In 1913, Wilson the first Southern Democratic president since
the Civil War, vastly expanded the process. The N.A.A.C.P.
expressed shock at Jim Crowism becoming an official part of the
government in the nation's capital. At the same time, the Civil
Service required job applicants to file their photographs with
their applications. The N.A.A.C.P. charged that this was part of
the spread of discriminatory practices in Washington, but the
Civil Service denied it.
When America declared war against Germany in April, 1917,
only a few Negroes were members of the standing army. However,
many immediately rushed to enlist, but only a few were accepted.
Local enlistment officers were dubious about the ability and the
loyalty of Negroes. Apparently their previous service record had
been forgotten, When Congress passed the Selective Service Act in
May, it was made to apply to all citizens alike. During the
course of the war, some 367,000 Negroes were called into military
service. This was 31 percent of those who had registered.
Meanwhile, only 26 percent of the white registrants were called.
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