The Phoenix index., 1941-02-15
NAACP
Campaign
Official States
Albany Running
For State Honors
BY ROBERT RATCLIFrE

ATLANTA, Ga.--t tSNS)-
Tall. boyish Roy wilkins, editor
of the crisis, was in Atlanta We'd
nesday night to give an official
touch TO the annual membership
drive sponsored by the local branch
of the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People.
Editor wilkins, also assistant
secretary of the national body OF
the NkACP. warned his Atlanta
audience that the Albany. Georgia
branch is determined to do a bet
ter job than any other NAACP
group in the state.
The New Yorker declared 500
members attended a NAACP
meeting in Albany last Sunday
Gt was raining too) and reported
200 memberships. Their goal fol
the year is 1000.
ATLANTA HAS GOAL OF 1000
T. M. Alexander, president os
the Atlanta branch, announced
1000 memberships as the goal fol
Atlantans this year.
The Gate City group made .
good start following Mr. wilkins
enlightening address, and accord.
ing to predictions, will more thar
likely reach the goal OF 2,0oO.
Mrs. Mae Yates, membership
chairman. was unable to attend the
mass meeting.
Mr.. Wilkins, who at one time
was managing editor of the Kaa1sa,
City Call. arrived here late Wed
nesday afternoon. He met execu-.
tive members of the local branch
at an elaborate banquet held at
Sutton's Cafe. at which time he
answered questions and made an
extemporaneous talk.
During his talk to the commit
tee members, the speaker said AL.
bany is not alone in her attempt
to take first place among southern
states as rsmked by the national
NAACP off1cialS. He declared
Houston. Texas is doing swell JOS
and that Tampa. Florida is moi
far behind
Naturally, the current European
War was an important part of the
guest speakers address, but he
very easily used it to the advan-
tage of the NAACP;s vast pro-
Gram. .-.
WAR A SOCIAL REVOLUTION
He called the war social revc-
luton and said It is gradually
changing our social habits here in
America.
He discussed the efforts of Amer
ica to help England destroy Hitler
ism in Germany, adding that Hit
lerism should be destroyed first
here in Atlanta and America.
American Jews are troubled be-
cause Jews in Germany are being
forced to ride the rear end OF
street cars, are not allowed to at
tend the universities and have tc
sit on special benches in Naz
parks. wilkins pointed out
"But. here in America, the Ne
gro can't even walk through some
parks he declared
URGES UNITY, ORGANIZATION
FIGHT
I'VE have got to unite and Or
Panize and fight those evils that
hinder our progress" Mr. wilkins
said, "and we must be alert and
take advantage of every opportun-
ity."
He said the time for "us to make
progress is in the time of trouble" "
"This year and next year are our
big years. IF we are going to make
any marked progress, 1t must be
accomplished during this tirne," the
Crisis editor tol6 his audience.
The kickoff meeting for the
Atlanta branch was held at Ebe-
neSer Baptist church, the Rev. NJ.
L King, pastor.
President Alexander presided and
the speaker was introduced by At
torney A. T. Walden. Invocation
was delivered by the pastor.
The EbeneZer choir, under direc-
ton of Mrs M. l.. King. render
ed three fine numbers.