The Phoenix index., 1941-05-03
Fight i On
For Big
u. S. JOB
Leaders Think
Mrs. Bethune Is
Backing Evans
By A. Il. WHITE

w FiCIIl1NN VI L o1-N - AHA ~ l.
- Is the leadership of Mary
Mcleod Bethune losing it's,
magic, or are her followers:
planning open rebellion
against her reported activities
on behalf of Joseph H. B.
Evans former employee of the
department of agriculture,
who now seeks another bigger
position in the set-up from
which he was so mysterious
ly and inexplicably separated
year ago?
For the past month. there has
been q decided undercurrent to the
effect that members cf the nation-
al council Of advisors are urging the
appointment of "big" man in the
department of agriculture, to have
the imposing title Of assistant to
the secretary or advisor on Negro
affairs" similar to the many adj
visors now on the job in the gov
ernment.
just what his position will be is
problematical. except it will be an
other case Of window dressing
While Mrs. Bethune has accom-
plished many things during her
tenure of office in the NYA and as
the unofficial leader of the Ne
groes employed in Washington. her
closest friends and well wiShers
disagree with her on this particular
thing, especially in her choice of
the man.
Mr.. Evans, formerly with the in.
formation service of agriculture,
was separated from that depart
ment-not fired, but separated
and when no other department
could or would find spot for him,
Mrs. Bethune took him on at NYA
headquarters, where he has filled
in ever since 1t is said though
that this salary is paid by the: de-
partment of agriculture, instead of
by the department in which he is
employed.
It is reported that Mrs. BetfIlne
recently visited the Office OF the
Vice President, Henry A. Wallace
with Mr.. Evans in tow and at
tempted to solicit the good offices
of the former secretary on behalf
of Mr. Evans appointment to the
contemplated position.
The fact that such a position is
in the minds of the sponsors is
proving obnoxious TO most of the
members Of the council, who see in
this an attempt to block other
phases of the agricultural program
far more necessary than the nam.
ing of another advisor"
And should such a person be ap-
pointed, an agriculturist is more in
line for the position than a nom
agragarian Already seeking back
ing for the position, which as YET
has not been approved, is said to be
Albion Holsey Of Tuskegee Institute
and James P. Davis. while the
feeling is tlraG the most capable
man for the position is DR.. Fred
D. Patterson of Tuskegee Institute,
who is highly regarded by the agra.
garianS. DR.. Patterson Of course
has not been approached on the
subject, it is said, and there is
some restraint in approaching him
on account of his present position
The higher officials Of the de-
partment of agriculture are no;
saying very much on the situation
they are assuming hands of
attitude, in other words, they art
not going to fight the creation Of
such position, neither are they
going to sponsor it, for there is {
general belief that it is unneceS.
sary. However, if the position il
still created, they are going to in
sist on qualified man for the job
regardless of whose backing he has
The next few weeks should tel
an interesting story.