Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-11
COLORED MOTHERS
HAVE OWN VESSEL
War Department Arranqes
Expensive Gold Star
Accommodations.

The inability of any major trans
atlantic steamship company to accom-
modate the group of colored Gold Star
mothers and widows going abroad to-
morrow at Government expense to visit
the graves of sons and husbands has
resulted in the War Department char
tering g. separate ship for the purpose.
Various reasons were given the War
Department by the Holland-America
Line, the North German Lloyd, the
Cunard Line, the Anchor Line, the In
ternational Mercantile Marine Co. and
the French Line for their inability to
meet requirements to accommodate the
group.
To the American Merchant Lines, af-
filiated with the United States Lines,
was assigned the charter for the group
sailing on the 18th, the entire accom-
modations of the freighter-passenger
vessel American Merchant being taken.
Charter Cost Declared Heavy.
The cost of chartering the vessel, it
was said, will bring the average for the
transportation of the colored mothers
and widows to more per person than
that for the white mothers and widows,
MANY of whom sailed in cabin passage
on vessels of the United States Lines.
OF the group which is to sail the
18th, seven already have indicated that
they do not desire to make the trip.
The War Department has not been
advised of the reason for these cancel
lations, but it was said that this is
about the usual number who cancel
their passages at the last moment.
Fifty-eight mothers and widows are
scheduled to sail on the vessel.
Secretary Hurley in a formal state
ment last night defended the depart
ment in its arrangements for the trans
portation of the white and colored
groups to Europe.
His statement said, in part:
After thorough study, the conclu-
sion was reached that the formation of
white and colored groups of mothers
and widows would best assure the con-
tentment and comfort of the pilgrims
themselves. No discrimination as be-
tween the various groups is contemplate
ed. All groups will receive like accom-
modations at hotels and on steamships,
and the representatives of the War De-
partment will at all times, be as solicit
GUS of the welfare of the colored moth
ers and widows as they will be of the
welfare OF those of the white race.
Journey to Be Severe Tax.
1.-The journey will be severe tax on
those making it, as 1t will take them
into strange surroundings and away
from families and frienSs for a period
of about six weeks. The War Depart
ment has been motivated by the desire
to relieve this strain in so far as posi-
BILE by not disturbing the normal con-
facts of individual pilgrims. 1t would
seem natural to assume that these
mothers and widows would prefer to
seek Solace in their grief from compan-
ions of their own race
"A request has been made that these
colored mothers and widows be placed
in groups with white mothers and wild
owS. The War Department, of course,
has no objection to members of one
group joining other groups provided
they are welcome by the groups con-
cerned. Without such welcome, it can
be understood that this action would not
be conducive to the peace and comfort
OF the pilgrims of either race. II evil
dence is furnished CT any member of
any group wishing to join another group
and who will at the same time be well
come by that group, the War Depart
ment will be glad to make the necessary
arrangements. 1t must be understood
however, that any change must be pred
icated on the ability of the War Depart
ment to make satisfactory arrangements
with the transportation companies and
the hotels"