The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1942-10-10

LrOlL NAAOT cndpLef resulted lIOlIl oil
honest difference of opinion on mat
ter of administrative policy between him and
his Board of Directors The resignation was
entirely voluntary and came as complete
surprise to the people of Detroit.
Dr. McClendon, during his regime as
head of the local branch, has been a dynamic,
militant and resourceful leader giving un-
stintingly of his valuable time to the work of
the organization, often at personal inconven-
fence and financial sacrifice. He has done
fine job and under his aggressive leadership,
the Detroit chapter of the NAACP has made
substantial progress, both in influence and
numerical strength
1t is regrettable that the local organiza-
ton should have been deprived Of Dr.. Nc
Clendon's leadership SO suddenly and dra-
matically, but Since it has happened, it is for
tunate that it came at time when the De-
troit branch is strong and vigorous and able
to continue making progress almost by its
own momentum. Organizations that are eff
fcient and effective during these critical
times must be able to carry on and create new
leaders, to take the place of those who are
lost.
Now that Dr. McClendon has resigned,
the vacancy caused by his resignation may re-
main open until the regular annual election
in December. In this event. the vice president,
Fred A. Allen, will head the branch with eff
ficent Gloster Current, the executive secre-
tary, performing the routine duties of his Of
flee.
On Monday night, October r. the Ex-
ecutiye Board will meet at the st. Antoine
YMCA, at which time definite decision is
expected to be made as to future procedure
1t is assumed there will be no special election
called, as it is customary for a vice president
to fill out the uneXpired term Of a president.
On the other hand, local efforts may be
made to urge the Board to refuse to accept
DR.. McClendon's resignation, and it is pos
sible that offers to mediate the matter may be
made by outside sources.
In fact Detroiters are disturbed by a
persistent rumor that certain national off
GERS Of the NAACP are trying to bring pres
sure on the local branch to adjust the matter
to their way of thinking. If this is true, those
national officers are stepping out Of bounds,
for it is the business Of the local, and not the
national board, TO straighten out purely local
issues. The National Office has its National
Board which has its duties to perform and de-
,isions to make, and Detroters are not per-
nitted to medde; otherwise, Joe Louis would
have been awarded Spingarn Medal.
Naturally, the National Office wants
peace and harmony in the Detroit chapter as
it is the largest branch in the nation and sup
plies large quota of money to the National
Office Still. Detroit feels able to settle this
issue by itself, and we feel that Dr. McClen-
don, as well as the Tribune, the local Board
members and other individuals here, would
resent any undue interference from New
York or Pittsburgh.
Names of Detroiters qualified to fill the
vacancy created by Dr. McClendons resigna-
ton are being freely suggested by various
citizens. There are several who, in the opin-
ion Of the Tribune, have the ability, initiative
and are sufficiently public-spirited to fill this
important position, among them being Fred
A. Allen, acting president and successful
business executive; the Rev. Malcolm Dade,
pastor of ST. Cyprians church,; Wilbur c.
Woodson, executive secretary of st. Antoine
YMCA; the Rev. Charles A. Hill, pastor of
Hartford Avenue Baptist church and chair
man of the Sojourner Truth Citizens commit
tee and Louis c. Blollnt secretary and gen.