The Omaha guide., 1938-12-03
MRS. E ROOSEVELT
DEBATES ANTI-LYNCH
LAW WITHALA. SOLON
Presidents Wife, at Interracial Meeting in Blrmlng-
ham Scores South for Opposing Anti-Lynch
Legislation; 1000 Of Both Races Hear
Stirring Address by Nations
First Lady
First Lady

Birmningham, Dec. 3 CAMP
In one of the most stirring and
interesting lectures of her entire
public career, Mrs. Eleanor Roose-
welt, gifted wife of the President
of the United States, discussed to-
MICS of national interest, including
race relations, at a nopening meet
ing here. last Tuesday in national
interest, including race relations.
at an opening meeting here, held
last Tuesday in connection with
the first annual session OF the
Southern Conference for Human
Welfare.
A crowd of 1000 persons OF botn
races packed Municipal auditorium
to hear the Nations first Lady
while 1000 others, unable to gam
admission. crowded about the en-
trance doors.
At the afternoon session of the
conference, Mrs. Roosevelt engag
ed in a lively debate on the SUP
;ect Of federal anti-lynching legis-
lation with Congressman Luther
Patrick Of Alabama's Ninth DIS
trict who voted against the mea-
sure at the last session of con-
gress.
Congressman Patrick told the
bio audience of whites and Ne
eroes. segregated by police edict'
lust why he had voted against the
bill. stating it had been drawn I'm
e~ouitably," and adding: but OF
course I'm against lynching and
so is every decent man IN the
South"
Seated on the rostrum. Mrs
Roosevelt interrupted the congress
man. asking: 81 am wondering why
nromotion of such a bill doesn't
lie with the people of the South
WHY isn't it at your door to frame
a law to meet the proper require
ments 2"
Patrick replied, at undoubtedly
is" and then went on to explain
that when it was proposed to a
mend the bill to include Northern
gang killings" the amendment was
opposed by Northern representa-
tives in congress. He conceded
however, after repeated question
ing by Mrs. Roosevelt, that South
ern.legislators had made no effort
to formulate an anti-lynching bill
Preceding the afternoon session
Mrs. Roosevelt was guest of honor
at, a luncheon attended by Gov
Bib Graves, during which 1t was
reported she and the governor en-
gagged in a polite but spirited dis
cussion on the subject of poll taxes
as a prerequisite for voting. Gov
Graves was said to have defended
the system declaring it to be es-
sential ito maintain white supre-
macy"
Later, the conference constitu-
tional rights section, participated
in by 1000 persons, white and col
ored, from all sections of the South
adopted a resolution urging that
the body refuse to held future
meetings in any city enforcing Sc
gregation.
Whites 0utspOken
Several white delegates were
pronounced in their protest against
discriminating against the Negroes
delegates and visitors. A white de-
legate from North Carolina said II
would be well for the delegates to
ignore the city ordinance, remain
together as they were, proceed
with the meeting and "let two
or three thousands white and
Negro people be arrested. SO as
to bring the matter to a test be-
fore the courts. It is said that DR..
Jones shared largely in this view
point.
There was sharp difference OF