The Omaha guide., 1937-01-30

Digest
by FLOYD J. CALVIN
Conference Demands
by o J. CALVIN

Gently made some very sensible
and yet progressive demands
for the Improvement of the
general status of the Negro
citizen. Reports indicate that,
many of the most responsible,
we'll balanced and progressive lead
ers were present; second, that the
conference really discus sed and de-
liberated upon the most fundamen-
tai and acute of the current pro-
blems facing the Negro group; and
third, that there was a %sympathe-
tic feeling among high government
officials who visited and spoke be-
fore the conference, and that the
leaders were really encouraged to
speak freely and frankly in their
report to the President just on what
the race wants.
Three headlines on conference re-
ports are sufficient to reassure the
laymen. The first reads: Confer
ence Asks Better Housing, More
Complete Health P~rogram;" the
second, National Conference Urg-
es More Federal Relief" and the
third: " Conference Asks Greater
Educational and Recreational OPP
portunities."
One Of the main points raised by
the conference was that of segre-
cation. The group went on record
as demanding that "the government
take the lead and set the example
by aboIishing racial segregation in
all of its departments, divisions,
and branches, and that it refrain
from lending its support to the ex-
ension of segregation in the United
States"
The next paragraph in this re-
port leads: "ENalizing that this
objective could not be accomplished
overnight, the members of the con-
ference asked the assistance of
the Federal government in obtain
ing for Negro citizens equality of
opportunity with all other citizens
Of the u. S. wherever racial segre-
cation exists at present under au-
thcfity Of he law"
This shows good sense, while the
aggressive element is not lacking.
The conference also recommended
that "care be exercised to secure
Federal control and supervision of
all future emf rgency relief and
work programs, as opposed to- de-
Capitalization through reference to
states and localities; and that spe-
cifc steps be taken to eliminate ra-
cial discrimination in any such pro-
grams before they are put into op-
Grafton"
In other words, Negro leaders are
relying on the Federal Government
more and more. They are now pract-
ieally looking to the Federal gov
ernment to solve their problems.
Democratic theorists will hardly
approve this attitude on the part of
a whole racial group; but consider
ing the weak position which the
Negro holds, politically, in this
country, he is certainly justified in
this opportunist move. The only
trouble with this method is, what
will happen when we get an adj
ministration not sympathetic, or
that is wholly Indifferent to Negro
welfare-such as that which Her
bert Hoover neaueu.
Grand Old Man
This year there has been a seri-
Gus movement on in Philadelphia
to secure for Major R. R. Wright
sr, the Box Award. This award goes
annually to the "most distinguished
citizen" of the Quaker City. A num-
Der of church organizations, bust
ness organizations and several
outstanding leaders in the coloreC
group, and many white people o.
prominence, including some nodes
but influential Quakers, have en-
dorsed the founder and presiden'
If the Citizens and Southern Banl
end Trust company, and the founder
and president of the Haitian Cot.
fee and Trading Company, former
college president, and father of &
bishop, for the chief honor of tn,
people of the second American city
The record of Major Wright il
education and in business, and par
ticularly his banking record during
the depression, has brought flatter
ing comment from white and color
ed leaders for some time. It is to b.
hoped that men like this Grand OIL,
Man will come to be honored by al
the people of their communities, re
CARELESS of the color of the one VIII.
achieves.