The Phoenix index., 1941-09-27

In his address, he told of under
takings by the War Department to
put an end to prejudices practiced
against colored soldiers in some
sections. His address in full reads:
"The dedication of a project Is
customarily an occasion for lauda-
tory expressions concerning the sig
nificance and symbolism of the
new venture. AS we are assembled
here on the banks of the Anacostia
in the middle of an area already
dedicated to recreational activities,
as we view this comfortable and
we'll organized camp now available
for the accommodation of soldiers
visiting the nations capital, as we
talk with the Negro officers and the
enlisted men under their command,
all of whom are giving their best
efforts to the job of helping the
soldier on leave to enjoy his stay
in Washington, we have good rea-
son to be enthusiastic about what
this enterprise will mean to the
soldier who visits our city.
"But comparatively few of the
approximately 10000 Negro soldiers
who are now members of the Army
of the United States, will be able to
visit Washington, and those who do
come here can come only infre-
quently. In most cases the soldiers
on leave for a day or week end
seeks recreation in community
very near to his station. He must
rely upon the hospitality of that
neighboring community. 1t is in
cumbent on the community that 1t
not be apathetic or Indifferent to-
ward the soldier.
DEDICATE HUMAN BEINGS
"Our greatest immediate need Is
not the dedication of camps and
other physical facilities, but a dedl-
cation of ourselves as Americans to
the practice of the ideals we pro-
fess. In words we recognize the
human dignity and equal right OF
every American citizen. In words
we honor every soldier, both as the
wearer of the uniform of his coun-
try and as a man who is making
sacrifices of time and money and
risking the sacrifice of life itself to
protect the rest of us. But it is not
enough to utter such words. We
must believe in them and act upon
them. Morale cannot be raised II
citizens consider the soldiers IN
their midst as outsiders to be tole-
rated and exploited, or if soldiers
treat the nearby town as merely a
place to carouse without regard to
the rights and sensibilitieS of the
civilian population. All OF us must
remember that we are Americans
in America.
"a great responsibility, therefore.
rests upon thoughtful, honorable
and patriotic leadership in these
communities frequented by soldiers.
and particularly by Negro soldiers
1t is a responsibility to be discnarg-
ed through the press, through Vet
erans' and other patriotic organiza-
tions, through civic groups, and
through individual effort. Honor
and respect for every wearer OF the
uniform must become the prevail.
ing sentiment in the community
At the same time, the man in uni
form must accord similar respect
to the civilian. Fortunately, the
soldier is subject to the power OF
Army discipline. The Army is keen
ly aware of the Importance OF sold
ierly conduct at all times. 1t can be
counted upon to deal sternly with
the soldier who abuses the hosp1-
tality of the civilian community;
but it is up to the community to
mobilize the forces of public op1n-
ion in order that the soldier may
be decently and Hospitality received
wherever he may go. Many civilians
are already alive to this response
bility. Thus, an editorial recently
published in a prominent Southern
daily newspaper contained the fol-
lowing comment: For America to
meet what has already come to be
much more than threat to its in
tegrity, it must make up its mind
to put all pettiness behind and to
steel it's will for the task of wiplng
out the menace that endangers its
survival. This duty will not be con-
fined to activities on the field OF