The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-10-02

ton. CHARTERED In this section at
the time of the riot were southern
soldiers. These southern soldiers
were eager TO shoot down Negroes
in large numbers. to show to them
that this war Is not being fought
for their liberation. The mayor
knew and heard them express such
feelings. He worked and literally
sweated to bring about some ar
rangement so that the soldiers
would not have their way In
handling a race riot
Lovers OF democracy. I tell you
from my personal experience. that
they felt the way 10 handle the
race riot was 10 go into the Negro
neighborhoods and bludgeon the
Negroes into submission. The mayor
was so sensitive 70 the desires Of
these southern crackers" that he
sought another way out, and |
thank him for that deep belief in
human rights, He sought 10 have
the President OF the United States
declare a state of emergency that
would bring the soldiers under civil
law. and responsible 10 the censti-
tuition, the laws Of the. state. and
the laws OF the city, for their
actions. There was another course
open TO the mayor. outright martial
law. II outright martial law had
been declared in the city Of Detroit
with the southern soldiers in COM
mand. Beaumont. Texas, and what
happened 10 the Negroes in that rio,
need only be mentioned TO you In
the Beaumont. Texas riot. Negroes
were beaten, homes burned, clapped
in Jail without trial and benefit OF
council
I cannot, and you cannot. condone
everything that the police depart
ment did In the riot. MANY of them
were negligent In their duty. Many
of them went back on their oath
OF Office. For this. YOU cannot blame
the mayor. You can only say that
the whole struggle showed the de-
pravity and the utter disregard on
the part OF some men for the prin-
ciples Of democracy.
Back in 1899. there was a great
debate on the part OF some people.
the D.S.R. Commission and many
civil groups were trying to decide
whether or not Negroes would be
taken into the D.SR. services on a
percentage basis. as they passed the
examination. without any protest,
and without the knowledge on the
part OF Negro groups that such q
debate was going on. the mayor
took the position that whoever
passed the examination for D.S.R.
worker would be given the right
TO work. This was before Pearl
Harbor. This was before the man.
power shortage. More than that. II
was decided that II these Negroes
were not replacing men who had
gone 10 the armed forces. seniority
would determine their permanency
N there was a curtsilment In the
service. Every other large city has
had to fight. protest. and spend n
lot Of money for this right.
Permit me to tell you one other
thing. During the Sojourncr Truth
struggle. the present mayor took
a nosition on the behalf OF Negroes.
and stuck to II. when II might have
been TO his political interest to do
otherwise. Some federal officials
connected with the housing pro-
gram did everything In their power
to have the mayor chance his posi-
tion about Negro OCCUPANCY Of the
Soi0urner Truth homes. The mayor
said. These houses were planned
and built for Negroes, and as far
as I am concerned. Negroes are go
ing 10 occupy them" ! heard him
one day take a group OF white
people. composed Of real estate
operators. clergyman. and residents
Of the neighborhood. There were
few colored people present. lie said
20 them. "You have no business 10
set yourself against the progress Of
any Of our citizens. II is un-Ameri-
can. II Is undemocratic. and un-
AChristian. As for me and any In
fluenee that have. Negroes are
going to occupy Sejourner Truth
homes. and I hope the federal gov
eminent Is going 10 60 along with
me" This may heIp you 10 see why
I am for the mayor.