Evening star., 1941-09-21
Square Deal Pledged
Co|ored Soldiers in
Dedicating Center
Judge Hostie Declares
Mistreutment Will Not
Be White-Woshed
BY THOMAS C. HARDMAN.

BY THOMAS C. HARDMAN.
Military investigation will not be
used as device for whitewashing
the mistreatment of colored soldiers,
Judge William H. Hastie, civilian
aide to the Secretary of War, de-
clared yesterday and disclosed for
the first time that facts in specific
cases" involving violence between
soldiers and civilians have been sub
mitted by the War Department to
the Justice Department for criminal
prosecution.
Judge Hastie's remarks, made at
the dedication ceremonies of the
first Army recreation camp for COL
ored soldiers in Anacostia Park,
omitted reference to specific civilian
soldier incidents, but it was pre-
sumed he referred, in part, to a
recent controversy which grew out
of the maneuvers of colored soldiers
in Arkansas.
In that incident, 43 soldiers from
Midwestern post left the maneuver
area following series of disputes
with police and white civilians. Two
national colored organizations ap-
pealed to President Roosevelt follow
ing the controversy.
Fort Bragg Incident.
Judge Hastie discussed at length
"a recent affray between Negro SOL
diers and military policemen near
Fort Bragg, N. c." Gin which a
colored private and a military po-
liceman were shot to death and six
other soldiers wounded in a bus
fight.
Among those on the speakers
platform were Maj. Gen. Henry c.
Pratt, commanding general of the
Sd Corps Area; Brig. Gen. Frederick
H. Osborn, chief of the morale
branch of the War Department;
Col. William H. Draper, assistant
chief of the morale branch, and 1t.
Col. Walter H. Long, commanding
officer of the Arlington (Va) Army
Recreation Center.
All aspects of the Fort Bragg
incident have been subjected to the
most detailed inquiry, Judge Hastie
declared, and hundreds of pages"
OF testimony have been taken.
Although analysis of this contro-
versy still is in progress, he added,
certain corrective measures" al
ready have been put in effect, in
cluding the detail to Fort Bragg Of
veteran officer. experienced in
military police work, as provost mar
shal; arrangements for increased
officer supervision of military police
men while on duty in the civilian
community; establishment of a mill
tary police station in Fayetteville,
N. C. (near where the shooting in
cident occurred, and unification Of
the military police. force without
any racial distinction as to the
authority or equipment of the indi-
vidual policeman.
COlored Policemen.
He added that similar provision
for inclusion of colored men in the
| military police detail at another
Army post had been made. This
post he did not name.
Judge HASTE pointed out that
while the War Department is seek
ing to improve relationships be-
tween soldiers and civilians, "puni-
tive action against the offending
civilian is rarely within the power
of the military authorities"
However" he continued when
the soldier in line of duty is the
victim of unprovoked violence at the
hands of persons not connected
with the Army, a serious crime
against the United States may be
involved"
The power of military authorities
goes no further, he added than the
investigation of facts, but it is with
in the province of the War Depart
ment in a proper case to submit its
findings to the Department Of JUS
tice for criminal prosecution.
In specific cases of this character
the War Department is already in
contact with the Department of
Justice" he revealed. unfortunate
ly, the dangers inherent in prema-
ture disclosure preclude more spe-
cific comment at this time"
Declines Further Comment.
Judge Hastie later declined to
state approximately how many such
cases were being discussed with the
Department of Justice.
Declaring that punitive action Is
not cure-all," Judge Hastie pointed
to the camp being dedicated as the
first of a series of similar camps
which will afford to enlisted men,
particularly in areas of the South
where large numbers of Negro SOL
diers are stationed, decent place
to stay and responsible leadership
and direction in their search for
wholesome recreation"
Gen. Osborn described the dedica-
tion of the camp as especially signi-
f1cant in these days when we must
have an Army strong enough to meet
with dangers which undoubtedly are
threatening our democracy"
"A recreation camp such as this"
he said, lis a symbol of the interest
of the American people in the well
fare of our men in uniform"
Gen. Osborn said that similar
camps for colored soldiers are under
construction at New Orleans. La,
Tuskeegee Institute in Alabama ana
Raleigh, N. G.
High Morale Needed.
Your Army recognizes the need
of fair and equal treatment to all
troops in the development and main
tenance of a high morale" he con-
tinued. I'VE are all aware of the
events in recent months which have
tended to disrupt morale of our
troops everywhere. However, every
effort has been made to correct these
conditions"
Mrs. Julia West Hamilton, presi-
dent OF the Phyllis Wheatley Young
Women's Christian Association and
mother of Col West A. Hamilton,
commanding officer of the GRIND In
fantry, assured soldiers visiting the