The Chicago whip. (Chicago, Ill.) 1919-19??, 1919-10-04
Wilson Not to
Stop Colored
Papers

me sou ptuti hdo DSS" PNN 49,
fight against Negro journals claimed
by Representa- Byrnes of South
Carolina to be seditious. The argu-
ments in the attack on these colored
papers were to the effect that they
were radical in the extreme and dam
eerous in their tendency to renew
bloody outbreaks between the white
and black races.
Representative McDuffie of the
First Alabama district, incensed by
the contents of an issue of the Mes
senger, interviewed the postmaster
general in an effort to secure the sup
preston of the periodical. He pointed
out a cartoon representing 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 edi-
torials in which the editor congratu-
lated the Negroes for their successful
opposition to mobs in Washington and
C..icago. he also pointed out a par,
agraph in which it was said that
in certain emergencies "a bullet is far
more efficacious than a thousand
prayers"
Burleson Called.
Postmaster General Burleson was
interviewed by Mr.. McDuffie. he
agreed with Mr.. McDuffie that the
publications were infammatory. Re
garding the interview, the Alabama
member said:
"The postmaster general told me
that he had been considering and was
still considering the advisability OF
denving the mails to the Messenger
and the Menace He stated that the
attorney general was also giving
thought to the subject. He then de-
clared that the president had sug-
oested that no such action be taken
at the present time. 1t is evidently
another case of "watchful WAITING"
The postmaster general was entirely
svmpathetic. for he feels, of course,
inst as all other southern men feel.
Department of Justice Tried.
From the postmaster general NC
Duffie went to Mr.. Lamar OF the
department Of justice, who is also an
Alabamian. Mr.. Lamar stated that
he was giving these periodicals earn
est consideration" He clearly stated
that he was bewildered, because if any
action were begun to suppress these
papers the best argument would De
on the side of the papers.
Colored Papers Have Best of Fight.
1t was brought out in the course OF
the interview with Mr.. Lamar that,
although he was opposed to the pub
fishing of these paeprs, they could IN
any contest of their right to publ
cation state that they were simply
attacking the lynching evil. This, OF
course, is a very embarrassing ques-
ton in Washington. Mr.. Lamar
stated his opinion that these journals
would arouse considerable sympathy
in the North.
President Wilson Refuses to Act.
The matter was brought to the at
tention of President Wilson, who post
poned any drastic action. Mr.. Nc
Dufie withheld statement setting
forth his opinion as to why the pres
ident suggested postponement OF
action against the Negro radical press
In all probability, however, the presi-
dent was moved through fear of the
"unrest" which prevails everywhere
in the United States. 1t was probably
his opinion that it would be wiser to
suffer the danger Of such publications
precipitating other riots throughout
the United States than to force the
radical Negro element of the North
into the ranks of rebellious policemen,
striking labor, prO-German agitators,