Evening star., 1945-10-12
Truman AssaiIs
ConstitutionHa|l
Racial Policy
Letter to Powell Says
Discrimination Was
First Step of Nozis

President Truman today con-
demned the policy of the Daugh-
ters of the American Revolution
barring Negro artists from Con-
stitution Hall, recalling that ra-
cial discrimination against art
lists and musicians was one of
the first steps taken by the Nazis
when they came to power.
The Chief Executive said, how
ever, that it was impossible for him
to interfere in the management or
policy of a private enterprise such
as the one in question"
His views were expressed in a let
ter to Representative Powell, Demo-
crat, of New York, who had pro-
tested in telegram to Mr.. Tru-
man against refusal by the OAR
to permit his wife, Hazel Scott, to
use Constitution Hall for a con-
cert on October 90 Mr.. Powell is
one of two Negro members of Con-
gress.
Mrs. Truman also deplored the
OAR action, but informed Rep
resentative Powell that she did not
believe her acceptance of an invita-
ton to be the guest of honor at a
OAR tea this afternoon is re-
lated to the merits of the issue.
The OAR yesterday reaff1rmed its
decision to continue barring Negro
artists from Constitution Hall.
Previously the manager for Miss
Scott, Negro pianist and singer.
disclosed that she had been denied
permission to use the hall.
Text of Letter.
The text of the Presidents letter
to Mr.. Powell follows:
Il have your telegram in which
you inform me that your wife, Miss
Hazel Scott, has been refused the
use of Constitution Hall for a con-
cert on October 20.
Artistic talent is not the exclusive
property of any one race or group.
One of the marks of democracy is
its willingness to respect and reward
talent without regard to race or
origin.
I'VE have just brought to a sue
ceSsful conclusion war against to-
talitarian countries which made ra-
cial discrimination their state pol
icy. One of the first steps taken
by the NaziS when they came to
power was to forbid the public ap-
pearance of artists and musicians
whose religion or origin was unsat-
isfactory to the master race
Il am sure that you will realize,
however, the impossibility of any
interference by me in the manage
ment or policy of private enter
prise such as the one in question"
Won't Interpret Statement.
Asked if Mr.. Truman was COM
pairing the Nazi treatment of artists
and musicians with the OAR action
here, White House Press Secretary
Charles G. Ross said, Il am not
going to interpret this"
Confirming that Mrs. Truman was
going ahead with plans to attend
the OAR tea, Mr. Ross said that
she is an honorary member of the
OAR chapter in Independence, Mo.
Mrs. Truman sent the following
telegram to Mr. Powell today:
In acknowledging your telegram
of October II, may call your at
tention to the fact that the invita-
ton to which you refer was ex-
tended and accepted prior to the
unfortunate controversy which has
/ arisen.
Personally I regret that a con-
flict has arisen for which I am in
no way responsible.
In my opinion, my acceptance Of
the hospitality is not related to
| the merits of the issue which has
since arisen.
| Il deplore any action which denies
artistic talent an opportunity to
! express itself because of prejudice
| against race or origin"
| 1t was recalled that Mrs. Franklin
D. Roosevelt resigned from the OAR
after it barred appearance of Mari
an Anderson, Negro singer, in Con-
| stitution Hall in 1899.
| 4hinCuldVSAy dlCcl lIlc LIAM an
nouncement yesterday Mr.. Powell
issued a statement saying he had
asked Mrs. Truman not to attend
this afternoons tea to be given by
Susan Riviere Hetzell Chapter Zone
of the Districts 60 OAR chapters)
at the Sulgrave Club.
Mr.. Powell also announced he is
asking the New York delegation in
Congress to sponsor a resolution
which would end tax exemption for
Constitution Hall.
i Announcement that the ban on
other than white artists is to con-
tinue came at the end of three-day
meeting here of the OAR Executive
Committee and National Board of
Managers. The original ruling was
in the form of an amendment to
the rules of management adopted
March %, 1882, which read as fol-
lows: THAT the words white artists
only be added to the leases for the
use of Constitution Hall"
The amendment received Nation
wide publicity in the Marian Ander-
son case. Her concert held later at
! the Lincoln Memorial, attracted
thousands. In 1943 Miss Anderson
was allowed to sing in the hall for
the benefit of China relief.
/ Yesterdays announcement takes
(See OAR. Page ABB