The Phoenix index., 1942-02-28

MORALE AT NEW Low
The morning session started OIL
with the usual preliminary addresses
and the gathering listened intent
lv TO a stirring address by III
Johnson of Howard DR.. Johnson
told his hearers that the morale Vi
the Negro had reached new low
In the present crisis and something
had to be done about 1t.
After DR.. Johnson's address, there
was the appointing OF the coninilC-
tee to prepare a resolution 10 DC
taken to the President at the WlllVS
House.
Bishop Matthews was chairman OF
the committee, which included Bis
hops Wright, Gregg, Simms ana
Wallace along with George l.
HAYNES of the Federal Council OF
Churches of Christ in America;
| Charles O. Wesley of Howard; Dean
VIM. Pickens, Mamie burrouglis'
Rev. d. B. Adams, Edgar Love
John T. McClennon, E. I. WOODS,
! DIR. johnson, Rev Medford, ReVs.
Peters. Jackson, Townsend and II. M
Williams.
After two hours debate and pre-
paration the group submitted
| group of resolutions which precl-
pitated a grand debate in the open
! meeting. The original resolutions
were rejected, after being flayed by
various persons who felt they dlo
not express the sentiment OF the
conference. a new set OF resolutions
was ordered drawn up and the
weary committee retired to the an
tiroom to prepare the new set.
At seven o'clock the group re-
turned with the resolutions which
were promptly adopted.
In the interim, the group heard
I speeches and addresses by some OF
the most brilliant minds OF the
denominations gathered in confer
ence.
The committee selected to visit
the White House at IL A. M. Wed
nesday included DR.. James jackson
and D. B. Adams, BaptistS; Rev
J. II. McClennon and Rev. Z. l..
johnson, CINE. Rev. c. f. Hall, Rev.
w. A. Cooper, ANE Zion; Rev. A
M. Townsend and Bishop r. r
Wright, AA1E; Rev. j. H. Peters,
DR.. Robert M. Williams OF the
Methodists and George Murphy OF
the National Negro congress.
The resolution said in part:
while we have been, and are
opposed to war and the application
of Force for the solution Of Force
for the solution of our problems
war has been forced upon us. Never
thelesS, we oppose the FaScism, the
tyranny, the Imperialism and the
exploitation of the masses of the
nations, which evils, we know are
at the basis of this war. We also
know that our country, our people
and our civilization cannot survive
unless the enemies of democracy are
defeated.
I'VE realize that there are con-
Scientious objectorS in our member
ship and we approve of government
measures to respect their rights
Nevertheless, in this struggle which
has been forced upon us, we as
leaders of the Negro churches, take
our stand. We pledge every spiritual
and material resource at our COM
mand in support Of our country ir
the ideals of freedom and demo
cracy. In unity based on the prin-
ciples of loyalty and service. TIC
this end, as leaders of the Negro
churches of America we send you
this message, pledging our loya
support to the nation in this
crisis.
DEEP CONCERN
"It is our deep concern for Anne
rican democracy that causes us tC
speak out against those things
which hinder the full participation
OF the Negro in the war effort
Continued exclusion of Negro work.
ers from employment at war pro
duction is an injury to the whole
American people. The practice o1
segregation and discrimination II
the armed forces lowers the morale
of all Americans, Negro and white
Lynchings and determinations dt
not unite a people for war. AL
though Negroes are one tenth O
the population, they are generally
diSregarded in the administrative
| organization of government and O!