The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-07-03
BY The Associated Negro Press

ASNSHt NcOdCAC dl DcIIOlL DelWeen
Negroes and whites, the nations
daily newspapers carried editorials.
some sublime. others ridiculous
concerning that dark event.
Most generally the trouble was
attributed to poor housing condi-
tons. lack Of adequate recreational
facilities and economic injustices
besetting the Negro population OF
the war plant center. However,
some editors seized upon the &C.
casion TO vent their spleen toward
other matters o.
Col. Fred Sullens, publisher Of
the Jackson, Miss. Daily News,
felt compelled to use the race riot
for an attack upon Mrs. Franklin
D. Roosevelt. He commented edi-
torially:
1T is blood on your hands, Mrs.
Eleanor Roosevelt.
More than any other person.
you are morally responsible for
those race riots in Detroit where
two dozen were killed and fully
500 injured in nearly a solid day
Of street fighting.
"You have been personally pro-
claiming and practicing social
equality at the White House and
wherever you 60. Mrs. Roosevelt.
an Detroit, a city noted for the
growing impudence and tnsolence
Of its Negro population an at.emp.
was made 70 put your preachments
into practice. Mrs. Roosevelt.
Blood on your hand. Mrs. Roose-
ve,:. And the damned spot won't
wash out. either"
The liberal Chicago Sun de-
ciared:
Certain prac.ical steps can be
taken 10 reduce some OF the imre-
date causes Of pas: rioting. To
relieve oveccrowd!ng, both OF white
and Negro workers, there must be
as much new war housing as the
needs o. war industries permit.
Labor unions and management.
must educate white war workers
IN the elements OF racial democ-
racy. Local police must be alert
20 quell any ou;croppins o, vio-
ience az rs inception Federal and
local investigators should discover
20 wha. extent riots may have been
inspired by Ku Kluxers or other
subversive agents"
The Richmond News Leader. en-
phatic in It's stand, said:
Every American who has COM
mand Of his intellectual faculties
ought TO know that the nation can
not take the Negro youth out Of
the country. put IL in the army,
demand full service Of every Negro
In the name OF patriotism. and
then expect the Negro not 20 seek
the economic justice. the fair play
and the honorable opportunity for
which he Is supposed 70 fight.
These things can and will be his
without: rioting or uprising which
in The end, mus: make his pl.gh;
worse instead OF better"
On the New York Times edi-
torial page appeared the following
comment:
The De.roi. riots have smeared
a dark bio; on this coun:rys good
name at the very moment when
j: could be o. The mos, assistance
20 the enemy. and az the very
poin: where !: could be most effec-
.!ve. Detroit. with It's vast auto
motive industries, IS the key city
IN our arsenal Of democracy. Now
the news goes a.. over The world.
10 North A.r.ca among the dark
skinned and byown-skinned peoples
o. India and the South Pacific Is
lands, among the yellow-sk!nned
peoples OF Burma. Malaga, Indo-
China. Thailand. China and Korea.
that black-skinned people are kill
ing and being killed by white
skinned people in free America.
These riots and others resembling
them in kind II no. in magnitude.
show that a certain fraction OF
our own people have reverted 20
the jungle.
There IS Job FOR the FBI in
Detroit There is also a job for
congressional committee or some
other pubic body with powers O,
subpoena and with funds. patience
and time 70 trace every underlying
cause OF this outbreak. The whole
truth will help the well-wishiny
majority in Detroit and elsewhere
70 do the quiet, fair-minded. un-
dramatic things that stop race r.o:s
before they start"
The S.. Louis Pes.-Dispatch said:
The rio;ing must not be con-
sidered closed matter as soon
as the las. broken window pane
is replaced and some OF the rioters
are sen: 70 Jail. An effort must
be made 10 get AT It's real causes
Detroit's high wages have been a
magnet for low-pay workers, white
and black. especially from the hill
farms and the plantations OF the
South. It's boomtown Characters.
t.cs put severe strain on the emo