Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1945-12-29
Conference With
Gen. Bradley
Proves Flop
Wordy Statement
Read BY Mrs.
Thomasina Johnson
BY JAMES l.. HICKS
NNPA STAFF WRITER

General Omar N. Bradley, Admi
nistrator of Veterans Affairs. wa
Kept last Thursday from readin'
a statement he had prepared setting
forth the policy Of the Veterans
administration respecting race sc
gregation and discrimination in We
erans' facilities.
Mrs. Thomasina w. Johnson
iegis lative representative of the
Nom Partisan Council beat him tC
AKA the drop and for twenty-four
minutes of the thirty four allowed
y General Bradley for the con-
ference read a wordy statement.
After the conference the delega-
ton disagreed among themselves as
20 whether the statement should
have been read or left with General
Bradley.
TELLS OF PLANS
Instead of reading his prepared
statement General Bradley used
four minutes to tell the delegation
he would attempt indignation IN
veterans hospitals wherever 1t could
be done, but he would do it through
individual managers of veterans
hospitals and not by blanket or
der. To issue blanket order abolish
ing segregation In all veterans hos
pitfalls would only lead to trouble
for all concerned, he said.
Asked whether he was considering
appointing a colored man as his
executive assistant General Bradley
revealed that he had reached a de-
cision on the matter, but as a re-
suit of adverse publicity" currently
being given to the Veterans Adml-
nistration, he and his advisers had
deemed it inadvisable to make the
selection at this time. He added
the matter is still under considera-
ton.
Mrs. Myrtle r. Philips, represent
ing the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
asked the general if any colored
men had been among tho-e advising
him not to appoint colored exc
cutive ASSISTANT at this time. Gene
not to answer that question.
The ill-planned conference began
promptly at 1890 a. m, when MIS-
johnson, spoke. man for the gruop,
greeted General Bradley and i'm
mediately began to read the state
ment authorized by the delegation
General Bradley remained stand
ing throughout the entire reading.
glancing up nervously from time
to time at The clock on the wall.
Apparently not satisfied with the
reading Of the entire document,
Mrs. Johnson then took another two
minutes of the fleeing time to ex-
plain to General Bradley what she
had just read and when the gen.
eral finally had an opportunity to
talk. the conference had exactly four
minutes to run
William S. Anderson, representa-
tive of the Brotherhood Of Sleeping
Car Porters, noting that the con-
ference was about to end IN failure
rose and asked, General, what can
We ItDOk w OOl ACoPNNbA'S - 0S~A1~
cations as to whether any concrete
action will be taken by you in this
matter?'
In reply, General Brady reit-
Grated his first statement that Il
will attempt Interrogation wherever
it can be done, but I'll do it through
my managers and not by blanket
order"
Promptly at eleven o'clock, the
generals aide rose from the table
where he had been seated, signify
ing that the conference was over,
but General Bradley, who had re-
NAMED standing during the whole
conference, allowed the delegation
to remain in an additional 10 min
utes and ask a few more questions.
He told the delegation he personal
ly would like to see all veterans
hospitals integrated but he did not
have the disciplinary powers to in
tegrate them.