St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1943-12-24

ment to 20 persons over a 16 week
period.
Sponsored Housing Project
Members of the Urban League
Board were chiefly responsible for
developing the local Citizens Com
mittee that sponsored the Sumner
Field Housing Project. The League
participated in the surveys which
led to the selection of the site on
which the project was built and
maintained effective relationships
with the project management on
matters relating to occupancy and
the adjustment of tenants.
Secretary Very Active
AS Executive Secretary of the
League, Mr.. Washington has
served on important committees
of the Council of Social Agencies
and has participated in state
and local welfare conferences.
He served as a member of the
Minneapolis Better Hou in G
League and was a member of the
State Housing Association which
sponsored the Inflated Housing En-
abling Acts in the Minnesota State
Legislature. During his admins
tration the Women's Auxiliary of
the Minneapolis Urban League was
organized. This group has rendered
effective community service and has
sponsored a number of cultural pro-
grams such as the appearance of
the Fisk Jubilee Singers and the
recital by June Hawkins, presently
starring in the Broadway play Gear
men Jones'" The Auxiliary has
participated in Civilian Defense Ac-
Invites and has done an outstanding
job in the sale of war bonds and
stamps. Mr.. Washington organized
the Urban League Youth Council
which functioned effectively for
several years, but which was forced
to suspend activities as result of
the impact of the war.
League a Vital Community
Agency
The Minneapolis Urban League,
an affiliate of the National Urban
League and one of At branches
throughout the country, is no fly
by-night organization. It has been
the foremost agency dealing with
problems of migrating and sta
bilizing Negro employment. The
War Manpower Commission, the
FEPC and other federal agencies
lean heavily upon the national and
local Urban League for cooperation
and assistance in carryingA~ut their
respective duties. If the trade
schools, employers, labor unions and
other groups had been more respon-
sive to the appeals and warnings of
the Urban League, the manpower
problems during this present emer-
gency would not have been so press
ing as they have been.
Nation Awakened
On the interracial front the Ur-
ban League has for nearly two score
years called attention to the need
for understanding, justice and CO.
operation. In many respects both
Negro and white people were either
skeptical or disinterested. The re-
cent racial conflicts and difficulties
faced by Negroes in the armed
forces have awakened the entire ma
ton to the need for immediate and
effective adjustment in the area of
race relations. More than Is states
including Minnesota have appointed
interracial commissions. The may
ors of Ct cities have done likewise
and in many communities such COM
missions have come about in other
ways. These developments in them
selves validate the program which
he Urban League has conducted for
many years.
The problems that Minneapolis
and other cities will have to face in
the postwar period clearly indicate
the need for Strengthening the pro-
gram of the League. In closing his
work in Minneapolis, Mr.. Washing
ton paid high tribute to the men
and women Of both races who have
served loyalty and effectively as
members of the Board of Directors,
and to the members of the League
and the Women's Auxiliary for the
support they have given the pro-
gram.
Mr.. Washington had words of
great praise and appreciation for
the efficient and loyal service of
Mrs. Anne Smith, who has served
as office secretary of the League
in Minneapolis since it's inception.
The Minneapolis Spokesman, the
daily press, the various religious,
civic, social and welfare organiza-
lions have by their cooperation
helped the League accomplish many
Of its detectives. The status at
tanned by the League with the Coun-
Gil of Social Agencies, War Chest
and Community Fund is one of the
best indications of the worthwhile