New Britain herald., 1924-04-03
COLUMBIA SEES BIG
 FIERY GROSS Dv...,
Part of Agitation to Dust Negro
 Student From Hall

blazed last midnight on the campus Of Columbia university. | It was set up and fired by q group Of white robed and hooded nfen op- posite Furnald hall. where Frederick W. Wells, negro law student, has a room from which fellow students have recently attempted to oust him, While the cross burned Wells remained in ! his locked room needless of the calls and knocks of his neighbors. The cross was brought 10 the campus in an automobile by group of men in civilian clothes. They left the car and scattered in every direction only to reappear in a few minutes ,lrouded in the regalia Of the Ku klux Kan. As soon as the cross was burned out the men again scattered, to cries of down with the negro" Several students said they would report the affair to Dean Hawkes., who short time ago refused to act on students petition asking for Wells dismissal from the dormitory.
 Will Not Quit
 Wells is not going to auit. Wells
 
 already reserved his room at Flrnald hall for next year. and that he has paid deposit on room at Hartley hall, another Columbia dornitory, for the summer session, when Furnald will not be open.
 While Wells, a modest, retieent young man. was busy at his books, preparing for examinations, and try ing to forget the tempest caused by his moving into Furnald last month, a group Of students also living at the dormitory were launching a wig orous counter-movement against his enemies.
 Students Rally To Wells
 More than thirty of them last night had signed a petition declaring that these objectors had misrepresented by their action, not only the attitude of the resident body at Furnald, but also the sentiment. spirit and tradi- ton" of the university.
 Meanwhile Dean Hawkes., as chair man Of the university committee on residence halls, repeated to Walter F. White, assistant secretary of the National Association for the Advance ment Of Colored People. the statement that he made Tuesday: There will be no discrimination against g negro, and students dissatisfied with their sur rourdinss in any dormitory are at lib- | erty to move.
 Wells received reporters reluctantly | yesterday in his room. He was in | skull cap and bsthrobe. for comfort | while he studied. Wells explained that he has his Master of Arts degree from Yale university, ma aioring in economies, and that he took his Bachelors degree ct Ohio State uni- versity. He Is a friend and fraternity brother of Paul Robeson. the negro actor cast for the lead Tn Eugene ONeill's mooted play, "An Gods Chillun Got Wings"
 Certainly, I'm going 10 stay" he said. "T am trying to do g full years work in this semester, and came down here 10 live only 10 have more time and facilities for study 1T the university people tell ms to 20, I'll 20: but if any student asks me To quit I'll ask him 10 leave my room. AH1 IT NlOlence lS OHeFf1 III mke steps 10 protect myself"
 Georgian Started In
 Wells seemed q bit embarrassed. But students living in the hall say that when they called at his room yesterday morning he had been weep. ing.
 It is Wells plan 10 have with him this summer his younger brother En- Toe, whom he Is helping to support while he is studying medicine. Enloe Is at De Witt Clinton high school this spring. studying science in prepsra- jon for his medical course.
 The petition drafted yesterday is to the Hall committee, which, meeting Tuesday night, adopt sd resolutions suggesting 10 Dean Hawkes. and other officials that Wells De removed. IL asks that the commit es retract its action. Among the ,isnatories is Robert q. Mood Jr.. who 'omes from Dallas. Tex. Prominent n circulating 1t were Joseph Zstatt. ]. senior law student. and Marland Iale. in the law class of 1928, and the lon Of the Dean of Freshmen at Rochester University.
 ]. E. Buckley. Chairman of tho Hail Committee. would make no comment 'esterday. Dean Hawkes. said that the i esolutions adopted by the committee [ rave not yet been placed In his hands. z Ir. White praised Dean Hawkes. highly yesterday Tor his stand in the