The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1919-09-25
MAY YET DISBAR
PAPERS FROM MAIL
ACTION MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST
NEGRO PAPERS.
Burleson May Act
Representative McDuffie, of Alabama
Says Postmaster General is
Considering Steps.

Washington, Sept. 21.-President
Wilson has put the soft pedal on the
efforts of individual members of con-
gress to punish or suppress the pub
fishers of radical negro periodicals in
the United States. Recently Repre-
sentative Byrnes of South Carolina
proceeded in a speech before the
house against the Menace and The
Messenger. Subsequently he took his
complaint to the attorney general.
His argument was that the publica-
tions were RADICAL in the extreme and
we're dangerous in their tendency to
renew bloody outbreaks between the
white and black races.
Later Representative McDuffie of
the First Alabama district incensed
by the contents of an issue of The
Messenger, interviewed the postmast-
er general in an effort to secure the
suppression of the periodical. He
pointed out cartoon representing a
negro driving an automobile through
masses of fleeing whites, the negro
driving and shooting into the frantic
crowds. Men falling were soldiers
bearing service stripes. He pointed
out editorials in which the editor con-
graduated the negroes for their sue
cessful opposition to mobs in Wash
ington and Chicago. He also pointed
out paragraph in which it was said
that in certain emergencies ga bullet
is far more efficacious than thous-
and prayers.'''' Mr.. Burleson agreed
with Mr.. McDuffie that the publica-
ton was inflamatory.
Regarding the interview the Ala
bama member said: ''The postmaster
general told me that he had been
considering andwas still considering
the advisability of denying the mails
to the Messenger and The Menace.
He stated that the attorney general
was also giving thought to the sub
ject. He then declared that the presi-
dent had suggested that no such ac-
tion be taken at the present time. 1t is
evidently another case of watchful
waiting. The postmaster general was
entirely sympathetic, for he feels, of
course, just as all other Southern
men feel.
From the postmaster general 1
went to the department of justice
and interviewed Mr.. Palmer. Mr..
Palmer stated that the department
was giving the negro periodicals earn
est consideration. He stated that
we're the department to proceed
against the publications they would
in all probability protest on the
ground that they were simply fight
ing against lynching. AS every man
is OPPOSED to lynching, Mr.. Palmer
thought that the publishers of the pa
pers could arouse a great deal o1
sympathy throughout the North.'
Mr.. McDuffie withheld a statement
setting forth his aopinion as to why
the president suggested a postpone
ment of action against the negro radi'
cal press. In all probability, how
ever, the president was moved
through fear of the unrest" Whlcf
prevails everywhere in the United
States. It was probably his opinion
that it would be wiser to suffer the
danger of such publications preclpl
tating other riots throughout the
United States than to force the radl
cal negro element of the North into
the ranks Of rebellious policemen
striking labor, sleepless 1. w. w., ex
treme socialists and professional an
archists.
It is not yet known what Mr
Byrnes's next step will be.
---D rDCE MAN