The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-12-19
SOUTHERN Err 5.
STATE aims At
DURHAM MEET
D e m a n d Cessation Of
Violence And All
Rights For Race

NORFOLK. Va.-tANP) - The
findings Of the Southern Conference
on Race Relations held at Durham,
y. c.. last October and developed
by a subcommittee chairmaned by
DR. Charles S. johnson OF Fisk, have
just been released by P. B. Young
Sr., chairman, and DR.. Gordon B.
Hancock. secretary OF the confer
ence executive committee.
Challenging white America and
especially the white south. 10 give
"common-sense consideration for
improvement in Negro status" the
statement which It's designers sug
gest voices the sentiment of many
Of the Negroes Of the nation as well
as those OF the south, agrees that
the war in which our nation is en-
gagged is paramount and demands
first. Loyalty. Tha; loyalty. the docu-
ment continues. does not preclude
consideration now of problems and
situations that handicap the work
ing ont of internal NpFoblems and
situations that handicap the work
ing out Of internal Improvements in
race relations and which may
affect the inevitable problems of
postwar reconstruction"
Demanding the ballot and full
civil rights, the statement says: ave
regard the ballot as a safeguard of
democracy Any discrimination
against citizens in the exercise of
the voting privilege. on account OF
race or poverty. is detrimental to
the freedom OF these citizens and
TO the integrity of the state. We
urge:
The abolition Of the poll tax as a
prerequisite to voting.
The abolition of the white pri-
mary.
The abolition Of all forms OF dis
crimiWory practices, evasion of the
law. and intimidation Of citizens
seeking to exercise their right Of
franchise. V
Exclusion OF Negroes from jury
service because of race has beer
repeatedly declared unconstitu'
tional. This practice we believe car
and should be discontinued now.
Security from wanton killings
police brutality and indignities
were among other points demanded
The necessity for protection agains
lynching was set forth with tn,
proviso that federal statutes be in
voked II adequate protection coulc
not be guaranteed.
In a complete resume OF industry
and labor a. they affect the Negro
one-third Of the south's population
the conference asked opportunities
according to ability in skilled and
unskilled work; the same pay for
the same work; decried the wage
and-iob-freezing order OF the War
Manpowe- commission.
In education, better schools,
equalization OF salaries, graduate
and professional training and Negro
representation on school boards
were urged.
Measures to improve the position
Of Negro farmers were set forth
adequate federal assistance being
stressed. Protection Of Negro SOL
diers in training and recreation
areas; mandatory provisions that an
adequate proportion Of public hos
pital facilities and other social vel
fare and health services be pro-
vided and that Negro doctors be
included on the staffs OF public
hospitals were among the many
other demands made in the find
ings.
The document is expected to SET
at rest opinions Of white southerners
who have been claiming that south
ern Negroes did not espouse various
racial programs expounded in the
north. The statement did agree that
in the public carriers and termi-
mails where segregation Of the races
is currently made mandatory by
law as well as by established Gus
tom, it is the duty Of Negro and
white citizens 10 insist that these
provisions be equal in kind and
quality and in character of mainte
nance" but it likewise said fatty:
1--WE are fundamentally opposed
10 the principle and practice Of
segregation In our American So
ciety whether Of races or classes or
creeds, We regard It as both sensi-
BILE and timely now however TO ad-
dress ourselves TO the current prob
lens OF racial discrimination and
neglect. and TO ways in which we
may cooperate in the advancement
of programs aimed at the sonnd
improvement OF race relations with
in the democratic framework"
Among the II signers Of the state
ment we're such widely known lead
ers as: DR., Charles S. johnson, Fisk
university: Dr.. James f. Shepard,
". c. College for Negroes; p. B.
Young. editor. Journal and Guide;
DR.. II. L. McCrorey. president, John
C. Smith university; Dean r. OHara
Lanier, Hampton institute. and Will
lam NJ. Cooper. director OF extern