Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1924-01-26
WASHINGTON LETTER

MISUNDERSTANDING OF Labor
James J. Davis, mas again SHOWN ms
deep interest in the meek ond lowly by
appointing commission of d1stlngu-
ished colored men, who will embark
on January ~ for the Virgin Islands
where a careful study OF various con
Gitions will be made, and the tacts re
ported TO the United States Govern
ment through the Department of La
Dor. 1t will be remembered that the VIZ
sin Islands obtained from Denmark
in 1917 have been the subject OF mucn
nnfayorable comment, on account Of
the deplorable conditions which exist
cd there at the time the United States
Government acquired the islands from
the Danish Government. At that Tina
living. labor and health conditions
were decidedly against any appre Aao'e
progress and it was not until after
President Hardirgs election that SELL
Jus considerations were given to recon
mendations which looked to the re-
lief of the 26051 people who perman-
emily resided in the Islandi. OF this
plumber, 10 523 are colore0 and Secre-
.ary Davis, in designating six coloreo
men of broad understanding and Wis
ion to bring back a full and faith
full account of the exact status OF the
Virgin Islands population demon
strates that he is sincerely anxious 10
nave facts adduced by persons VINO
have an especially clear vision, In This
instance. and who are moved by pa u
experiences to assist their home gov
ernment to take full cognizance of the.
needs of all of it's citizens, thus bring
liz" to them the Things which the Re-
publican administrations have ever
been pledged to accomplish.
The personnel of the commission
which is composed Of Robert r. Church
of Tennessee; Charles e. Mitchell c.
West Virginia; George H. WoOdson of
Iowa: DR.. w. II Brown OF Virginia;
Jefferson S. Coage, of Delaware; ana
Cornelius Richardson OF Indiana IS OF
a particularly high character, Each
Of these gentlemen has at some tine
been n pioneer in the matter OF assist
ing in the adjustment Of living and III
Grstrial conditions among the masses
Of the people,
\ Cons eQuently each commissioner
has his own peculiar experience to ald
MIN in drawing true picture of every
unfavorable situation on the Virgin Is
lands and, thereafter in making
recommendation which will bespeaK
genuinely curative measures of relief.
The unfortunate Virgin Islanders here
tofore. neglected. will be comforted by
the news that the Republican admins
tration has made it possible for them
20 expect from their parent govern
1nent the formulation of policies ana
The accomplishment of activities wh'c
viii enable them to take their proper
place in Americas civilization arc
progress.
The prompt action of Secretary Davis
and his careful foresight in selecting 4
commission truly representative u
Americas best human products are but
additional proofs of the lively intere,t
which the present administration is
taking in the settlement of urgent
business Coming along shortly after
the Secretary of the Interior has taken
the laudable stand for a more substa1
tial appropriation for Howard Univel-
yity. it has gone a long way toward
strengthening the sentiment Of appre-
citation and 10y atty which has been re
coupling it's losses ever since the Demo
cratic administration was re called By
the people.