Omaha daily bee., 1919-10-12
FEDERAL CHURCH
COUNCIL TAKES
SIDE OF NEGRO
Secy. mcfarland Signs State.
ment That Mob Violence Is
Becoming Habit and Must
Be Stopped.

New York, Oct. u--Asserting
that eve must face frankly the fact
that most dangerous inter-raciai
situation now threatens our
country" the federal council Of the
Churches of Christ in America made
public here today a constructive
program for protecting negroes
against mob violence, lettering their
condition. and removing the cause
Of racial troubles.
Call to Citizens.
The plan was formulated BY the
council acting in conjunction with
a committee representing white and
negro citizens from all sections of
the United States. At meeting of
the committee held here recently a
discussion of the racial situation
took place and it was decided ITO
issue "a call to the citizens of the
United States to act in conformity
with the high ideals of democracy
and Christianity in the present con-
dition Of strained relations between
races"
The statement outlining the pro-
gram is signed by Frank Mason
North, president Of the Federal
council, Albert G. Lawson, chairman
of its Administrative committee;
Wilbur P. Thirkheld, chairman of
the committee on negro churches,
and Charles S. Mcfarland, general
secretary Of the council.
The first paragraph of the pro-
gram urges protection against mob
violence. 1t follows:
Mobs Becoming Habit.
"The government, local, state and
national, should itnpartially guaran-
tee to all classes security of life and
property. Mob violence is becom-
ing 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 under
foot. We call upon the pulpit, the
press and all good people to create
a public sentiment that will support
necessary legislation for the
enforcement of existing laws, that
life, liberty and the pursuit of hap
piness my be equally secured to all
classes"
adequate educational facilities
for negro children and you'll, should
be provided not only as a national
obligation but as necessity for
national welfare" the committee
says. 1--WE emphasize the urgency
Of giving to the negro his full share
Of local and national funds" 1t is
also asserted that qualifications
for franchise should be administered
irrespective of race, creed or color"
The council advocates closer CO.
operation between white persons
and negroes. This could be brought
about, it says, by organizing local
committees of white persons and
negroes in towns and communities
for the consideration of inter-racial
welfare. E-.
Root Of Matter.
THE root of the natter it says,
lis the failure to recognize the negro
as a man. If we propose demo-
cratic program for the protection
and self-determination Of the weak
and oppressed people Of Europe as
means of permanent peace and
good will abroad, let US apply the
same program at home
A statement by the council pre-
facing the program asserts that
THE recent race conflicts in some
of our cities is challenge to the
churches charged with the promo
ton of the brotherhood of man.
This calls for preaching the duty of
economic and community justice for
the negro, thus securing peace and
good will between the races"