St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1942-05-22

CHS hduSSOu QOCSl, were GufOWH Ill
IN a rumor was spread that Wayne
r, had checked out of the hostelry
ence of Negroes.
gates Eating
led up from his morning repast. and
saw several colored delegates en-
joying breakfast in the coffee
shop, he remarked to the waitress
serving him, that he could not see
how she or any other white person
could stand to wait on a Negro.
Following these remarks, he left
his breakfast, and Immediately
checked out of the hotel.
Upstairs while packing his bags,
he asked the chambermaid if she
made up beds after those "N-."
Receiving an affirmative reply he
is alleged to have told her, "T
would not make up a bed after
Jesus Christ if he were one"
The maid answered, eff these
people are good enough to fight
and protect me, certainly I am
good enough to make up beds after
them"
When interviewed regarding the
incident, Mr.. King denied any
knowledge of the affair, giving the
correspondent a brief resume of
his dealing and experience with
Negroes.
Claims He Sent Four to College
He told US that he had sent four
colored boys through college, and
that he had always been interested
in seeing that a square deal was
given any of the group where he
was concerned.
He also stated that he had al
ways employed them, and that his
children were always left in the
care of a colored nurse when he
was on tour.
During the conversation he re-
marked, 81 know that your people
are having it plenty tough, and
that you are naturally jittery when
anything like this comes up, so it
is best to be wise and investigate
before you draw any conclusions,
because a lot of US are your friends,
and perhaps you don't know it."
sometimes your zeal might
drive friends from you, rather than
help situation" he added.
King Explains
Asked as to whether he had ac-
tually checked out of the hotel, he
said that he had stayed the first
night at the Nicollet Hotel, but be-
cause of the noise due to the Vic
tory Caravan of Movie Stars who
were quartered there, he went to
the Radisson; finding that he could
not get suitable accommodations
for himself and wife who was to
join him Wednesday, he merely
stayed the night at the Radisson,
had breakfast, and went to quar-
tiers secured in still another hotel.
According to the records Of the
Radisson Hotel, Wayne King made
reservations May 4th from Chi
cago, for the same room he had
occupied during two previous visits,
at the same rate (half regular
charge), for the duration of the
show which started May 9Th.
When arrangements were made
to house the convention of Build
ing Service Workers, the question
of treatment Of possible Negro
delegates was brought to the man
agement of the hotel, and it was
agreed that they would receive the
same treatment accorded other
delegates.
Following the report of the King
incident, representatives Of the
hotel seemed eager to make amends
for any possible embarrassment to
the guests.
Thor Berg, representative Of
Hotel and Restaurant Employees
Union, Immediately went to the ho-
tel to ascertain whether or not any
discourtesy had been shown col
ored delegates by mattresses or
other employees under the juris-
diction of his local.
According to Mr.. Berg, he found
that the girls were behind the
policy adopted by the hotel man.
agement.
Members of the New York dele
CATION said that they were going
to make vigorous protest against
the attitude of Mr.. King, when
they returned home.
It is said that the hotel manage
ment has blackballed Mr.. King as
result Of the incident, and that
he win probably not be given res
ervations there in the future.