Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1947-12-06
SOMETHING ABOUT THE INTERRUPTION OF THE
TRAINING OF NEGRO VETERANS AT DIXIE TRADE
SCHOOL HERE

last week, the local Veterans Administration inter-
rupted the training of the last of hon 400 Negro
veterans enrolled for troinnq under the G Bill at the
Dixie Trades School here The action of the Veterans
Administration amounting virtually closing the instit
uon which has been in operation for the post several
months
Under the spirit and promise of the g. Bill, Negro
Veterans like all other Veterans, entitled to expect
and should receive like all other veterans, every oppor-
tunity which the g. Bill affords 1t is hardly necessary
to recall again here the sacrifice and service of the Negro
soldier, and Negroes generally, in Mississippi, and
throughout the notion in support of the conclusion that
Negro veterans in Mississippi entitled to- and should
receive, every opportunity which the GI Bill affords
The interruption of all of the more thon 400 Negro
veterans training at Dixie Trades School, along with the
all put nsurmountobe difficulties being experienced in
obtoning approval for other such schools for Negro
Veterans in the stote-whieh TO light with the
action of Dixie Trades SchooItoken with the foct that
in such school thot still exs-which all together furnish
opportunity for only handful, as compared with the
number entitled too and desiring such troinng-Negro
Veterans, for the most part offered training quito
mechanics, rodio reporng cobinet mqking, furniture
finishing ond such other trades where the chances for
corning q livelihood, after the training is completed
is remote, if not impossible; and the fact that Negro
veterans being denied opportunity for training in
carpentry Brick masonry postering, and others of the
building, well other types of trades where the op
portunity for making livelihood keeps pace with indus
trial expansion and progress, have other ndcu
ton, and points to nothing but the fact that Negro
Veterans in Mississippi not getting the opportunity
afforded under the spirit and promise of the 81 Bill
What may we'll be taken as evidence of the expansion
and progress, can have no other indication and points
to nothing but the fact hot Negro Veterans in Mssiss
pp not getting the opportunity afforded under the
spiri and promise of the G- Bill
What moy we'll be taken as evidence of the failure
TO apply the spirit and promise of the 81 Bill in the
of the Negro Veteran the stote arises out of the
report current to the effect that Veterans
rolled at Dixie Trodeschoo, was asked if he could rig
board Feet, by and agent of the Veterans Admin
sroon his negative reply being the basis for his ond
the interruption of large number of others enrolled at
the school.
In the matter of his ability to Ieon trade" des-
pite his obvious educational lacking the Negro Veteran
for one time ar eost has the evidence of history his
side In Mississippi and the rest OF the south, all the
great mansions dear to southern pride and tradition
were built by Negro crotsmen carpenters, brckloye
painters and others, who slaves, fought Trades
without being fought 10 read and wrte the best croft
and mechanics today, among Negroes in the south,
received there apprenticeship under such former slaves
1t Of course be assumed that the figuring in board
feet done by the contractors, and architects OBJ
vousIy was and is not the purpose of the Dixie Trades
school to train contractors and architects If Negro
slaves could learn trade without other education and
if virtually all of such work done in the south up to
obout 40 years ago done bu such Negro craftsmen
with almost the some lack of learning except their
trodes. any Neoro Veteran in Mississippi who new en-
ouch TO serve his country during the war, olreody has
enough education on which to learn trade
Under the spirit and promise of the 81 Bill, there
con be no just basis for the interruption of the toinnq
of the more than 400 Negro Veterans enrolled at Dixie
Todes school, which in effect amounts to the closing Of
the institution.
The real authority over such institutions rests in the
bonds Of the Government through the Veterans Ad
mnistoton which should reopen Dixie Trade School at