The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1938-01-08
TABERNACLE
DENIES PULPIT
TO REV. WHITE
Bethel Refuses To Let
Johnson Speak There
For Civic Club


Fearing that some OF the men,
bers Of Tabernacle Baptist church
In West Detroit, might be fred
from their Jobs at the Ford plant.
in case an alleged pro-union clergy
man be permitted to deliver the
Emancipation Day address at the
church on Jan. l, II Is reported
that the pastor, Rev Robt H. Pitt
man and other officials of the
church refused to allow the West
Side Civic and Improvement asso-
citation 10 hold its annual celebra-
ton at Tabernacle, until q new
speaker had been substituted.
The scheduled orator was TO
have been the Rev. Horace A.
White. pastor OF Plymouth Congre-
gational Church, at Beaubien and
Garfield streets. but following the
protest and failing TO secure an
other church for the meeting, the
West Side Civic Improvement as
ISOLATION finally cancelled the
speaking engagement with Rev.
White and secured Rev. Kelley,
pastor OF Scott M. 4. Church, to de-
liver the Emancipation Day ora
| ton.
Supported CIO Candidates
Rev. White has participated in
numerous public meetings In In
terest OF organized labor and was
a jealous supporter OF several OF
the c. l. o. candidates In the re-
cent local municipal election.
4 II is also announced this week
that another militant race leader,
Or. Mordecai Johnson. president
OF Howard university, Washing
ton, ID. c., who is to III lecture
engagement in this city on Jan. %.
will not be permitted To- make his
address at Bethel A. NJ y. church.
DR.. Johnson is 10 speak under the
auspices OF the Detroit Civic Rights
Committee, of which s. r. Grigsby
Is chairman. His theme will be
Our Government And Our Liber-
ty.' The address will be deliver
ed at Brewster Community Cen
ter and an immense attendance is
anticipated
When asked Tuesday why Dr.
Johnson is 10 be presented al
Brewster Center instead 81 speak
ing at Bethel A. NJ T. church where
he spoke on his last appearance IN
the MOTOR City, MI Grigsby re-
Trained from commenting, bat stat
ed that he would have plenty 10
tell al the Brewster Center meet
ing on January 30
Rev w. II. PECK, pastor OF
Bethel church, was interviewed
Wednesday He stated that he is
affiliated with the Detroii Civic
Rights Committee and is per
sonal friend OF DR.. Modecai John
son. He also admitted that the use
OF Bethel church for the johnson
lecture had been sought, but that
the power Of granting or rejecting
the request rested with the church
officers who would meet I'm their
regular official session Thursday
night, Jan. 6.
sharp CIeavages
In the bitter tight which orga-
nised labor Is waging against the
Ford Motor company, sharp cleav-
ages in sympathy and opinion have
developed among members OF vari-
Gus social. civic. industrial, and re-
ligious groups. Many are In favor
Of organization among workers.
while many others are not.
Furthermore. In many local
church congregations, there are
not few who are in the employ Of
the Ford plant and other Industrial
concerns. and they do not wish 10
run the risk Of losing their jobs
by directly OF indirectly affiliating
with advocates OF unionfsm.
When Dr. Johnson spoke In De
troit on his last lecture engage
ment, Feb. 1887, he praised Henry
Ford for what he has done for Ne
groes. but stated that IF Negro
workers feel that union organiza-
ton will beneht them. they should
organize"
Rumor has II that this state
ment reused the ire of one OF the
Ford officials and caused several
members OF Bethel Church 70 lose
their jobs at rord's. Rev. PECK
stated Wednesday that ne had no
knowledge Of any such Happenings.
Chairman Grigsby. Of the Civic
Rights Committee. announces that
1900 additional chairs will be
placed az Brewster Center, to &C
commodase the anticipated crowd.
making the total seating capacity
about 2,7oo. The frst twenty-five
rows OF seats. Mr.. 0rigsby says.
viii be reserved FOR sponsors Of