Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1945-04-06

WndL you nee0 w
know is where the McALPIN
subtle, powerful, but underhand OPP
position to these bills is coming
from. You who are fighting for
the passage of these measures in
various states will be better armed
for the fray after you read this
column. You will be better equipped
to keep the pressures on your own
Congressman and Senators for the
passage of a Federal FEPC BILL
too.
Bills are pending now in New
Jersey, Kansas, Washington, New
Mexico, Colorado, Michigan, Penn
sylvania, Massachusetts,, California
and Connecticut. Other states are
preparing biRs for introduction this
year.
Here is a confidential memoir
andum sent out on March 20, 1946,
by the National Association OF
State Chambers Of Commerce COOS
Broad Street, Newark 2, N. J.) to
all State Chambers q Commerce
throughout the country:
Following the enactment In New
York, under the urgent advocacy
Of Governor Thomas E. Dewey, OF
a so-called Fair Employment Prae-
tees Act, there has broken out a
rash Of similar bills in q number
Of state legislatures. New Jersey
Massachusetts,, Connecticut, Penn
sylvania, Illinois, California, In
diana and Ohio have similar meas
ures before them.
There are also pending before
Congress one bill in the Senate and
eight bills in the House on this
same subject ,
Editors note: Apparently Tafts
hill il not considered by the NASCC
as an FEPC bill. With this, we
agree.)
at il quite evident that all OF
this hue and cry for legislation COW
ering fair employment practices, is
the result Of a concerted effort by
certain RADICAL ELEMENTS TO
SOW DISCoRD into our economic
and political system, SO that they
may turn this discord to their own
benefit.
1.-THE Chamber Of Commerce Of
the State Of New York and many
other business service organizations
in that State put up a determined
fight against the New York bill but
as you no doubt know, the bill was
passed.
"The New Jersey State Chamber
Of Commerce is doing everything
possible to defeat the bills that have
been presented to the New Jersey
Legislature on this subject. A
meeting, under the sponsorship OF
the New Jersey Chamber, OF local
Chambers of Commerce and Trade
Associations was recently held to
discuss this matter and plan united
action. Without dissenting vote,
everyone Of the thirty-three organi-
cations present pledged themselves
TO work to the utmost for the de-
feat Of these bills.
Enclosed Is q copy Of an abstract
Of the provisions contained in one
group Of seven companion bills now
before the New Jersey Legislature.
"If your State now has bills be-
fore the Legislature having to do
with fair employment practices, will
you please send TO me an abstract
Of the bills with whatever comments
you may desire to make, 50 that I
can forward to each Of the members
q copy Of your abstract, together
with your comments. This is being
done for the purpose Of keeping US
all advised as to what is now going
on in the several state legislatures
dealing with this subject.
ar. B. SKINNER,
Secretary Treasurer"
NoxU that the challenge Is down,
you can choose your own weapons.
BIRMINGHAM NAACP Sc
CURES FIRST 1000 IN KICK
OFF FOR NATIONWIDE GOAL
Birmingham, Ala.-The local
NAACP campaign, under the di-
rection Of J. J. Green, kicked of
on March % with a report of 1901
members, and is well on the road
to the goal of 5000.
2lst SPECIAL BATTALION
sEABEES SEND NAACP 1886
1 New York-The largest check
ever received from a naval group
was sent into the national office,
J NAACP, from the 21st Special Con-
structicn Battalion in the amount
of $3,136. The memberships were
! the result Of a campaign directed
by L. d. Brown, Y &c, chairman,
and his assistants Walter High
tower, Jr., Y BIC; P. J. Key, NAM
&c; and s. o. Allen, BM &c.
Especially creditable is the re-
port that the Battalion is zone Of
the few with mixed personnel and
has never had any serious racial
disturbances" It boasts also more
rated Negro personnel than any
other Special Battalion. The entire
recreational set-up including opera
ton of a movie theater is managed