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PORTLAND
OBSERl/ER
Voi. 5, No. W -
Portland. Oregon
Thursday. March 6, 1975
10c per
copy
NAACP Branch makes impact on Corvallis
Four Rutherford brother«: William H.. Alan D„ Otto G.. and Don. son» of
early Portland residents. Mr. and Mrs William Rutherford, taken in about
1918
Reminisce with the Rutherfords
Mr. and Mrs. Otto G. Kutherford
are one of the few Itlark families who
ran trace their families' residence in
Oregon to the turn of the century.
Otto's father. William H. Kuther
ford, and his brother. Harry B.. all
barbers, came to Portland in IH97,
recruited to work in the newly
constructed Portland Hotel.
The
hotel barber shop was operated by
while barbers, but the Kutherford'»
did Itarbering in the hotel rooms.
They opened their own barber shop
on Broadway and Flanders in about
HMM) They owned properly on Ixilh
sides of Broadway. One side was the
barber shop, which catered mostly to
railroad men. with rental rwmn on
the second floor. Acroaa the street
was the Kutherford'» haberdashery,
latter the business was moved to
Sixth Avenue.
Blacks were not allowed to pur
chase property legally at the time, ao
the Kutherford» bought through their
attorney. Ownership was important
to Black», regardless of the law. and
many owned large plots of land and
several houses.
Mrs. Kutherford’» parents, Karl
and Margaret Hurdine, came to Bend,
Oregon in 1913 then after a few
months moved to Marshfield (Coos
Kay). Kurdine could not support his
family at his usual trade of Itarbering,
so he raised pigs and rows. Mrs.
Kutherford remembers the county
extension agent saying they were the
"beat pigs in five counties". After
she completed the first grade in
Marshfield, the family moved to
Yakima. Eight years later. Kurdine
died, leaving his wife to raise seven
children and fight continuously for
possession of their property on the
Yakima Kiver.
Otto Kutherford was born in 191b
in the Kutherford'» home at South
east Eighth and Ash, where Cente
nary Wilbur Church now stands.
"There wss a silver thaw, and by the
time my uncle got a hack and went to
15th and Prescott to get Dr.
Merriman, I had arrived."
From the house on r.ighth Street,
the Kutherford’» moved to North
Drummond, in what they called "the
sticks". When he was ten years old,
they moved to Ninth and Shaver,
where Otto still lives.
When they moved Shaver, they
were the only Black family in a
neighborhood which was mostly
German. Otto had trouble at first,
but when the local boys found he
could fight, he was welcomed into
their gang.
One of four boys, Otto learned to
fight early. "It was eighter fleet of
foot or fast with the fists, and I
couldn't run very well.
As we
walked down the street there were
taunts and name calling from nearly
every house.
We soon started
fighting bark and would even go into
yards and houses to defend our
selvea."
Treatment in the schools was about
the same as in the street, and
Kutherford'» mother spent much time
at school defending her sons.
The
Kutherford» were the only Black
children when they attended Haw
thornr and Penninsula grade schools,
and there were only six Blacks when
they attended Jefferson High School.
Entertainment was accomplished
mostly in the home and the church.
Young people went to Christian
Endeavor at the Bethel AME or
Baptist Young People's Union at the
Baptist Church and met afterward in
a home to play records and dance.
The Oaks skating rink admitted
Blacks on Monday nights, when the
whites stayed away, but they could
not go to the Imperial.
Tht
Paramount Theater admitted Blacks,
but the Broadway and Egyptian sent
them to the balcony. School clubs
except the glee club and gtheletics
(Please turn to pg. 5 col. 1)
G reater S a fe ty
for your savings
The Corvallis Branch, NAACP, has
just completed its fourth year of
service to the community, four years
under the direction of its first
president, Calvin O.L. Henry, and
four years that have brought change
to Corvallis.
A quiet, conservative college town
with a population of 35,135 including
162 Blacks, (.'orvallis became awak
ened to existing racial problems when
the Corvallis Branch received its
charter in January of 1971
Calvin O.L. Henry was elected
president when the branch was
chartered.
Henry served two
four year terms, and as of January of
this year has retired from office to
remain a member of the executive
board.
"The major accomplishment in the
first four years." Henry Said, "was in
making the city of Corvallis and the
state aware of the many problems
and that we would take a stand on an
issue Many of our accomplishments
are intangible
but we have
influenced the city and the county to
hire affirmative action officers, we
instigated the removal of a baseball
coach at Oregon State University and
s new opportunity for Black athletes,
and we probably brought about the
establishment of a convention center
through our consistent fight against
the use of the Elks Ixalge by the
schools and public, groups."
Henry believes a viable NAACP is
essential in Oregon.
"The NAACP
should lie at the vanguard
a force
for change.
It can bring alxiut
important changes that will not occur
without pressures being applied. We
cannot wait for government or for
other organizations to lead the way.”
Henry attributes the success of the
(.'orvallis Branch to an active mem
Is rship and working rommittees.
