Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1940-10-18
RAPS GOVERNOR STASSEN
OctOhar TX IQAn

Editor: In the October 14th is
sue of the Minneapolis Star l note
that Governor Stassen seeks re-
dress for slurs on the state, the
occasion being a pamphlet issued
by the Colored Division of the
Democratic National Committee
against Wendell Willkie.
l hasten to remind Governor
Stassen that this same low-type
political ethics was effectively used
in the campaign to elect him Gov
ernor of Minnesota. The rank
smear campaign" against Wendell
Willkie does not begin to reach the
all-time low set by Ray P. Chase's
handsomely bound and illustrated
pamphlet Are They Communists
or Catspaws," widely distributed
over the entire state in behalf of
Governor Stassen. This pamphlet
appealed directly to racial and re-
ligious prejudice and was never
openly repudiated by Governor
StaSsen.
Governor Stassen's record as far
as colored citizens are concerned
is one of the worst in the history
of the state. l recently served as
one of the speakers at a forum
panel, the subject being What
have these political parties con-
tributed to the advancement of the
Negro race" in which each of six
political parties was represented;
and speaking in behalf of the
Farmer-Labor Administration l
told the fact that qualified colored
citizens were employed in state de-
partments, evidenced by the ap-
pointment of the first colored Index
Clerk of the State Legislature, the
first colored State Accountant, a
comptometer operator, a statisti-
clan, two stenographers and two
clerks. A young man holding his
Masters degree from the Univer-
sity of Minnesota was a Senior In
terviewer and still another work
ing on his Masters degree was ap-
pointed Junior interviewer.
Every one of these positions was
lost to the colored race when Gov
ernor Stassen took office and not
one appointment has been made
under his administration which in
any way compares with the above.
In announcing his new draft
board, not one Negro was APP
pointed. Even the Governors of
several Southern States have done
better than that. How any intel
ligent, sef-respecting colored voter
can support any candidate having
the backing of Harold Stassen is
beyond me.
CLIFFORD E. FUCKER,
814 Aldrich Ave. N,
Minneapolis, MINI.
Editor: AS a member of a race
which has had to suffer more than
any other American group because
of racial intolerance l naturally
abhor such things as was charged
up to the Colored Division of the
National Democratic Committee
this week. Knowing my history
recall that the Germans of Abra-
ham Lincoln's time were in the
forefront in the fight for freedom
for the slaves. There is plenty diff
ference between an American-Ger
man and the Hitler variety. While
l am going to vote for Roosevelt
and think every intelligent Negro
should do so l don't think Willkie
is villain because he is of Ger
man ancestry.
Gov. Harold Stassen's request
for an apology because Minnesota
was referred to as a German state
and his reference to Minnesota's
tolerant treatment of its minorities
comes with bad grace from a CUB
ernatorial candidate who kept
silent during his first campaign
about the scurrilous Communists
or Catspaws," which attempted to
show the baleful influence that GER
tain minorities had on the State
during the Benson administration.
That book struck a new low in
dirty mudslinging, intolerant cam
paign tactics and it was designed
to help Stassen who now rushes to
attack a similar smear campaign.
Governor Stassen may seek the
Republican candidacy for President
some day. He ought to be consist
ent. There were no Negroes in the
ent. There were Negroes in the
thought worthy of serving on the
local draft boards, either. With all
of his inepitude am going to vote
for Stassen because Hjalmar Pet