Phoenix tribune., 1919-09-27

The Negro has ever shown profound
faith in God and has always looked to
the church for leadership, for counsel
and for guidance The church which
for fifty years has a record of almost
unmatched service in the education
and betterment of the race will now
be recreant to her trust and lose her
birthright of service if she does not
meet this confidence with a full sense
OF responsibility and a full measure
Of service for justice, peace and good.
will. To this end we therefore urge
upon the church, her ministry and
membership this constructive pro-
gram:
Constructive Program for Just Inter.
Racial Relations
l. The government, local, state and
national, should impartially guarantee
to all classes security of life and prop
erty. Mob violence is becoming a
crowd habit When life and property
are ruthlessly taken, when men and
women are lynched with no protection
from officers or courts, law and order
are trampled underfoot We call upon
the pulpit, the press and all good peo.
pie to create a public sentiment that
will support necessary legislation for
the enforcement of existing laws, that
life, liberty and the pursuit of happi.
ness may be equally assured to all
classes.
2. The Negro should have economic
justice, equal opportunity to get and
hold work on the same terms as other
men, with equal pay for equal work.
and with fair working and living con-
ditions. The entrance of large num-
bers of Negroes into the various in
dustries emphasizes the necessity of
an immediate amicable adjustment of
relations with white employers and
fellow-workers
3. We call upon men and women
everywhere to protect the sanctity of
bome and womanhood. We record
with satisfaction the growing enlist
ment of Negro leaders in program
Oh education and Christianization such
as tends to prevent crimes that pro-
woke mob violence. The home of the
Negro should receive the same meas.
ure of respect and protection as that
OF other Americans, and the sanctity
o. his home relations should te safe
guarded in every possible way. Swift
and impartial action of the law should
strike the violator of the sanctity of
any home, white or black.
4. We recognize as fundamental to
the welfare and efficiency of society
that adequate recreational provisions
be made available for Negro citizens
5. We strongly endorse the plea of
the Negro for equal travelling accom-
for equal charges.
6. Adequate educational facilities
for Negro children and youth should
be provided not only as national
obligation but also as a necessity for
national welfare. We emphasize the |
urgency of giving to the Negro his
full share of local and national funds.
Z. Qualifications for franchise
should be administered irrespective of
race, creed or color.
s. Closer cooperation between the
races should he promoted by organic.
ing local committees of white and col.
ored people in towns and communi
ties for the consideration of inter.ra-
cial welfare. All possible agencies
should be enlisted in fostering a spirit
Of justice and of goodwill in the rela.
lions of one race to the other. We
recommend that the governor of each
state appoint standing committee
for the careful study of the causes
underlying race friction with a view
% their removal and that Congress
DC requested through non-partisan
to investigate the disturbed
md threatening inter-racial situation
throughout the nation.
Racial understanding and co-opera
ion furnish the only sure basis of race
adjustment in democracy. The root
II the matter is the failure to recog-
lize the Negro as man. The basis
If distress on both sides is fear, and
lear hath torment. Respect for Ne
'ro manhood and womanhood is the
'Dly basis for. amicable race adjust
nent, for race integrity and for per-
nanent racial peace. If we talk de-
nocracy let US act democracy. If we
ropose democratic program for the
protection and self-determination of .
he weak and oppressed people of
europe as a means of permanent
eace and goodwill abroad, let us ap-
ly the same program at home.
FRANK MASON NORTH.
resident of the Federal Council of