"One man cannot bo the NAACP. The
constitution calls for the appointment
of committees and the real (lower in
the branch is in the support of its
members. When the branch takes a
stand it is important for the public to
know that it is not one man, hut that
th e memliership is there."
Of the branches first four years,
Henry says. “I do not have to defend
the branch or explain its activities. I
can («lint to the record
the
committee reports show what they
have done."
One of the most successful active
t ie s of the branch has been in the
field of affirmative action. Irnmedi
ately upon its establishment, the
-Labor and Industry Committee began
its work with a survey of 2200
employers in Albany, Corvallis and
Philomath to identify their hiring
practices and to inform them of the
branch's interest. Several local banks
immediately began seeking minorities
and other businesses sought referrals
by Rosemary Allen
A charge of Sex Discrimination has
been filed with both the State Civil
Rights Commission and HEW Region
X Division of Civil Rights in Seattle
against Portland State University.
The charges were filed by Phyllis
Benton, who had been employed by
PSU since July 1973.
Benton
initially was Assistant Director and
was later appointed as Acting
Director of the PSU Educational
.'«•nier located at 2611 N.E. Union in
the Model Cities area of Portland.
The Educational Center is the only
one of its kind in the Northwest that
provides low cost college courses and
Davis chosen PUC head
Governor Bob Straub named
Charles Davis as Oregon’s new PUC
commissioner.
Davis, fifty six, is treasurer and
comptroller of Electro Scientific
Industries, Inc., of Portland.
For
more than ten years, Davis has beer
chairman of the Oregon Chapter.
American Civil Liberties Union.
He will succeed Richard Sabin who
was appointed to the post in 1973.
Davis will take office about April 1st.
Governor Straub said he chose
Davis because "he best fills the
Oregon statutes' job description for
PUC Commissioner."
The governor paraphrased the
statute, saying. “The Commissioner
shall represent the customer of any
public utility and the public generally
in all controversies. He shall make
use of the powers of his office to
protect customers and the public
from unjust and unreasonable ex
actions and practices and to obtain
for them adequate service at fair and
reasonable rates.
“That's the kind of job Charlit
Davis is going to do," Governor
Straub said. "He has a well earned
reputation as an articulate spokesman
and a tough, fair advocate.
“He understands cost accounting,
taxes, banking and financial planning.
He's had firing line experience in
budgets, credit and collections, pro
duct pricing, governmental regula
tions and insurance matters.
“Just as importantly," Governor
Straub added, "as a layman, he has a
proven record of achievement in
technical dealings with engineers and
lawyers. That's the kind of man I
want on the job."
Davis, whose PUC salary will be
$28,(MM) annually, has been with
Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.,
since 1957. The company builds high
technology electronics.
He holds an accounting degree
from the University of Southern
California.
Davis has been active in the
Portland City Club and has served
three separate terms as Moderator of
Portland's First Unitarian Church. He
will resign his ACLU post to enter
government service.
He and his wife, Eleanor, live in
Southeast Portland and have a grown
son and daughter.
■ •
00012713
Hot>»rl H Hazen, Pre»
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28 O Mice»
. Phone 248-1234
adult education courses to low income
people.
The suit was filed when the
University, after opening the position
of Director of the Center in
September of 1974. selected Lucious
Hicks over Bepton, who had 16
months of experience on the job as
director. Benton was told by several
members of the screening committee
that she was the unanimous choice of
the committee and that several of
them wanted to send only her name
in to the University, but that attempt
was overruled by the committee
chairman. Hicks, who was chosen as
Director, was the third choice of the
committee.
The other candidate
declined the final interview.
Named in the suit are PSU
President, Dr. Blumel; Richard Hal­
ley, Acting Vice President: Ronald
Cease, Dean of UndtA-graduate Stud
ies; Eileen Rose. Assistant for Special
Programs and Chairwoman of the
Screening Committee, Mildred Ben
nett.
In Benton's letter of termi­
nation dated November 19, 1974. it
states that Lucious Hicks was chosen
as Director because his "experiences
and training were more germane to
the activities of the Center than Ms.
Benton's" and that “in our judgement
Ms. Benton had not taken the
program to where we thought it
should be."
Benton was the only woman head
of a special program at Portland
State and one of only two Black
females on the PSU faculty.
The
various courses and instructors that
compose the 1974 75 program at the
Educational Center were planned by
Benton prior to hiring of Hicks.
Benton released this statement
February 28, 1975:
“I strongly believe that my
termination was handled in an
unprofessional, inhumane and inap­
propriate manner, and that personal
considerations on the part of those
making the decision, influenced the
decision to terminate me and choose
another as director despite the fact
that I had 16 months of experience in
the Center and despite the fact that
the program may close in July of
1975 as was told to all the candidates
at the time of the interview."
"I strongly believe that the
University's commitment to me per­
sonally and to the program and the
Black community was and is lacking.
