Correspondence – The Arkansas Colored Auxiliary Council: Black Activism during World War I, 1917-1918

Correspondence from the Council of National Defense, 1918 October 8

The National Council of Defense sent a letter to the Southern State Division of the Woman’s Committee letting them know that the National Council did not want a separate organization for black women as was done for white women. The National Council felt that if a separate organization were formed, that it would put an overemphasis on black people

Source: Arkansas State Council of Defense, MS.000490, ASA_CouncilDefense_MS490_08_20_08, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas

Rights: Use and reproduction of images held by the Arkansas State Archives without prior written permission is prohibited. For information on reproducing images held by the Arkansas State Archives, please call 501-682-6900 or email at state.archives@arkansas.gov.

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Correspondence to H.F.H. Eberts from the Arkansas Council of Defense, 1917 July 3

The Arkansas State Council of Defense is asking H.F.H. Eberts of Pulaski County Council of Defense to do something about the circulation of the “Chicago Defender.” The State Council believed that this publication was causing a change in the overall attitude of the black servants in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Source: Arkansas State Council of Defense, MS.000490, ASA_CouncilDefense_MS490_01_05_46, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas

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Correspondence to Victor Olander, Illinois State Council of Defense, 1917 July 5

Victor Olander from the Illinois State Council of Defense suggested that the Arkansas State Council of Defense suppress the spread of the “Chicago Defender” in Arkansas. Olander states that this paper influenced the exodus of the black population from the south.

Source: Arkansas State Council of Defense, MS.000490, ASA_CouncilDefense_MS490_01_05_47, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas

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Correspondence from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, 1918 October 10

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People wrote to the Arkansas Council of National Defense asking them to ban the showing of “The Birth of a Nation” in the interest of national morale.

Source: Arkansas State Council of Defense, MS.000490, ASA_CouncilDefense_MS490_03_11_27, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas

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Correspondence from Judge G.B. Ewing to Arkansas State Council of Defense, 1918 October 23

This document was written by Judge G.B. Ewing from Desha County, Arkansas to the Council of Defense asking about black labor shortages. Ewing is claiming that white women were suffering for the war effort while black women are refusing to work as domestic help. He claims that black women were being supported by their male military members and refusing to work as domestic help for white women. Ewing wants to know what legal options are available to force these women to work for white women.

Source: Arkansas State Council of Defense, MS.000490, ASA_CouncilDefense_MS490_03_13_64, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas

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Correspondence to J.L. Bond, 1918 December 19

The Arkansas State Council of Defense wrote to tell John L. Bond that they would wait to make any decision on the recommendation made by P.L. Dorman. The black council members were not allowed to manage themselves, they were under the direct supervision of John Bond and Wallace Townsend.

Source: Arkansas State Council of Defense, MS.000490, ASA_CouncilDefense_MS490_08_20_21, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas

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Correspondence from J.L. Bond, to Wallace Townsend

The Director of the State Council of Defense, Wallace Townsend, was reporting the activity of P.L. Dorman and the Colored Auxiliary Council.

Source: Arkansas State Council of Defense, MS.000490, ASA_CouncilDefense_MS490_08_20_10, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas

Rights: Arkansas State Archives without prior written permission is prohibited. For information on reproducing images held by the Arkansas State Archives, please call 501-682-6900 or email at state.archives@arkansas.gov.

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Correspondence to J.L. Bond, 1918 October 31

The director was asking about a woman reported to have taken money from the black community in the name of patriotism.

Source: Arkansas State Council of Defense, MS.000490, ASA_CouncilDefense_MS490_08_20_15, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas

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Correspondence Council of National Defense, 1918 February 23

Arthur Fleming, with the Council of National Defense in Washington D.C., is requesting the organization of the Black community in southern states in the war effort during World War I.

Source: Arkansas State Council of Defense, MS.000490, ASA_CouncilDefense_MS490_08_20_01, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas