Evening star., 1940-04-07
Roosevelt Urges
Solution Of Problems
Of Minority Groups
National Negro Congress
To Open Three-Dcy
ConcIove April 26

The importance of considering
sympathetically problems of minor
ity groups in democracy has been
stressed by President Roosevelt in
a message of greeting to the Ma
tional Negro Congress, which is
scheduled to begin a three day con-
clave here April 26.
The communication was made
public yesterday by John p. Davis,
executive secretary of the congress.
This is a time in the history of
the world and in the history of our
own Nation when the wisdom of the
whole people is more than even
needed" the Chief Executives mes
sage declared, in part.
Because of confusion and unrest
1t Is more than ever necessary that
the place of minority group in a
democracy not be obscured by ig-
norance and prejudice. ""'
Gathering Hailed.
ut is even of greater Importance
that the whole people consider with
open and sympathetic mind these
problems of the minority in order
that the processes of democracy
may work to bring about their Solu-
ton. For 1t Is obvious that the
political, social and economic we'll
being of the whole people depends
upon the achievement of that we'll
being for all sections of the popula-
ton, regardless of color, creed or
geography"
The President expressed pleasure
at the opportunity OF sending q
message to another great and rep
resentative gathering of Negro citi-
zens." The communication was ad-
dressed to A. Philip Randolph, pres
tdent of the congress.
Two preliminary meetings de-
voted to consideration of Human
Needs of the Negro People of WASH
ington" will be held by local dele
gates to the convention at 2 and 8
pm. next Sunday at the Phyllis
Wheatley Y. w. c. A., 9O1 Rhode
Island avenue NV. The public
will be admitted.
List Of Speakers.
Among those invited to speak dur
ing the congress, to be held in the
Departmental Auditorium, Constitu-
ton avenue NV, between Twelfth
and Fourteenth streets, are: Repre-
sentative Marcantonio of New
York, j. Russell Young, newly ap-
pointed District Commissioner; Mrs.
Velma G. Williams, member of the
Board of Education: Bishop Rev.
erdy C. Ransome, senior Bishop of
the African Methodist Episcopal
Church; Philip Murray, president of
the Steel Workers Originating Com
mittee; Richard Wright, author of
the novel, Native Son." Bishop w.
j. Walls of the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church; Thelma E.
Dale, president of the Washington
Youth Federation; Herman Long,
president of the Southern Negro
Youth Congress, and Harriet Pick
ems, treasurer of the American
Youth Congress.
Also, DR.. George E. Haynes, dean
of the Benjamin Mays School of
Theology at Howard University;
Joseph Curran, president of the Ma
tional Maritime Union; DR.. Robert
c. Weaver, adviser on Negro rela-
1ations to the United States Hous-
ing Authority; Doxey Wilkerson, in
ternational vice president of the
Federation of Teachers;
the Rev. w. H. Jurnagin, president
Of the Baptist Sunday School Con-
vention; DR.. Charlotte Hawkins
Brown, president of the Palmer
Memorial Institute; Mrs. Fay Allen,
first colored member of the Los
(Calif) Board of Education.
and Walter White, secretary of the
National Association for the Ad-
of Colored People.
Approximately 5000 delegates are
to attend the sessions.