The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-11-20
SCOttSbOrO Boys
and LID. Attorneys
InLynchP Today
Continued from Page y


late"
In last desperate efforts to prevail
upon the state to provide the mill
tary, George w. Chamlee, Southern
Counsel, associated with the defense,
telegraphed a personal message to
Gov. Benjamin W. Miller, urging him
to order out the National Guard.
Gov Miller refused.
Boys Await Ordeal of Removal
While last minute conferences were
being held at the Tutwiler Hotel in
Birmingham, by defense counsel, the
Scottsboro boys waited fearfully for
the ordeal Of being transferred to
Decatur from the Jefferson County
Jail.
Both Sheriff Hawkins and Sheriff
Davis Of Morgan County, state that
they have made no alterations of
their plans to provide few deputies
as the only means Of protection.
Leading Papers Score Refusal OF
Protection
This mornings Birmingham Age
Herald's leading editorial, urging that
the military be called out to protect
the Scottsboro boys and their de-
PENDANTS, gives an accurate picture Of
the seething tension which the local
newspapers realize exists.
The editorial follows:
$50 far as this paper has been
able to ascertain, the ScottSboro Ne
groeS are to be taken to Decatur for
arraignmsnt on Monday without mil
itary protection. 1t is, as we see it,
exceedingly unwise to fail to give
these prisoners the fullest protection
the state can command. The re-
sponsibility which is thus being
thrust upon Sheriff Hawkins and
Sheriff Davis, impose on them bur-
den they should not have to carry.
What is true with respect to the
arraignment is true Of the trial of
the week following.
"If this is not a juncture when the
authorities should strain a point to
make sure Of the safeguarding of
defendants, there has never been an
occasion in the history of Alabama
for protecting prisoners against the
possibility of an attack by would-be
lynchers. If anything is left undone
to protect the Negroes accused in
this case, and the official optimism
proves unwarranted, then the state
will be under an irnputation it should
not have to wear. 1t is a risk too
great to be taken"
Common Belief that State is Pre-
pairing Massacre
The "imputation" that the editorial
refers to, is the common belief cur
rent throughout the state that Ala
bama has prepared what seems to
be set-up which is virtually an in
vitation to mob action.
The Birmingham Post yesterday
also spoke strongly on the question
Of protection.
Our recollection" it says editor
tally, 'of secret indignation meetings
and Of reports Of incipient mobs at
Decatur and Huntsville in the last
trial of Haywood Patterson, leads us
to believe, however, that Judge CAL
lailan underestimate the seriousness
of the situation.
"a judge cannot wait until mob
violence Is upon him to provide pro-
lection for defendants in his court.
Mobs show a serpentine ability to rise
suddenly from nowhere in particular.
Adequate protection must be af-
forded the defendants and their at
torneys. Whether this protection be
in the form of uniformed guardsmen
or special sheriff's deputies Of proved
courage, is unimportant."
Chamlee Wires Demand to Governor
Miller
General Chamlee's personal tele-
gram to Gov. Miller said, 1.-THE Bir-
minghanl News Age Herald and the
Birmingham Post, of Saturday and
Sunday morning, say in substance
that the Scottsboro Negroes are to
be taken to Decatur for arraignment
on Monday morning without military
protection, and in substance that is
is exceedingly unwise to fail to give
these prisoners the fullest protection
the state can command.
"As the Southern attorney I have
been in this case two and one half
years and am a citizen of this part
of the country and have af1davits and
reports from many sources that there
is already movement on foot to
lynch the Scottsboro Negroes and to
intinidate and embarrass the trial
and attorneys involved in this case,
unless the state of Alabama will fur