The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-21
Local Organizations Protest
Biddle's Anti-Negro Proposal

indicative OF the resentment ex-
pressed by local organizations over
Attorney Francis Biddle's propose!
to halt Negro migration to defense
areas are the communications
printed below.
Mr.. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
President, United States
The White House
Washington, D. c.
Honorable Sir:
1t Is with deep concern, that we
communicate with you at this time.
Appearing in a number OF leading
newspapers throughout the United
States, Monday, August 9. Mr..
Francis Biddle, attorney general OF
the United States, released a state
mcnt, that proposed to stop imme-
diately the importation OF Negroes
into war centers.
This statement. coming from Mr..
Biddle, particularly. when it contra
diets the official voice OF our gov
eminent, which asks for the full
utilization a all manpower. for the
winning OF this war. shocks all
sincere Americans. r
1t Is difficult for those of US who
represent organized labor to under
stand how a high ranking govern
ment official could fail to be in
possession of the facts. that labor
has pledged all out assistance to our
government in the winning Of this
global war.
Further, we have no records, sub
stantiating any proof, that workers
imported to war centers. have done
anything other than periodically
and intellectually take their
places as peaceful citizens on the
production lines. which daily turn
out the implements OF war.
Knowing this as we do, Mr.. Presi-
dent, it is extremely difficult TO
understand the attitude Of Mr.. Bid
die in making this advocation. We
are further justified in denouncing
this Fascist idea, based upon proc.
that. while the recent race riot was
raging in Detroit. 100000 workers,
many OF whom were attacked while
going to and fro from work, con-
tinued TO work in local plants with
out becoming involved even to the
extent OF a fist fight. What better
record would Mr.. Biddle want. to
prove the insanity behind the pro-
posal?
May we further point out, Mr.
President, that statements OF this
nature. serve the ingenuity Of the
anti-race baiters far better and
more effectively. than could any
foreign agent that Hitler should
send to this country.
This proposal. IL allowed TO &c
unchallenged will not only invalu-
ate the principles set forth in the
four freedoms. but will disillusion
the darker races throughout the
world. generally, and also the whole
OF minority groups. in America. OF
every hope in democracy.
Therefore, we are asking you, as
the commanding pilot. in whose
hands the destiny OF 10000, 00C
human beings rest at this time, "a
come forth with a statement that
will disassociate the opinions ex-
pressed by the attorney general
from the administrative powers OF
ou- country.
Sincerely and respectfully,
(Negro) Workers Council Fol-
Community Development
Citizens committee statement on
Atty. Gen. Biddle's proposed i'm
mobilization OF Negroes in the
South:
The proposal OF Attorney General
b ddle as represented by the New
York Post with reference to pro-
hibiting the importation OF Negroes
into war centers is in opposition 70
the idea OF full utilization OF all our
manpowcr for the winning OF tho
war.