The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1924-03-01
AN ADVENTURE IN GOOD
WILL
The Interracial Commission, Its
Origin and Work
Part z METHODS

Ii has been seen that the Commits
sion on Interracial Cooperation grew
out of the tense racial situation which
developed just after the World War.
When that crisis was past, the Com
mission undertook the task OF perma-
nently improving race relations
throughout the South, by putting them
as far as possible upon a Christian
basis.
To this end committees have been
set up in every Southern State and in
800 counties. In many communities
their efforts have been notably sue
cessful. Threatened lynchings and
riots have been prevented, injustices
have been corrected. cooperation for
mutual welfare has been brought
about, and relations Of franEness and
confidence have been established be-
tween the best elements of both races.
The philosophy on which the work
OF these groups rests is the belief that
every man is entitled to hearing, that
mutual understanding is the surest
means of Cancellation, and that
Christian solution Of every interracial
problem can be found if men are will
ing to seek it in Christian spirit.
The method of securing these ends
Is to bring together in each community
representatives Of the best white and
colored people so that conference rela-
tons may be set up. These commit
tees frankly face and discuss all points
of friction or danger, and seek to-
cbviate them. The Negro members
are encouraged TO lay bare any griev-
ances or injustices from which they
feel they are suffering, or any needs
of which they are keenIy sensible.
Perhaps il is feeling that they are
not getting justice in the courts, or pro-
lection at the hands Of the law. Per-
hags it is lack Of sewers, sidewalks, or
other public utilities in the Negro area
of some city. Perhaps il IS the need Of
better schools. Perhaps It is economic
exploitation Of which they complain.
Whatever il may be, the committee
hears the case with open mind, goes
into il frankly and alphabetically,
and takes such action as the facts seem
TO demand. The actual relief afforded
means a great deal toward better rela-I
lions, but the opportunity for frank
and sympathetic conference probably
means even more.
This method Of approach to the
problem represents the major contri-
button Of The InterraciaI 10 It's solution.
The Commission does not seek 10 put
over 4 program Of race relations. Il
does not say to any commnnity: "Tfis
must you do with relation to the
Negro" II insists upon one thing
only: That in every community where
race relations are an issue the best
people should take the matter seri-I
ousIy IN hand. with the determined
purpose 70 seek . Christian solution
of every problem as il arises. and to-
substitute good win and justice for
distrust and suspicion. With a propo-
sition SO sound there can be no dis
agreement With rare exceptions,
therefore, the Commission has no diff
Guilty IN securing the hearty co-opera-
ton Of che best people ia the COM
munity.
A significant recent development III
the movement is the enlistment Of the
Irading women Of the Southern states
70 cooperate with the various state
committees, and 70 promote the study
d tlis question II sheir civic and rsli-
Eious organizations.
The Commission carries on also