The Illinois times. (Champaign, Ill.) 19??-19??, 1950-02-03

ard Ras advised Of what had TAX
sn place. remarked to the Inanag-
er:'I can't help you; you ara yiol.
Ating q state law" The speaker
reeounsed the many legal battles
that the organization has had 20
bring about fair treatment 10 Dan
sille's Negro citizens. The day Is
zone when Good People Of what.
ever eolor or religion l.! VII seler,
ate such grave injustices as de-
aging anybody piece Of bread or
4 cup Of coffee just because the
needy ooe is black. AS uptown eat
ng places have been slowly open
ID to my people our civil liber-
les department has made il
business To advise our youths IN
he matter Of conduct. have
asked them TO accept this with re
spect for themselves. us and the
city. To go in. be seated, get their
service and then get out. Not To
otter in or about these places.
but just be good self respecting
.itizens. Our Civil Liberties de-
partment works two ways: II
seeks fair opportunity for the
race. and then il attempts to pre-
| pare the race to receive these OPP
portunities. AL the papers are
filed day by day, and many radio
commentators daily make appeals
to all people to get down to JUS
| tice in the use of the spirit and
letter of our constitution; they
are asking that fair play be given
the Negro everywhere; they are
opening doorways of opportunity
each day; and sometimes | won
der if we are making ourselves
| equal to the situation. | some
times shudder to think about it. In
his dramatic recital of the action
taken by Senator the day the
FEPC Bill came up on the SEN
ate floor; he pictured a young,
strong bodied fairly intelligent Ne
gro youth approaching the gate
of an ordinary american industrial
plant seeking employment i'm
meiiately after the last war. OF
whom the sentry inquired; What
do you want
We'll, am seeking q job"
''Do you have any identifies
ton or references from former
employers
"Yes, | have worked for Mfr
before | went over sea. | have
just returned from service in Eu-
rope or Japan
well" the sentry said, sun
derstand that no Negroes are
hired here-so you will have to
look farther for a job"
To this the youth replied: "W'y
was told while | was over there
that things would be better for
us all when returned and that |
would be given a place to work
for an opportunity to feed and
clothe my wife and children, like
other americans"
"Well | am tell you what the
facts are" replied the sentry.
| can imagine this mental pic
ture passing thru the mind of this
one Senator, and on to his heart.
Then and there he ceased to play
politics and became statesman
he went all out for justice for all
people. He didn't only vote for
the bill but he made the fight OF
his life for its passage. He must
! go back and finish the job"
When DR.. Frazier told of Me-
groes being denied service at the
cafes operated at bus terminals.
/ Major Hicks suggested that he call
a session of his committee and he
would invite the cafe operators In
to conference about this UNI
american practice. It is highly
likely that something will be done
about this and soon. The doctor
mentioned the much help he had
received from friends and insti-
tutions, including the Publisher of
the Danville Commercial News,
Mr.. Hughes, and the late Mr.. Deel-
er and Mr.. Atticus Brown.
| In the splendor of the music of
the orchestra one Of the outstand-
| ing meals of the year was served
buffet style. The ministers and
| special guests leading the parade
by the many service stations. Rev.
Pittman, Chaplain Of the lodge
gave the invocation at the open
ing and the pastor of the CINE.
church of Danville, Rev. Lee, the