Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-13
STUDENTS MAY QUIT.
IF JOHNSON GOES.
Threaten WaIkout at Howard
U. if Trustees Gust
President.

Threats to walk out If DR.. Mordecai
W. johnson is removed as president of
Howard University were voiced today at
q meeting CT the student body.
The institutions board of trustees
will meet tomorrow. Consideration
probably will be given to recent state
ment by Chairman Wood of the House
Appropriations Committee, that he would
scrutinize with unusual care Howard
funds suggested in the future If DR..
johnson remained as president.
There, was a spontaneous outburst OF
applause when Pauline Myers, one of
three members Of the student council
who spoke at today's meeting, admon-
ished the pupils to go en- a strike in
Johnson's support If necessary. She
characterized johnson as a man "of
high moral character, keen intelligence,
manly courage and great leadership
ability"
Claims Marked Progress.
The girl charged "unscrupulous, petty,
grating politicians are attempting to
swell their pocketbooks." They are
selling their very souls" she added 1--WE
dream of Howard University alongside
of Harvard, Yale and Princeton. DR..
johnson is the only man to put it
there"
Noble Peyton, another student who
presided, said Johnson's four-year ad-
ministration had been marked by prog
re5S.
shall we have a president like DR..
Johnson" he asked, who can raise
100000 in the first year Of his admin
istration for improvement of the ply
steal plant, or shall we have man who
will allow selfish interests to motivate
his conduct"
Declaring all the students knew john
son had been under fire, Peyton argued:
'aThere is every evidence of sinister plot
and intrigue back of this. We don't
care whether our president is black,
white, yellow or green II he fosters con-
structive work and we can see steam
shovels going. We're not behind him
because he's a Negro, but since he is we
are more than ever behind him"
Await Meeting o: Trustees.
1.-THE attacks upon DR.. Johnson" said
Mercer Nance, the last speaker, "are for
the most part ungrounded. This is
merely plan of political schemers and
tricksters to overthrow the most sue
cessful administration in Towards his
tory. DR.. johnson not only has OBJ
tanned permanent Federal aid, but more
private gifts. better faculty and i'm
proved facilities"
AS the meeting drew to close, Pey-
ton told the stuoents to return to their
classes.
After .tomorrow's meeting of the
trustees" he said. I'VE win know just
what to do"
Peyton announced more than 500
students already had signed petition
deploring the attacks upon johnson.
After the meeting the students march
ed in body from the chapel to the
library, where their shouts resulted in
the appearance of Johnson. He was
round1y applauded after thanking tho
students for their support.
Friends of DR.. johnson have an
nounced a mass meeting for tonight at
8 o'clock in the Metropolitan baptist
Church, r street between Twelfth and
Thirteenth street, to defend DR.. john
son from critics seeking his removal.
Rev. e. G. Smith, pastor Of the
church, Will preside. It is expected
special committee viii propose resolu-
tions supporting DR.. Johnson and pro-
testing the attacks upon him.