Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-08-23
"M|GHT-|S-R|GHT"
DOCTRINE SCORED
BY DR.. f. !. SCOTT
Secretary of Howard U. Ex-
horts Negro Race to Insist
on Equal Opportunities.
MAKES PLEA AT SESSION
OF COL 0RED ELKS' GROUP
Discloses $4,000 Has Been Pro-
vided for Tuition at Univer-
sity for 1856.

SHY LUZ 10oO.oO'
The Negro race was exhorted by
one Of its leaders here today relent-
lessly to oppose "the age-old idea that
might makes right" and insist on
equal opportunities everywhere.
DR.. Emmett j. Scott, secretary Of
Elks Educational and Economic Con-
gress, meeting in the Garnet-Patter-
son Junior High School preliminary
to the Elks convention next week,
that the "might-right" doctrine was
being exemplified currently "as Musso-
lini seeks to crush Ethiopia"
I'VE must everywhere resist this
dictum," he said.
Entitled to Opportunities.
Declaring his race entitled to all
the opportunities in the United States,
DR.. Scott said "our perpetual fight
must be for q free America, for a
spread Of the true American principles
in every section Of our land, and for
that security of our republican form
Of government which was pledged by
the founders Of the Republic"
The future Of the race lis not hope
less" DR.. Scott told the $50 congress
delegates. He demanded that teach
ers of Negro youth teach the funda-
mental principles and issues underly-
ing Americas economic and social
order"
Disclosing that Howard University
and the National Youth Administra-
ton were providing 1885 tuition
and works scholarships worth about
$4,000. DR.. Scott said greater oppor-
tunities for race advancement exist
in America than ever before, and
the counsels of optimism and hope
should be preached instead Of the
counsels Of pessimism and despair"
Told Of Credit Advantages.
james A. Jackson. a representative
Of the Standard Oil Co. Of New Jersey,
spoke on 1.-THE Wall That Keeps Us
Out Of the Credit World" He said
most colored persons were "woefully
ignorant" Of the functions of credit
men and bureaus and because Of this
ignorance were unable to secure credit
facilities important to their economic
advancement.
Another reason which contributes
much to our inability to command
credit when deserved is that credit
men and other white executives Of
big business have continued to meas
ure the Negro ia terms OF yester-
year." Jackson said
MANY Of them base their judg-
ments upon impressions obtained from
household servants, the barber shop
porter and other mental contacts.
They do grave injustice to the race. q"
Likewise contributory to the situa-
ton, Jackson added, is the Negroes
own lack of frankness. his failure to
keep proper records and the too fire.
quent neglect to keep his word"
Jackson, incidentally, was a close
friend of the late Richard B. Harrison,
de Lawd" Of Green Pastures" fame.
They once worked on the same rail-
road dining car.
Cites Labor Problem.
DR.. Robert T. Weaver. adviser on
Negro affairs. Department of the In
terror, speaking on THE Economic
Status of the Urban Negro" said un-
employment during the depression
had struck colored workers with I'M
precedented force" Since members
Of the race own little Of industry, 'our
economic problem is almost exclu-
sively labor problem" Weaver said.
THE day Of the small business man
with limited capital has passed." he
continued. with his passing goes
the chance for any appreciate de-
velopment Of Negro business"
DR.. Weaver said there was no racial
solution to the Negroes economic
problem, but that the only way to
develop security for the race was to
strive unitedly for improvement Of
the entire economic system.
Understanding Necessary.
Lieut.. Lawrence A. Oxley, chief OF
the division of Negro labor, Depart
ment of Labor, told the meeting I'VE
must learn increasingly the value OF
interracial understanding based on an
intelligent appreciation of the values
each race contributes to the we'll
being of the community. State and
Nation"
Others who addressed the congress
included DR.. William J. Thompkins,
District recorder of deeds; James E.
Kelley, secretary of the Negro Elks
organization; T. Arnold Hill, execu-
tive secretary, National Urban League;
DR.. Edward F. Harris Of the United
Drug Co., Cincinnati, and DR.. Sadie
Mossell Alexander.
The Educational and Economic
Congress will hold a civil liberties
meeting at pm. today. At that
time delegates will discuss incidents
in which they feel the race has been
publicly Disseminated against. Speak
ers will include Harry H. Pace, presi-
dent of the Supreme Liberty Life In
surance Co., Chicago; j. Finley Wilson,
grand exalted ruler Of the Elks; Perry
w. Howard, Republican national COM
mitteeman from Mississippi, and Mrs.
Annie Burroughs, president Of the
National Training School for Negro
Girls.