Evening star., 1942-02-20
Negro Pledge Of Aid
10 u. 5. War Effort
Called History Making
Recent Confidence
Showed United Front,
Dr.. Jernoein Soys


Dr.. Jernoein Soys
The Rev. w. H. Jernagin, D. D.,
pastor Of Mount Carmel Baptist
Church and q nationally known COL
ored Baptist leader, today described
the conference here last Tuesday
Of the Fraternal Council of Negro
Churches of. America as "a history
making session." both from the
standpoint that 1t was the first OF
such meetings ever held and the
first time that spiritual leaders Of
the Negro race have presented q
united front in a national emer-
gency.
The conference OF church leaders
from II different Negro denomina-
tions from all over the country. rep
resenting more than 5000, 900 church
people, pledged every spiritual and
material resource at our command
in support Of our country in the
ideals Of freedom and democracy"
and asked the President to remove
certain distractions to that end. 1t
also appointed a national commit
tee on church aid. made up Of repre-
sentattves Of each denomination, to
coordinate the churches program
Of national defense aid.
DR.. Jernagin pointed out that this
action followed an entire day OF dis
cuSsion on various phases Of the
problems, both in Government and
industry, confronting the Negro race
Of this country. He cited also that
the agreement was reached in spite
Of the fact that some Of the leaders
present opposed war and any agree
ment to support it.
Unequivocal Support Pledged.
when one considers the diverse
UNCONVENTIONAL groups represented
at this conference, the distances
from which they came and the
repression which Negro citizens have
suffered over the years." DR.. Jer-
-nagin said, "this conference Is OF
historic Importance. Here in the
Nations Capital, which stands in
a danger similar to that of the Civil
War, 200 Negro church leaders de-
clared their unequivocal support Of
the Nations war effort and urged
the removal Of hindrances which
keep that support from being most
effective"
Conclusions arrived at during the
conference were addressed to the
President in a formal statement in
which he was asked, as commander
in chief of the country. to use his
war emergency powers" to see that
the Government sets the pattern
for democratic participation in the
war effort of all citizens regardless
Of race, creed or color.
Among the hindrances to such
democratic participation cited were
continued exclusion of Negro work
ers from employment at war produc-
ton, segregation and discrimination
in the armed forces, lynchings and
general disregard of Negroes in the
administrative organization Of gov
ernment and Of private institutions
and agencies.
Seek War Plant Training.
Negro Americans seek only the
unhindered opportunity to make
their full contribution to the defense
of America rs Is their right as loyal
citizens" the conference said In Its
statement. Hundreds of thousands
Of Negro men and women must and
should be permitted training and
employment for war Industries. for
aviation and for all phases of war
effort. We are deeply conscious of
the action taken by our President
to correct abuses and determinations
in industry and public affairs poll
cies which tend to foster disunity in
the Nation" .
The statement asked the President
to use his support to have Negroes
appointed to West Point and the
Naval Academy. -
"The Negro soldier has always
proved his courage and heroism."
the statement continued. This Is
the heritage of Negro youth. In
giving their lives as loyal Americans
our Negro soldiers imposed no con-
dition. In the support of the best
traditions of freedom and democ-
racy, we pledge our allegiance. our
loyalty and our lives in the defense
Of the Nation"
National Unity Denied.
Announcing their opposition to
Fascism. tyranny, imperialism and
exploitation of the masses of the
nations. which evils we know are
at the basis of this war;" the church
leaders further told the Chief
Executive:
I'm the light of the existing war
conditions. the first great necessity
is national unity based on the prin-
ciples of loyalty and service. To