Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1919-05-31
DIR. MOTION IN THE LIMELlG1IE
or CRITICISM.

That distinguished scholar and
journalist. DR.. w. T.. b. Dubois in
the May issue Of the New York Crisis
proceeded to attack, not only the War
Department with its discrimination
against the colorCd men in the army,
but also two of the best known color
cd leaders now before the American
public. lie was caustic in his attack
upon the Hon. Emmett ]. Scott and
Mr.. Scott was vitriolic in his reply.
lie also paid his respects to DR.. r..
r. Motion hut in Il manner far less
severe than that upon the distinguish
Cd Special Assistant to the Secretary
OF War.
Dr. Dubois In this issue makes
"no discrimination on account of race,
color or previous condition OF servi-
tude." lie attacks tho Negro hatcrs in
1hc army and the coiorcd leaders them
selves outside of the army. Here 10
what he says of DR.. II. II. Motion:
Neither II. II. Motion nor w. Il. Is.
Dubois had tho slightest idea that
the other WAS planning to sail for
France December l, until they met
III Washington on Il quest for pass
ports, November so. They sailed to
grlhcr on the Or,Zaba and frankly
discussed their agreements and dis
agreements. When they reached
France each went about his own bust
ness.
Or. Motion was sent by the Prcsi-
dent Of tho United States and tho
Secretary OF War to sec and talk to
Negro troops. DR.. Dubois was sent
by the n. a. a. r.. p. and The Girls
Is to gather the historical facts con
cerning Negro troops and to call n
PanAfrican Congress.
1t Is evident that the discussions
aboard the Orizaba were not salts
factory to either party, for DR.. Du
Bois says that when they reached
France, each went about his own
business. He tells just who sent him
and who sent DR.. Motion. We take 1t
then that he was sent to take care OF
the National Association for the Adj
yaucoment Of Colorcd Peoples bust
ness and DR.. II. r.. Motion was sent
to attend the President Of the United
States business. 1t is Il puzzling thing
to us Just how DR.. Dubois could have
done what he did 90, had he been
sent by the President OF The United
States and just how DR.. r. r. Mo
ton could have done other than he
did do had he been sent by the Nat
ional Association for the Advance
mcnt of Colorcd People.
II seems that DR.. Dubois was of
the opinion that DR.. Moton should
have carried out the instructions
that he. himself had received from
the very influential Association that
sent the former across tho Atlantic.
Il seems to us that for DR.. Motion to
have taken either orders or instruc-
tons from DR.. Dubois or his Asso-
citation would have been an affront
to the appointing power at whose eX-
pense and direction he had made the
DR.. Dubois. Had he followed tho
instructions given to DR.. Notion he
would have been ridiculed and con
dcmned from one end Of this country
to the other Ivy the members of that
very Influenza and powerful organi-
Zation.
1t was Dr.. Motions business to
obey orders or to surrender the ap-
pointmcnt and it was DR.. Dubois
business TO do the same thing. 1t
seems to US that the criticism pass
ed should have been directed to the
fact that DR.. Motion had accepted an
appointment that would tend to COM
promise him. and the race with which
he is affiliated. Having once accept
ed it however, he was in honor bound
to carry out the Instructions given
unless he had accepted the appoint
mcnt with reservation. DR.. Dubois
says:
On the night before Dr.. Motion
started out n colored man of national
reputat on and unquestioneG integ-
rity who had been in France six
months took him aside and told him
frank'v IT," situation: the rampant
American prejudice against black
troops and officers end the bitter re-
sen'ment OF the victims. Dr. Moton's
letter gave him every opportunity.
A sn"cia' Army Order preceded him.
which read:
DR.. r r Motion President OF Tus
kegec University will he proaop+ In