Evening star., 1944-05-15
Letters to The Star
Readers Debate Recent Clash

NSddStS DCDdtC NSCSilt >idSH
Between Marines and Police
To the Editor OF The Star:
During this past week I have noticed
several articles in the newspapers con-
corning the mishap on a busy down.
town corner and I would like to say a
few words on the subject.
The reports in all of the papers have
seemed to be both pro and con on who
started to fight and also as to whether
the marines were beaten. One paper
stated that the marines denied being
blackjacked. Also, according to eye
witnesses to the fracas, the marines
both attacked the officer who warned
them not to cross the street on a red
light.
/ have occasion to pass that particu-
lar corner every morning and evening
and the officer who is assigned to that
corner regularly handles traffic and
pedestrians very WELL Some of the
newspapers have said that the officer
lost his composure completely" They
also have said that the servicemen were
severely beaten. How was it then that
not one of the marines had any iniurv
of any kind? How does it happen that
all OF the policemen who took part in
the fracas were injured?
l also read letter to the editor of
The Star from sister of a marine
Perhaps If she would look at all angles
OF the case she would be less apt to con-
denim police officer who was doing his
JOB enforcing law that was made to
protect the citizens of this city.
L. c. SMITH.
To the Editor of The Star:
can't understand why the policemen
are getting all the blame for the recent
street disturbances. It's hard to be-
heVe that policeman would deliberate
iy start a fight with a pedestrian. but T
can believe that soldier sailor or ma
rine would start one, especially in these
Gays when they have been trained so
much for fighting. I have noticed that
the boys who have seen actual fighting
on the front are keyed up" which is
natural, and the slightest spark will set
them off. But why pick on the police?
Ihey are only doing their duty and 7
know they aren't anxious to get into g.
common street brawl and then oct
blamed for it entirely when it is not
their fault
A. M. MAYENARD.
To the Editor of The Star:
The recent near riots over traffic
regulation are but natural results of the
incompetent manner in which repula-
ton is imposed. People who are IA
mlnar with traffic conditions in other
cities, like New York and PHILADELPHIA
are shocked at the attitude of the en-
1orcement officers here. The CITY is
plastered with uncountable signs, and
lights are placed helter-shelter all over
the city. In addition, farm boys, re-
Gently commissioned, stand by like little
Hitlers, watching for some one to make
misstep so that they can strut and
toy with their whistles. These men
ought to be in the Army instead of pes
tering citizens with unwonted authority.
The trouble is, as it always has been.
with the head of the traffic authority,
why cannot we have some intelligent
cleanup of this intolerable situation?
ORDINARY CITIZEN.
Wants Negroes Credited
To the Editor of The Star:
We thank you for not deleting the
item in your story on the sinking of
the q. s. Lansdale, Page Az, MAY IL.
which showed that one of the gun
crews on the destroyer was colored.
The lapses of Negroes in the armed
FORCES are always highlighted, but their
achievements are too frequently yelled
IN anonymity. 1t inspires Negro SOL
dlers and sailors to know that their
herolsm and sacrifice will receive the
same recognition as the heroism and
sacrifice of the rest of the American
soldiers and sailors.
Race relations after the war will
oepend to some extent on realiza-
tlon permeating the white public that
Negroes have carried their fair share
OF the cost of the war both on the
nome front and in active service. We
sincerely trust that as the fighting
goes on, we will see more news about
the participation of Negroes therein.
CHART ES II IJNTIcrNn