The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-10-27

Long before tho time for the ad- dress large crowd began to gather at the park. As soon as the presl- dentiai parade was over, thousands of others flocked around the speak er's stand, and the size of the crowd was limited only by the standing ca- pacity of the park. Hundreds at tempted to find place to stand and hear the Presidents address but were unable to do so.
 Seated on the speakers stand with the President were Mrs. Harding, members of his staff, Secretary of War J. ". Weeks, Secretary of In- terior A. B. Fall, members of the ex- ecutive committee of tho semi-cen- tennial association, county queens from all the Alabama counties, mem bers of the city commission, mem bers of the Alabama legislature, and others.
 Sydney J. Bowie, chairman of tho semi- centennial committee, presided, and presented pr. N. A. Barrett, pres- ident of the city commission of Bir- minRham, who extended to the visi- tor welcome upon behalf of the city
 We are not happy to greet you simply because you are the chief ex- ecutive," pr. Barrett said. speaking to the President, but because We are grateful for what you are.'' Gov. Thomas Kilby expressed 8 welcome upon behalf of the state to President Harding,
 We celebrate the fiftieth anniver- sary of city" Governor Kilby said, but when we consider what this city means to the state, the celebration becomes a Statewide event"
 Governor Kilby expressed regret that the President was not able to see more of the state, mentioning especially the Tennessee valley. where. he declared, the government had brought almost to conclusion great undertaking. He expressed the hope that 1t might be completed dur ing President Harding's adm.nistra- tion.
 Cameramen began taking pictures as MT. Bowie introduced PresIjent Harding to the audience. President Harding used a line manuscript for his address, as Is his custom, but spoke with force and earnestness.
 There were frequent outbursts Of applause from the colored section oe the audience as he declared he be- lieved In economic and political equality for the negroes
 President Harding congratulated the Birmingham district upon Is de- velopment during the past 50 years
 The President waa loudly applaud ed from all pa. .s of the audience when he declared he felt each race must work olst-'lts own destiny ii its own way withou. becoming poo imitation of apotfer race.
 President Harding spoke as 5l+ lows:
 World War
 The world war brought US 10 full recognition that the race problem is national rather than Vmereiy sec tional. Thare are no authentic sta ttstics, but 1t is common knowledee that the World war was marked by great migration of colored people to the north and west. They were attracted by the demand for labor and the higher wages offered. It has brought the question Of race closer to the north and west and believe It has served to modify some what the views of those sections on this question. It has made the south realize It's industrial depend ence on the labor of the black man, and made the north realize the dif- ficulttes Of the community in which two greatly differing rucea are brought to live side by side. should say that it has been respe n- sible for larger charity on both sides, a beginning of better under standing, and in the light of that better understanding perhaps we shall be able to consider this problem to- gether as problem of all sections. and of both races in whose solution the best intelligence of both must be enlisted.
 Problem Widening
 Indeed we will be wise to recog- nize 1t SIS wider yet. Whoever will take tho time 10 read and ponder Lothrop Stoddard's book on The Ris- ing Tide of Color or the thoughteul review of some recent literature Of this question, which r. L. Lugard. presented in recent Edinburg re view, must realize that our race problem here In the United States is only a phase of the race issue tha. the whole world confronts. Suriey We shall gain nothing by blinking the facts; by refusing to give thought 10 them. That Is not the American way of approaching such issues. Mir. Lu- gard in hrs recent essay. after sur veying tho worlds problem of races, concludes thus:
 Here then. is the true oaception of the interrelation of color-com- plete uniformity in ideals. absolute equality in the paths of knowledge and culture, equal opportunity for those who strive, equal admiration for thhose who achieve success in matters social and racial a separate path. each pursuing his own inherited traditions. preserving his own race purity. and race pride; equality in things spiritual, agreed divergence in the physical and material matter luality.
 Absolute Separation
 Here it seems to me is suggestion of the true way out Politically and economically. there need be no occa sion for great and permanent differ entiation for limitations of the indi- viduals opportunity. provided that on both sides there shall be recoTni- ton of the absolute divergence in things social and racial. When suggest the possibility of economic equality between the races, meAa 1t in precisely the same way, and - the same extent that I would mean it if spoke of equality of economic opportunity as between members Of the same race. In each case 1 would mean equality proportioned to the honest capacities and deserts of tho individuals.
 Men of both races may well stand uncompromisingly against every sug- gestion of social equality. Indeed, it would be helpful to have the word equality eliminated from this con sideration; to have 1t accepted on both sides that this Is not a question of social equality but question of recognizing a fundamental. eternal, and unacceptable difference. We shau have made real progress when we deveNp An attitude in the public and community thought of both races which recognizes this difference.