Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1923-10-13
PRESIDENT COOLIDGE PLEDGES PROTECTION
Of FEDERAL Government AGAINST !.
INJUSTICE AND IMPOSITION. :.

AT 1915 today the delegation
chosen at the 10Th Annual Meeting
of the National Equal Rights League
held in the Holy Trinity Baptist
Church, Brooklyn, where Rev. I. j.
Mopr'ns, of ST. Louis was elected
president in a strong convention, TO
lay before the President the redress
program of the race, was received
at the White House.
Secretary Slemp introduced Maur-
ice w. Spencer. National Treasurer,
citizen of Delaware. to President
Coolidge and he introduced the dele
CATION consisting of Rev. l.. c, Newby
of Connecticut, Rev. c. NJ. Moore of
Missouri, j. l.. Nefl6, Esq, National
Recording Secretary, Of District Of
Columbia. DR.. Julian p. Fl. Coleman:
Second Vice-President of New YGr3a,
Mrs. W. O. Taylor of Massachusetts
Mrs. 7. S. Harten of New York, J.
Simon Scott Of Connecticut. H Il
Adams of Pennsylvania, Rev. Thomas
S. Harten, National Organizer. If
New York, William Monroe Trotter
Vf Massachusetts, Rev. George Fra
zier Miller National President at
large. of New York, and Isaac II
Nutter, Esq. Of New Jersey.
The President shook hands COR
dially and greeted the Massachusetts
delegation as home state acquaintan-
ces. He stood in front of hts desk
while the delegates stood in a wide
circle about him.
Mr.. Trctter was called on and read
the petition Query" in conversation
al tone. 1t named lynchng, Southern
Confessional representation, unre-
duced despite disfranch;sment; JIM
crow cars, denial of entry to West
I Pc'nt. Citizens Military Training
Camls. except with segregation. the
| nJn-inclusion of Colored Units in
Army Divisions, denial Of entry to
Annapolis or to any class in the Navy
| except as coal passers, coal trimmers
oilers and the mess department. It
asked pardon for the oath Infantry
prisoners and for an all colored staff
| at the ColOred Veterans Hospital, for
refusal tA recognize Mexico unless
there be no color bar to immigration,
and for abolition OF segregation Of
| colored civil service employees at
the National Capitol. An answer by
the President was asked to each
section.
The argument and plea by Rev
| Thomas s. Harten, spoken inform
| ally represented that an expression
| to the race was needed because it did
not rightly understand the new Chief
| Executive, on account of which many
| OF the race had left the Republican
Party, fnstancing, with Secretary
Slemp present, the race conception
which he himself had until long
| personal talk Friday with Mr.. Slemp.
Referring to Mr.. Coolidges record
| in Massachusetts and to the well
| known expressions of the race. Rev.
Harten, declaring the race were
| praying as they awaited the Presi-
| dents attitude, quoting Scripture on
Speak now or we perish" and on
asking bread and not giving a stone,
| urged the President to take a stand
| for protection and for redress of the
! grave wrongs.
Rev. c. w. Frazier Miller then
said the delegates were ready to hear
{ the President.
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
J. Then Mr.. Spencer nodded to the
| President who spoke deliberately and
at length After urging the race TO
realize others also had troubles. to
gam uODt lIOl1 llie race > OWL NOU-
derful progress. Mr.. Coolidge stated
that he would not change from his
stand in Massachusetts, that he was
glad the delegation had come to get
well acquainted. that the Government
w,uld dispense justice. that it would
ae far rs a government could protect
the race against injustice and impo-
sition. that 1t would recognize the
race for political appointment when
If was possible to do So He said he
wanted the race to assist the gov
ernment in doing this. and assured
that he was with the race in it's stand
for fair treatment.
Isaac II. Nutter, ESQ. expressed ap.
probation and asked the President
to make as a public address some
time his statement He delegate ed
= Mr.. Nutter and the Committee to dc
this When Mr.. TrOtter asked
whether the President would declare
publicly for the Dyer Bill, etc. ht
replied that his statement showed
where he stood on all such issues
which the delegation considered
bIded well in view of the characte,
b of the general position taken in the
Presidents response.