The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1918-09-06
interesting
War Talk
BY Emmet j. Scott, at Nine. G. ].
Walkers Home ''vilIa Lewaro'
Irvington-on- the Hudson

Mime. G. j. Walker, nearly 100 white
and colored men and women, leaders
in their respective races, assembled
on Sunday, the 25th instant, in her
charming residence, "villa Lewaro,n
situated in Irvington-on- the Hudson,
to meet the Honorable Emmett ].
Scott, Special Assistant to the Sec
retary of War.
Mime. Walker must have been in
spired by some kind and thoughtful
desire to give pleasure to her guests
in calling them together in this de-
lightful place, enriched by Nature
and ornamented by the skilled hands
of men. From the back of the villa
one overlooks d lake in an italian
garden, beyond which stretches
most pleasing diversified rural scene,
containing the Hudson river, flowing
with majestic serenity, and the.
wooded heights Of New Jersey in the
far distanee--a scene which, in many
of its features, rivals the view from
Richmond Hill, looking towards
rWickenham, England.
After an appetizing luncheon had
been served on the Villas expensive
veranda, the guests adjourned to the
charmingly furnished and decorated
great salon and listened to music
made by several well-known artists:
]. Rosamond Johnson, Professor Jo-
seph Douglas, Mrs. Marie Johnson,
Melville Charlton, Professor w. II.
Butler and his clever children, Willie
and Cecilia.
Following the concert, j. Rosamond
Johnson introduced Attorney II. b..
Ransom, Of indianapolis, who intro
dneed the hostess, Mime. Walker, to
her guests.
Nine. Walker, in outlining the pur-
pose Of the meeting. explained that
she had invited those present not only
10 meet Mr.. Emmett j. Scott, but to
confer with him. and with each other,
regarding the part American Negroes
were playing IN the war. Among
other things said BY Mime. Walker
was that this was the time when mem
bers Of the race should forget all their
differences; stand together for the
higher principles involved in this war,
and that she hoped the present con
| ference would tend to bring about
these results. Moreover, Nine. Wal
ker made a plea to those present to
continue loyal to the country, also to
the soldiers fighting for Democracy.
After Mime. Walker finished and
had been applauded, Mr. Ransom in
trodueed Mr.. Scott.
Mr.. Scott arose amidst much an.
lplause, He paid high tribute to Nine
| Walker; then, reviewing his work
while in Office, told Of some Of the ex-
Icellent things accomplished. Further
more, he informed his hearers how
local boards had been removed be-
cause they had treated Negro draftees
unfairly; and how whenever unkind
reflections had been cast upon the
eolored soldiers, the matter had been
investigated and set right
Mr.. Scott announced that the War
Department had consented to recon,
slider the case Of Col. Charles Young
who, IN ali probability, would be re-
stored to actual service; nor did his
statement that colored women be sent
overseas, as Red Cross nurses, dis
please. Mr.. Scott said many othe,
things exceedingly pleasing to hi.
hearers, for instance, how racial wal
work had been organized throughou
the country; how Board of Health
IS to be established to study SANITARY
conditions affecting colored soldiers
how, very possibly, Negro War Cor
respondent would be sent to Europ,
to report the activities and achieve
ments of eoiored soldiers. He hopet
soon to announce the name of the mar
to be selected to do this work.
j Other speakers following Mr.. Scot
were: Col VIM. Jay Schieffelin, th
well-known philanthropist; William
Il. Lewis, ex-assistant u. S. Attor
ney-General; j. G. Napier, ex-regis
trar of the U. S. Treasury; Profes
sor W. S. Scarborough, president 0
Wherefore University; Fredericl
Moore, editor of "The New Yorl
Age; Mrs. Mary Talbert, Of But
falo; James A. Cobb, Of Washington
Thos. f. Taylor, Secretary of the Y
NJ. G. A., New York Branch; John Il
Shiliady, Secretary of the Nationa
, Association for the Advancement O
. colored People, and Mrs. Jessie {
J Robinson, of st. Louis.
Other prominent guests were: Mr.,
Martha b. Anderson. of st. Louis
William Lewis. Editor of aThe Iadis
aaapolis Freeman"s j. q Galsaer, !
n u