Arkansas State press., 1943-02-12
Chamber of
Commerce Reports

h The Officers and Members Of
IL Negro Chamber of Commerce
q Greater Little Rock:
II is with pleasure that we sub.
Nit this second annual report Of
Tie activities Of the officers. d.
yectors and members of the Negro
Chamber Of Commerce. We have
enjoyed the active cooperation of
ether organizations of the city. es-
pecially the INSTRUMENTATION
Ministerial Alliance. Citizens Com
Wittec and Urban League. The
activities outlined in this report,
lsxxvly portrays the joint effort Of
- several organizations MENTION
ed We found II effective to not
only work and plan together but
- sign many Memorials, Peti-
fScaa and Resolutions jointly.
m President and Secretary in
sAdifion to delivering many adj
dFemes ~ your representatives,
havs taken time out TO attend va
sis1 conferences, racial and inter-
vaehl Council and was elected to
6sr hive registered well in the
csuamunity and nation as a result
~ President was named as q
uegnher Of the Governors I.ter-
yuelal CDunc1 and was edected to
. pssition in the Legal Depart
uasnt u the National Negro Busi-
nss Imsue and your Secretary
WIN elected Regional Vice Presi-
dent. The activities Of the Cham
Der are well known and we shall
speak briefly Of the following:
Following up our program in
1871 - inteerating Negroes into
OruAnixed labor and National De-
fence work we have followed this
program and after hurdling many
difficulties, Cur people are now en-
joying u large sphere Of employ
ment.
In the Foster case and the Rape,
case. result well known to you,
your Secretary served rs the
spenred head and we in the thick
Of the fight in securing and selec-
ting Negro policemen.
On October 10, 1912, we headed
Up ! program Of Welcome to Ne
ess Soldiers At Camp Joseph T.
npAinson and upw ard m
$50 Negroes attended. Following
nh W organized temporary |
Fsderation Of Clubs to work with |
Military officials in entertaining |
M housing Negro soldiers and
tA6fr wives and relatives.
I6lIswing the filing Of suit to
11uallzs Shades ~ city taachers :
wAl1s man was appointed to serve
- psimcIpal ~ ths Negro Sumner
1G1Dsl. We intsrvened ny Joint Me-
usgial d the Chamber and Minis
teFia1 Alliance and was successful
n Getting the action rescinded.
We hive and still continuing to
tile m active part in aiding the
lgsg1p teacher in their effort to Sc
ruD better salaries; to break down
~ color bar In Democratic pri-
unries.
We registered our protest against
making w. 9th st. a highway for
through transportation. Many Of
nm activities have dealt with mat !
ters that were adjusted or correct
ed OF the record and we are not at
aiherty to make them part of pub
Ir document without violating a
confidence that might injure or EN-
harass third parties,
While our attendance at meeting
during the year has not been very
encouraging, yet faithful few
have held together and aided us
in carrying on We have kept the
organization free from entangling
alliances or obligation and We have
exercised vigilance in protecting
our people against friends and var
ious form of exploitation We have
maintained our budget without
soliciting from the public or raic-
ing funds by other devices and we
have sfeadfastly refused to permit
Others to do so under the guise Of
Otr endorsement.
In prosecuting the duties of Ex-
ecutivc Secretary, we have had
splendid cooperation from the mem
hers and the President and Record
ing Secretary have worked hand in
ynnd with us, for all of us which
We express our gratitude.
In understanding when I say