Arkansas State press. [volume] (Little Rock, Ark.) 1941-1959, 1942-04-17


We Strive For Unity OF The
Nation and Not Disunity, As
Some Have Falsely Said
WASHINGTON, April Is Re.
ports in some of the Nations
daily newspapers and among the
easily duped people convey the err
roneous thought that the efforts
OF the colored American and the
Negro Press are steadfastly d.
reeted to establish disunity in this
country. Those who subscribe to
the thought have but to review
the long period of sacrificial low
atty which we have proudly placed
before all.
1t is true that the Negro lead.
ers, representing our organiza.
lions like the NAACP, Urban Lea
que, United Government Employ.
ees and others, have been busily
engaged in strict watchfulness of
the about War effort to deter.
mine how deep into it will be our
participation. Also, to protest,
when Investigations conclusiyely
indicate, the slightest degree Of un.
fairness in administration of the
War. This procedure is not re-
garded by enlightened people of
America as indicative of DISLOY-
Atty or a move to bring a clea.
wage of the Nation; because We
all realize that if ever there Is a
time for UNITY OF PURPOSE.
that time is NOW!
A symbol Of the scope of the
intentions of the Negro has been
clearly indicated by the NAACP
protest against the Navy Depart
ment's acceptance of our men as
RESERVE VOLUNTEERS in the
Navy, Marines and Coast Guard.
The main body of the rejection of
the proposal centered around the
facts that the enlistees would be
used in ports, docks, and assist in
building and repairing the docks
and along the coastal aspects Of
their Navy-life-to-b be, the Negro
personnel would NOT be able tc
receive Commission but would be
differed by whites; that the Navy
would STILL receive applications
for MESSMEN.
Now none of the issues brought
to the fore by the NAACP was
planned to cause disunity but to
bring home the too obvious point
that the mass of our people Want
TO serve in the NAVY in the
SAME MANNER and on the Sane
Basis and arrangement as are al.
ready in action for other nauti-
cal members of our GREAT ARM.
ED FORCES. So you see, skept.
les and dupes, we merely want a
better opportunity to serve in this
risis. The present plan. as an.
nounced by Secretary Knox last
week, Does not go FAR Enough
We are still loyal and remain SO
throughout this and subsequent
emergencies.
As far hack as August 1910, DR..
J. B. Watson, president of Ark
ansas State College, made a re-
lentless effort to get that insti-
tuition included in the then rapidly
forming Civil Aeronautics pro-
gram. Several Conferences were
held locally between DR.. Watson
and the officials, and followed by
a series of conferences between
Norrell and this cor
respondent for the STATE PRESS
During the meeting of the Con
gresham and this writer, the leg
islator FOR THE PEOPLE OF
posed this question:
'How many boys do you think
would be interested in the train
ing?" He added: "You realize, Of
course, that flying is dangerous
and if there is a war these boys
would likely be placed in the Arm
I'd service of the Nation"
To all Of these points, which
were complete expressions of eva
sion Of the issues, we said:
"a sizeable number are inter.
ested. We realize the serious.
ness Of this matter and that Is