The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1936-02-22
Negro Congress
Gets Under Way
CONTINUED From page y

was TO talk and Robert S. Abbott,
Chicago Defender editor who was
suddenly called home"
The congress went along
hmOothly enough however, from
opening remarks, by Attorney
Charles Wesley Burton, chairman
OF me Chicago sponsoring commit
tee and convention chairman, to
the address by John p. Davis, sec
rotary who told of the urgent need
of $1,000 to meet obligations be-
fore the meeting adjourned that
night and received much of it in
cash and pledges from individuals
and organizations.
No Red Propaganda
In his opening remarks, Atty.
Burton told the assembled people
they were the guests of the city
and state and indirectly hit at the
many Communists present by de-
claring that distribution of Job
jectionable literature was barred
inside the armory. Before reveal
ing the aims of the conference
were to analyze conditions affect
ing the race and adopt a program
leading to their remedy, the chair
man asked his listeners to be fair
with all speakers, whether in ac-
card with their views or not,
Burton pointed out the congress
began on the anniversary of Fred
erick Douglas whose principles of
self-help were to be the guiding
spirit of the assemblage.
The Rev Archibald Cary, red
haired son of the late bishop, in
an impromptu speech drew thun-
derous applause as he told of the
contributions Of Negroes to the
histoav of America
RandOlph'S Speech Read
Kept by physicians orders in
New York where he has been i'll
for the past two months, A. Phillip
Randolph sent his address which
was read by Burton. Immediately
afterward Lii Zaphiro, slightly
built English educated Ethiopian,
spoke and left for New York where
he was scheduled to appear Sat
urday.
II remained for DR.. John p.
Davis to set at rest rumOrs that
the congress was to be dominated
by any organization, religious
faith or political party. He EN-
phasized the non-partisan nature
OF the convention, declaring the
purpose was for all groups to work
together in harmony and mill
family for the best interests of the
Negroes and that no attempt
would be made TO encroach upon
the program of any other associa-
ton.
White Woman Talks
Representing John Fitzpatrick,
of the Chicago Federation of La
Dor, Miss Lillian Erskine, white,
told Of her high respect for Ran
kdolph and deep sympathy with the
kpurposes Of the congress.
Hamilton Fish's appearance in
Sehalf of Senator Borah of Idaho,
publicised in New York dailies,
failed TO materialize on the open
ing night. 1t was reported that he
WAS due to appear in order to do
missionary work among the dele
gates to counter-act the IdahOan' S
anti-lynch bill stand.
Reads RandOlph's Address
Bombarding the New Deal rug
ged iBdividualsm, both major po-
litical parties, and calling atten-
tion to the threat of fascism and
world war, A. Phillip Randolph,
absent president of the National
Negro Congress, called for the in
diligently militant union of Ne
gro and white workers in a new
farm-labor political party for the
economic betterment of the mass
Sc. His address was read Friday
night by Atty. c. W. Burton, chair
man of the congress.
Randolph also hit other current
economic and social phenomena.