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An Associated
Serving the
Negro Press
Pacific Northwest
Publication
Oregon’s eN¿gro Weekly
Portland League Secretary Honored
PORTLAND. OREGON. Friday. March 8. 1946
VOLUME 2
EDWIN C. BERRY. SECRETARY Navy Policy io
OF URBAN LEAGUE. HONORED Protect Rights
Under date of February 14,
1946, Mr. Edwin C. Berry, Ex
ecutive Secretary of the Urban
League of Portland, Ore., receiv­
ed the following letter:
(Caption omitted)
“Dear Edwin-Berry:
With an enthusiasm I have
never equalled with the com­
mittee this noon they instructed
me to write to you immediately
in hopes that you would be able
to be a member of the Institute
faculty.
I will not at this time go into
the financial details, but if you
indicate that you will be avail­
able I will be glad to discuss the
matter with you.
Our normal demands upon a
faculty member are, I think, fai~-
ly heavy, but perhaps not unreas­
onable.
Two major speeches and daily
leadership of Round Table are ex­
pected during the ten days in ad­
dition to perhaps one outside din­
ner or club engagement.
The Institute is held in the
very pleasant atmosphere of the
Helen Bush School where com­
fortable faculty living quarters
are available.
Very truly,
(Signed) Paul B. Johnson,
General Secretary.
Mr. Berry replied to this letter
informing Mr. Johnson that ” he
considered it a great honor and
opportunity and that he wished
he could answer unequivocally
"yes” at the time; circumstances
make it impossible.
He stated further that he had
accepted speaking engagements
at the National Conference erf
Social Work, which meets in Buf­
falo, N. Y., May 19-25; that he is
also a candidate for an office at
this conference; that he doesn’t
know just how long he would be
detained in the East; therefore
his reply will have to be delayed
for the present; in the meantime
he would exchange wires with
his National Office to get their
views, then he would be in a
position to say “yes” or "no.”
Our reporter in talking with
Mr. Berry and his staff was in­
formed that gyring the past week
Mr. "Berry had spoken to the fol­
lowing groups.
Duniway School PTA Subject,
"Living Together — Americans
All.”
Lincoln High Assembly Pro­
gram. Subject, “Understanding
Others.”
Roosevelt High School. Sub­
ject, “Negroes in Portland.”
Parents Club— All Saint Parish.
Subject, “ Race Relation in Amer­
ican Democracy.”
Presbyterian
Business
Girls Club (First
Church). Subject, “ Race Rela­
tions and Industrial Pal.”
Home Service Staff, AMERI­
CAN RED CROSS. Subject, “As­
sisting Negro Veterans Adjust.”
On March 9th he is to address
Linfield College Inter-racial In­
stitute, at McMinnville, Ore., the
subject, “Race Problem in Ameri­
ca.”
Reed College Student Assemb­
ly. Subject, “How college students
can help strengthen American
Democracy."
He is also scheduled to speak
at Washington Hi, Jefferson Hi,
The Unitarian Church, and Grant
High School.”
•
Our reporter was also informed
that the league will soon start a
survey as is shown in the follow­
ing announcement:
As you may know, the Urban
League of Portland (is attempt­
ing) to aid this community in the
integration of Negro Americans
through employment, housing,
educational opportunities, and
the like.
We believe that all Americans
should have a right to work on
jobs for which they are qualified.
We believe that it is unAmeri-
can to deny work opportunity to
persons because of race or creed.
We know that a decent job is
basic to all good life. Limiting
work opportunity for any group
amounts to a limitation of citiz­
enship.
At this time, work opportunity
for Negro residents of Portland
is extremely limited. Many em­
ployers (particularly in the re­
tail areas ar.d certain service
fields) have expressed unwilling­
ness to employ Negro workers
because they feel that you—the
the public—would be displeased.
We do not agree with these em­
ployers. We believe in you, and
your sense of fair play. We be­
lieve that nearly all Portlanders
want to see the American prin­
ciple of freedom of opportunity
for all carried out in this area.
We do not seek preferentiol
treatment for Negroes. We seek
only equal job opportunities for
all capable persons, regardless of
race.
We are not proposing any in­
novations. Job opportunities in
these fields are open to all work­
ers in tnany progressive northern
and western cities.
Therefore, we ask your co-op­
eration in this effort to determine
the real attitudes of Portlanders
on this important American ques­
tion. Thank you for your assist­
ance.
Among its co-operating agenci­
es in this survey are:
Race Relation Division,
Portland Council of Churches,
N. A. A. C. P.,
Political Action Committee of
Reed College,
Marylhurst College Students,
Fellowship of Reconciliation,
Committee on Inter racial Prin­
ciples and Practices, and many
other school, community and
church groups.
He stated further that the work
cm the survey would be done en­
tirely by Urban League members
and members of co-operating
groups; that the survey is intend­
ed to reach 20,000 Portlanders.
