The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1918-07-05
C0LORED EDITORS AND
LEADERS IN CONFERENCE
MouIders Of Public Sentiment Consider
Methods by Which the Negro
May Best Aid the Nation
to Win the War

May Best Aid the Nation
to Win the War
NOTABLE ADDRESSES BY
OFFICIALS OF HIGH STATION
Free, Frank and Full Discussion of
Many Vital Issues Affecting Coiored
Americans Characterize Represen-
tative Gathering--personnel Of the
Participants.
Washington, District Of Columbia.
By the authority and direction of the
War Department and the Committee
on Public information, Emmett ].
Scott, Special Assistant to the Secre-
tary of War. called to Washington this
week for conference, thirty or forty
representatives of important colored
newspapers Of the country. together
with number of the leaders OF
thought and opinion among the Negro
people, to consider methods by which
tn 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 19, in the
main auditorium of the new building
of the Department of the Interior, Il
and r Streets northwest, at 1896
o'clock and continued throughout
Thursday and Friday. June 20 and 21
| Mr.. Scott presided at all of the ses
sions which were marked by an earn
estness of purpose, broad grasp q
the questions at issue, and an unway
ering loyalty to the flag of the nation
as well as by an intense devotion to tn,
highest interests of the colored Amer
leans for whom they came primaril!
to speak.
! The discussion covered q wide rang'
and the conferees were given an op
lportunity to present their views. re
fecting the state Of mind Of the col
ored people Of the country, with tn
utmost freedom and franlness, IN
hampered by parliamentary restrie
tions or any effort to direct opinion j
any particular channel save that Q
utilizing in the most effective manne
every resource at the command of til
race TO bring victory to the America
arms in its present struggle for Ill
erty and worldwide democracy. NJ
7 Scott's acknowledgements address
lat various stages Of the deliberatiol
2 repeatedly admonished the confere
to voice their sentiments fully al
fearlessly, laying I'll grievances al
suggestions for their redress upon Il
common altar, with the view
strengthening where needed the patr
Iotisn and morale of the Negro peopI
So fair and impartial were the ruling
{ of the chair upon every point raised Z
, lprinciple enunciated, that at no tim
was q single exception taken to then
! Every conceivable shade of indivldus
opinion was represented in the body
but there was from the outset fir
disposition to subordinate private an
personal considerations to the genera
good, without regard Of politics, Greco
faction or section. This lofty aim wa
adhered to most religionsly. Dignit
Of statement, harmony of thought an
unity of action were the predominant
ing features of the three days session
The document, reported by the spe
cial committee appointed to summa,
ize the expression OF the conference a
to the best plans for the mobilizatio
of the resources Of the 12,00o,00o Ne
groes of the Republic in support of th
war aims of the government, wa
adopted by unanimous vote, give
heartily and enthusiastically. "Amer
, lei" was sung with fervor and unctio
as final adjournment was taken.
Notable Addresses BY Officials of
High Station
The conference was addressed j
sympathetic vein, during the sessions
by the following notable officials G
high station:
Hon. Newton d. Baker, Secretar
Of War;
Mr.. George Creel, Chairman OF tn
Committee on Public Information;
Hon. Fraknlin ID. Roosevelt, Assist
ant Secretary of the Navy;
Mr.. Edward NJ Hurley, Chairman Q
the United States Shipping Board;
Major Joel e. Spingarn, Attached t
the General Staff, United State
: Army;
Capt. Arthur s. Spingarn, Of th
Medical Reserve Corps, Nations
Army;
General Paul vignal, Military Al
tache Of the French Embassy.
Major Edonard Requin and Majo