Sunday Chicago bee. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1925-19??, 1942-03-01
Negro Soldiers Disseminated
Against Says Cong. Mitchell

before local citizcns coming to
his rescue, had his bail reduced
and released on bond.
'Thcre are no colored military
policemen in this city and when
one is seen he has no side arms Or
billy. White military policemen
come into the Negro sections
whenever a call for police is is
sued. They always carry side
arms and billy, jump out ready
for trouble. They usually have
their hands on their pistols. Head
whipping by the police officers is
the usual thing. But for the cou-
rageous attitude of the sergeant
and his comrades, there would
have been some head whipping at
this time.
eve in this city, remindful of
the terrible riot back in 1919, are
fearful that another one will oc-
cur soon, for the present-day SOL
dier which we see here is not TAX
ing the abuse which the white
people are placing on them.
seemingly the white officers
are resertful Of the uniform the
Negroes are wearing. No provi-
sions are made for soldier recre-
alton here except that which is
provided by the Houston Negro
Chamber Of Commerce, and that
il very small. They must have
some pleasure when they come to
town. There are several camps in
and about this section, all having
Negro soldiers. Ellington Field,
an advanced aviation training
camp, has a few companies Of
Negroes who are doing mental
work. There are some soldiers
at Camp Wallace, a replacement
center.
FINALLY, getting in touch with
Major Smith over the telephone,
who is in charge Of the military
police in Houston, he told this
reporter angrily, "The Army pol
icy is to permit civil authorities
ard police as they see fit. They
may talk to them in any way
they wish. This case has been in
vestigated by military authorities,
and it is settled. Negro soldiers
when off military reservations are
subject to civil laws and authOri-
ties. 1t is not the policy Of the
Army to have white MP's call
Negro soldiers 'niggers.' 1 don't
mean to be ross-eXamined by
you on this case, and it is best that
you do not stir up any trouble
over it.
cit is a dangerous situation here
and Major Smith was terribly an
cry. We neWsmen look for some
1eprisals on us for publishing the
story. 1t should be looked into.
"Since writing you a few days
ago, the Negro soldiers at Camp
Wallace, who had the trouble with
the police and M.P.'s here have
had much trouble over that and
ether incidents.
"Three Of the soldiers we're ar
rested that Saturday night and
thrown into Jail, I have since
learned. They were charged with
melting to riot because they OPP
emily resented being called niger
soldiers rather than American SOL
diers. One Of the lads, who be-
cause Of his determined ard cour-
ageous attitude on that night, was
said to have been told by an MP.
that every time he came into
the city he was going to be ar
rested, was turned loose early
Sunday morning, arrested again
that day. When he got out on
Monday morning (pay day., he
received his pay, borrowed some
money from friends, changed to
civilian clothes, and went AWOL.
He is reported to have gone back
to his induction center to tell his
stories Of abuse and terror while
in Texas.
"There are two lieutenants in
the company who are exceeding
ly nice to their troops but their
hands are practically tied because
Of red tape. Both are from the
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