The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1918-10-18
Regional Director Of the Student
Army Training Corps, Stopped
in Attempt to segregate Colored
College Students.


Several weeks before the opening OF
college. Colonel Converse, command
ant at Ohio State University, replled
to- an inquiry Of colored student,
that there would be no discrimination
in the proposed training unit, and
that The same fair policy that had
been in effect previously would pre-
vail in the future.
Ohio State University, as every one
can see by the name, IS state liisea-
tuition and open to every one scnoias-
tically qualified to enter, regardless q
race, color or creed,
Further, the student army training
corps, according to newspaper an
nouncements and bulletins, was TO be
under the direct government control
and it's members would be subject 60
ali the privileges as well as the re-
strictions of any other United States
fancy in drafting Negroes N excess
soldiers. Several bulletins were sent
10 colored men. but they contained no
reference or clause in regard to pro-
hibition of colored men. As the gov
ernment was not showing any hesi-
.og their pro rata according to popn-
lation, the colored boys assumed that
they would be welcome to this new
branch of service. Consequently, all
over the state those desiring to con-
tintla their education and at the same
time willingly fill their patriotic OBJ
legations, chose Ohio State University
as the college at which they desired
to prepare for their life work.
So, on the opening day, more than
sixty lads registered at Ohio State.
In days following they attended
classes as others did. Then one day
a law student had occasion to inter-
view the acting president, while IN
his office message came from Mr..
Hughes suggesting that all Negro
boys contemplating entering the stu
dent army training corps be request
ed to withdraw from Ohio State and.
attend Wilberforce. Now the accom-
modations at that school were only
for two hundred men, and it was fill
ing rapidly.
AS Mr.. Mundy, the student referred
to. was coiored, Judge Adams asked
him to tell the other men to withdraw
Immediately so that they would not
lose any time because the corps was
10 be formed October LIST. Mr.. Nun
dy notified the men quickly, but they
realized the gravity of the situation
and refused to be stampeded and hur
ried away In panic, especially the
older students.
Accordingly the colored boys or
ganized and sent committees to wait
upon all the important officials Of the
university, including the command
ant. All of these men turned deaf
car to the pleas of the students ex-
cept the deans Of the medical schools
who promised and did all in their
power to assist the colored men.
The commandant was interviewed
several times, but upon each occasion
refused to grant any favors or offer
any advice except to go to Wilber-
force and for the medical and engi-
neering reserve men to stay until
Che government could make arrange
Ynents To send them to some canton
nlent. OF course, the students OBJ
ieeted to this vehemently, not because
Wilberforce. is a colored school, but
because they could not get there what
they wanted. Most of the men were
preparing for and were In profess
sional colleges. Many were advance
students In arts, education, medicine,
agriculture, etc, and could not receive
any training at Wilberforce. In fact,
several were qualified to teach there.
Dean Jones was quick to realize this
and placed them Oh the faculty. Boz
sides this the prospect of being sent
TO On army camp now was not pleas
ING TO the reserve corps men, for their
class mates were to stay III school.
FL ever. most of the freshmen be-
come eyeifed and hurried to Wilber-
force The upperrlassmen now saw
that nothing could ba accomplished
csf The campus, 50 they appointed Mr..
Hand chairman oil taae intelligence
S,ofasnfEsae, ain inasaataIafaly aeszt sssa-
!. II