The northwestern bulletin-appeal., 1925-04-04


the N. A. A. c. p. What is wrong
with the people of ST. Paul." was able
and timely, and will certainly cause
many to mediate. Surely when such
marked indifference is displayed re-
garding the continuance in our midst
of an organization founded upon
such splendid. helpful principles as
are those behind the N. A. A. c. p,
there can be no doubt that something
is decidedly amiss, but is il neces-
sarily wholely on the part of the peo-
ple'? Whenever the general public
grows cold toward an essential organ
ization, 1t is all well to inquire as to
what is wrong with that organiza-
ton.
Any organization that would be
useful must gain the confidence and
respect of those to whom 1t would ap-
peal, and is compelled to merit the
retention OF that confidence and re-
spect If the body hopes to long sur
vive and secure widespread support.
Does the local branch of the N. A. A.
G. p. possess the respect and conf
dence of the st. Paul public? There
are those who say it does not.
When publicity supported organ
ization neglects to make report re-
lative to it's stewardship, funds col
lected and expended; work accom-
plished. etc.,---the failure of the pub
lie to remain interested. financially
or otherwise, is a foregoing conclu-
sion. What single result has been
achieved thru Branch activity during
the past ten years? About three
times has the mountain stirred in
that period of time: once in behalf
of a school teacher; again regarding
discrimination in a department. store
lunch room; then because of attempt
ed residential segregation. In each
instance the party most concerned
was either a member of the Executive
Committee of the Branch, or closely
connected Herewith, thus the i'm
preston has gone abroad that If one
be not of the inner circle, 1t is a
waste of effort to bring any matter of
racial discrimination or injustice to
the attention of the local branch of
the Association, and that it has de-
generated into Form of Social Re-
lations," whose main objects appear
to be Talks, Collections and Mutual
Admiration"
You inform us the local is ably Of
ficered. There be those who even
take issue there. When a presiding
officer who has had the same exalted
position for many years,publicily
makes statement regarding the pol
icy of the organization which he can
not back up with the least bit of evil
dence, and which most, if not all, of
his hearers know to be without any
foundation Of truth, surely they may
be excused If they question his fitness
for the position, even tho they might
admit his ability.
1t has been charged that coarse
methods are the usual order at an
nual election (?), with the result
that those in control are enabled to
constitute themselves a self-perpetu-
ating body. Because of the methods
pursued at the recently held annual
meeting, called in December, altho
the Constitution of the Association
provides that the election shall occur
in the first fifteen days of Novem-
ber', the undersigned drafted a pro-
test to the National Body, and, with
little effort, obtained about SO sigma
lures of persons designated as mem
bers and former members who de-
cline to further contribute towards
the support of the local branch under
present conditions, and persons who
express willingness to become men,
bers, etc. The National Body up
held the legality of the election, not
withstanding the open violation of
the constitution as above quoted.
There are those who would tell you
absolutely nothing is the matter with
the people of st. Paul other that they
are soundly convinced that the local
branch fthe N. A. A. c. P. needs a
new regime; they want virile
vigilant organization-ready and
willing to stand by, and do battle for,
even to the most humble and Iowly
among us; give them less talk and
more action; allow them an oppor-
tunity to choose their officers, and
not foist upon them a hand-picked
group-then watch the rapid growth
in membership and increased interest
and enthusiasm.
JOSE H. SHERWOOD,