Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1942-02-13

So, who had been employed at the
Dorothy Moore, 1926 Oakland Ave-,
was a maid and had been assigned
to the hospital for 10 months. An
other woman, Mrs. Nellie Rice, had
been employed there for four
weeks.
Told to Use Public Rooms
Until Feb. 2, these women had
1sed the same employees rest and
locker rooms used by all their fell
low women employees.
On that date, in a statement to
he Minneapolis Urban League
Wednesday, they said they were
called in the office by Mrs. Mitch
ell and were told that beginning at
once they were to use the public
rest rooms and that locker facili-
ties would be placed there for their
use.
Object to Jim Crow
The women demurred and OBJ
jected to the arrangement which
they asserted was based on the
type of racial discrimination prac-
ticed in southern states. Mrs.
Mitchell said she had received Or
ders from DR.. F. E. Harrington,
city health commissioner, ordering
the change.
The three women and a fourth
Negro employe, Mrs. Emily
Vaughn, all refused to accept the
segregated system.
On Feb. 10, Mrs. Mitchell called
a second meeting of the women
affected for the purpose of obtain
ing a final decision from them as
to whether they would accept the
unlawful, humiliating Jim Crow
regulation.
Upon their refusal to move their
clothing from the employees regu-
lar locker rooms to the public toilet,
three of the women were dis
charged. The fourth woman, Mrs.
Emily Vaughn, an employee for two
years, was not dismissed because
her department head made ar
rangements for her to keep her
clothing in a special room in that
department.
Mrs. Mitchell told the women
"all the colored girls should be to-
gether." She admitted that DR..
Harrington on one occasion had
noticed several white women en-
ployes and one of the colored girls
fraternizing in the women's lounge
and he had expressed disapproval
of the situation.
Shortly afterwards Mrs. Mitchell
instituted her Jim Crow policy
which the women refused to accept.
Refused Transfers
The WPA timekeeper at the
project refused the dismissed wom-
en- transfers to other projects.
Harrington a SOutherner
DR.. Harrington, city health COM
missioner, halls from the south.
He is a high Catholic layman. For
years Negro Minneapolis has scru-
tinized his conduct of the city's
health policies. Many suspicious
things have happened, including
the elimination by curious means
of a Negro nurse at General Hos
pital, and various other little &C.
currences which have aroused the
suspicion of the Minneapolis Negro
citizens. Usually various cases
were not followed up by interested
groups.
Several years ago DR.. W. D.
Brown had to employ an attorney
to obtain consideration given other
city doctors in health examinations
for which the city paid. DR.. Har-
rington refused to OK his services.
The welfare board ordered him to
do so.
The case of the attempted dis
elimination at Lymanhurst will be
taken up with the welfare board
by Negro and white organizations
which feel that such practices
should not be tolerated in Mime
apolis and especially at a time
when national unity is imperative.
Letters and personal protests
should be made to Mayor Kline,
members of the welfare board, the
city council health and hospitals
committee, and to Harrington him
.olR