Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-03-10
UncOvering
Washington
By Harry S. McAlpin
(White House Correspondent
NNPA) y

hndlng out nrst now they treat
me, concerning my attendance at
these conferences. in the White
House since February 9th.
To fully appreciate the atmos-
phere of the conference itself, it
is necessary to have some of the
preliminary background.
Gathered in the West or Ex-
ecutive wing of the nations No. 1
mansion, each Tuesday afternoon
and Friday morning, are some Of
the top-notch newsmen and radio
broadcasters of the world. They
start drifting in about 10 to Is min
utes ahead of the scheduled time,
though from years of experience
they know the conference will not
start until 20 or 80 minutes after
the set hour.
In the center of the reception hall
is massive table, the top of which
looks like a solid piece of wood
hewn out of the middle of a giant
redwood tree. It is striking, it is
beautiful. 1t seems almost sacri-
lege on snowy or rainy days to put
wet overcoats and hats on it-but
that's where the correspondents
additionally place them, regardless
of weather.
A few minutes before the "call,"
everyone starts herding toward the
corridor down which a mad rush
is made when the plush ropes drop
to admit "the press" to the Presi-
dents office. Dignity and rank
(there are usually some Army and
Navy officers presently are forgot
ten or thrown to the winds. During
this herding, little group converse
tions take place ranging from the
social events of the night before to
philosophy and politics.
Finally, "the press" is in the
Presidents office. Those who were
fortunate to be in front of the wait
ing herd or extra fast on their feet
get the preferred positions around
the executive desk, where the Pres
ident's expressions can be watched
as well as his words heard. AS the
last correspondent enters, an at
tendant calls out-"All in"
From then on, except for the
august presence of the President,
the secret service men, and the
Presidents military and Naval
aides, plus the never-failing wit of
Roosevelt, the conference is like
any other press conference. Cues
tons are asked and the President
answers with facts, comments, wit
ty "dodges," or dismisses the ques-
ton with a statement that there is
nothing on that today.
At conclusion of the conference,
which ends when some one says
THANK you, Mr.. President" the
wire service boys rush to their
phones in the White House press
room and call in the service.
It's the same way, apparently
every time. But it's significance
cannot be emphasized too much.
From this source has come and will
come some Of the startling and
world shaking news. That the Ne
gro press is now in at the source
of such news, with the privilege OF
asking questions, too, is step for
ward without parallel in the 1T
year history of Negro newspapers.
NEGRO OFFICERS TO
FIELD COMBAT SERVICE
Negro field officers of grades as
high as lieutenant colonel, for the
first time will be placed in major
unit of the Army, in command of
colored combat troops now under
the command of white officers, Sec
rotary of War Stimson revealed
last week.
The qualified" officers of the
much maligned 930th and 931st
Field Artillery regiment which was
formed from the old 9Th Illinois
National Guard, will be assigned to
the field artillery units of the 92nd
Division, "where they will replace
white Officers who are at present
assigned to those units" the Secre-
tary said.
The concession, made in the midst
of widespread resentment over the
Secretary's letter last week to Rep.
Hamilton Fish (R) of N. Y, criti-
Ching the efficiency of Negroes as
combat troops, is regarded as step
forward in the Negroes army status.
Efforts long have been underway to
get Negro officers, with the COM
pany grade rank of captains, as
signed to combat units in a major
division.
The persistence of the Negro
press, and in this instance the COM
bined and coordinated efforts of
several of the Washington CORES
pondents, did much to bring about
announcement Of this change in
War Department policy.
Mr.. Stimson was asked by these
newsmen, specifically about the dis
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