Evening star., 1946-06-04
Letters to The Star
Tells of Plan for a New School
In Negro Leaders Memory

To the Editor Of The Star:
Last week I witnessed the unveiling
OF the bust Of Booker T. Washington in
the Library of New York University,
and saw it placed in the Hall of Fame
among Americas immortals. The Sc
lection OF the name of Booker T. Wash
lngton was made by 100 outstanding
Nationwide electors who reviewed care
fully, 80 years after his death, nj; con-
tributions to the Nation in general. and
to the Southland in particular. Pro-
found thinkers of both races, speaking
at the unveiling, expressed themselves
as feeling that the philosophy of Booker
T. Washington would 90 down through
the ages as benefit to mankind.
DR.. Jackson Davis of the General
Education Board, in paying tribute to
Booker T. Washington, emphasized the
fact that Booker T. Washington spent
his life in the upbuilding of the South.
was an apostle of goodwill, and
stressed the soundness of his philosophy
In adapting education to the needs of
the people
A few days before the election of
Booker T. Washington to the Hall of
Fame, the plantation on which he was
born was acquired by group of people
who believe strongly in his philosophy.
This group of individuals. has organized
the Booker T.. Washington Birthplace
Memorial, with headquarters at Rocky
Mount, Va, to establish a program of
In keeping with the ideals and teach
ings of Booker T. Washington. Never
in history has there been such a need
for the things which Booker T. WASH
lngton advocated as now, especially for
goodwill, for the economic building of
the South, and for adapting education
to the needs of the people.
In trying to take care of the MANY
problems that arose in connection with
wars emergencies, the country found
that one of the greatest handicaps was
the lack OF industrial training. Surveys
made by various groups and organiza-
tions indicate that there are not
enough existing educational facilities
to take care of industrial and trade
training necessities. 1t was Booker T.
Washington's idea to help the man
farthest down." There are thousands
OF Negro veterans and civilians who
cannot meet the requirements of reeu-
larly established high schools and
colleges, but who could benefit by a
training adapted to their needs and
capabilities. Because of this great need
we are desirous Of establishing a ma
tional industrial training school at the
birthplace OF Booker T. Washington in
Franklin County, Va, to take care of the
. requirements of people of this type 1t
Is thought fitting to establish this school
at the birthplace of Booker T. Washing
ton because he. possibly more than any
other person in the Nation, advocated
the cause Of industrial training for the
masses. There could be no greater
tribute of appreciation to him from the
American people than to Cooperate In
the establishment OF such school.
The individuals who are behind this
program of service will be greatly en-.
couraged to receive comments and helm
from the American public. Please ad-
dress all communications to the Booker
t. Washington Birthplace Memorial,
Inc, Rocky Mount. Va.
S. J. PHILLIPS, President
Stresses Need for improvement
To the Editor Of The Star:
1 note with general favor your edi-
torlal ITO Improve the Army"
1t is most important. in my opinion, to
keep the public attention upon the mat.
ter OF improving the Army. 1t is an un-
questionable fact that vast and intense
dissatisfaction was felt by our citizen
soldiers with the Army system in which
they were obliged to serve. The question
Tor the future Is only to decide what, if
anything, is to be done to make our
Army system more COL .oatible with the
character of men who comprise the
Army. Former soldiers believe that
something should be done An aroused
public can effect change under our
democratic Government.
Gen. Doolittles report undoubtedly is
a step in the right direction. However,
1t is automatic in Army experience that
anything prejudicial to the power and
privilege of officers will be distorted or
eliminated in practice. 1t is not enough
for Gen. Doolittle to make a report.
This is merely the first faint breath of
fresh air. Significant and lasting
changes will come about only If and
when the Officer corps" is re-educated
under surveillance of a Congress in
cluding numerous ex-soldiers of World
War II.
Lastly, take note of the contention
as to whether there was or was not
caste system" in the Army during the
war. Gen. Doolittle's board says there
was not and you agree. Most ex-service-
men say there was a caste system of the
most grievous sort. 1t may help the
public and help the progress of matters
to set this disagreement aside as an
exercise in semasiology Let the single
fact be borne in mind by all that the
Army system during the war was not
satisfactory and that this system now
does need improvement
THOMAS H. JOHNSTON.
Russian System Preferred?
To the Editor Of The Star:
Under the Soviet system of COM
pulsory slave" labor. so roundly de-
nounced by our public spokesmen, all
fit citizens are compelled to work for
the government, on the governments
terms, ostensibly for the good of all.
Under our own much vaunted system
Of free enterprise" the laboring classes