The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-08-05
UN-CovERING
Washington
Bv HARRY S. MeALPlN
white House Correspondent
lKslsassd Through the Atlanta Dahy
World By nNPAl

The Democratic party has
chance to prove two things between 4,
now and November 7-election day.
They are: Cd Whether it Is poll
tically smart, and CD whether 1t
sincerely wants the Negro vote.
which is another way OF saying
whether il wants to win.
The place to prove both these
points is in Congress which has
just returned from a double-con-
vention recess.
Right now, the Republicans are
way out in the lead on paper.
Dewey, taking a leaf from Roose-
velt's book, has been naming Me-
groes right and left to important
jobs in New York. Roosevelt found
this technique had its points in 1910
when he made Col. Benjamin O.
Davis, Sr, brigadier general in
the army OF the United States-the
first Negro to hold such rank; and
appointed Judge William HASTE as
civilian aide to the Secretary OF
War, both a couple weeks before
the election.
And the Republicans. though with
carefully chosen words, went much
farther in their platform than did
the Democrats on the race issue.
Sen. Dennis Chavez 3D., of N. Mex
last week conceded the Democrats
racial plank is very weak-much
weaker than the Republicans" But
he added that it would be strength
ened before the election by the
party's candidates-Rooseve and
| Truman-and by Congress.
Whether the men running the
Democratic campaign will see the
wisdom of such a move and take
| il will have bearing on the trend
| of the Negro vote. Roosevelts rec
ord OF the past is good-but the
| mass of Negroes today are looking
to the future. AS Bishop Sims
told the Republicans at their con-
vention in June. Negroes want a
guarantee of a safe voyage before
they purchase a ticket.
The stage is all set for such
play by the Democrats. Already in
the House they ARE pending four
bills for the creation Of a perma-
nent FEPC. Ten days OF hearings
have been held already. In the
Senate, Senator Chavez has intro
duced a similar bill He has an
nounced his desire and intention
OF pressing for immediate action.
But he knows his actions will be
subject to the vote or approval Of
the campaign strategists.
Negroes want such legislation like
they wanted Wallace forJVice Presi-
dent. To rebuff them twice In
row wouldn't be too smart.
It would be doubly smart 10 pass
such legislation, however. In one
bold stroke il would prove the
claim to the continued progressive
and liberal character OF the Demo-
Gratis, and il would knock one OF
the main planks out Of the Repub-
lican platform-the pledge Of a per.
manent FEPC.
And then, 10 cinch the deal. that
sleeping giant-the bill 20 federally
outlaw attacks upon men in the
uniform Of their country (s22D. al
ready passed by the Senate and
pigeonholed in Rep. Mays 3D., Of
Kentucky House Military Affairs
Committee since February, 1913
should be awakened, ---
Zoom would go another Republi-
can plank-the one pledging an in
vestigation OF army mstreatment,
segregation and discrimination.
or course. IL the Democratic
stratepists think the Negro vote Is
in the bag" which ! think IL a
mistake - then they will ignore
these opportunities and put the
usual hush hush" on Americas
No. home front issue until after
the elections II may then be too
late