The St. Paul echo., 1927-02-26

he thought the 1SCn WOulu De DetIer.
I Immediately telegraphed the Presi-
dent for authority to change the date
and was so authorized by telegraph,
yet Mr.. Haynes name was signed to
the article.
Now the real truth of the matter
is this Mr.. w. T. Francis called all
of the attorneys and personally went
to the Office of Turner, Crane and
Haynes when he suggested opposi-
tion to me and the National Bar As
sociation program, Mr.. Crane told
me Mr.. Francis and Atty. Fowler
came to their office in the matter.
Mr.. Erwin told me some one had
called him and that Mr.. Francis
called him inquiring whether he was
supporting my program and whether
he had permitted me the use Of his
name
Miss L. o. Smith, Deputy Regional
Director of Minneapolis, was called
by Atty. B. S. Smith of Minneapolis
and advised that Mr.. Francis had
called him inquiring of his attitude
and suggesting that an article be
placed in the paper opposing the pro-
gram. This proves the fact that w.
T. Francis personally planned and in
stigated the act; further, not one of
the attorneys except probably James
A. Harris, Glessner Fowler signed, or
even saw the article, but that Francis
personally wrote the article, using
the names and put it in the st. Paul
Echo. AS to Mr.. Hamilton, I went
to his Office Saturday. He was not
in, so I haven't a word from him.
1t is shameful indeed that these at
, torneys were so unethically imposed
upon. 1t is known fact throughout
the county Mr.. Francis has continu-
ously insulted, lied and embarrassed
me both in the church, in business,
and used his friends against me in
fraternal matters, jealousy, mean
ness, and ignorance has been con-
stantly apparent, for three years, I
have tolerated all his niggardly acts,
not once have spoken in defense or
one ill word of him, but there is
limit to any mans liberation and I
have reached that point. w. T.
Francis has committed an act no
no censure can be to sever, he has
betrayed our group, he has be-
smerched the honored efforts to pay
tribute to our honored dead, his ef-
fort to embarrass and spoil our meet
ing was deliberate and malicious and
without any reason, other than
selfish, just how long are Negroes go
ing to tolerate such acts, he knew
| these men were not members, he
knew that the Bar Association was
holding like occasions throughout the
country, he knew these meetings
were under the Directors and yet he
planned and executed this contempta-
BILE act. He knew, too, that our
church needed funds and he knew
this was an effort to help our
church, he betrayed the church.
I have heard him speak of youth.
tell what we should do to inspire
youth, it has been nothing but talk
ing when he could consume time and
advertise himself as a conspicuous
champion of right and. throw a few
slams at those he did not like, he
should eternally be ashamed to ever
let young person hear his repeti-
tion of these principles, he has prov
en- to all he is an eloquent liar.
1t is indeed shameful that at the
hour when every citizen should have
been helpful in any effort to COM
memorate our honored dead that one
of our own should stoop to such
dastardly, contemplate and niggard-
ly acts to spoil, frusterate and cause
dissension among us, such conduct is
the cause of our present condition, it
has kept us in servititude, it has pre-
vented our economic advancement,
shattered the morale of our ranks,
and has given to youth such few no
BILE examples. Sad indeed is such a
condition. The blood that ran
through the veins Of Douglas runs
through the veins Of every Negro and
if we are proud of his noble examples
his gift to our race we should be
quick to defend his honor and any
attempt to prevent prayerful com-
memoration of his deeds. w. T.
Francis owes every citizen an apollo
gy for his conduct, he owes the hon
ored lawyers of our communities an
apology for his imposition, as to the
Bar Association, they will take care
of that without fail.
Mr.. Francis advertised himself
most conspicuously and his supposed
speech at the white" Y. w. c. A.
at 4:30 and his supposed speech at
the Municipal Forum" at 8 O'Clock,
Continued on page 81