Arkansas State press., 1942-04-03
Report
Continued from Page -

among us advocating his keeping
out Of the war, The fifteen million
Negroes in this country are too
sensible to attempt to escape the
Ills at hand by flying to lis thsy
know no. Of, We know no country
hut this. We owe allegiance to no
otner Nag and regardless Of skep-
tieism and discrimination, we are
ready to make the supreme sacfi-
flee in order that Democracy may
live and that Democracy may pro-
perly function. The handieapplag
of the Negro in taking part IN the
war is not only giving eomfoI. 10
the enemy, but is keeping step
with sabotage. Tie act of dlscouf-
aging the Negro to take part IN
the war is little less than treason.
No 9Th Column organization oper-
ing within our borders can create
situation followed by defeat as
effectively as our own citizens,
who by attitude. word and deed
chill the fervor, stifle the patriot
ism and take the heart Out of III
teen million Negroes and make TO
them Democracy appear as an iri-
descent dream and the Constitu-
ton a rhetorical blunder.
With these sentiments uppermost
in their hears, Committee OF
YOUR fellowmen went forth to do
their duty in the Democratic way
and to seek relief by Democratic
processes.--that and only that
shall be our weapon--upon 1t we
stand or faii.'
Monday, March %, 1912, follow
ing the Sunday Sgt. Thomas b.
Foster was slain, group of citi-
gems met with the Ministerial Al
lance at the LIST Baptist Church,
7th and Gaines SIS, for the pur-
pose of giving consideration to the
tragedy that had shocked our CITY.
The following religious, civic,
fraternal, educational and social
organizations were represented:
Ministerial Alliance-Revs. Il.
Wayman Blakely, F. T. Guy, e..
Chiffon Christian, Emanuel c. Dy-
er. P J. Sears, G. f. Caesar, +.
f. Kelly, N. Nichols, ]. +. Hen
derson, G. b. Ashford, J. II. Lew
is and V. M. Townsend.
State Bar Association--Jno. A..
Hibbler, Scipio A. Jones.
Negro Chamber Of Commerce
j. r. Booker, j II. McConleo.
Arkansas Medical, Dental and
Pharmaceutical Assn.--Dr. w. 3.
lsh
Pan Hellenic Council. l.. Will
son, C. Franklin Brown, Myles A..
Hibbler, w. ii. Bass, Jr.
N. A. A. c. Pm. i. Jefferson,
President.
Colored Elks--P. II. Jordan, W..
M. Jones, DR.. J. V. Jordan.
Baptist aate Convention (Gon-
solidatedl--Dr. J. F. Clark, presi-
dent.
Fraternal-G. H. Evans, E. U.
Reed.
Colleges--Dr. J. H. Clayborn,
Prof, T. w. Coggs.
Urban League. f. Minton
Pulaski County Defense Commits
sion--W. II. Bass.
Negro State Press Assn. Il.
Christopher Bates, s. M. Ballard,
G.. w. Scott.
This group Of men approached
the subject with open minds and
canvassed and explored the mat
ter carefully and soberly. The dis
cussions, though interspersed with
regrets, were free from emotion
al outbursts and there was no
strain of despair. Fearlessly they
stated that white men and black
men would find a common ground
and q common forum where these
makers that are so disturbing to
both races may be settled. Their
final decision was to make an IN
B., vestigation for the purpose OF es-
tablishing the following
If the Staying of Sgt. Fost-
err was justifiable.
2-Was Foster given proper
protection by Military Po-
lice
3-Was there any rioting, was
any attempt made to take
the soldier away from the
officers as reported in the
daily press.
A Committee of seven was ap-
pointed to make this investigation
and report to the Committee of
the Whole. The following commit
teemen were appointed. Rev. Fred
T. Guy. Chairman; ]. II. McCon-
co, Secretary; Jho. "A. Hibhleri
Rev. NJ. F. jefferson, W. H. Bass,
| J. L. Wilson and DR.. G. W. S. lsh.
The Committee Immediately went
to work. The Board Of 1nvestiga-
tors from Camp Robinson was
holding sessions in the u. S. O
quarters at 9th and State SITS. The
Committee appeared before this