I know that during my 16 months as
sole administrator of the Center I
have never been told all the
particulars of the program. I have
been excluded from some very
important decision making meetings
and often told after the fact. The
control of the PSU Educational
Center and all special programs at
PSI' who have Black administrators
have never rested with the directors
but rather in the office of Under
graduate Studies, namely Ronald
Cease.
"In accordance with University
policy, I have gone through every
stage of appeal granted faculty
members but to no avail."
“I view my termination as another
of PSU's racist and sexist attacks.
PSU is notorious for its dealings with
Blacks and women. With the number
of Civil Rights Suits against PSU on
these same grounds. I feel that all of
my charges will soon be justified."
Noted author visits Willamette campus
Insurance Doubled
■
A complaint of discrimination made
to the Corvallis Branch by a Black
student, Verdell Adams, resulted in
an investigation that led to the
removal of baseball coach Gene
Tanselli. Adams and other players
contended that Tanselli, who had
never had a Black player on his team,
discriminated on basis of race. The
investigation included the entire
athletic department at OSU and
resulted in a better understanding of
the Black athletes and better com
munieation within the department.
The Branch has carried on a vital
political action campaign. Prior to
each election questionaires are sent
to ail political candidates and the
results published in the local news­
papers.
Lobbying in behalf of
important legislation takes place
during the legislative session as well
as close communication during the off
period.
Officials are frequently
contacted on such issues as the new
State Human Kesource Center in
Corvallis, the “War on Poverty"
programs, welfare problems, child
care, and other vital concerns.
It was this consistent and persis­
tent effort by one of the Region's
smallest branches that caused the
late Leonard Carter, Director of the
Western Region, to refer to Corvallis
as "One of our better Branches".
New president is Rollie Smith, a
charter member of the branch.
Benton files sex discrimination case
A recent measure passed by Congress and signed
by the President has increased the insurance on
individual savings to $40,(XX) This means two
people could have $2(X),(XX 1 in a combination of
accounts with us, all fully insured Save more
with Insured safety at the Ben) Franklin
■ a
of minority workers.
The Personal Affirmative Action
Contacting Em ployers I PA ACE)
committee was established to main­
tain an employer file, assist em
,(loyers to find minorities, and aid
minorities in contacting prospective
employers. Personal contacts with
employers has resulted in an increase
in minority hiring in the area. In 1974
the Branch held an Affirmative
Action Conference at Benton Com
munity College.
Another campaign which has
brought notice to the Corvallis
Branch was that against the Elks
Club.
Over 2700 Corvallis area
residents belong to the Elks and the
building was used by the public
schools and most public bodies for
their activities. Consistent protests
were lodged against this practice and
attention brought to the racist
policies of the Elks, which resulted in
some of the activities being shifted to
other accommodations and the even
tual establishment of a convention
center.
Black History Week, sponsored by
the Education Committee, has be
come an annual event with the city
and the public schools taking part.
This is of particular importance since
their are few Blacks living in the area
and many school children do not have
the opportunity to learn the heritage
and contributions of other ethinc
groups.
Lisa and Nina Powell taste a »ample of the food to be served at W illamette
University'» "All Campus Soul Feed."
"Expressions," a day long look at
Black Culture, will be held Friday.
March 7th, at Willamette University,
sponsored by the WU Minority
Student Union.
The free public program will
feature the appearance of noted Black
author, Sam Greenlee, who will
discuss his book and film by the same
name. "The Spook Who Sat by the
Door," at 11:30 a.m. in Waller
Auditorium. The film will be shown
at 10:00 a.m. and again at 2:00 p.m
in Waller Auditorium.
Greenlee, who calls himself "a
second generation immigrant from
the deep South," holds degrees from
the University of Wisconsin, Univer­
sity of Chicago and Thessalonikki. He
speaks Greek. Indonesian Malay,
Arabic, French and Italian.
As a foreign service officer with
the U.S. Information Agency, Green
lee traveled to such places as Iraq,
East Pakistan. Indonesia and Greece
before resigning to devote all his time
to creative writing He has authored
novels, plays short stories and a
volume of poetry, "Blue* for an
African Princes»."
Greenlee's novel, “The Spook Who
Sot by the Door," is both a satire on
the civil rights problems in the U.S.
and a serious attempt to focus on the
issue of Black Militancy. The book
has been translated into Swedish,
Finnish, Dutch, Italian. German.
Japanese and French. It is being
used in classes in the Malcolm X
Junior College, St. I xjuis University
and Western Michigan University.
Other activities planned during the
day include a workshop on East
African art to be conducted by
Corvallis artist Kent Buys at 2:00
p.m. in the German Alcove of the
University; a workshop directed by
Greenlee on filmmaking and writing a
novel, 3:30 p.m.. Alumni Lounge of
the University Center: and an
all-campus "Soul Feed" at 5:15 p.m. in
the Cat Cavern, University Center.
At 6:00 p.m., the MSU members
will host a fashion show of African
dress in the Cat Cavern.
Also
planned in conjunction with the day is
a free dance on Saturday night
featuring "Pleasure."