The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-25

transpires that while Major-General
&. C. Ballou of the 92nd Division, was
addressing the men under him
through Bulletin No. So, ne was at the
same time pressing the prosecution of
the theatrical manager who had dis
criminated against a sergeant of the
Division.
The prosecution of the manager of
the Wareham Theater for discrimina-
tion on account of color, instigated at
General Ballou's request, was, after
being twice continued, tried in police
court at Manhattan, Kas., few days
ago, and resulted in the conviction of
the defendant and the imposition of a
fine of $40 and costs. 1t is generally
assumed that the conviction of the
theatrical manager will serve to pre-
vent a repetition of the offense, and
will deter other theater owners and
managers from making discrimination
on account of color. General Ballou
followed the same course here as he
did at the Officers Training School at
| Des Moines, Ia, last summer, namely:
while admonishing his men to refrain
from precipitating racial disturbances,
to prosecute those who should discrim-
mate against his men.
General HsIlou Writes Scott.
The following letter, addressed to
Emmett ]. Scott, Special Assistant to
the Secretary of War, although dated
April %, 1918, has just been made pub
lie, since the prosecution and convic-
tion of the offending theater manager.
A letter similar incharaeter has also
been written to the editor of The Cri-
sis, New York. The letter to Mr..
Scott follows:
Headquarters 92d Division,
Camp Funston, Kas.,
April %, 1918.
Mr.. Emmett ]. Scott
War Department
Washington, D. c.
My Dear Mr. Scott:
l have your request that l make a
brief statement relative to Bulletin No
35, these Headquarters. There seems
to be no good reason why l should not
do so.
Here are the preliminary facts:
A soldier of this Division got into
trouble with a theater manager at
Manhattan and reported it to me. l
at once ordered an investigation,
placed the facts before the Division
Judge Advocate and was informed by
him that the theater manager had
violated the law l then put the case
in the hands of the United States At
torney and requested the prosecution
of the theater manager. The case was
set for April 22d. l then issued Bulle-
tin No. 80, which, in brief, is counsel
to my soldiers to avoid race troubles.
/ This Bulletin was given out to the col
ored press of the country, accompa-
MED by an entirely misleading letter
, that not only completely suppressed
all mention of any prosecution of the
theater manager, but directly and
falsely conveyed the impression to ed.
itors and readers that l had not done
so. The most prejudiced person will,
| think, at once see that this was a
malicious attempt to stir up race feel
ing by Misrepresentation.
Good Order and Military Discipline
Foundation Stones.
The character of Bulletin No. 35
was that of advice, as already stated
This advice was ordered published to
the Division. 1t had nothing to do
with any policy of segregation, or with
any policy outside of the military es-
adjustments. Its purpose was to pre-
vent race friction, with the attendant
prejudice to good order and military
discipline. Good order and military
discipline are the foundation stones
of the military service. They are in.
dispensable. Nothing connected with
the service OF the colored troops has
ever been so threatening to good or
der and discipline as race troubles
have been, and 1t is well known that
our enemies have sought to profit by
this fact ever since there was a pros
pect of war. No stone has been left
unturned. There have always been