroes from
every part OF the country. He wanted
to empress upon tie President, - card,
that the Negroes deeply resented the acts
of Secretaries McAdoo, Burleson and the
Comptroller of the Currency in putting
up barrier against the Negroes in their
departments
When Trotter came 70 the point in his
talk in which he reflected upon the Pres
ident's integrity in carrying out campaign
assurances TO treat the Negroes on plane
with whites, Mr.. Wilson became sggra-
waited.
Sharply turning 10 Trotter the Presi-
dent showed that be resented the Ian
guaee used by him. Trotter bowed but
kept on with his assault
The President listened until Trotter
wac through and then firmly told bin
that he knew nothing of the discrirnin-
alton allegud---thst he bad lookei into
a former complaint of the kind by Trot-
ter an J the accused officials had stoutly
denied the truth Of Trotter's assertions
The principal complaint Of Trotter and
the delegation was that the Negro em-
ployees of several Of she departments are
prov:r3yd- With 1s-tsEstasies- -sepaxaie trop
those assigned TO the white employees.
and also that there is certain 'segre.
CATION in working positions and IN the
lunch rooms.
Officials Of the Treasury, Navy and
War Departments say that the restric-
tions now are exactly as they have been
tor 80 years.
Secretary Of War Garrison said:
''l DO not know Of any segregation IN
my department. The question has never
been raised 80 far A. know"
Secretary Of the Navy Daniels said:
''The question is a new one 10 me.
There are negro clerks in this depart
ment. hut do not know that the matter
hss ever been brought up"
Describing the effects Of the President's
remarks on the delegation Trotter said:
''It was q warm session. What the
President told us was entirely disappoint-
ing. His statement that segregation Was
intended to prevent racial friction Is
not supported by fact. For 50 years Ne
gro and white employees have worked
together It was not until the present
Administration that segregation Was dras-
tically introduced becanse ot the racial
prejudice OF John Skelton Williams, Sec
retsry McAdoo and Postmaster General
Burleson.
Trotter said in his address that his
committee did not come "ss wsrds look
ing for charity. but a. iull-fiedged Amer
icans."
Two years ago" said Trotter, you
wersithoueht 10 he second Abraham
Lincoln" here the President tried 70
interrupt. asking that personalities be
left out of the DISCUSSION. Trotter con-
tinued 10 speak and the President finally
told him that # the organization he rep
resented wished 10 approach bin again
10 must choose another spokesman. sd-
ding that he enjoyed listening TO the
other members Of the committee, but
that. .Trotter's tone Was offensive
The President told Trotter that be vas
an American citizen a. fully e. snybody
else, bot that he (Trotter) Wa the only
American citizen who had ever come in
10 the White Hou~e and sddre--ed the
president in such q tone and with such
a background Of passion.
Here Trotter deniei that he had sny
pasion, bat the President told him be
had spoiled the csnse for which he bad
come. and said he expected those vho
professed 10 be Christians 70 come 20 hrrn
in q Christian spirit.
The Negro spokesman continued 10 ar
que that he was merely trying u shox
how the Negroes felt. and asserted that
he and Others we're now being branded
- traitors 10 their race because they al
vised the Negrocs 10 support the ticket
Tbs mention Of votes caused Mr.. vii
son - Say that politics must be left out
because n vas form Ct blsckmsil. ne
ssid he wcsld recent Il - quickly from
one st Of men ss from another. and that
his soditors could vote - they pleased.
II nsttered little 70 him. be s,id. -
long - he vss sure be vss doing the
right thing ct the night time.
-The President spoke FRANKLY. ssyhs
that q the Negroes bad made mistaks