Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1939-12-08
LaWbreakers?

Several weeks ago the college chapel au-
dience was entertained by Uncle Bob"
of his program he made a plea TO the
student body TO aid him in fighting action
of Twin City hotels, which he said pro-
hibits Negroes from riding passenger ele-
Vators.
Since the printing of an editorial on the
subject in this paper we have received in
quiries from persons who were surprised
to learn that such discrimination might
exist in hotels. Because Of this interest
we have made u further check.
The first question is DO hotels dis
criminate % The answer is yes, to a
limited degree.
We secured our information from both
Minneapolis and st. Paul branches of the
Urban League. Another source was Cecil
z. Newman. editor and publisher Of the
MINNEAPOLIS SPOKESMAN and the
ST. PAUL RECORDER.
According to Mr.. Newman, st Paul
hotels At the present time do not have
such restrictions, but up to several years
ago the Hotel St Paul, in particular, was
an offender" Uncle Bob" himself, was
subject to an injustice there while on the
KSTP staff and on his way TO the studio.
Mr. Newman further pointed out that the
law enforcement on this problem was ex-
eellent in St Paul and went on to praise
the county attorney for his help. In Min
neapolis he stated that the county at
torney passes the buck to the grand jury
and the infraction is more easily accom-
plished."
In recent months the only hotel in the
Twin Cities guilty of this charge is the
Radisson hotel in Minneapolis, according
to Mr.. Newman and the Urban League.
Up to a month and a half ago there were
cases of Negroes not being allowed to ride
the passenger elevators in that hotel.
Two examples of this given by Mr.. New
man, include the case Of a Negro Ameri-
can LegiOnnaire, who was taken to the
basement when he stepped into an ele-
vator. Another example given was when
refused entrance into the elevator at the
same hotel.
Mr. Newman states that in recent weeks
this hotel has finally allowed Negroes per-
mission TO ride the elevators a result
of pressure brought to bear by various or
ganiZations.
Which brings. US to the simple fact that
any such action is a violation of the laws
of Minnesota which prohibit, in Chapter
SIS, Paragraph 1921, this discrimination
mo person shall be excluded, on account
of race or color, from full and equal en-
jOyment of any accommodations, advAn-
tages OF privileges furnished by public
cOnveyanees, theaterS, hotels, ete.-every
person who violates any provision Of this
8ecLlOn, OF anus OF lhGiteB AnOIncE 70 w
so, shall be guilty of gross miSdemeanOr,
and, in addition TO the penalty therefor,
shall be liable in q civil action to the per
son aGgrieved for damages not exceeding
five hundred dollars"
This Is adequate proof that hotel own
ers are violating a law, when they use
racial discrimination. But as Mr.. New
man and the Urban League officials point
out, it is largely up to public opinion to
stamp out the abuse.
We would suggest that all of us bear
in mind the illegaiity of any hotel dis.
examinations of this nature and report any
incidents observed. If our democracy il
all that we boast 1t to be it does not have
room for such humiliating treatment to
fellow citizens, merely because they hap
pen to be of a different skin color.-MaC
| Weekly.
Reports this week say that
a Negro quartet of singers who
sing on a radio morning religious
program over WDGY are forced to
use the Nicollet Hotel freight ele-
vator.
A Rev. Blank, white, who pious-
ly urges his early morning listeners
to practice the principles of Jesus
and who appears with and in
PRODUCES the quartet, rides the reg
ular passenger elevator.
Station WDGY is owned by a
member of a prosecuted minority
group. 1t is not known whether
the station has ever been apprised
of the freight elevator" situation
or not.