The Omaha guide., 1944-02-19
Confusion
RepubI'ns
1st Session
Negroes Only Hope
in Republican Party
Says VIM. E. King
BY LUTHER A. TOwNsLEN

BY LUTHER A. TOWNSLEY
CHICAGO. Feb. is. amp Sect
ional clashes, politics within poiit-
les. resulted in the confusion that
greeted Republican leaders from
various parts Of the nation who as
sembled here last Friday for the
opening session Of a scheduled W.
day conference at the Pershing
hotel.
Although the objective Of the
conference was to utline a con-
structive program to be presented
in behalf of the Negro at the Re-
publican National convention here
in June. the formation Of such an
organization for that purpose re-
suited in chaos, confusion and
clashes from the floor to the ap-
parent embarrassment Of Judge
Edward W. Henry of Philadelphia,
who was chosen to serve as tenn
porary chairman
Even an effort to form the body
into a permanent organization by
the selection of temporary offlc-
ers met with opposition. and hints
of suspicion, which included charg-
es that the selection was made in
railroad" style. were voiced. More
than once the chair was given the
task Of determining who among five
or six. had the floor. Mrs. Grace
w. Evans. a delegate from Indiana
opposed the move to make the
temporary officers permanent Of
ficers as against the best interest
Of the organization. She branded
the move as unfair. inasrnuch as It
did not give the delegates the ben
eft Of democratic selection Of offic
ers of their own choice.
Probably the most tranquil mo-
ments of the opening session was
during the fiery speech of Atty
William z. King, frmer Illinois
state senator, who demanded jus
tice, equality and freedom for the
Negro while tracing the history of
the Republican party back TO the
days of Abraham Lincoln.
There will be no peace in this
world until the rejected Is million
Negroes have been accorded their
proper place" King prophesied.
During the first worlds war and
present worlds war both Presid
ents have been democratic. he
pointed out. as he demanded equal
ity in the sacrifices and the winn-
ing of the peace. While less than
10 percent of the Negroes voted
for Woodrow Wilson. more than
so percent of the Negro votes were
cast for Franklin Delano Roose-
welt, he said. reminding his listen
ers that colored soldiers are still
being treated unjustly. are still be-
ing beaten and assaulted while
wearing the uniform of their com
try.
King went on to attack the pres
ent administration. charging that
it suffered from mal-administra-
ton. The gov 2ment is distinct
from the administration" he said
"A man may be loyal to his govern
ment but may oppose the admins
tration.'
While the FEPC has been set NJ
to protect the rights of minorities
including the Negro. King express
ed doubt if it was really meant tc
work in behalf of Our people
Wherever the FEPC has run int
southern interest, the administra-
ton has backed up the solid south
He brought attention to the fac
that the three-man committee sci
ected by the President to invest.
gate the wrangle between the sou
thern railroads and the FEPC la.
made a report and now anothel
committee has been selected to re
port on the three-man committee
The Negroes only salvation is il
the Republican party. he declared
stating that although Negro valo