A special conference of Negro editors was summoned to Washington in June, 1918 by the same committee in order to gather and disseminate the thought and public opinion of the various leaders of the Negro race.

Such was only a part of the work of the department of the special assistant to the Secretary of War in marshalling the man power of the nation.
[Illustration: NEGRO TROOPS OF U.S.ARMY RECEIVING HOLY BAPTISM WHILE IN TRAINING FOR OVERSEAS DUTY AT NORCROSS RIFLE RANGE.

CAMP CORDON, GA.] It is only fair to quote the opinion and appreciation of this representative of the Negro race of the selective service administration, especially as it affected the Negro and in reference to occasional complaints received.

The extract is from a memorandum addressed to the office of the Provost Marshal General on September 12, 1918 and is copied from the report of that official to the Secretary of War: "Throughout my tenure here I have keenly appreciated the prompt and cordial cooperation of the Provost Marshall General's office with that particular section of the office of the Secretary of War especially referred to herein.

The Provost Marshall General's office has carefully investigated and has furnished full and complete reports in each and every complaint or case referred to it for attention, involving discrimination, race prejudice, erroneous classification of draftees, etc., and has rectified these complaints whenever it was found upon investigation that there was just ground for same.