Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-08-25
RICHMOND PLANETS SUBSCRIBE.
FRS WAITING.
Letter to Editor Detained Recent
Issue In POstofliCc.

TO the Editor Of Public Ledger:
Sir-The IIGtchmond, Va Planet Is
the organ of the colored people of
Virginia in particular and of the col
ored people of the United States in
general. To-day l was notified, upon
inquiry by me as to why the papers
had not been delivered after having
been received at the postoflice Friday
between the hours OF IL noon and |
,p. H.. that they had been held up
pending an investigation relative to
the question rs to whether n contri-
buted communication signed by W.
ziah Miner, former editor Of the How
ard University journal and now To-
Gated at Howard University at
Washington. ID. G. made tho entire
issue Of that journal nnmai!ablc.
| am inclosing copy of the article
in question. I was Informed that no
objection was made to the matter in
the editorial columns Of The Planet.
AS the delay makes the issue Of the
journal from the standpoint Of date
worthless and the advertising matter
Is lost to the customer, 1t will be seen
that this Is a virtual fine upon the
management and ownership OF the
journal In question and amounts to
virtual confiscation without due pro-
cess OF law.
Uzziah Miner spoke only for HIM
self and he told why he had not vol
unteercd to serve in the United States
army. He was DESTROYS Of having
President Woodrow Wilson and tho
Department of Justice assume the
same attitude as that taken by ex-
President Theodore Roosevelt In his
timely remarks upon the East ST.
Louis massacre. He did not protest
against the drafting Of men In the
army Of the United States. The pol
icy OF The Planet appears in its
editorial columns, and the editorial
department does not assume respon-
sibility for views expressed by its
correspondents.
g.! have been much annoyed by In
quiries on the part Of subscribers as
to why they have not received their
papers. AS to my loyalty to the dis
tinguished occupant of the White
House and to the Administration and
its policy, ! need but to state that
have published matter from the Ma
tional Defense Bureau, Bureau of
Insurance, Agricultural Department.
and the recruiting bureau in the COL
umns Of Tho Planet free of charge.
I have volunteered my services both
to the Mayor of this city and to Gov
ernor Henry G. Stuart, tho presiding
genius and Chief Executive Of the
State.
I am chairman of the local bureau
among the colored people that pro-
noted the sale OF Liberty Bonds. ap-
proximately 81 5000 worth being sold
by subscription in about two hours
at meeting held hero. am q fol-
low in the Royal Society Of Arts, Lon
don, and I have committed no act
either directly or indirectly that
would warrant such treatment at the
hands Of the Postofflce Department or
the Department of Justice.
I am president Of the Mechanics
Savings Bank, Of this city. I deem
1t prudent to make no comment fur
Their than to inquire IL the constitu-
tional guarantees of citizens are still
operative. Is there any code Of rules
or instructions by which l can be
guided without a censorship, and Is
there any way that l can find out just
what is to be permitted in the col
umns of The Planet before it Is issued
without having an entire issue of the
tnai ColHScdleu ny IL department
Of thee Government without notice?
l sent down to the Richmond post
office today for the Planets which had
not been delivered and were being
held up
An excuse was given, and my pro-
perry Is still being held by the Gov
eminent ut this writing
JOHN MITCHELL, JR.,
Editor and Proprietor Of The Planet.
Richmond, Va, Aug. 7, 1917