This will give tangible evidence
o f employment.”
These are the questions that,
will be sent to the places and
persons named above.
SURVEY OF PUBLIC ATTI­
TUDES TOWARDS EMPLOY­
MENT OF QUALIFIED NE­
GROES IN RETAIL AND SER­
VICE OCCUPATIONS.
Conducted by the Urban League
of Portland, 6 S. W. Sixth St.,
with the co-operation erf various
religious, educational and com-
Negro applicants for enlistment
in the regular United States Na­
val service were advised this
week that official naval policy
fully protects their right to enlist
in any branch of the service for
which they are eligible or quali­
fied. Assurance came from Lester
B. Granger, National Urban Lea­
gue Executive, who has been act­
ing as special advisor to the Navy
Secretary, after several cases had
been brought to his attention in
volving recruiting centers in dif
ferent cities where Negroes had
been refused enlistment except in
the steward’s mate branch. Upon
reporting these instances to the
Secretary of Navy, Granger re­
ceived the following letter from
Mr. Forrestal:
“ Instructions in effect to the
Recruiting and Induction Service
that anyone— regardless of race,
creed, or color—who meets the
physical, mental, and moral stand­
ards is qualified for enlistment or
reinlistment in the Regular Navy
in any of the general service rat­
ings authorized in Recruiting Cir­
cular Letters, provided he is a
citizen of the United States or of
its insular possessions.
“Personnel separated from the
service over three months may be
rein listed, if physically and ment­
ally qualified, under tiyok-Cu s p l ­
ice standards. As such, they can­
not come in as petty officers. If
previous service has been with
the Army, Marine Corps, or the
Coast Guard, they are likewise in­
eligible for petty officer ratings.
Enlistees who have had no prev­
ious service in any branch of the
Armed Forces are eligible for en­
listment as Seaman or as Stew­
ard’s Mates. However, colored en­
listees are not accepted for gen­
eral service unless able to pass
the General Classification Test,
given to all enlistees. If their
mark is below the required stand­
ard, they arc acceptable as Stew­
ard’s Mates only.
“It is hoped that the above ex­
planation will clarify Navy stan­
dards for all applicants for enlist­
ment.”
munity agencies.
Please indicate below your own
attitudes towards the employ­
ment of Negro workers in retail
and public service occupations in
the Portland area.
1. Do you feel that retail and
public service jobs should be op­
en to all workers on the basis of
training and ability, regardless
of race?
Yes ------ No ------ Indifferent —
The CIO and
Negro Veterans
We believe that anybody who
discriminates against anybody
else because of race, color or
creed is a fascist.
This isn’t name-calling; it is
facing the facts.
This accounts for our fight a-
gainst the segragation of blood
plasma for our fighting men.
This accounts for our success­
ful fight to obtain honorable dis­
charges for the Negro Seabees.
This accounts for the presen­
tation by CIO Secretary- Treas­
urer James B. Carey to Chairman
Irving Abramson of our Com­
mute of a certificate for “out­
standing service in the field of
race relations.”
It shouldn’t be surprising,
therefore, that the Committee
should now present the story of
William Sanders—Negro Veter­
an.
This is the story of Negro
troops who, like William Sand­
ers, fought fascism abroad only
to find the seeds of fascism at
home.
The story only poses the prob­
lem but does not present the
solution.
Still, the CIO has not only
been posing this problem for
many years but has for an equal
number of years offered a posi­
tive program to solve it.
CIO has been working for full
entdoyment forv all.
^
CIO is on record for seniority
rights and equal pay for equal
work for all— regardless of race,
color or creed.
CIO has been fighting for a
permanent
Fair Empolyment
Practices Committee.
CIO has been fighting for ade­
quate housing, medical and so­
cial services for all— and against
Jim Crowism.
CIO has established a National
Committee to Abolish Racial Dis­
crimination to wage the fight for
equality of opporunity.
But equality of opportunity
will be attained only when such
stories as the story of William
Sanders are recited in our text­
books as an ugly chapter in our
history.
One of the best persons to
write the current account of the
Negro veteran is Luigi Creatore
a veteran himself.
Now in the Servicemen and
Veterans Division of the Nation­
al CIO War Relief Committee,
Mr. Creatoge for nearly five
years served in the U. S. Navy
and worked and fought along­
side Negro troops.
He learned
that there is no color line in
sacrifice and no color line for
valor in battle. He learned, too,
that the thoughts and ambitions
of the Negro are like the thoughts
and ambitions of all servicemen
—to go back home, to get a job
and to live decently.
2. If local retail stores should
agree to accept qualified Negro
sales clerks, cashiers, etc., how
w mid you feel toward patroniz­
RACE GAP NARROWING.
ing these establishments?
