Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-10-11
COLOR LINE" AT
DICINSON COLLEGE

ons of Mr.. and Mrs. Frank L. JEFF
erson. of 21S Adams street. Steel
ION. Both parents are intelligent
Nd respected and have many friends
n Harrisburg and the industrial
borough. Mr.. Jefferson is connect
ID with the State Department of La
,or and Industry and is himself a
graduate of the Steelton High
school. They are naturally crushed
over what has happened to their
boys, who are made to suffer through
40 fault of their own, but because
he color line has been established
1t the old Cumberland Valley insti-
.ution.
Three Years ut College
William had already spent three
years at Dickinson and returned a
few days ago for his senior year,
hoping to graduate with degree
next June. Edward, his brother, had
spent one year at the college and
started on his sophomore year on
he reopening of the institution in
ate September. Both boys are in
iustrious, ambitious and have from
.hildhood earned money to aid in
their own education. Their dismis-
sal from Dickinson College for no
reason save their color has aroused
great indignation among their
tNtl ~ WhSLCs
Mr.. Jefferson was asked regarding
the incident and without bitterness
told the story. In August, he said,
he went to Carlisle to see Dr. Nor
gan as to the work of the boys for
the new term, particularly about the
younger sons course of study. Dur
Ing the conversation the matter of
the Students Army Training Corps
at Dickinson, which was to be estab-
lished at the beginning of the term,
was also mentioned. DR.. Morgan,
according to Mr.. Jefferson, declared
he would be glad to have the boys
back. He explained that matters
were somewhat confused regarding
the military camp; that he didn't
know the exact nature of the organ
ization, but expected advices from
Washington and also stated the
equipment would be received in a
few days.
Again, in the latter part of Sep
tember and just before the reopen
Ing of the college the following
week, Mr.. Jefferson called on DIR.
Morgan to discover whether there
were any new developments. The
president of the institution said that
he didn't know what was the atti-
tude of the Government concerning
the mixing of the races, whereupon
the father of the boys suggested it
would involve a great problem sep
arating colored from white students
in all the educational institutions of
the country. Dean Filler, who en-
tered while the matter was under
discussion, remarked with regard to
the race question that he didn't
know whether the Government
would make any ruling concerning
1t, but offered to telephone to Wash
ington and learn the situation. He
explained that the commandant
would be in Carlisle the following
Friday, and Mr.. jefferson said he
would prefer to wait until the COM
mandant came, asking Dean Filler
to advise him after he had talked
the matter over with the military
Instructor.
Dean Filters o. *.
Under date of September 21st,
Mervin G. Filler, the dean of Dick
inson College,. addressed the follow
ing letter to the father of the boys:
MY Dear Mr.. Jefferson:
I'VE found it necessary to tele-
phone to Washington in order to
settle the question with respect to
your sons. DR.. Morgan has just had
a conversation with the authorities
and the statement is made that if
they were already students in the
college they may be inducted into