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ATTENTION, AMERICAN CITIZENS! Today Marks the 135th Anniversary of the Birthday of Abraham Lincoln, Our 16th President of the United States If he were living today in this highly enlightened and democracy-conscience age, would he speak out against certain unfair conditions existing in America? Would he ask managers of restaurants and theaters, catering to the public in the Nation's Capital, to give the Colored American Servicemen their civil rights? Would he say, "When they are hungry and tired in the shopping district, let them sit down and enjoy a refreshing snack. They, too, would like to see a good movie occasionally with their white buddies. They are American citizens, fighting for freedom and democracy for all Americans, regardless of race, color or creed. Don't you think that the loyalty, bravery, and heroism of these Americans warrant a change of policy in your public places? "Do you know that Crispus Attucks, a Colored American, was the first American to shed his blood and die for the independence of this country?" [[cartoon]] IS THIS DEMOCRACY? But, Sir - We fought and bled together for freedom on many battlefields - Why cant we dine and enjoy together other privileges in the "Capital" of Democracy? [[/cartoon]] DEMOCRACY IN ACTION Important changes in race relations are evident today. In Drew Pearson's Column, Washington Post, Jan. 18th, 1945 a striking example is given. Lieut. Van T. Barfoot of Carthage, Miss., hero of World War II told Senator Rilho,..."the colored boys fight just as good as the white boys. I have changed my ideas a lot about colored people since I got into this war and so have a lot of other boys from the South. We've found the colored boys all right." Then he told of dining behind a curtain with colored Army captain on a train en route to Washington from the South. He spoke of having had a fine chat with the captain. DO YOU KNOW THAT: Before World War I the Nation's Capital was almost free of discrimination? Today a quarter million Government Employees of both races eat together in Government Cafeterias and sit together in the auditorium? Several places in Washington cater to both races with no unpleasantness experienced as a result of a non-segregated policy? Union Station is an example. There half a million people are served per month. Over a million people of both races are transported daily without segregation on streetcars and buses in D.C.? A few months ago a survey made by students of one of the leading white D. C. Universities disclosed that the majority of Washington residents are in favor of eliminating discrimination in public places in the Nation's Capital? HEROIC DEEDS OF COLORED SERVICEMEN Not only have these true Americans demonstrated their loyalty, bravery, and heroism an the battlefield when encountering the enemy, they have often gone beyond the line of duty to save the lives of white servicemen. Perhaps your husband, son, or other loved ones have been or will be saved by some colored serviceman. Here are a few of the hundreds of cases that have happened: Dorie Miller, of Waco, Texas, although a Mess Attendant, during the Japanese attack upon Pearl Harbor December 7,1941, despite enemy strafing and bombing and in the face of serious fire, assisted in moving his Captain, who had been mortally wounded, to a place of greater safety, and later manned and operated a machine gun. Private Woodall I. Marsh of Pittsburgh, carried 12 wounded paratroopers from the front lines to safety in his truck, after officers said it was impossible. He drove his truck through water up to the hubs of the wheels, and under terrific fire from the enemy, to save the paratroopers. Charles W. David, Jr., Coast Guard Mess Attendant, of New York, N. Y ., dived many times into the icy waters of the Atlantic and rescued the executive officer and others of his ship when it was torpedoed. Later this hero died of pneumonia. Corporal Waverly B. Woodson, r., of Philadelphia, a former pre-medical student at Lincoln University, Penna., although suffering from shrapnel wounds, helped treat more than 200 casualties on the invasion beaches of France on D-Day midst heavy enemy shelling. He also gave artificial respiration to three men who had been pulled from the English Channel. None of the casualties died. The Institute of Race Relations wishes to extend its sincere appreciation to all indivduals and organization who have helped with its program. Shortage of space prevents the enumerating of all. Asbury Methodist Church, Rev. Robert M. Williams, Pastor 15th St. Presbyterian Church, Rev. Holley B. Taylor, Pastor Mi. Luke Brackett, Proprietor, Twilight Inn Birney School, Mrs. Alice B. Finlayson, Prin. Miss Mollie Thompkins Mr. Clinton Tiggett Atty. Henry Lincoln Johnson, Jr. Judge Joseph H. Rainey M. Alvin "Chick" Webb Mr. Ralph D. Matthews Mr. Samuel McCalister Rev. Walter H. Brooks and Rev. Jerry A. Moore, 19th St. Baptist Church Mr. Michael Graham Rev. Andrew Williams rev. George O. Bullock, Pastor, Third Baptist Church, Rev. E. C. Smith, Pastor, Vermont Ave. Baptist Church, Rev. C. T. Murray, Pastor Miss Dorothy A. Thrasher Mr. C. C. Coley, Proprietor, Hollywood Grill Dr. Peter Douglas Johnson Miss Fredi M. Holbert Mr. Morris Johnson Mrs. Mark Gibson Mrs. Ann Waller Mr. Eric B. Roberts Mr. Clyde W. Ashby Mr. B. Dabney Fox Miss Etta Sherman Miss Gloria L. White Tabor Presbyterian Church, Rev. R. L, Jeans, Pastor Fraternal Council of Negro Churches in America, Rev. w. H. Jernagin, Dir., Wash, Bureau Nat'l Council of Negro Women, Inc Mrs. Mary McLeod Bethune, Pres. Shiloh Baptist Church, Rev. E. L. Harrison, Pastor Mr. Lloyd V. Blaine, Proprietor, Club Bengasi Capital Press Club Mr. Thomas O. Scott, Jr. Mr. Forest S. Shields Mr. Charles S. Hill Miss Jeannette E. Smith Miss E. Pauline Myers Mr. Spurgeon Burke Prof. Domingo A. Lanauze Mr. Wilbur R. Lea Rev. Smallwood E. Williams, Pastor, Bible-Way Church Interdenominational Ministers Alliance Washington Branch of National Alliance of Postal Employees Penn. State Club of D. C. Randall Jr. High School, Mrs. G. T. Peterson, Principal Prof. Leonard Z. Johnson Mrs. Mary Russell Mr. George J. Quant Mr. Charles Braxton Mrs. Mary Church Terrell Mrs. Christine Smith Rev. Dr. Leonard Harrison, Jr. Mr. George H. Wallace Miss Mabel Lamb Mr. and Mrs. William W. Todd Note: The Institute on Race Relations, composed of individuals from various part of the country, has had, in addition to its regular program, informal monthly banquet-forums, at which times, outstanding members of Congress, including Senators and college presidents, have spoken. CONTRIBUTIONS - for the continuance of our work will be greatly appreciated. Send remittances to Tomlinson D. Todd, President. INSTITUTE ON RACE RELATIONS 3209 George Age. N.W. The above was published in the WASHINGTON STAR on February 12, 1945