To Mr. Alonso S. Perales, Director General, League of Loyal Americans, From James L. Collins, Major General, U. S. Army, Headquarters Second Division, February 8, 1941.
Item
Dublin Core
Title
To Mr. Alonso S. Perales, Director General, League of Loyal Americans, From James L. Collins, Major General, U. S. Army, Headquarters Second Division, February 8, 1941.
Subject
COLLINS, James L. (James Lawton), 1882-1963
DISCRIMINATION against Mexican Americans
RACE discrimination - public establishments
PERALES, Alonso S., 1898-1960
LAW
MILITARY Personnel
MEXICAN American Soldiers
Description
Letter from James L. Collins to Alonso S. Perales stating that Article 157 of the Texas Penal Code makes it an offense to discriminate again anyone wearing a uniform. The law does not apply to discrimination against American soldiers of Mexican descent necessarily.
Creator
Collins, James L.
Source
Date
1941-02-08
Rights
Content compilation of The Latino/Hispanic American Experience Leaders, Writers and Thinkers copyright 2012 by Arte Publico Historical Collections. All rights reserved.
Relation
Format
JPEG
Language
English
Type
Text
Identifier
pera0039
Coverage
SAN Antonio (Tex.)
Scripto
Transcription
Transcription
HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION
FORT SAM HOUSTON, TEXAS
February 8, 1941
Mr. Alonso S. Perales, Director General
League of Loyal Americans
714 Gunter Building
San Antonio, Texas.
Dear Mr. Perales:
Further reference is made to your kind and courteous communication of December 24, 1940, wherein you state that you are reliably informed that certain barbers are discriminating against American soldier of Mexican descent, attired in United States Army uniforms, merely because of their racial extraction.
While Article 157 of the Texas Penal Code mades it an offense, punishable by a fine, for any person to discriminate against anyone because of his membership in the United States Armt, or becaause of his wearing any Army uniform; unfortunately, in the instant case, the discrimination complained of was fue to the nativity of the soldiers and not because of their being soldiers; consequently, this law would not apply. However, I have had the co-operation of Mr. John R. Shook, District Attorney of Bexar County, Texas, with whom I have collaborated on the subject and I am advised there is now no desire on the part of the barbers to discriminate against any soldiers who may present themselves for service.
I appreciate your expression of loyaly and good will and while I can only apply corrective measures where authorized by statute, I assure you I shall at all times endeavor to do my utmost toward furthering the splendid spirit manifested in your letter. Very truly yours, [signed] James L. Collins JAMES L. COLLINS, Major General, U.S. Army, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION
FORT SAM HOUSTON, TEXAS
February 8, 1941
Mr. Alonso S. Perales, Director General
League of Loyal Americans
714 Gunter Building
San Antonio, Texas.
Dear Mr. Perales:
Further reference is made to your kind and courteous communication of December 24, 1940, wherein you state that you are reliably informed that certain barbers are discriminating against American soldier of Mexican descent, attired in United States Army uniforms, merely because of their racial extraction.
While Article 157 of the Texas Penal Code mades it an offense, punishable by a fine, for any person to discriminate against anyone because of his membership in the United States Armt, or becaause of his wearing any Army uniform; unfortunately, in the instant case, the discrimination complained of was fue to the nativity of the soldiers and not because of their being soldiers; consequently, this law would not apply. However, I have had the co-operation of Mr. John R. Shook, District Attorney of Bexar County, Texas, with whom I have collaborated on the subject and I am advised there is now no desire on the part of the barbers to discriminate against any soldiers who may present themselves for service.
I appreciate your expression of loyaly and good will and while I can only apply corrective measures where authorized by statute, I assure you I shall at all times endeavor to do my utmost toward furthering the splendid spirit manifested in your letter. Very truly yours, [signed] James L. Collins JAMES L. COLLINS, Major General, U.S. Army, Commanding.
Collection
Citation
Collins, James L., “To Mr. Alonso S. Perales, Director General, League of Loyal Americans, From James L. Collins, Major General, U. S. Army, Headquarters Second Division, February 8, 1941.,” Recovering the US Hispanic Literary Heritage Digital Collections, accessed April 29, 2024, http://usldhrecovery.uh.edu/items/show/375.