Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1943-08-07
S-Poinf Program
Launched DuriinQ
N. Y. Meeting
Clarence Muse
Starts Campaign
For Better Films

NEW YORK -(SNS)-Af-
ter hearing ringing plea from
Clarence Muse, noted film actor,
forty representatives of stage, radio,
movie and journalism, meeting
with national and community lead
ers at the Hotel Theresa, launch
ed an eight point program here
Monday for the full indignation OF
Negro artists into all aspects of
American cultural life.
Assembled at the request of DR..
Max Yergan, president of the Nat
ional Negro Congress, the group
voted to sponsor an emergency con-
ference on Negro Culture in War
Time"
CODE is SOUGHT
Other points adopted called for.
ID the establishment Of code by
Hollywood screen writer's that
would outlaw all derogatory refer
ences to the Negro people and the
appointment of a Negro to the
Hayes Office to act on the treat
ment of Negro characters in the
movies; p the appointment Of
permanent committee to work with
the educational departments of the
major radio networks on presenta-
tions concerning the Negro people;
- a national campaign to prevent
anti-Negro orientation in the news
coverage of the Associated Press,
the United Press, International
News Service, and other major
news services in the country; a
full and democratic use of Negro
artists for entertainment purposes
by all branches of the Armed
Forces; g. the establishment of
legitimate Negro peoples theatre
in Harlem, to be supported by
groups throughout the country in
terested in Negro cultural express
sion; g. the elimination of all re-
strictions upon the employment of
Negro bands; y the establishment
of a permanent committee, national
In scope, to lead the fight for demo-
cratic opportunities for Negro
artists.
COMMITTEE NAMED
To initiate the Conference NE
gro Culture in War Time,' a COM
mittee was selected, representing
various phases of the theatre and
the arts. The committee, which will
convene within the next few days,
was also charged with the respon-
sibility of aiding the New York
entertainment industry in securing
better material for Negro shows and
Negro performers.
A wide range of leadership was
represented among those participant
ing. Milton Merlin spoke for
Hollywood writer's in the Hollywood
Mobilization Committee, one of
whose aims is to establish a code
for the treatment Of Negroes and
other minority groups in films. The
spokesman for New York's theatre
cal world was Mr. Jonas Rosen-
field, Jr., President of the Screen
Actors Guild who told of plans
among theatrical leaders here to
counterfeit anti-Negro propaganda.
A message of support was received
| lAO1AA dQ1 1tOUCOOll WHO was NC.
layed while on his way to the meet.
ing by tie-up on the railroad.
Walter White Of the NAACP, ex-
pressing interest in the proceed
ings of the Conference, regretted
not being able to attend.
PROBLEM MANY-SIDED
The problem of Negro entertain
ment is many sided one is the
concensus of opinion. F'redi Wash
ington pointed out that one difficult
ty lay with the Negro actor who
would continue to accept derogatory
roles without sufficient insistence
upon more truthful portrayals of
his people. Teddy Wilson of Cafe
Society discussed the problems of
Negro bands which are excluded
from the field of playing inciden-
tai music for the films and from
engagements for sustaining pro-
grams on radio.
Burns and Alien are on the ra.