Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-08-11
CALLS FRIENDS
OF SEGREGATION
'PRO-GERMANS'
Negro Says Races Will Live
Together Eventually, Why
Not NOw?'
ATTACKS 'SOUTHERNIsM

Purely on the theory that fair play
entities the negroes of Indianapolis
to the privilege of replying to the
original letter from the president of
the Mapleton Civic league, The Times
herewith prints communication from
Charles Sumner Williams in defense
of the action of members of the negro
race in purchasing homes in the
white districts of Indianapolis.
The reader will Judge the merits Of
the controversy by the reply, publica-
ton of which should not be inter
preted as approval thereof-Editor
The Times.
Editor The Times-The question OF
segregation has been raised in this city
by some who view with adherence the
purchase by a coloFed man of a home in
what some are pleased to call a white
neighborhood.
1t is stated by the president of the
Mapleton Civic association in a recent is
sue. of The Times, and no doubt some
others may share his opinion, that.'re-
gardless of the so-called civil rights Of
the negro, or without going into the re-
ligious aspect of the case of question
ing the loyalty of the negro during the
war, the cold fact remains that when a
negro family moves into a white resi-
6ence section of the city the property
value Of the entire neighborhood is great
" reduced.
This most important feature is pur-
posely avoided in the article referring
here to negro artic1e). yet it is the one
predominant cause Of race prejudice, and
the negro himself is the one to blame for
the unfriendly attitude of the injured
white man."
First, is now, in all truth. the NOV
ing Of cOlored man into a white neigh
borhood, and the reduction of property
values, the cause of race prejudice?
Are not the reduction in property val
ues, the moving away, the protests
against colored people living in such
sections the result of race prejudice?
IL race prejudice is morally, religious
" or civilly right then the negro Is
wrong. If the prejudice is wrong then
someone else is TO blame.
But the writer says, regardless to our
so-called civil rights, and it does seem
they are "so-called" sometimes, he would
not even go into the religious aspect
and would push aside our loyalty dur
ing the war without questioning; he
would stake all on supposed economic
losses, which his own prejudices and the
prejudice of those who think like him
create.
am glad he does not question our
loyalty, but 1 would like to ask this
question:
When DR.. Meriweather, who bought on
Capitol avenue, was in France for the
United States, helping to make the world
safe for democracy, where were those
and what were they doing who are now
trying to make our city unsafe for him
TO live where he desires?
PREFER AUSTRIANS OVER
COLOBED PEOPLE.
Can Germans and Austrians come here
and buy in good residential districts if
they please and Americans who are too
true to even be questioned imprisoned in
isolated snd neglected districts for no
purpose save Of color?
I hold not one thing against Amer
leans of German or Austrian descent If
they are Americans.
| hold they are not responsible for
their ancestors or kindred.
But, neither am I responsible for my
ancestors or kindred who came under
duress hundreds Of years ago.
We are Americans, our enemies do not
quently have had cause to question
theirs.
There are two things in the article
written by the president Of the Mapleton
Civic association that are hard to under
stand.
One is. why not restore the many IN
slightly homes in their own vicinity
which are now allowed to deteriorate for
lack of little paint and attention.
Now the hard thing to understand is. is
he talking to owners of these houses or
to the prospective purchasers?
If to the owners, white or colored, the
advice is good, but may be they didn' t
want to sell.
They are making big profits on small
investments. Shall we force them TO
paint up and sell?
If to the purchaser, shall a man be-
cause he is colored he made to buy a
whole block to get house and then re-
pair all the other houses so they may
compare with his, or shall he, because
he is colored with plenty Of money. be
forced to live in a good home surround
ed by homes not up to his standard
when he has money>to live elsewhere ana
is able to maintain himself.
Why a gentleman from Texas was my
guest and when he saw the spite fence
on Capitol avenue he told me they didn't
do that at Eft Worth.
.
knows there ara thousands of white peo-
pie here who do not share such negro
hating views
believe that IS per cent of the peo-
PIE who are trying to stir friction are
pro-German, some pro-Southerns, but all
anti-Americans.
Surely all Of them have not always
lived away from negroes.
Another statement reads: "All that we
demand is that the negroes stay. in their
own territory and thus avoid any IN
pleasant action that we may find neces-
rsary TO protect our homes and loved ones
as we are determined not to have them
as neighbors."
Ny country, It's Of theen' what I'M
pleasant actionl
Surely; he does not threaten Iawless-
ness.
This is America, not Mexico. This. all
this, is our territory.
One might think Kaiser Bill himself
was talking.
But may I suggest that no action is