Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1943-01-16
Segregation In
Army Is Resented
Chicagoan Says
Contends He's
Willing To Help
Everyone | Can


liam l.. Dawson, newly elected rep
resentative of the first district OF
Illinois, received small destln-
guished group of Negroes Wednes-
day morning in his office in the
House Office building, and in an
informal press conference discuss
ed his attitudes and future plans
as far as he could visualize them.
Prior to being swor-l in at the
official ceremony in the well OF
the house of representatives, Mr..
Dawson graciously welcomed queS-
lions and asked the cooperation
and assistance of those interested
in making his post one which
would serve the people of the
nation and serve chem well.
One of the first questions asked
Congressman Dawson was whether
or not he had been assigned as
yet to any committees. Such as
signments are of utmost impor-
lance since most of the work in
congress is done IL committee.
Mr.. Dawson said he had not
been assigned as yet although he
hoped he would be placed on the
house committee for the District
of Columbia.
Since Mr.. Dawson married
Washingtonian,.. he did not meet
the acute housing problem which
faces most newcomers to the dis
trict. He laughed the question OH
when put to him.
Asked if he would Genuine his
aid and assistance merely to mem
bers of his own constituency, Mr..
Dawson said:
Il will see everybody who comes
to see me. ] will help everybody
I can help. intend to do whatever
I can for l believe the plight OF
one Negro in one case is the
plight of every other Negro. Over
the long run, there is something
1 NAV be able to learn through this
practice
Asked if he were planning to
introduce any legislation this
session, Mr.. Dawson replied Il am
not interested in introducing any
measures at this time. Whenever !
do, / expect to get them through.
I am grateful to many men from
northern states who have expressed
their willingness to work with me
and am satisfied with the results of
my brief talks with them.
Il don't know very mucn ABOUT
this job to which I have been
elected, but I promise it won't
take long to learn about it.
Many of you may not see eye
to eye with me but let's not fight
on methods of getting things done.
On the vital problems which con-
front us, / am seeking and willing
to accept advice.
81 know what segregation in
the army means, since I served in
the last war; Mr.. Dawson in reply
to a question as to his attitude on
this matter. ct Is damnable
thing anywhere and / resent it.
TO me, there is but one family, the
human family
The congressman said he had
not, considered any plans for post
war actions.
In thanking Mrs. Mary Mcleod
Bethune who was among the
guests present, Mr. Dawson tributed
her as one of the greatest living
human beings. She brought the
best wishes of the women's groups
which she represented. In reply,
Mr.. Dawson told her he too was
interested in the problems con-
fronting Negro women 81 never
believed my father had more
brains than my mother" he said
during the talk amy discrimina-
lion practiced against womanhood
is as much slavery as is practiced
against whole group
Present were Judge Herman
Moore of the Virgin Islands federal
court; Judge William H.. HASTE,
civilian aide to the secretary of
var; Truman Gibson, assistant to
dastie; Rey. Marshall Shepherd,
member of the Pennsylvania legis-
ature; DR.. William H. Thompkins,
'ecorder of deeds; Josiah Gibson of
Baltimore, Laurel Foster of the
var department, P. B. Young, Nor
'olk, Va, editor; Mrs. Mary Nc
Leod Bethune; Earl Dickerson of