1139

[stamp: ACK'D
JUL 21 1916]

152

July 20th, 1916.

Hon. Woodrow Wilson,
President of the United States,
Executive Mansion, D. C.

Sir:

Last September, during the Grand Army Encampment
in this City, a Committee of Colored Citizens extended a
public reception to the Colored Members of that Organiza-
tion. A small fund was left in the hands of the Committee
and it was decided to use same as a nucleus for the erect-
ion of a monument in this City to the memory of the Colored
Soldiers and Sailors who fought in the Wars of Our Country.

With this purpose in view an Association was form-
ed and incorporated.
ENIAMIN VOUNG.

After a consultation with a number of our White
friends, Rt. Rev. Alexander Walters of New York, and the
writer of this letter, requested Senater John B. Kern of
Indiana to present a Bill in Congress, (a Bill asking Con-
gress to create a Commission for the purpose of making an
investigation as to the erection of such monument or memor-
ial.) This Bill is now in the hands of Senator Kern and
it is hoped that the same will be passed by the present
Congress and Signed by Your Excellency. It would, in my
opinion, place the Colored people of the Nation under a
lasting obligation to this Administration.

I feel it my duty to call your attention to this
matter, with the hope that you will appreciate the import-
ance of such a movement and its significance at this time.

Most respectfully, yours,
Jas. H. W. Howard
Chr. Ex. Board.

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