The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1939-11-10
Portland Host To
Eminent Labor
Leader Nov. 3, 4, 5

For Portland to be host to A
Philip Randolph, international Pre-
sident of the Brotherhood of Sleep
ing Car Porters, from November
to 5 inclusive, gave the people of
this city an opportunity to see and
be inspired by one of the greatest
leaders in America. We say great
est because for a race leader to
attain the heights in any sphere
or vocation where the opposite
group is definitely concerned, and
moreover, when the American La
Dor movement is the paramount
issue, the race leader must needs
be greater than the greatest to
receive the recognition accorded
A. Philip Randolph who, for the
past twelve years, has led the bat
tie against prejudice and intoler-
ance so commonly meeted out to
the struggling Negro worker with
in the organized labor and trade
union group. Those who have
watched the growth of the Pull
man Porters' organization and
know the history of it in the max
ing, truly acknowledge the unfal-
tering devotion of Randolph to the
cause which he so courageously
defends. The Labor Temple Audi
forum was packed Wednesday
night with an enthusiastic group
of labor unionists and kindred
groups in big mass meeting to
hear Mr.. Randolph in one of the
most eloquent speeches that ever
fell from mortal mans lips. Mr..
Kelly Foster, business agent for
the local organization presided.
Mr.. Anderson, secretary, brought
greetings from the Central Labor
Council. Among the many vital
points emphasized by Mr.. Ran
dolph as he talked on the Negro
and Labor" were: There is no
more unity among Negroes than
any other group" Negroes dis
agreeing is no different to anyone
else disagreeing;;" tits not merely
organization, but the type, a par
ticular type, which should be eco
nomic;" There is power in the
right type of organization and a
worker gets only what he has the
power to get" Mr.. Randolph adj
dressed the Woman's Auxiliary on
Thursday at Fraternal Hall. He
eulogized them for their support
given the local, advised them to
study principles and know the
worth of unionization. His third
and last talk was given Saturday
night at the Branch Y, as he talk
ed to organized groups in an eff
fort to put across a national pro-
gram for shorter working hours.
Representing the Junior Chamber
of Commerce was Mr.. Worth Cald-
well; Youth Council NAACP, Miss
Eunis Mott; Local 465 Walters
Union, Mr.. J. C. Baker; Red Caps,
Mr.. c. E. Ivey. Long before Mr..
Randolph arrived late Tuesday,
scores of invitations and inter-
views had been sought of the dis
tinguished visitor. Because of his
extensive program and physical
condition, invitations and inter-
views were limited, although re-
porters forced Their way for just a
word. Mr.. Randolph was entrusted
to the care of Mr.. Kelly Foster,
his host, who saw to it that he was
not over-taXed socially. Upon his
arrival Tuesday evening Mr.. Ran
dolph was dinner guest of the
Chas. Morgans. Wednesday after
noon, Mr.. Foster, with a few
friends, arranged trip through
the city and to the Grotto, with
lunch afterwards. Thursday din
ner with the Kelly Fosters, Friday
highway trip to Bonneville Dam
arranged by the Auxiliary of BIS
C.P., a group of twenty-seven per-