Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1941-02-28

4
rate" company or battalion in the
Home Guard; that Negroes want to
participate in Home Defense on the
same basis which all others are ae-
cepted, and third, that many re-
sented the run-around the Cover
nor gave the Minnesota Negro De-
Tense Committee on the matter of
Negro enlistment in the Home De-
Tense units,
At the opening of the meeting
Mr., Cannon, who presided, offered
questionnaires which he asked
those present to fill out and sign.
He explained the Governor had re-
quested that Mr.. Tarver and he
sound out Negro sentiment regard
ing the home defense force matter.
Object to Hurried Action On
QUESTIONABLE
DR.. w. D. Brown, Talmadge B.
Carey and others objected to max
ing out questionnaires without dis
cussion on the matter. Mr.. Cannon
replied that he planned to ask those
present to discuss the situation
after the questionnaires were filled
out, So much opposition to this
course developed that the chair
man tactfully agreed to an imme-
date discussion Of the home de-
Tense situation.
Brown Challenges Army Customs
DR.. Brown challenged a state
ment which Mr.. Cannon read which
set up as a guide for the state
militia customs prevailing in the
U. S, Army" pointing out that
many customs. were bad and that
any custom which denied any citi-
zen the protection of the Bill of
Rights was un-American and un-
democratic.
Cecil Newman, newspaper pub
Usher, asked permission to read an
article from the New York daily
newspaper, p. M. Mr.. Cannon re-
fused the request. Gale P. Hilyer,
veteran Mil City attorney, insisted
that Newman be allowed to read
the news story which told how
Robert Hurley, governor of Con-
necticut, had last week defied the
Jim Crow discrimination army reg
ulations imposed on Negro draftees
in Connecticut. Newman pointed
out the eastern governor defied
army customs" in the interest of
true democracy.
Poster FavOrs Separate Company
Jack Poster, adjutant of Johnny
Baker Post No. pol, said he ia
vored a separate company or bat
talon, saying that Negroes would be
mistreated if allowed to join state
units indiscriminately. He said ii
would be so years before race prof
udice could be broken down. New
man asked him if he didn't think
Negroes should begin to try to end
discrimination now.
Walter Suthern, a janitor at one
of the state office buildings, said
he had served in a high school
ROTC unit and in the former 9Th
Illinois Infantry and that he ia
vored a separate unit. Norman
Light, University graduate, wasn't
sure about the entire matter and
wanted more information.
ShOffner Wants No Jim Crow
Robert Shoffner, leader among
Minneapolis youth, said he was in
favor of insisting that Negroes be
admitted as all other citizens to all
Minnesota Defense units.
Country Not Ready for Social
Changes
George l. Hoage, Jr., a state
employee, Grand Master of the
Minnesota Masons and son of
George L. Hoage, ST., long time
employee in the Governors office,
said he believed in total citizenship
but that he thought this meeting
was called to form a Negro unit!
He said he didn't think the country
was ready for a social revolution.
He was questioned by Newman and
Brown.
Chester johnson, Jr., asked Suth-
ern if it were not true that most
all Negro Army or National Guard
units received inferior equipment.
James Bailey, active among youth,
had nothing to say. Ralph Ward,
young St. Paul boy, said he was
against any separate unit. He said
he had gone to school with whites
all through life and that he had
no objection to serving in the
armed forces with them.
Brown Hits Segregation as Vicious
DR.. Brown hit any form of seq
regation as vicious and something
which should not be tolerated and
encouraged in the state of Mime
sofa. Paul Curry, war veteran and