Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-02-18
By Deton ]. Brooks, Jr., in
the Chicago Defender

publican leaders warned their
party this week that it cannot
hope to gain the support of
the majority of Negro voters
unless their demands for equality
are incorporated in the party plat
form.
This was the essence of a strong
ly worded preamble adopted at the
close of the two-day conference at
tended by 200 representatives from
% states and the District of Col
umbia held at the Pershing Hotel
over the weekend.
Pointing out in the preamble that
"As Negro voters, we are aware
and believe the Republican Party
knows, that it has not won a nation
al election since it lost large per-
centage of the Negro VOTE" the
declaration outlined a series of pro-
posals intended to safeguard the
rights of minorities, which the con-
ference is demanding be placed in
the national convention platform at
the June meeting in Chicago.
Highhghts of these proposals
covering the economic and social
welfare field, postwar planning,
discrimination in government en-
ployment and the armed services,
were:
l. All forms of discrimination and
abuses in the armed services, in
Guiding the policy of barring col
ored women from the Waves and
Spars, be abolished.
2. Negroes be allowed full par
ticipation in economic and social
planning for the postwar period.
8. A definite pledge be made by
the party to appoint Negroes in
poicy-forming positions in all
branches of the executive and ju-
dicial departments of the govern
ment.
4. Safeguards to protect the
rights of collective bargaining.
5. The Republican Party oppose
the labor draft.
6. Enactment Of adequate legisla-
ton TO protect workers in industry,
z. Government aid in providing
employment in the postwar period
as well as Federal aid to housing.
The declaration furthermore
called upon the Republican Party
to enact legislation providing for
an anti-lynch law; a Federal edu-
cation bill designed to equaize ed
ucational opportunities regardless
of race, a law to obtain universal
suffrage and to abolish the white
primary system in the South, and
a bill providing for popular vote
for President and vice-president.
Seek First-Cla Citizenship
In its conclusions, the resolution
declared, at is the primary and
determined goal of Negro Ameri-
cans to achieve first-class citizen
ship. We expect the Republican
Party consistent with its original
detectives to aid in this effort.
A strong blast was levelled at
both white and colored Republicans
whose acts have operated to the det-
riment of the colored race.
The section referring to whites
reads, eve condemn the unholy and
vicious alliance between certain Re-
publican and southern members Of
Congress whose avowed detectives
are to defeat progressive legislation
and maintain so called white
supremacy"
Negro leaders who used their in
fluence for personal gain were
classified as ''venal and parasitic
politicians" and were repudiated by
the conference.
AS the resolutions were brought
to the floor by Chester K. Gillespie,
member of the Ohio State legisla-
ture and chairman of the commit
tee, two conflicting emotions colored
the discussions-party loyalty and
race loyalty.
One delegate for instance raised
the question in criticizing the mill,
fancy of the preamble, THAT il
leaves no alternative in case the
party does not accept our recon-.
mendations, but to leave it."
Other conservatives warned
against the technique of criticizine
weaknesses within the party, fol
fear of giving the Democrats am.
munition with which to fight them
But they were howled down by
the younger, more forceful dele
gates. In the main the youngster:
were in the saddle and carried
through their ideas.
In one or two instances part,
politics toned down original pro
posals. The FEPC was not men
toned by name, although the con
ference did go on record of favorinl
the creation of some committee o.
this nature by congressional act
A determined effort to directl!
name national Republican legisla
tors who are charged with aiding
southern Democrats also failed.
Proposals of the conference OF
voting goes much farther thai
nonI;ro 80. Ill A.