995

Topeka, Kans.,

Feb. 21, 1918

Hon. Charles Curtis,
U. S. Senator,
Washington, D.C.

My dear Senator:

Enclosed herewith you will find a copy of a telegram which we
sent to the president on February 12th, and also copy of the
letter which we received from the secretary to the President, in
reply.

Now we cannot understand why such a telegram should be referred
to the attorney general when we asked a blank question of the
president to give an expression on such outrages; and we see no
reason why he could not make this a war measure at this time by
calling upon the governors of the several states to appeal to
their citizens to desist from such outrages, but our question is
artfully dodged by the secretary and is referred to the attorney
general department. Now as a newspaper editor and a member of
the race, we do not like to be side-tracked this way or to be
made a fool of. We would be glad if you would take the matter up
with the president and ascertain if he is against this custom and
if it is injurious to his office to at least call the attention
of the American people to these outrageous practices and condemn
the same. We know if he would do this it would have a wholesome
effect and stop lynching; and if you would impress upon him this
thought, it would be of great help to my race who are the sufferers
of all these outrages. There is never any white man tortured or
burned at the stake but every once in a while some colored man is
taken out and outraged.

You might call the attention of the president to the treatment
that is being accorded the Belgians by the Germans and in order for
this country to make any criticism, we should not be guilty of
similar offenses.

Very truly yours,
Nick Chiles, Editor
The Topeka Plaindealer.

Enc.

Feb 25 Ack

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