St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1946-10-18
Dear Joe
By JAMES L. HICKS

Here is the final report on vet
Grams organizations and their relA-
tons to the colored veteran.
DISABLED AMERICAN VET
ERANS: It's difficult to criticize
a disabled veteran, but where col
ored veterans are concerned the
Disabled Veterans of America can
not escape criticism.
Although the DAV vigorously
denies it in the south disabled col
ored veterans are not permitted TO
join its local white chapters. Prob
ably one Of the strongest Of all
veteran outfits when it comes to
lobbying, the DAV has consistent
ly bowed TO Jim Crow patterns
when a firm stand by the Organi-
zation could easily have brought
about Indignation.
Cost you an ace to join this one,
Joe, and an extra dollar for ma
tional service fee which you won't
regret. The DAV national service
unit is the best in the country. The
VA provides it with office space and
stenographic personnel and in Mil
lard Rice, DAV public relations Of
ficer, the organization has a man
who can just about turn the VA
upside down when he feels like it.
The DAV approves compulsory
military training, oppose the
transfer of the United States En-
ployment Services to the States, but
side-stepped such issues as FEPC,
anti-poll tax, the Wagner Murray
Dingell Social Security bill and the
minimum wage law.
You must have been wounded,
injured, gassed or disabled while on
honorable service in order to join
DAV.
UNITED NEGRO AND ALLIED
VETERANS OF AMERICA: This
outfit started out under a lot of
fire as being a self-imposed Jim
Grow outfit, but in the last few
months has brought its most severe
critics around to its way of think
ing.
Contrary to reports, it's an inter-
racial outfit with many mixed chap
tiers in the south. Like AVG it has
not pulled any punches when the
rights Of the colored veteran are
threatened, and with the aid of
some top national names is now well
on the way to becoming the first
real national veterans organiza-
ton composed largely of colored
veterans. Honorary national COM
mander Of UNAVA is a veteran
who goes around beating up peo-
pie. His name is Joe Louis.
UNAVA is seeking a charter
from Congress and accreditation
from the VA so that it can have its
own national service officer.
Indications are in Washington
that Conrad Clark, UNAVA's ma
tional representative, will soon be
able to swing the deal at the VA
and should find little difficulty get
ting Congress to see the light when
it convenes. Clark has succeeded in
getting ]. Finley Wilson to throw
the weight Of the Elks behind
UNAVA.
You ante up three bucks a year
to join this one, Joe, but take it
from us it's a good deal. When and
if UNAVA gets official recogni-
ton from Congress and the VA, the
sky is the limit to the good work
that it can do for tan veterans.
UNAVA now has chapters in 80
states and the District of Columbia.
While steering clear of extreme left
it has a clean slate in fighting for
the rights Of minority groups.
ON THE LINE
Best bet for colored veterans to-
day: ave. Most promising invest
ment for colored vets: UNAVA.
A cinch parley for anytime: AVG
and UNAVA. A must for disabled
veterans despite the handicaps:
DAV. Organizations you can get
along without: American Legion,
VFW and Amvets. No need to com
promise with Mr.. James Crow.