The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1938-03-04

Ali nine colored members of the
Program Committee, Republican
National Committee, were present
at the two day conference called to
order Monday by Chairman Glenn
Frank (dailies will give detaiis).
The members are Frederick M. Rob
erts, editor New Age Dispatch, Los
Angeles, Calf; William r. King,
state senator, Chicago; Mrs. S. Joe
Brown, Des Moines, Ia; Atty. Jos.
s. Mitchell, Boston, Mass; John @,
Hopkins, Jr, theatrical producer,
Detroit, Mich; Atty. Francis f.
Rivers, N. Y. c.; Atty. Sara Pelham
Speaks, N. Y. c.; Bishop David II.
Sims, Philadelphia, and Atty. Thos.
g. Nutter, Charleston, w. Va, who
was made member of the ofgani-
zation committee.
AT the banquet Monday night in
an address which epitomized the
combined views Of the colored com
naittee members and which brought
tremendous applause from the nu-
merous delegates, Mrs. Sara Pelham
Speaks said in part:
What caused the dlsaflecllon OF
Negro yoters9 Well, after the Re-
puplican party had an illustrlous
record Us regards the Negro; won
freedom for him, built for him the
War amendments TO secure thas
freedom, and recognized him as ell
titled to equality III American lie,
it began to worship strange gods; 70
plav with that idea which now again
rears it's evil head. on merging the
Bourbon Democrats of the South
with intolcrant Republicans II tile
North. They gained the general M
preston that the Republican party
was concerned with property tights.
With the advent OF the New Deal,
so suspicious had the Negro become
of this unholy alliance that, as
pro est. he supported the New Deal
even though this Democratic party
introduced the principle Of govern
ment fostered segregation, and ~
its wage digerentials and relief pol
icies made OF the Negro an indig.
nent ward of the Nation.
- -, boar a,ranaollSly stated
bv certain persons that the y gfo
yoae is lost to the Republican p.rey
fn eve. lat idea is shared by many
az vou present, That is definitely ull-
true. The Negro, like other alsal-
fec.ed Republican groups, Will rea-
div return to the party the moment
the party shows an understanding
of the needs Of his people,
"The idea that the Negro has be-
come enslaved by the Frankih
Roosevelt myth is wrong. Negro citl--
zens are aware that the greatest be-
travail perpetrated upon them N
connection with the defeat OF the
Anti-lynching bill was the complete
silence Of Franklin Roosevelt. Also,
thev are aware that the New Deal
seeks to perpetuate for them all lh--
ferior status iii American life. Ne
return to the Republican party
rroes would gladly abandon their
historic enemy: the Democra &c
party, But if we wouid have them
which they once supported 50 10. aly,
tho Republican party must make
radical changes wherever needed 70
meet the desperate present day ne
cassities Of the Negro.
ssThis Committee will have an op Il
portunity TO say whether the Repuh-
lican party will correct this injustlee
and return to It's historic and famed
championship Of the Negro's right
to equal opportunity III American
life.
1T is one Of the great opportuni--
ties. I believe, of our Committee Oh
Program to evolve the answers Tor
our party to these pressing prob
lens. The Committee can make
fateful recommendations as to these
questions Of grave import TO the
Negro:
(1) Isn't 1t the proper function q
the United States government to
prevent segregation and elimination
Of any minority race either by gov
erpmental OF private agenciess
f2) Isn't is the proper function o.
the United States government 70 aid