St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1939-12-01
Garment Workers
Union On Fence
Regarding Race
C. w. WASHINGTON AND JOHN
THOMAS ADDRESS UNION

Speaking before the Garment
Workers Local of the Boulevard
Frocks, Inc, on Monday, November
20, Chas. w. Washington, Secre-
tary of the Minneapolis Urban
League, insisted that the organiza-
ton make definite statement re-
garding its attitude toward accept
ing Negro members. Mr.. Washing
ton had previously discussed the
matter with the joint board on
Thursday, October IL.
The board took no action other
than to extend to Mr.. Washington
an invitation to address the vari-
Gus locals. Obviously the board re-
CARDS the question of Negro MEM
bership in the union as being a
shot potato"
Two Hundred Present
More than 200 members of the
Boulevard Frocks local were pres
ent at the meeting last Monday.
Mr.. Washington pointed out to
these workers that their organiza-
ton is committed to a liberal
policy and that in every other city
in the country, where the organ
ization is represented, the racial
factor is unimportant.
Why the white workers in this
industry in Minneapolis, which on
the surface, at least, is the seat of
trade union liberalism, should dis
criminate against Negroes is diff
cult to understand. John Thomas,
Urban League board member and
Supervisor Of state Negro activi-
ties for the NYA, stated to the
group that a limited number of
young women are interested in
training for the garment industry
just as they are training for other
occupations, and for the union to
deny them an opportunity to work
is contrary to the basic principles
of the organization.
Questions Asked
Following the two talks, oppor-
tunity was given for questions or
discussions from the floor. M. Fink
elstein, Business Representative Of
the union, asked several questions
which obviously were asked for the
benefit of the membership. He also
urged that they think seriously
about the matter and adhere to the
policies and practices of the organ
ization nationally.
Although there was no discus
sion following the statements made
by Mr.. Thomas and Mr.. Washing
ton, it is understood that heated
discussion took place shortly after
the speakers left the meeting. The
general sentiment being that the
union members, all of whom are
women, do not want to work with
Negro women. For definite reasons
the matter was not allowed to
come to vote, but if it had, the
vote would have been negative,
observers say.
Apparel Industries OK
Mr.. Washington has been as
sured by the Director of the APP
parel Industries Incorporated that
employers in the garment industry
do not practice racial discrimina-
ton. However, since the industry is
well organized, the union has a
strong voice in the matter. Mr..
Washington will speak to another
local at a meeting to be held with
in the next two weeks. He stated
that as matter of form he is will
ing to meet with these respective
groups and give them an oppor-
tunity to state their position, but
at present it looks as though it will
be necessary to approach the prob
lem from other angles.
Shower: Mrs. Flossie Harris,
24S0 Fifth avenue south, enter
tanned at a bridal shower in honor
of bride-to-be Miss Salie Truman.
Sang: Miss Allie B. Glenn sang
request solo at a meeting of the
Society of Citizenship at the Hotel
Nicollet last week.