St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1941-03-21


Prejudice flinders National
Defense
Speaking on the subject, ODE
tense, Democracy and the Negro"
DR.. Patterson stated that America
cannot boast of beng a democracy
until the Negro and under-privil-
eyed groups of other races are
given an opportunity to secure the
minimum necessities of life and
such additional advantages as will
enable them to make their con-
tribution to the economic and cul-
tural progress of the nation. He
pointed out that the denial of these
opportunities in the past is hinder
ing the present movement for ade-
quate national defense.
Democracy Dynamic and Changing
Throughout the nation the Negro
has been denied a chance to train
for skilled jobs, and in the south
both the Negro and the poor whites
have a standard of living far below
the other sections of the country,
and as result of the poll tax sys-
tenn, do not even enjoy the right to
vote. DR.. Patterson attributes
these conditions to the fact that the
political and industrial leadership
of America has failed to recognize
that democracy is a dynamic and
ever changing process, and cannot
survive unless the inalienable rights
of citizens are respected.
Program
DR.. Patterson proved himself to
be a worthy successor to the i'm
mortal Booker T. Washington,
founder of Tuskegee Institute and
the late Robert R. Motion whom he
succeeded. He was introduced by
Rev. Carlyle F. Stewart, pastor of
st. Peter A. M. E. church. C. L.
Harris, president of the New Eng
land Furniture Company, was re-
elected president of the Board.
Other officers reelected were Tai
mage B. Carey, vice-president;
Mrs. Macbeth H. Paige, secretary;
Lloyd P. Johnson, treasurer. New
members elected to the Board of
Directors were Thomas Vennum,
Guy Alexander and Rev. H. w.
Bolts. Reelected to the Board were
Talmage B. Carey, Rabbi Albert G.
Minda, Clarence R. CLANCY, Miss
Katherine M. Kohler.
League Annual Report
The annual report of Urban
league activities was made by
Chas. w. Washington, executive
secretary. Miss June Hawkins
gave several vocal selections. She
was accompanied by Miss Jean
nette Dorsey, musical director,
Phyllis Wheatley House. R. A.
Skinner, chairman of the Member
ship Committee, paid tribute to his
co-workers for their efforts in Sc
curing memberships and assisting
with arrangements for the dinner.
Two resolutions were presented by
this committee, first: That each
year the League hold at least two
meetings to which the entire MEM
bership of the League would be
invited. Second, that the Board of
Directors take steps to place OPP
portunity Magazine in all branches
of the Public Library and the vari-
Gus school libraries throughout the
city. Both resolutions were passed.
Made Other Addresses
During his stay in Minneapolis
DR.. Patterson addressed the con-
gregation of Trinity Baptist church
Sunday morning, the Shrine Boost
ers' club, Nicollet Hotel, Monday
noon and the Urban League ban
quet Monday evening. Tuesday
morning he addressed 300 students
on the University Farm Campus
and a luncheon meeting of officials
of all the federal agencies repre-
sented in the Twin Cities. Monday
evening following the banquet, DR..
Patterson was entertained at the
Rawjjess club by the Business and
Professional Association of Mime
apolis. He was also entertained by
Mr.. and Mrs. Chas. w. Washington
and Mr.. and Mrs. Clarence R.
CLANCY at whose home DR.. Patter-
son resided during his stay in Min