Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1941-08-01
CONGRESSMAN YOUNGDAHL
is AMUSED

Editor: Your paper of Friday,
May %, has been referred to this
office by one of my friends. 1 am
very amused at the article refer
ring to my stand in connection
with the Anti-Poll Tax Bill. / re-
greet very much, for your sake, that
you did not have all the facts be-
fore this article was inserted in
your paper.
This will advise you that at the
last session of Congress, I took a
very definite stand in favor of the
Anti-Poll Tax Bill and have corre-
spondence to verify it. Ny posi-
ton has not changed in this ses-
sion of Congress. In fact, since the
first of the year, 1 have received a
considerable number of letters, as
well as a petition, in connection
with the Geyer Anti-Poll Tax Bill.
May l quote my reply to these
communications:
This will acknowledge receipt of
your recent communication regarding
the AntiPon Tax Bill.
Il have always opposed poll tax
systems or any other system which dis
franchises American voting. shall
continue to do So"
l quote from another reply
dated January 8, 1871:
Thank you for your card of Decem-
"As you probably know, the Anti
Poll Tax Bill dies with this session of
Congress. Undoubtedly a new bill
along similar lines will be introduced
in the new session, and will continue
to support it"
1 also quote from another letter
dated February 26, 1871:
This will acknowledge receipt of
your letter of February 21st regarding
the Anti-Pol Tax Bill.
II have always favored abolishinR
the poll tax or any other practice
which deprives citizens Of their right
to vote. am not sure but what the
Judiciary Committee should be given
more Of an opportunity to act on this
bill before we sign a petition to take
It away from them. Ordinarily, do
not believe in petitions to relieve a
committee Of consideration Of any bill
until the committee has demonstrated
intentions not TO act"
These letters have been sent to
residents of our city and can be
verified if you desire.
1 also quote from a letter ad-
dressed to Mr.. John P. Davis, Ma
tional Secretary of the National
Negro Congress, Washington,
D. c., dated June 10, 1941:
This viii acknowledge receipt Of
your letter Of May 81.
In reply will say that I have never
favored any legislation in Congress
that would in any way discriminate
against any group or class of people
that believe in the American way Of
life. In fact, we have employed in our
home for several years help Of your
race whom we have become very fond
Of;
ing me on this information and can
assure you that have not changed my
attitude In connection with this pol
ICY"
Now then, in the spirit of de-
cency, If you want to be fair in
this matter, you will correct the
only inference that can be drawn
from your article-that oppose
this legislation and have discrimi-
mated against your race. The fact
of the matter is that I voted for
the Ant-Lynching Bill.
Again may 1 say that for many
years we have employed people of
your race in our home and even
now are employing a grand person
of the colored race of whom my
family has become very fond.
I give you these facts in order
that you might voluntarily correct
this story in a future issue of your
paper.
1 shall be very pleased to re-
ceive your reply at an early date.
Sincerely yours,
Oscar Youngdahl.