St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1943-01-22
Committee Questions McNutt
On His Covering Up for
Railroads Who Discriminate

ings are held and the logical con-
clusion reached (that is, the rail-
roads will be found guilty of dis
criminatory practices against Ne
gro employees) and a directive
(that is, an order) is made by
FEPC against the railroads, the or
der will be defied and that would
mean the end of FEPC," Mr.. Har-
per asserted. Mr.. Harper made Il
very clear that his chief, Mr.. Nc
Mutt, thought it best to ego around
the mountain, which might be the
longer way to our destination, but
the safer"
Mr.. Harper pointed out that one
Of the difficulties in the situation
was the fact that three Of the rail-
roads were southern-"every foot
of their tracks is in the South"
Mr.. Harper, either Intentionally or
inadvertently, admitted that great
pressure had been put on his Office
by the railroads and other reaction
aries, to have the hearings called
of.
About three o'clock Mr.. McNutt
came in to see the delegation, which
had shot of most Of its steam try
ing to go through Mr.. Harper's
mountain" In his opening state
ment to the delegation Mr.. Nc
Mutt said that he would not refer
to his past record and by inference
at least he would have the commit
tee to know that it was a good rec
ord in regard to his attitude and
acts to colored people.
When he concluded his opening
remarks with a statement that was
pertinent to the question under con-
sideration Mr.. McNutt was asked
by Rev. Nelson if he would say
more, or elaborate on his final
statement. This the governor" Of
the Manpower Commission refused
to do. Then Rev. Nelson pointed
out that in his (McNutt's) position
he was a servant of the people and
that the people-pointing to the en-
tire delegation, which really rep
resented at least rs million citizens
had come seeking an explanation
from him as their servant. Mr..
Nelson followed this observation
with two questions which Mr.. Nc
Mutt would not answer. Mr.. Mel
sons second question to the head
of the War Manpower Commission
was, "Did you confer with DR.. Nc
Lean president of Hampton Insti-
tute), the chairman Of FEPC, and
other members of the committee
before you issued the order post
poning the hearings against the
railroads ?" Mr.. McNutt said that
ne talked with many people," Mr..
Nelson insisted on a definite an
swer to his question but Mr.. Nc
Mutt refused to give a direct an
swer and apparently became angry
when the st. Paul minister insisted
on receiving direct answer to his
question.
It was quite apparent to the dele
cation by this time that Mr.. Nc
Mutt did not intend to answer any
questions raised by the delegation.
Rev. Horace White, pastor Of the
Plymouth Congregational Church.
Detroit, and himself an officer in
the city government of his city,
arose and told Mr.. McNutt that he
was treating the delegation '1ike
we are children" Miss Natalie
Norman of Washington, repre-
senting Minorities Work Shop, got
the floor and in no uncertain terms
served Mr.. McNutt for his "pa-
ternalistic and insulting attitude"
toward the delegation. At one
time during the conference Mr.. Nc
Mutt exclaimed, "don't you believe
in my sincerity" Both Miss Moor
man and Mr.. Nelson said "no."
MIR. McNutt asked the delegation
not to force him into an impossible
position and close my friendship"
Someone in the delegation replied
that at seems that you have al
ready withdrawn your friendship"
A Mr.. J. Lebermann, represent
ing 10000 Jewish merchants IN
Detroit, asked Mr.. McNutt three
questions and the delegation wait
ed for reply. After a deathly 81
lence Rev. Nelson said to Mr.. Nc
Mutt, "We are waiting for your
answer to Mr.. Eebermann's ques-
tons" Mr.. McNutt asked Rev.
Nelson, what are the questions ~
Rev. Nelson asked Mr.. Liebermann
to repeat his questions, which was
done. Mr.. McNutt refused to an
swer any one Of them.
After about an hour it was evil
dent that everybody in the confer
ence was wasting time. Rev. Hin,
chairman Of the delegation, arose
indicating that the conference was
over.
Individuals and organizations in
the Twin Cities are urged to send
kilograms and letters Of protest to
President Roosevelt and not to Mr..
~