Phoenix tribune., 1921-08-06
CHURCHES WILL TRY
TO STAMP OUT MOB
VIOLENCE in U. S. A.
Especial to The Tribune)

ment of all churches in a concerted
endeavor to stamp out mob violence
and 1ynching in America and estab.
lishment of inter-racial committees in
local communities were included in
the program adopted by the Commits
sion on Negro churches and race rela-
tion, created by the Federal Council
of Churches in Christ in America.
Other features of the program are
ito provide central house and meet.
ing place for the churches and for all
Christian agencies dealing with the
relations CT the white and Negro
races" and to promote mutual con.
fidence and acquaintance. both ma
tionally and locally, between white
and Negro churches"
The meeting Tuesday was the first
one held by the commission and it
promises to be far reacnlng in its eff.
fects by promoting a. Detter under
standing between the races. This
conference was called by DIR. Robert
f. Speer, of New York, president of
the Federal Council. John J. Eagen
of Atlanta, was named chairman Of
the inter-racial commission and a vice
chairman is to be selected from the
colored churches.
This conference was attended by
nationally known men. Among those
of our group present were: Bishop
Smith of the A. M. f. church; Bishop
G. c.. Clement, of the A. M. f. Zion
church; Prof. John R. Hawkins, fl
Eancial secretary of the A. M. F.
church; prof ]. w. Martin, educa-
tional secretary of the A. M. E. Zion
church; Secretary Tobias of the In
ternational Y. NJ. C. A.; Prof. Isaac
Fisher, of Fisk University; Prof
Kelly Miller, of Howard University;
DR.. George E. Haynes and J. A. G.
LuValle of the Washington Tribune.
These met with about adozen white
men and women.
All of these men made Speeches
during the conference. Prof. John r.
Hawkins made the keynote speech
He spoke very plainly about the exis-
ting conditions and how the colored
people felt about the matter. "This
is an age of materialism VS.. idealism,"
he said. "The best way in my judg-
ment to settle things and bring about
more harmonious relation between
the races, would be for every one to
ask this quetsion: Is this thing right
before God? Are we, as colored peo-
pie wrong in asking for the franchise?
and for sanitary conditions. for one
standard of morals, for an eco-
nomic wage scale, for equal educa-
tional opportunities, for the segre-
gated coach, for justice before the
courts and for a square deal? Is it
right to tax the Negro and make him
share equal military responsibilities
in time of war, and yet not permit
him to enter into military organiza-
tions in peace time? The white mans
ignorance of the colored man is one
big hindrance to the races. Let the
white people eliminate the idea that
God made them for the best and the
Negro for service only.
II consider conditions worse today
than they were 20 years ago." said
Prof. Hawkins. What we need most
is number of white men and women
brave enough to say that these con-
ditions must stop; and they will stop.
The big question confronting us is the
one Of finding the men with the moral
courage to say stop"
Bishop Smith suggested that we call
an armistice and hold conference
thereby, getting better understand
ing of all conditions and work from
the forward.
Mrs. Luke Johnson, of Georgia,
made an interesting speech, telling of
her efforts to secure better relations
between the colored and white women
rof the south. She told of the meet.
ings they held in Memphis and Allan
ia. She said: "The colored women
of the south held the keynote to the
situation" In speaking of Mrs.
Booker T. Washington, she said: "To
know her is to. respect her. We, the
women of the south" said Mrs. John
son, "intend to go to the root of the
evil and show what the gospel can
do" speaking of lynching."
J. A. G. LuValle, Of the Tribune
said: after listening to all that has
been said, there is one fundamental
starting noinf fo answer fha question