The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-01-29

CTS L. FRANKLIN, secretary OF an or
ganization known as the Western
Fair Employment Practice commit
The incident which resulted in
the removal of all colored members
OF dining car and kitchen depart
ments is said to have started after
mealtime when the tables were
cleared and all members of the
crew joined in some form of rec
reation, this time craps. or dice"
The white steward. whose name has
not been disclosed. is reported to
have participated which cost him
approximately $45, sum which he
did not enjoy losing.
He became angry about his loss.
Knowing that he could not possibly
whip the entire crew, he realized
that at least he could have his feel
ings aSSuaged by ordering them of
the train on charge OF insubordi-
nation, failure to properly perform
their duties. or any number OF
charges. Franklin contends. One of
the crew is said to have refused TO
be removed, and angrily challenged
the steward. whereupon the stew
ard left the diner and returned with
a young marine. second lieutenant
and number of white MP's.
Lined Against Wall
After lining all OF the colored
crew against the wall. the youthful
marine lieutenant tried out his
choice "cuss" words. not forgetting
10 use the word niger" as he said.
according to crew members:
You damn 'niggers ought TO be
all shot right here. but we will
give you chance. At the next stop
want you all TO get of this train
and when you get off want you to
start running. and run like hell. or
you NAV be shot in the back"
No effort was reported to have
been made by the young marine Of
ficer to investigate both sides of the
story. Az the next stop. the crew
left. Charges OF insubordination
were believed by W.. NJ. LETTERS,
president Of the Union Pacific rail-
road according 10 bulletin issued
the following day. Jan. 9. TO all din
ing car employees from Omaha:
RR. Presidents Statement
"On military train yesterday crew
OF colored cooks and waters not
performing work satisfactorily and
one Of the walters attacked steward
With knife after which steward ap--
pealed 10 train commander who
found food unsatisfactory and SER
vice poor. and when steward told
him crew would not obey or do
anything ordered Of them. and after
military officers had made inspec-
ton Of diner. the officers ordered
all walters and cooks removed from
train. which was done al LvnndYl.
and military took charge OF the
train.
In connection with this case.
quote President LETTERS telegram
jas date:
Referring removal on order u.
S. Marine Corps officers in charge
Main Train 692S4. Lynndyl. Satur-
day evening. account gross insubor-
dination and threatened violence TO
steward. OF the entire crew of col
ored walters and kitchen men diner
1888"
letters allegedly ordered Supt
Hanson. DC&H department. 10 get
department officials stewards and
supervisors about the case describ-
ing il. and distinctly saying that
the diner was taken over and these
men removed on orders OF the mill
itary officers in charge OF the
train"
Discharge Threatened
II want il distinctly stated and
brought 10 the attention Of every
one OF these colored employees in
Union Pacific dining car service
that this sort Of conduct will not be
tolerated and that il there is any
repetition. they will be summarily
discharged and ordered off the
property az the nearest terminal
and they will not be given accom-
modstions or transportation" JET
fers telegram quoted in the bulle-
tin. said. Make il clear 10 them
that this country is at war and they
may anticipate that if there is more
difficulty on these troop trains mil
itary authorities will take charge
and remove them from the service:
further that IL there is any similar
repetition on regular passenger
trains l will instruct that II il be-
comes necessary. armed guards be
placed on each one Of our diners 10
maintain order"
Many people involved by this
order and bulletin have been faith
full employees OF the Union Pacific
Tor a quarter OF century" de-
clared Franklin They have come
west as pioneers Just as members
Of other races. They have made all
kinds Of sacrifices to do so"
Notwithstanding the loyalty Of
many Of these colored employees,
men who have answered the call to
return 10 work after being dropped
by the company during the deprcs-
sion. letters said. Il am not going
To- tcmporize with any such foolish
ness on the part Of these crews, and
they are either going to maintain
a proper attitude at all times or get
out of Union Pacific service
Cilhcrt w Haley yiec rom mar der