The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1943-07-10

Ministers who took advantage
Of the Health Education institute
held for them ut billiard nnlyer-
slty last week. Under the d.
use Of buses. The failure 10 pro-
vide overnight lodgings and meals
at reasonable prices in savannah
for colored soldiers, as compared
wnh facilities Of this nature which
are available for white soldiers /;
abusive language and unnecessary
roughness on the part OF civilian
police and possibly the Military
police In Savannah, and the state
law having for its purpose the
checking Of yenereal diseases
whereby women accompanied by
colored soldiers are frequently ar
rested il they cannot produce health
certificates.
The War department is very
much interested In ways and
means OF remedylng the situation
AZ Camp Stewart with regard 10
the colored complement. Before the
recent outbreak certain steps had
been taken 70 improve the situa-
ton. An increased effort was be-
ing made TO obtain additional en-
iertainment and recfeational facil-
tiles for coIored troops when off
the post. Pass privileges were be-
Ing staggered so as to prevent
overcrowding Of transportation ia
cilities between Camp Stewart and
Savannah and oyercrowding OF the
entertainment and recreational ia
cillties in Savannah and adjacent
towns. colored military police are
being employed at entrucking
points in greater numbers.
The 364th Infantry regiment has
been involved in several prior dis
turbanccs. The intra-racial fight
az Phoenix, Ariz.. in which several
persons were killed was the most
serious.
Camp Van Dorm
The situation al Camp Van porn
is more difficult. II needs further
study before there can be a deter
mination OF what corrective and
disciplinary measures should be
taken. Magnifylng the situation.
however, is not helpful. Nor should
approval in any way De given TO
riotous conduct on the part OF the
military unit which has been the
center o. the disturbances.
Since the arrival Of this partic-
ular unit al Camp Van Dorm there
have been series OF incidents on
the post Of a disorderly nature. on
one occasion, number Of the men
from this organization visited Cen
treyille and marched around the
town In formation. using indecent
aud profane language. Civil police.
aided by a number OF deputized cit
liens armed with shotguns, arrest
ed this group. Upon arrival OF the
military police officer, upon his
orders. these men Immediately dis
persed and returned to camp.
AS far as the information in this
office shows, one soldier mot three
as reported by one newspaper
was killed BY law enforcement
officer outside the post He was
Private William Walker. Accord
Ing to the report Of the inyestlga-
ton. he was accosted by mill
tary policeman because he was i'm
properly uniformed and had no
pass; that following brief argu-
ment, Private walker assaulted
the military police and was at
tempting to take his pistol when
the county sheriff arrived on the
scene.
The sheriff reported that upon
his arrival the military police was
on his back in "jeep" with Pri-
vate Walker on top OF him. Upon
seeing the sheriff. Walker alleged
ly jumped out Of the car and made
a lunge for him and, upon refus-
Ing to halt when ordered To do so.
he was shot and killed by the
sheriff
The company to which the sol
der was assigned threatened to
break into the supply room for RI
fles and ammunition. Colonel John
f. Goodman, the commanding Of
fcer, ordered the firing pins re-
moved from all rifles and an Of
hcer guard placed over all supply
rooms ir the regiment. One com
parry did storm supply room and
Obtain a number OF rifles before
arrival OF company officers. All OF
the rifles except two have been
found. -.
A short time later a crowd OF
several hundred members OF this
unit assembled near the regimen.
tai exchange A colored riot SQUAD