Raymond B. Fosdick to Woodrow Wilson
Title
Raymond B. Fosdick to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
Fosdick, Raymond B. (Raymond Blaine), 1883-1972
Identifier
WWP25213
Date
1918 October 2
Description
In response to the toxic race relations in Newport News, the Chairman for the Commission on Training Camp Activities enlists the help of Dr. Scott.
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
United States. Army. American Expeditionary Forces--African American troops
African American soldiers
Contributor
Morgan Willer
Relation
WWP25210
WWP25211
WWP25212
Language
English
Provenance
Document scan was taken from Library of Congress microfilm reel of the Wilson Papers. WWPL volunteers transcribed the text.
Text
Honorable Woodrow Wilson
The White House
Washington
My dear Mr. President:-
With reference to the report on the negro problem in Newport News, I am taking the matter up with Dr. Emmet J. Scott, Secretary Baker’s advisor on matters relating to colored troops, to see what can be done. I believe it will be possible to secure a few large-calibered men, both white and colored, to carry on through the colored churches, etc., a definite propaganda which will counteract some of the mischievous impressions that are going around. Our Commission is itself placing in the camps men of understanding and sympathy in connection with our social work among colored troops, and I believe this step will be of some assistance. We are arranging, too, to bring the spirit of your recent utterance on mob rule to the attention of colored people everywhere, so that they will realize that at least the government is friendly. Other steps will undoubtedly suggest themselves, and I think that with Dr. Scott’s help we can make a very definite dent on this problem.
Cordially yours,
Raymond B. Fosdick
Chairman
RFB:RB
The White House
Washington
My dear Mr. President:-
With reference to the report on the negro problem in Newport News, I am taking the matter up with Dr. Emmet J. Scott, Secretary Baker’s advisor on matters relating to colored troops, to see what can be done. I believe it will be possible to secure a few large-calibered men, both white and colored, to carry on through the colored churches, etc., a definite propaganda which will counteract some of the mischievous impressions that are going around. Our Commission is itself placing in the camps men of understanding and sympathy in connection with our social work among colored troops, and I believe this step will be of some assistance. We are arranging, too, to bring the spirit of your recent utterance on mob rule to the attention of colored people everywhere, so that they will realize that at least the government is friendly. Other steps will undoubtedly suggest themselves, and I think that with Dr. Scott’s help we can make a very definite dent on this problem.
Cordially yours,
Raymond B. Fosdick
Chairman
RFB:RB
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Collection
Citation
Fosdick, Raymond B. (Raymond Blaine), 1883-1972, “Raymond B. Fosdick to Woodrow Wilson,” 1918 October 2, WWP25213, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.