St. Paul recorder., 1963-09-05
Mdrchers Thrilled.
Vow To Renew
Efforts At Home
BY Rose Harper

who came to Washington on Aug.
%, for The March on Washington
it was the most unforgettable ex-
perience of their lives.
Here are just a few of the
comments Of the superbly discip-
lined and dignified participants
who came from nearly every state
in the union.
E. S. Simms is a Sc year old
Marylander who came in a wheel
chair with a group from his Balti-
more church. He said he had form
erly lived in Washington and had
worked with the House Of Repre-
sentaives for Is years.
After explaining that he was
the first Negro jailer at the DC.
Jail, he added that never in his SO
years had he seen such a demon
stration.
The first group to arrive In
Washington shortly before am
on Aug. %, was from Clarksdale,
Miss. Their bus pulled into the
nations capital in darkness while
a 65 degree temperature lowered
over the city.
Most Of their delegation was
dressed in coveralls and denims
and the youngest member was 12-
year-old Gene Young. They were
all members of Clarksdale CORE
and some included Barbara Nc
Nair, Is, Robert Dearon, 27, and
Milton Escoe, 18.
Students from Antioch college
in Yellow Springs, Ohio, who
came In two buses and three ex-
ira cars, which included about
lis people between the ages Of
18 and "a arrived in the District
at $3.50 am. They all agreed that
the March should accomplish
much.
Philadelphia, the city of Broth
erly Love sent over 100 policemen
and an additional 400 persons who
came to serve as marshalls to help
control the massive crowd,
A spokesman for the group,
George Ravehng who is 26 and
unmarried, and is a sales execu-
tive with the Sun Oil Co., said
this is a chance for the Negro to
mobilize and get a chance in their
own country"
Don Lienau Is a white university
of Wisconsin student. who hitch
hiked from Wisconsin in a little
more than 20 hours. He said he
caught only one ride and walked
the rest of the way and arrived
here on Monday, Aug. 26.
Henau thought the March was
the best thing that had ever hap
pened yet, and added, 1t would
probably take a couple more
marches before Negroes were CIV
en- their full rights.
Famed balladier Brook Benton
who was very much in evidence
along with numerous stars of the
stage and screen said, This March
is something that should have hap
pened a long time ago; its a very
worthy cause and Well progress
from here on in"
The members Of the Railroad
and Train Workers from Brook
Iyn, NY, thought the March
was "the most historic day In
our time" They hoped it would
not be necessary to have another
March.
The Rev. Charles Stephenson
who is pastor Of the Lighthouse
Temple Of New York city, thought
this was The Greatest day ever. "
He said he believed 1t brought to-
gether more fellowship between
the races and that I'VE now stand
a better chance Of truly becoming
one nation, realizing that all are
equal" and that this is the only
way"
Even Negroes were surprised at
the beauty and simplicity Of the
March. Charlie Folks who Is presi-
dent Of Local 431 Of The Interna-
uonal Machinist and Electrical
Workers in New York city and
George Doute, Of the same local,
said they were tremendously i'm
pressed and surprised.
The Rev. Donald Schroeder
who Is white and q member Of
the Metropolitan Detroit Council
of Churches said he thought the
March was a very fine thing;
that 1t was very successful and
that It would help to crystalIze
feelings.
It will cause interracial and in
terfaith thinking, and will prove
to the country that we are a wit
ness to these principles, he ex-
planned.
The Rev. Schroeder expressed
the doubt that was in the minds of
many when he added Now If we
can only get Congress to do some