SEC. 2. That the construction of the memorial herein and hereby authorized shall be upon such site as shall be determined by the commission here created and approved by the Commission of Fine Arts, and said construction shall be entered upon as speedily as practicable after the plan and design therefor is determined and approved by the Commission of Fine Arts, and shall be prosecuted to completion under the direction of said commission and the supervision of the Director of Public Buildings and Public Parks of the National Capital, under a contract or contracts as may be authorized to be entered into by said commission in a total sum not less than $500,000, which sum shall be provided by voluntary contributions, under auspices of the National Memorial Association, Incorporated, in accordance with plans to be authorized by said commission. SEC. 3. That in the discharge of its duties herein said commission is hereby authorized to employ the services of such artists, sculptors, architects, and others as it shall determine to be necessary, and avail itself of the services or advice of the Commission of Fine Arts, the office of Public Buildings and Public Parks of the National Capital, the Supervising Architect of the Treasury, and the Architect of the Capitol. SEC. 4. That vacancies occurring in the membership of the commission shall be appointed by the President of the United States. SEC. 5. That to defray the necessary expenses of the commission herein created and the cost of procuring plans and designs, site, and other incidentals necessary to the construction for a memorial building as herein provided there is hereby appropriated, out of any funds available in the United States Treasury, a sum not exceeding $50,000, to be immediately available. SEC. 6. That said commission shall from time to time submit to Congress a detailed statement as to the progress of the work. I want to ask permission to insert in the hearings a letter from Col. U. S. Grant, 3d, Director of Public Buildings and Public Parks of the National Capital, and also a letter from David Lynn, Architect of the Capitol. PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND PUBLIC PARKS OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL, Hon. RICHARD N. ELLIOTT, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. ELLIOTT: In reply to the inquiry contained in your letter of February 3, 1928, House Joint Resolution 60 appears to be so drawn as to provide adequately for carrying out its intent and secure the interests of the Government. Undoubtedly we must all sympathize with the purpose of this joint resolution. On the other hand, several important features are left quite vague, because basic questions are left to be decided by the commission created by the resolution itself. Until the exact utilitarian purposes of the memorial building shall have been decided by the said commission, it will not be possible to form any definite idea as to the size and kind of building needed therefor, and neither the cost nor the most appropriate location can be suggested with any confidence. There are doubtless sits on Government-owned property where such a building can be erected, but how large a site is needed, and which site will be most suitable, will depend on the plans evolved by the commission after it is created. In view of the fact that I have no information as to whether the proposed appropriation is in conflict with the President's financial policy, it seems proper that I should not make any recommendation relative thereto. Respectively yours, U. S. GRANT, 3D, Director. Hon. RICHARD N. ELLIOTT, ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL, Washington, D. C., February 4, 1928. House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR CONGRESSMAN: I have received your letter of February 3, 1928, with which you inclose a copy of House Joint Resolution 60, same being a bill to create a commission to secure plans and designs and to erect a memorial building for the National Memorial Association, Incorporated, in the City of Washington, as a tribute to the negro's contribution to the achievements of America, and in reply to your request for my views upon this bill, I desire to state that I approve of this legislation, feeling that under the circumstances the negro has made wonderful progress as a race, and that its achievements should be incorporated and indorsed in such a manner as the purpose of this bill indicates. Respectfully, DAVID LYNN, Architect of the Capitol. I also want to ask permission to insert in the hearing a letter which came to me from Maine. I will just read it and let the whole letter go in [reading]: BANGOR, ME., January 26, 1926. The CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. HONORED SIR: With reference to House Joint Resolution 60, on behalf of the negroes of Maine, may I respectfully urge your approval of this bill, and that you report that it " ought to pass." 66 The merits of the resolution are too obvious to need extended comment at this time; the sacrifices of the negro soldiers and sailors, together with the contribution that the negro has made to the upbuilding of this, our United States of America, are too worth while not to receive this recognition. Very truly yours, M. R. GEARY. Now, Mr. Taylor, we shall be glad to hear from you. Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Chairman, this House Joint Resolution 60 is somewhat similar to a resolution introduced in a previous Congress by Representative Wood of Indiana. That was House Joint Resolution 245, and his statement in support of that resolution, which was before the Library Committee, is so very appropriate that I shall read that, and because I could not make a statement that would be any more appropriate myself [reading]: The city of Washington is studded with monuments commemorating heroic deeds and the valor of individuals, but among these anywhere can not be found a monument to the bravery, patriotism, or devotion of the colored soldier. Hence, I think it is high time that something should be done in this direction. The first life that was offered in the colonial period as a sacrifice to American independence was that of a negro who was killed in the Boston massacre in 1770. The first memorial to the Continental Congress for bravery and distinguished service was introduced in December, 1775, naming Salem Poor, a colored soldier. Washington had under his direct command more than a regiment of colored soldiers. South Carolina had in the War of Revolution 3,000 able-bodied negroes, and they were found in every branch of the Army from Bunker Hill to Brandywine, and from Valley Forge to Monmouth, and from Saratoga to Yorktown. In the Civil War there were 36,000 negroes who died upon the field of battle. You search, if you will, the records of Colonel Marshall's office and you will find there the names of these colored soldiers who have proved to be no sluggards. In the great World War there was a larger per cent of negro soldiers participating in behalf of the United States than that afforded by any other racial group, and they gave a splendid account of themselves wherein engaged as is attested by the reports, not only of their own commanding officers, but by the commanding officers of their allies. If I had the time I would like to read into the record from all the complimentary reports made by these commanding officers. Perhaps some of the others present who are interested in this measure may have an opportunity to do this thing. From reading the bill you will see it is proposed to build a memorial in honor of the colored soldiers who have fought in the various wars, this memorial to take the shape of a brick public building rather than a towering shaft or a useless pile of stone. It is thought of these who have given their attention to this project that inasmuch as there is no large public building in the city of Washington where public meetings may be held and where the developments of the negro race along the lines of invention and art is exhibited, that it would be well that this memorial should be used for this purpose. The colored people of the United States have taken a long forward step in various lines of educational advancement. They have contributed much to literature and to invention. It would be a splendid idea if all this could find a place in a public building here at the seat of the Nation where it would reflect the greatest possible good throughout the country. It is proposed to erect this building partly by public contribution and partly by appropriation out of the public treasury, all of which money is to be expended to a board to be created by the terms of this measure and under the supervision of Congress. This money will not be wasted, and every dollar of it will be made to go as far as possible in order that the best possible results for the purposes intended may be had. The CHAIRMAN. Now, what was that referring to? Mr. TAYLOR. That was referring to a resolution which was similar to this. Mr. EDWARDS. Will the gentleman yield there? Mr. TAYLOR. Yes, sir. Mr. EDWARDS. What other race or nationality has made such a request as this or has undertaken such a movement as this in the United States? Mr. TAYLOR. No other race that I know of. Mr. COHEN. Where do the negroes generally hold their meetings now? Mr. TAYLOR. There is no building where they can hold their meetings. Mr. COHEN. There are buildings where the white people can hold their meetings? Mr. TAYLOR. I do not know that there are any public buildings. Mr. COHEN. I am not familiar with the situation. The CHAIRMAN. Under the terms of this resolution, it is proposed that this building shall be built by voluntary contributions that they gather up over the country. There is a clause in it providing for $50,000 to pay for plans, and there is something about the Government furnishing a site; but the building itself, under the terms of this resolution, is to be built from popular subscriptions. Mr. EDWARDS. These monument bills generally go before the Library Committee. Mr. TAYLOR. I do not think there is any question about the jurisdiction of this committee to entertain such a bill as this. Mr. EDWARDS. Heretofore the Library Committee has always entertained such a bill. Mr. TAYLOR. This is not strictly a monument. It is in the nature of a monument. At the same time it is a public building where meetings may be held, and where exhibits may be placed commemorating the deeds and achievements of the colored race. Mr. WOODRUM. You asked for information and spoke of there being no place for the meetings of colored people in Washington— public meetings. Mr. TAYLOR. There are private buildings. Mr. WOODRUM. Are there not public buildings? Mr. WOODRUM. It seems to me that they hold meetings in various auditoriums, where they have conventions and such as that. Mr. TAYLOR. There is no such building as that here in Washington. We all realize, so far as the Constitution is concerned, there is absolute equality; but we do know that there is absolute discrimination. The Government has a great deal of acreage out near Howard University, which would make an excellent site for such a project as this. Mr. EDWARDS. Then they have a hall and an auditorium, and they are spending thousands and thousands of dollars out there on that university. Mr. TAYLOR. I understand not. If so, it is a very small affair. Now, Mr. Chairman, I would like to read two or three letters here, and I have a number of letters which I would like to insert in this hearing. The CHAIRMAN. If there is no objection, it is so ordered. Mr. TAYLOR. This is a letter written by Mr. J. E. Shepard, president of the North Carolina College for Negroes, at Dunham [reading]: NORTH CAROLINA COLLEGE FOR NEGROES, CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND