The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-07-06

Washington, District of Columbia
By the authority and direction of the
War Department and the Committee
on Public Information, Emmett j.
Scott, Special Assistant to the Secre-
tary of War, called to Washington this
week for a conference, thirty or forty
representatives of important colored
newspapers Of the country, together
with a number of the leaders of
thought and opinion among the Negro
people,, to consider methods by which
the millions of colored people of the
nation may best assist in the winning
of the war.
Proceedings Marked by Dignity and
Unity.
The conference formally opened
Wednesday morning, June 10, in the
main auditorium of the new building
of the Department of Interior, 18th
and F streets northwest, at 1880
o'clock, and continued throughout
Thursday and Friday, June 20 and 81.
Mr.. Scott presided at all of the ses'
sions, which were marked by an ear
nestness of purpose, a broad grasp OF
the questions at issue, and an unwa-
vering loyalty to the flag of the nation,
as we'll as by an intense devotion to
the highest interests of the colored
Americans for whom they came pri.
marily to speak.
The discussion covered a wide range
and the conferees we're given an op-
portunity to present their views, re-
flecting the state of mind of the col
ored people of the country, with the
utmost freedom and frankness, unham-
pered by parliamentary restrictions or
any effort to direct opinion in any par
ticular channel-save that of utilizing
in the most effective manner every re-
source at the command of the race to
bring victory TO the American arms in
its present struggle for liberty and
worldwide democracy. Mr.. Scotts
admirably tempered addresses at vari-
GUS stages of the deliberations repeat.
edly admonished the conferees to
voice their sentiments fully and fear
lessly, laying all grievances and sug-
gestions for their redress upon the
common altar, with the view of
Strengthening where needed the pa.
triotism and morale of the Negro peo-
pie. So fair and impartial were the
rulings of the chair upon every point
raised or principle enunciated, that at
no time was a single exception taken
to them. Every conceivable shade of
individual opinion was represented in
ha N,tf
set a firm disposition to subordinate
private and personal considerations to
the general good, without regard to
politics, creed, faction or section. This
lofty aim was adhered to most re-
ligiolfsly Dignity of statement, har-
mony of thought and unity Of action
were the predominating features Of
the three days session. The docu-
ment, reported by the special commit
tee appointed to summarize the ex-
preston of the conference as to the
best plans for the mobilization of the
resources of the 100000 Negroes of
the Republic in support OF the war
aims of the government was adopted
by unanimous vote, given heartily
and enthusiastically. America" was
sung with fervor and JUNCTION as final
adjournment was taken.
Notable Addresses by Officials Of High
Station.
The conference was addressed in
sympathetic vein, during the sessions
by the following notable officials OF
high station;
Hon. Newton D. Baker, Secretary OF
War;
Mr.. George Creel, Chairman of the
Committee on Public Information;
Hon. Franklin d. Roosevelt, Assist
ant Secretary of the Navy;
Mr.. Edward N. Hurley, Chairman oi