The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1944-08-31
THROUGH.
HAZEL
EYES
N z BRANNoN

II blind to the efforts OF the Ne~ 80
to eliminate segregation Of the races
and destroy the white civilization OF
sha south have received the answer to
their oft-expresssd III can't happen
here"
Il has happened here.
Here in the south, at Montgomery
Alabama. the cradle Of the Confederacy'
civilian and military personnel at MAX
we'll Field we're read a directive from
the War Department eliminating all
segregation on the post.
This directive, in effect, wipes out all
barriers such as separate rest rooms,
separate exchanges, movies, transporta-
ton facilities, eating establishments,
etc. All, without exception, are to be
open henceforth to ALL military per-
sonnet regardless Of race.
This War Department directive does
not Just apply to the Army Air Force
Field at Maxwell Field, Montgomery,
Ala. II applies to military installations
throughout the entire continental Uni
ted States.
The order read:
Exchanges - While exchanges and
branch exchanges may be allocated to
serve specific areas or units, no ex-
change will be designated for the ex-
elusive use Of any particular race.
Where such branch exchanges are es-
tablished, personnel will not be restrict"
ed to the use Of their area or unit ex-
change, but will be permitted to use
any other exchange on the post, camp
or station.
Transportation owned and operated
either by the government or by a gov
m fundamentally will be avail
able to all military personnel regardless
of race. Restricting personnel to certain
sections Of such transportation because
Of race will not be permitted either on
or off q post, camp Or station, regard
less Of local civilian custom.
"Army Motion Picture Theaters-
Army motion picture theaters may be
allocated to serve certain areas or units
but no theater or performance in n
theater will be denied any group or in
dividual because Of race"
The order was issued over the sigma
ture Of Mai. Gen. James A. Ulio, adult
ant general, and was based on a general
army circular issued July Sth which
reaffirmed a "long standing department
policy" Of f%orbidding discrimination at
army posts and by any army-operated
transportation facilities.
It has been the policy of most south
ern editors to ignore as much as pos.
sible the meddlers in the racial situa'
ton which has steadily grown to 4
major problem under the leadership OF
the Roosevelts. That policy has been
followed because of the conviction that
the less said the better 1t would be for
both races. We have dwelt together,
white and colored, for generations in
the south and got along pretty well.
The better class Of white people have
always sought to help the negro, i'm
prove his economic status and his edu-
cational facilities whereby he could
progress as rapidly as his physical and
mental qualifications would allow. The
picture of the wicked white man sitting
on the prone figure of the negro is
completely overdrawn contrary to pop
ular misinformed opinion in the east
and other sections.
The better elements of both races in
the south for years have worked to-
gether for mutual development and pro
gress regardless Of what is said other
wise.
Because his situation is true and be
cause southern editors have taken in
suit after insult from radical element
outside the south without hitting back
in the interest of amicable racial rela.
lions we cannot see what the New DeaI
administration hopes to gain with this
order. We have let we'll enough alone
here. Why can't the Roosevelt's?
The secret of friendly relations be
tween the white and black man in the
south lies mostly in the fact that each
has his place and knows it. When the
War Department, influenced by the
most radical couple ever to sit in the
White House, issues orders such as II
issued at Montgomery, Ala, it is court
ing revolution and civil war . revolu'
ton because the white people of the
south will not permit even Mr.. Roose'
Welt to do away with segregation
revolution because when We, as white
people, protest the rule and the situa
ton becomes aggravated there will b'
another rebellion in the south. Just a.
sure as any elements, in the army OF
out, try to carry out the War Depart
ment's directive and violate local Gus
toms between the raceh in Montgomer,
or elsewhere, there will be blood shed
It seems there is enough fighting t.
be done outside the continental Unite<
States that it alone should be enough
for our army. Many mothers sons vii
be incensed to learn they have beer
sent outside this country to fight il
order to bring about racial equality IL
the south.
There are only two conclusions W
southern people can draw from the ad
ministration forcing such issues through
the armed services. The first is tina
it Is determined to do away completel!
with all southern traditions and Gus
: