The St. Paul echo., 1927-02-26
Regional Director Of The
National Bar Association
Assails Attorney Francis
February Is, 1927.

Mr.. C. Lewis,
Editor, st. Paul Echo,
Court Block,
st. Paul, Minnesota.
Dear Sir:
In your issue of February 12,
1927, there appeared an article pur-
ported to have been prepared and
signed by Attorneys Hammond Turn
er, Douglas Crane, Wayman Arthur
Haynes, George w. Hamilton, w. T..
Francis, James A. Harris, Gale p.
Hilyer, Glessner Fowler, B. S. Smith,
VIM. R. Morris, J. Louis Erwin, HON.
er X. Cannon, to the citizens, that l.,
as Regional Director of the National
Bar Association, had created. an er-
roneous impression by the use of
their names on the program of the
National Bar Association, that the
entire matter was planned and ar
ranged by o. j. Smith, that they did
not subscribe to the methods used by
him.
May I advise that under date Of
January IS, 1927, letters were sent
out to each attorney in. the Twin
Cities, except James A. Harris and
w. T. Francis, concerning the pro-
gram of the National Bar Associa-
tion, soliciting their cooperation and
suggestions to make the event a
memorable one. Under date of Jan.
27, another letter was addressed each
attorney in the Twin Cities except
the two mentioned above, enclosing
tickets, subsequently as Regional Di-
rector I appointed Miss L. o. Smith
of Minneapolis as Deputy Regional
Director, who personally discussed
Bar matters with the Minneapolis at
torneys.
I made up an abstract program
and personally called upon each and
every attorney in st. Paul, except the
two mentioned above. On this abb
stract program I had provided for
the participation of every attorney in
st. Paul and those of Minneapolis in
an effort to make the occasion a
success. The abstract program pro-
vided various committees and chair
men. I first went to the Office of
Turner, Crane & Haynes, where 1
discussed the program, Mr.. Turner
said he did not feel justified in par
ticipating in the program or work be-
cause he was not a member it would
be taking honor where it was not
right, but he would be present. Mr..
Crane said he could not serve or
come for reasons personal to himself
which would be laughable to me, not
that he had any feeling against
either the Bar Association or me.
Mr.. Haynes had personally advised
me because Of his numerous activi-
ties at his church he would not have
time to devote his attention to the
program.
I later discussed the matter with
Mr.. Geo. Hamilton who said he
would be there unless the N. A. A. c.
P. had its program on that date, he
turned to the phone and called Miss
Hudson and advised me after the
conversation, he could come, but
would rather listen than serve. Mr..
Erwin had personally advised that
because of the illness of Mrs. Erwin
he did not care to join the National
Bar Association, because it was a
segregated organization. This proves
my fair attitude toward them,
now not one of the attorneys men
toned are members of the National
Bar Association except w. T. Francis,
and because of that fact I was not
compelled for any reason to consult
them in Bar matters, as Regional
Director, am not submissive to the
dictation of no lawyers, including
w. T. Francis, only to the Bar AS
sociation and its President.
The National Bar Association is an
incorporated body and as such with
it's standard reflects great honor upon
any lawyer recognized by it. My rea-
son for permitting the names of all
the Negro attorneys of our states to
to be placed on this program was
indeed an effort to be fair; it was a
compliment to these men. I did the
work and was willing they should
share the honor. Mr.. Francis was
Regional Director Of the National
Bar Association before me and dur
ing his official connection not one of
the local attorneys were invited to
become members. 1t was considered
by me it was privilege personal to
Mr.. w. T. Francis until I received
a letter from the Association as did
several other attorneys here.
The reason our program was
changed from Feb. IL to Feb. 13
was because Mr.. Wayman Arthur
Haynes came to my Office after my