page37 (1/2)

Roosevelt was surprised when Ida Wells-Barnett interrupted

“That’s fine, Mr President,” she said “We already know all that You don’t have to coddle us or pour on all that old gravy We knohat you’re up against We’re up against the sa black men every day”

Roosevelt’s eyes flashed behind his spectacles “Well, Mada finally,” he said “That’s why I agreed to this ”

Du Bois said, “Yes, sir, but—”

“If you will try to refrain fro your president,” Roosevelt deht now to learn the true situation in the Deep South Once I have all the facts, I assure you I intend to act”

“I appreciate that,” Du Bois said

“We’re not asking for public displays anyto the discussion “As you recall, sir, when you invited Booker Washington to dine at the White House, it caused a political headache for you and acco for the cause of colored people”

“Booker T Washington is the whitest black rumbled Du Bois

Roosevelt sat rae leather armchair Jackson Hensen loo down in shorthand everything that was said

“Mr Roosevelt, let me put this as simply as possible,” said Wells-Barnett “What we have at the present tietting worse, not better”

Jackson Hensen decided to speak up

It was an unfortunate decision

“I understand what you are saying, Mrs Wells, Professor Du Bois,” he said carefully “But at the sa, we have it on excellent authority that there is also an epideroes all over the South I’ve seen the numbers The cri, is it not?”

“That si man” Du Bois’s voice was an o that insidious, completely inaccurate information”

Wells-Barnett interrupted “Just thispeople in the lobby of this hotel that he intends to repeal the antilynching la in effect”