The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-09-23
LET'S TALK WITH FACTS

questions are not clarified But only as Negroes,
but also as citizens of this country and Of the world
is it necessary for US examine parties candidates
and issues cody and effectively. Unless we do we
are likely to follow the example of the writer OF the
letter to the editor this week who has made certain
erroneous statements about the election.
The election this November is probably the most
important in this nat ons history Voters will choose
man who will direct the country, but even more a
man who will sit at the peace table ana 90 much 10
determine the course Of world history Tor many
wears to come 1t IS in this realm that Roosevelt
experience and vision are particularly valuable. his
wears at the head of our government have given him
broader grasp of world affairs and personalities
than any man in public life would normally have.
Yet Mr.. Dewey. even in an ordinary election, has
nothing to recommend him student of world
affairs His record in the past has been one OF
retreat from world responsibilities rather than an
attempt to cope with them. His running mate, Gov
ernor Bricker of Ohio is likewise without an appre-
citation Of the interdependence of nations and the
views held by Republican Wendell Willkie whose
rejection by his party is the most concrete evidence
of their beliefs. Mr.. Wlkie last week in an article
in Golfers stated that the Democratic platform on
foreign affairs stronger than that OF his own
party 1t was not mere chance that MIR. Brcker
was selected L. ~ oIllllIl DIS LIS Siol|e
as running mate on the America First ticket.
When we examine the issues from purely racial
viewpoint the decision is equally clear. Mr.. Roose-
velts 12-year record of efforts in behalf of the COM
mon man are balanced against few Dewey APP
pontees Our correspondent states that he has read
nothing of what this administration (RooSevelts)
has done for the Negro. Where was this gentleman
when the Wagner Labor Act was passed to protect
the interests of labor? What of the record OF the
Farm Security Administration which has m a d e
great strides toward true democracy even in the
Deep South and has met widespread opposition from
reactionary Republicans and southern Democrats as
we'll? What of housing provided Negroes by fed
eral authority? What of the years when the WPA,
the NYA the CCC, the Federal Writers Project, etc.,
alone protected the Negro from the effects of the
depression in which this country had been plunged
before the election of President Roosevelt? The
FEPC and the Texas Primary decision by a liberal
Supreme Court Chiefly Roosevelt appointees) are
other undeniabe gains for the Negro.
That is only portion of the record with which
the President can face Candidate Dewey. Dewey,
on the other hand, has on his side only number of
glowing generalities on the Negro question included
in his speeches and in his party's platform. For
instance the platform states that the situation of
the Negro in the Army would be investigated and
the proper steps taken. But why an Investigations?
Inc facts are KNOWN. is II because IL WOuld De
simpler to shelve the issue after the campaign if no
definite promise Of action was given? Mr. Deweys
action this spring in New York State on the anti
discrimination bills proposed by committee APP
pointed by him took this form. He advised another
committee to investigate the findings knowing that
the report from this second group would come in
well after the election and thus he would do nothing
to ALLEVIATE his southern friends in Congress. Because
Of his action, Claiming Tobias, Lester Granger and
some Of the white members Of the anti-discrimina-
ton committee resigned in protest.
The reactionaIy elements in both parties have
formed coalition which has consistently voted
against Administration proposals and all liberal
legislation. On the poll-taX question, for example,
Mr. Dewey as his partys candidate did not ask that
Republican members of Congress vote for cloture,
and the measure defeated. This was the fate
Of the MurrayKilgore bill as well which would have
provided adequate unemployment compensation on
national basis but which Mr. Dewey held his
peace. On the soldiers vote bill he was also for
states rights rather than in favor Of federal ballot
which would have guaranteed the vote for all SOL
diers. The solution lies perhaps within neither party