The St. Paul echo. [volume] (St. Paul ;) 1925-1927, 1926-08-21
ANNUAL MESSAGE
ISSUED BY N. P. A.
FROM CONVENTION
Three-day Session of Negro
Press Association Ends
Last Saturday.
Grievances Published
Discrimination in Army, Schools,
Residences Hit; Demand Citi-
zenship Rights.

ZenShp Rights.
Philadelphia, Pa, Aug. 7, 1926
We, the members of the National Ne
gro Press Association in Annual Con-
vention assembled, desire to call the
attention of the American people to
the following messages:
(1) While quite few years have
elapsed since the gigantic World War
in which the Negro played such a
conspicuous part, in the belief that
its elimination would mean the actu-
al freedom of its submerged tenth,
few of the ideals for which America
stands and for which we fought, bled
and died, have become realities. Ne
gro soldiers are still denied full and
free entry into the Reserve Camps
established for the military training
of our youth on account of their
color.
This unfair discrimination, we
condemn because it is not only un-
just and un-American but it fosters
discrimination in the one voluntary
branch of the War Department in
which there should be none. The
status of all soldiers should be the
same without regard to color. We
protest against the designation of our
soldiers by the War Department for
detached service in communities no.
toriously prejudiced against such SOL
diers and the uniform.
(2) We condemn the tendency
throughout the country to segregate
us as to residence and schools. Which
practice is contrary to the letter and
spirit of the law of the land.
co We believe in the equality of
opportunity in labor. Unless the
white unions of our country will well
come the American Negro on terms
of absolute equality to their ranks
and affirm the unity Of all workers
in the common goal - Industrial
Democracy, we shall view with sus-
picion their attempts to organize Ne
gro labor.
(4) In view of the fact that the
freedom of the press is one of the
most sacred guarantees to the Ameri-
can people, we condemn the growing
practice in certain communities to
muzzle the Negro press. We cite
specifically the case in Kentucky
where two of our editors are to be
brought to trial for setting forth a
fair and just opinion concerning a
local occurrence.
60 Segregation and discrimina-
tion sanctioned by Federal authority
is one of the most menacing and
prejudicial things against which we
have to contend. Departmental dis
elimination at Washington we re-
gard as a dangerous example.
co We view with deep concern
the increasing discrimination against
Negroes on common carriers. The
most aggravating case of recent oc-
currence is that of a Negro woman
who purchased a ticket in New York
to a point in Florida, who was ar
rested by local officer, thrown in
Jail, and fined $500 for riding in a
Pullman car in the state of Florida.
ca We note with interest the as
sertion of healthy public opinion
to condemn mob and lynch law. And
we commend those agencies which
are operating in an organized way to
create public sentiment against vio-
lence.
(8) We note with interest that
the restrictive immigration laws have
worked to the benefit of American
labor in which largely the Negro has
been benefited. 1t has led to a more
equal distribution OF the Negro cltl-
zenship and thus benefited all con-
cerned.
co We condemn the unequal ap-
portionment of school funds in states
where separate schools are main
tained.
(10) We insist upon the enforce
ment of all the provisions of the
Constitution of the United States, in
cluding the privileges and immuni-
ties. guaranteed the Negro citizens
under the 18th, 14th and 18th
Amendments. We insist that the en-
forcement of the 18th Amendment
while the 18th Amendment is vio-
CONTINUED on page y