Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1942-02-27

Wv" eSSSOAA4AAOAoN4O1Ao LII a punk
rest room. They were ordered to
move their clothing from a locker
and rest room which they had been
using along with other women for
months.
Their superior officer, Mrs.
Hazel Mitchell, told the women the
change was ordered by DIR. e. e
Harrington, commissioner of health
in Minneapolis.
The matter was reported to the
Minneapolis Urban League and the
Minneapolis Spokesman and was
referred to the Minneapolis Branch
of the National Association for the
Advancement of COlOred People.
The Spokesman and Recorder
newspapers exposed the whole
matter to public attention in the
issue of Feb. Is, in a news story
and editorial attack on Harrington
whose act the papers contended
was conducive to disunity. Har-
rington could not be reached prior
to the Feb. 13 issue for a state
ment, but did consent to an inter-
view for the Feb. 20 issue. He did
not deny his part in the incident.
Welfare Board Hears
Delegation
At the regular meeting of the
welfare board a delegation from
the NAACP appeared without pre-
viOus arrangement. The board
kindly consented for the delegation
to be heard despite this technical
ity at an executive session follow
ing the regular meeting.
Harry L. Scott Attacks
Harrington
Harry L. Scott, Minneapolis at
torney and member of the legal re-
dress committee of the NAACP,
told the board why the committee
was present and vigorously at
tackled Harrington for the order
which tried to force a Jim Crow
condition upon the women. He
branded the act of which DIR. Har-
rington was charged as the type
Of thing that would aid CDR"
Hitler.
JOsephs Questions Papers
Attack
l. S. Josephs, board member
brought up the matter by referring
to the editorial which had appeared
in the Spokesman attacking Har.
ringtOn's action. He said he had
known DIR. Harrington for many
years and had never noticed any
race prejudice on the part of the
health commissioner. He said thai
he considered the papers attach
premature. Mr.. JOsephs read from
a copy of the Spokesman as he
talked.
NewspaperwOman Defends
Publication
Mrs. Cecil Newman, wife of the
editor Of the Spokesman, described
how the newspaper attempted t.
contact DIR. Harrington on Wednes'
day evening to the extent of leav,
ing a message for him at his home
She said that because of other ex
periences with the health commits.
siOner, Negroes felt that DIR. Har
ringtOn was guilty of race pref.
udice.
Alderman Eric Hoyer said he
was surprised that the editoria,
attack on DR.. Harrington was moi
withheld until the paper had con.
tacted him. He said that he haG
always admired the editorial policy
of the paper but this time he felt
the paper had been unfair and
thought that it was different thar
the daily papers and wouldn't print
an article without a complete in.
vestigation.
Mrs. Newman said That's Just
the trouble. 1t is generally as,
sumed that Negroes are different
from other races. The only differ.
ence in us is our color" This so.
called difference, she said, heatedly
is the basis for Negroes not being
given employment opportunities,
and for many other inequalities
forced upon them.
Mr.. JOsephs explained that his
remarks were intended to get Al
the bottom of the charges and that
he was well aware Of the injus-
tees practieed upon certain people