Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1922-06-10
DYER -[YNCH|NG
BILL IS SAVED AFTER
CRISIS IN SENATE:
SECRETARY JOHNSON'S REPORT
OF wIGIIK IN WASHINGTON.


The Dyer Anticipating Bill, II. Il.
10, is saved. This was the statement If
James Weldon Johnson Secretary Of
the National Association fet the Adj
wanoement Of Coloroed People, 70 Fifth
Avenue, Now York, who returned to
New York from Washington on Friday
May 26th, after spending Il week fight
ing for the Dyer Bill through the most
hritical stage Of its existence.
During that time all unfavorable re
port OH the Dyer Bill ny the Judiciary
LC0mmittcc' Of the SenSte ON Monday,
May '22nd, was narrowly averted. and
the Republican leaders Of the Senate
were convinced That favorable aetna
WAS absolutely essential. During mis-
week in the national capital the N A.
a. &. P, Secretary was in constant
conference with Senators BOrah, Eouse
Curtis, Cappar, Calder, Ernst, Short
ridge, Sterling, Mccormick, Dilling-
ham and Watson, and with Representa-
tive3 Dyer, Burton and Madden.
AS Il reSult OF the sccrctary's efforts
not only has IAN unfayorable report
been averted but tire Senate Jadiciary
Committee OH Thursday May Path.
INV "hN NSSiNS" " poospoiS uStioi hSt
two weeks during which time efforts
would be devoted to making dhe Bill
absolutely unassailnble whea, 1t Is
brought upon the floor of the Senate.
Senator BOrah said TO the Secretary
before he left Washington that If there
was anything he SSenator 'Bornh)
could do 10 save the life Of Il single Ne
gro from n 1nob, he would do It.
During Mr.. Johnson's week in Wash
ing! OH he presented to the members OF
the Committee on the Judiciary and
leading Republican Senators briefs Up
holding the constitutionality Of the
Dyer Bill, prepared by MoorIield Stor
ey and by James A. Cobb. Chairman Of
tile legal committee. Washington
Branch N. "A. a. C. P. A third brief
was sent to the Senate by William H.
Lewis. formerly assistant u. S. Attnr.
ney General who had been requested
by Mr.. johnson to do so. A fourth
brief was sent to the Senate by Butler
a. Wilson, secretary of the Boston
Branch N. "A. "A. CP.
In the course Of the week at'Wash.
ington, the N. "A. "A. C. p. Secretary
made clear to Republican leaders thu {
failure to act 'favOrably OH tho Dyer
Anticipating Bill would have three
disastrous results:
l. 1t would constitute n confession on
the part Of the Federal Government OF
inability to deal with Americas shame
and would leave the Nngro hopeless Of
mat protection against the mob owed
him by the government to which 10
gives his allegiance.
r. uc,,l1 y>o
ense to m!ohs and might he followed by
reign of lynthing terror too horrible
Ito be described.
3. 1t would be reputation of the
pledge made by the Republican Party
In its national PLATFORM that action
would be taken OH lynching, and would
more than anything else dscrcdit t.iat
party among colored voters.
Mr. Johnson pointed out to the Re.
publican leaders in Washington that
primary elections in several states had
shown the strong sentiment for the
Dyer Bill, sentiment it would not be
safe to Ignore. In Indiana, Senator
'everidge, who had fndorsed the Bill,
had been elected governor over Sena-
'or New. In Pennsylvania, Clifford Pin
chot had been elected over Mr.. Alter
who had opposed the Dyer Bill.
In conclusion Mr.. Johnson issued tho
following statement:
"Every colored man ana woman in
the United States ought to make It
their primary business to see shat,
the Dyer Anticipating Bill, y. r. Is
Is passed by the Senate. Six human
beings. all Of them Negroes, were
burned at the stake in the United Stat
cs during the fifteen days in the month
Of May, 1922. II that is not enough 80
stir colored Americans to united action
then nothing will or can The Nation
nj Association for the Advancement Of
Colored People offers everyone an op
portunity to work for the Dyer Bill.
Telegraph your Senator. Join the ".
A. A. G. P. Write us for information ,
If you want it at 70 Fifth Avenue, New
York. Do 1t now or. in victory or d"
feat. remember you had opportunity to
take part In great fight and failed.
Remember, this Is the time to act"