The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-09-25
ASSOCIATION
ALSO BLASTS
RIOT REPORT
Asks Presidential Action
To Clear Up COlman
Whitewash'

In a report to the membership.
DR.. James ]. McClendon. president
of the Detroit NAACP and Donald
Jones, field secretary, reiterated
demands for grand jury investiga-
ton OF the recent riots and repudi-
ated the report of the Governors
fact-finding committee which at
tempted to place the blame for riot
ing on Negroes and responsible or
CARNATIONS" The meeting was held
at Ebenezer AME church. Sunday,
September 10. The association
speakers and the membership con-
CURED by resolution in demanding
a grand jury or action by the State
Legislature through investigation.
Indicating that the trial OF Col
man who shot Negro private at
Selfridge Field was a "whitewash."
the NAACP voted unanimously TO
send a telegram to President Roose-
welt deploring the decision Of the
court martial as a "travesty on
American justice" President Roose-
welt was importuned to review this
matter thoroughly in order that the
Selfridge incident will be accorded
full measure of justice"
5000 At Meeting
Before 4 capacity audience OF
5000 presided over by Vice presi-
dent Fred A. Allen. the NAACP
gave It's official answer to the
Bowling report McClendon re-
futed accusations and impressions
that Negroes are ''predominately
criminal" and some self designated
responsible Negro leaders" the
NAACP and the Negro press are
responsible for Negro crime.
McClendon cited records and sta
tstcs on trials. arrests and convic-
tons proving that prejudiced law
enforcement officers were condi-
toned in their response toward Ne
groes by their own attitudes. He
developed the thesis that society's
dealings with whites is different
than its dealing with Negro crimi-
nails: giving supporting evidence
taken from examples OF fewer ar
rests during the Sojourner Truth
and recent riots to prove his aSser-
tons.
Attacking the courts are preju-
dicial, the SNAACP president called
for the appointment Of q Negro
fudge. He pointed out that Ohio.
Illinois. New York. California and
Missouri have Negro judges
States NAACP Pesitisa
Stating the NAACPs position,
Donald Jones said:
The NAACP for 80 years has
fought for unqualified liberation
FOR Negroes and as long as II ex-
lists il will continue TO fight. II will
eternally fight against the undemo-
cratic proclivities which condemn
Colonel Colmans 20 mere reduc-
ton in rank as punishment for,
among other things deliberately
shooting Negro soldiers under their
command The NAACP maintains
Il is The right Of every citizen OF
democracy 10 enjoy full democratic
rights and protection regardless OF
color. and the NAACP intends TO
holds its ground on that premise
II has no patience with those who
contend that during this war time,
We should cease our struggle for
rirhts denied us. To those who
charge us with lack Of patriotism
on this count. We can say that IL is
the ultimate in patriotism 10 help
America hold true 10 the principles
which went into her conception and
birth: We hold that insistence on
rights and protection for every
democratic citizen black or white. is
a high duty. high and sacred duty
10 the great country whose air we
breath: VIC contend that 10 retreat
before tho forces az reaction would
be cowardcc. and as a race we
would have to answer for II To our
postcrity. the future Of our country
and the future Of civilization"
Rev Robert Pit.man. pastor OF
Tabernacle Baptist church. gave the
Invocation: Ernest Marshall. Clos
Ter n. Current and Rev. George w.
Baber. pastor OF Ebenezer AME
church, also participated.