More likely ------ Less lik e ly ------- NEW RABBI DECLARES
No difference ------
“We in this country are moving
3. Would the employment a t closer daily to breaking down the
capable Negroes in the public barriers between races and creeds
service field (i.e., bus drivers, and offer real hope to other na­
telephone operators, meter read­ tions.”
That is the belief expressed by
ers, delivery men, etc) meet with
Alex Y. Klein, new rabbi of
your approval?
Y e s ------N o -------- Indifferent — Shaarie Torah synagogue, 1926
SW 1st avenue, who recently ar­
4. Please give any further rived here from Sacramento. Rab­
comments in this space (a brief bi Klein studied at the Hebrew
statement of the reasons for your Theological seminary in Chicago
replies would be appreciated):
and filled pulpits in irmingham
and Appleton, Wis., before going
Name:
to Sacramento last July. He in­
Address:
Name and affiliation of inter* tends to continue his studies thru
extension work.
viewer:
a*".*
PRICE 10c
Number 32
Reluming io Armed Forces to Study Journalism
Above picture shows Joseph W. Brooks, advertising manager
of the Portland Inquirer writing his last words to his many friends
in the City of Roses.
It must not get a foothold in
America. Be vigilant. Register
and vote!
Right now in Portland and vic­
inity we have candidates who are
running for office worthy of your •
vote. 1944 Primaries in Oregon,
Oliver E. Smith, a man who has
To my many friends in the City always fought hard for minority
groups and civic circles in and
of Roses:
I am indeed grateful to you for about Portland, lost by only 28
the splendid hospitality shown votes; but if the registration had
me during my stay here in the been larger here, he would have
Armed Forces and especially my won. Were you registered?
Political interest has now gain­
re-enlistment leave. As adver­
tising manager at the Portland ed its foothold i s Vaapoct. Sam­
Inquirer, ft is a pleasure for me uel G. Whitney, prominent In re­
to thank the many advertisers ligious and civic circles tossed
who supported the programs I his hat in the political ring as the
sponsored for the betterment of first candidate to ever file from
the paper and community life.
Vanport.
. The debt I owe to the people,
Next week I will continue my
I am hoping to repay on my re­ article on the progress as I see it
turn after completing my re-en­ has been made in the past two
listment term of service course years in Portland and vicinity.
Leaving now for Greensboro, N.
in Journalism.
Realizing the many problems C., for re-enlistment. Watch for
that confront you here, may you next week.
continue to fight for the real
American way of life, through
SPECIAL FOR PORTLAND
such channels as the N.A.A.C.P.,
INQUIRER
Urban League, and organizations
The drive for memberships in­
that stand for the Four Free­ to the N.A.A.C.P. got off to a
doms, of which our country was flying start on March 1st. Our
founded: Freedom of speech and goal this year is for at least 3,000
expression, Freedom of religion, members. It is most encouraging
Freedom from want, and Free­ the way people of Portland, Van-
port, and Guilds Lake are re­
dom from fear.
My reason for writing this art­ sponding. It means much to us
icle is because I know from ex­ who are trying so hard despite
perience, we sometimes do not the lack of time we have to de­
think seriously enough about vote to the work we need most
community progress where we and also other obstacles which
live until something unfavorable challenge us to circumvent them.
In all walks of life there are
happens.
I am of the opinion whether I organizations and clubs that are
was born in Portland and vicinity important to the individual and
or not, since I saw fit to come others important to all. Member­
here my job is here; that I owe ships in the former is selective
to Portland and myself all the by the organization and by the
contributions I can give. Seem­ selectee— on the other hand the
comprises organizations
ingly some of us think because latter
my home is in the far east or which serve as the background
south, they owe nothing to Port­ for all other ones. The N.A.A.C.P.
and the Urban League are the
land.
First duty of any person who latter type. Both have as their
has lived in a community at least objectives the adjustment of Race
six months should exercise his Relations and securing for Amer­
franchise merely by registering ican Citizens the rights and free­
to vote. Of course old registra­ doms which the constitution of
tions must be renewed if they the United States so provides.
The N. A. A. C. P. receives no
have lapsed through failure to
vote within the past two years or financial backing except that
whether there hag been a change which you offer as members for
of residence. Then your voice your protection. Join your N. A.
means something in your com­ A.C.P. now! Join your Urban
munity activity. Until then you League when its membership
are as a kite without a tail or a drive begins! Have memberships
shio without a rudder.
in as m rry organizations as you
The conquered peoples of Eur­ choose; but first become a part
ope have learned to their ever­ of the organization that is dili­
lasting sorrow that eternal vigil­ gently working to make this area
ance is, indeed, the price of lib­ a cleaner and better place in
erty. Americans rtlust profit by which you and your children may
their sad example. Fascism is a live. Help us to help you.
R. N. Joyner, Jr., M.D.
disease that begins with the
Pres. N.A.A.C.P
creeping paralysis of indifference.
Advertising
Manager Says
Farewell for Now