St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-12-15

gained MIN no votes among Me-
groes, who realized that under that
doctrine the South would be per-
mitted to continue its discrimina-
tory practice without federal in
PREVENTION. The proposal for con-
stitutional amendment to abolish
the poll tax was a transparent
fraud. And every Negro knows that
his most hateful enemies are also
the enemies of the President and
Mrs. Roosevelt, who have tried to
improve the status of the race.
Ineffective as were the efforts of
the Republicans, there was need for
an organized counter-campaign to
clarity the basic issues. The Demo-
cratic National Committee was ac-
tive in Negro communities in many
industrial cities, but the principal
drive was made by the C. I. o. Po-
litical Action Committee and its
affiliated organization, the Ma
tional Citizens P. A. C. The half
million Negro members of the C.
l. o. unions were approached
through the regular trade-union
channels. An intensive effort was
made in cities to reach the entire
Negro community. More than four
and half million pieces of litera-
ture were distributed. Thousands of
volunteers were enlisted to canvass
the neighborhoods. Outstanding
Negro leaders Endorsed the Presi-
dent and worked for his reelection
through the National Citizens P.
A. C. Although the two Negro
papers with the largest circulation
went over to the Republicans, there
was articulate and loyal support
from more progressive publica-
lions, including two which for
many years had supported only Re-
| PuOIICdH CduulQdLeS.
The help which the P. A. C. had
contributed to the elimination from
Congress of some of the worst Ne
gro-baiters-Joe Starnes, Cotton
Ed Smith, Martin Dies, and others
was an asset Of incalculable
value. A further advantage was the
resentment against the Republi-
cans aroused by the appeal to pref
udice in their structures on the
chairman of the C. I. OPP. A. C.
But the most effective campaigner
was the President himself. His I'M
equivocal settlement of the Phila-
delphia transit strike, which was
directed against the upgrading of
Negro workers, was far more eff
fective than any words of Cover
nor Dewey's. This was followed by
a declaration in favor of a perma-
nent FEPC and a plea for the re-
moval of all racial and economic
restrictions upon the ballot. In
addition, the President took steps
to curb the vicious Jim Crow prac-
tees in the armed services, OPEN
ing the WAVES and SPARS to
Negro women, abolishing segre-
cation in the transportation and
recreational facilities of army
posts, and resembling an army or
der for the establishment of Jim
Crow redistribution centers for re-
turning veterans. Negroes also ap-
proved the Presidents reaffirma
ton OF adherence to the New Deal
and his advocacy of expanded So
cial-security and public-housing
programs.
Now that it has been demonstrate
ed that the Negro vote was essen
tial to the Presidents victory, Ne
gro and progressive organiza-
lions will undoubtedly intensity the
drive to eliminate Jim Crow from
all phases of American life. No
longer faced with the need for ap-
peasing the reactionary elements
which thrive on race hatred, Presi-
dent Roosevelt is in a position to
make an aggressive fight for a
wholesome, all-inclusive democracy
in which the rights and privileges
of no American are abridged by
reason of class, color, race, creed,
or national origin. In such a fight
he may anticipate the support not
only of Negroes and other minority
groups but of the progressive
forces in organized labor, the real
liberals in the South and North.
and forward-looking religious lead
ers.
Tasty Jelly
The common barberry was intro
duced into this country not for its
~