Grounds, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: House Joint Resolution 60, is one which excites the deepest interest on the part of the colored people of the United States. The purpose of the bill is designed to give to the colored people an appreciation of what they have contributed, along all lines, to the success of our American Commonwealth. I think the passage of this bill will do more to encourage the group of colored Americans than anything else at the present time. I sincerely ask the favorable consideration of your committee on this important project, and that you will rekindle the fires of patriotism and loyalty by the passage of this bill. With sentiments of esteem and respect, I am, J. E. SHEPARD, President. I have another letter here, one from The National Association of Colored Women (Inc.), which reads [reading]: DAYTONA BEACH, FLA., January 21, 1928. CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: It has come to the attention of our organization that a committee, representing the National Memorial Association, which is endeavoring to have erected a national memorial building to commemorate the Negro's contribution to America and its achievements, is to appear before a committee of Congress for a hearing, presenting statements, indorsements, and petitions in support of this project. On behalf of the National Association of Colored Women, and of BethuneCookman College, I wish to heartily indorse the movement and urge the use of all possible influence for the passing of the bill H. J. Res. 60. Such a tribute, we all concede, is merited by my race, for great has been their contribution to the worth-while accomplishments of our splendid country. To those of us who have been privileged to labor long in the fields of education, a national memorial building would serve as a mark of appreciation for whatever service we have been able to render, and an encouragement to go further in worth-while fields of uplifting and upbuilding. To the youth of the race whose hearts are filled with a desire for service, it will mean an inspiration and a beacon light, erected in commemoration of what their people have meant to America's civilization in the past. The National Association of Colored Women, representing over 200,000 negro women of the United States, gives its sincere indorsement and approval of the plan and prays that no obstacle will be in the way of the passing of the bill and the erection of this fitting memorial. Yours very truly, MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE, President. Mr. KERR. Where is that letter from? Mr. TAYLOR. From the National Association of Colored Women (Inc.), of Daytona Beach, Fla. Here is another one, a letter of Gilbert H. Jones, president of Wilberforce University, which I will read [reading]: WILBERFORCE, OHIO, January 30, 1928. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. GENTLEMEN: In re House Joint Resolution 60, I wish to state to the committee that, while ordinarily I do not believe in separate action for the negro by the National Government, and in fact in most instances am bitterly opposed to it, I do feel that the project of the National Memorial Association to erect a national memorial building as a tribute of the negro's contribution to the achievements of America a very commendable thing and one behind which we can all get whole-heartedly. In the name of the faculty, composed of 70 members and a student body of about 1,300, we heartily indorse the project and ask as chairman of the committee that you do all in your power to secure the passage of such legislation. Respectfully yours, Mr. EDWARDS. Where is that from? WILBERFORCE UNIVERSITY, By GILBERT H. JONES. Mr. EDWARDS. That is a colored university? Mr. TAYLOR. A colored university; yes. I will also read a letter from Robert Lee Brokenburr, an attorney, of Indianapolis, Ind. [reading]: INDIANAPOLIS, IND., January 20, 1928. The CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: I hereby take this method of expressing my deep interest in the above resolution and to urge an approval thereof by your committee. As a general rule, negroes have not been and are not thought of in America when you talk in general terms of Americans, unless they are specifically pointed out. This idea of the insignificance of the negro, which is contrary to fact, is so deeply rooted in the minds of most people that the large majority of students attending our public institutions of learning get no impression from the books used therein that negroes have made any worth-while contribution to American advancement and graduate with the false impression that this group of loyal patriots in peace and in war are more of a burden to America than an asset to it. I doubt very seriously that any large number of people have had the slightest idea that the unknown soldier to whom so much tribute has been paid might have been a negro. It is taken for granted that he was white. This general foregetfulness of the important part that negroes have played and are playing in the rise of America has made it necessary for those interested in fair play to all citizens to call attention to their good qualities and great contributions by special reference and emphasis. Hence the statistics of negro advancement along all lines. This situation it seems to me makes it not only proper but an act of simple justice to erect such a memorial as is proposed in House Joint Resolution 60. General memorials do not make the average American think of negros. The failure to erect a special memorial, in view of the practice of specific mention aforesaid, may and probably will be interpreted as meaning that negroes have made no great contribution to American advancement in war or in any other field. In justice to itself the Nation can not afford to be silent or inactive on this proposition. Very respectfully yours, ROBERT LEE BROKENBURR. |