Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-12
Council Would Put CoIored
Democrats in Congress,
ProberS Hear.
CANDIDATES WOULD BE
FROM EAST AND WEST.
Witness Denies He Wrote Letter
Under His Name, Given to
Committee by Caraway.
BY the Associated Press.

ny bHe ASSoCldIeu SIeSb.
The Senate lobby committee today
began inquiry into reported plans to
organize Southern Republican Council
ito hold in line" the Southern States
and among other exhibits placed in the
record was letter under the name of
]. A. Arnold, manager of the Southern
Tariff Association, discussing the place
of the colored race in Southern politics.
In addition, document introduced
into the record, which purported to give
plans of the Southern Republican Coun-
Gil, said "the colored person in South
ern Republican politics can best be
eliminated through the election Of coll
ored Democrats to Congress from st.
Louis, Chicago, Harlem and other col
ored districts" It added that "this
matter is in capable hands"
Letter Addressed to Muse.
The letter under Arnold's name was
addressed to Vance Muse, field man
of the Tariff Association.
Before presentation of this lettaF
Chairman Caraway had asked Arnold If
he had assisted in organization of the
Republican council which was pro-
jected, the chairman added, "to hold
in line" Southern States. Arnold testi-
fed he had nothing to do with the
formation of the council.
The letter as placed in the record
read:
II went with the darkey today to see
Vice President Curtis, and he thought
well of our colored Congressman idea,
but said 1t was matter that should be
taken up with Mr. Hoover and that he
would talk with Hoover about it. They
all seem to want to get Hoover's idea
about it first. Curtis said he thought
OF getting better grade of Negroes to
lead in the South, but told him that
would be the complete remedy.
Our line of approach is much more
acceptable to politicians and to Negroes
Of equalizing by blackening the Demo-
cratic party than by whitewashing the
Republican party. The Negroes viii 20
in revolt over the plan of kicking them
out OF the party or Of leadership. They
VIII have to take themselves out Of the
way for the present.
"Talk Along Race Problem Line.''
"Our talk is down the race problem
line. They all see that the race problem
must be solved first before anything fur
ther can be done. We have the best
solution vet
Think you should get DR.. Lewis here
on the 10th and start something. We
never will get anywhere talking around
IN circles. II necessary to see Hoover
before 1t starts OF, then go see him and
get his decision"
DR.. Lewis was identified by caraway
pfIrdooff e
but Arnold asserted he did not recall
who he was.
Later Arnold testified Muse had
wanted to form ''some sort of organi-
zation, but nothing came of it."
Another letter to Muse under Arnold's
name and dated December II, 1928.
was placed in the record. 1t said
Arnold talked with Senator Watsonnn
Indiana, the Republican leader, al
over the activities of Glenn SIX
Republican national committeeman
Florida.
:. Arnold said Skipper thought RepnD
ncan officials should handle tariff mat
ters instead of the growers, which was
favored by the tariff association.
Watson Disapproves of Council.
TIL letter added that Senator watson
docs not think much" of the Southern
Republican council, favoring instead
continuance of the tariffs ASSOCIATIONS
activities
Would you say Senator Watson
killed the Republican council?" Caraway
asked.
'I wouldn't say that" Arnold replied.
But nothing ever came of it,"
Another letter, written by Arnold to
Muse on January l, 1929, said:
Continuing our conversation con.
corning the council, 1t seems to swing
around Hoover; he seems to have given
the impression among his associates
that he is personally interested in the
South and wants to handle it. I have
no doubt he will welcome any aid or
assistance, but the only thing to do is
go ahead with it. We can't get any,
where talking around in circles. I
think DR.. Lewis should go see him If
he prefers to follow that course.
The crux of it all is the Negro
question, which the regular Republican
party cannot solve; they have tried it
for so years and made no progress.
Cites Col. Mann's Plan"
"The plan which Col. Mann and
others who are in close contact with
Hoover seems to be to kick the Negro
out of the party in the South and to
supplant him with white Democrats;
take all patronage away from the
Negro-ln ether words, to whiten the
Republican panty.
Arnold denied that his, association
helped pay the expenses of Sid Harding
in his primary campaign against Rep
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