Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1946-07-12
Dear Joe
BY JAMES L. HICKS
HOT POTATOl

The matter Of building jim-cro
hospitals in the south for veterans
has become one Of the hottest po-
litical issues In Washington today.
The Veterans Administration
won't even talk about IL any more
since one truth-loving public rela.
tions officer let the cat out the
bag and told NNPA that plans for
the jim-cro hospital at McComb,
Mississippi, were lying on the
Presidents desk waiting TO be
signed.
When the story was published
exactly ms the public relations man
had given II out, the repercussions
were little short Of terrific.
Joe Albright, special adviser
Ia General Omar N. Bradley, Rd.
ministrator Of veterans affairs,
hit the ceiling. Why hadn't he
been consulted on such an an
nOunCement1 Waiter white,
NAACP secretary, hit his type.
writer keys and sent q telegram
60 President Truman urging him
not 10 approve McCOmb or any
other site for an All-cOlOTed hos.
pital. Representative Adam
Powell protested 20 the Presi-
dent that the hospital should be
located In the all.NegrO town Of
Mound Bayou. Everybody con.
cerned hit something.
IL has not yet been determined
who hit what ut the White House,
but IL IL evident that the VA has
been telling Mississippi Congress-
men that II will build an all-Negro
hospital Mt McComb despite oppo-
sition Of colored people TO that To-
cation Rs we'll as TO segregated
hospital facilities.
General Bradley instructed VA
officials that until further notice
the stock answer 10 any questions
concerning Rll-NegTo hospitals
would be "The matter In under ad-
visement."
Every man in the VA press sec
ton has been instructed 10 give
the same answer on jim-cro hoSpi-
tails, no matter what the question.
Among reporters covering the VA
the whole thing Is getting TO be a
joke.
Prediction: No official action will
be taken on an Rll-NeRro hospital
until after the November elections.
II a site IL finally selected II will
not be at McComb but at Mound
Bayou.
THE WHIRL
Colonel Eugene Dibble, the head
Of the Tuskegee Veterans Hospital,
has resigned. That IL good rid
dance, even though he will still be
used M n consultant by the VA.
DIR. John W. LawlAh, dean Of
the Howard Medical School. re-
signed effective June 30. and on
that date he ceased 10 be q mem
Der Of the Deans Committee for
Mount Alto veterans hospital. As
a member Of the COMMITTEES, DIR.
Lawlah was authorized 20 name q
Negro doctor ~ q consultant on
the Mount Alto STAFF but was not
able 10 find one who met specifica-
lions. Besides being q specialist
In his field, q eonEuitant at q VA
hospital must be q veteran.
The American Veterans Com
mittee took It's FIRST bow 10 Jim-cro
on June % when the Washington
chapter voted 10 buy q site for q
cooperative housing project which
IL covered by q restrictive covenant
barring colorsd people from living
there. Controversy over the deal
caused n near split In our favorits
vet group but the liberals finally
took the reins and on July II the
chapter will meet 10 reconsider It's
rash action. One Of the AVCs
national platform plAnks states
that IL viii fight restrictive cove
nants wherever they are met.
MAIL CALL
To Lea J. Williams, 1885 Central
Street, San Bernardino. California:
The Civil Service Commission II
working on answers 20 your timely
questions concerning the Ban
Bsrnardino Army Air Field about
receiving retirement pay and .
pension eOneurrently. To Bert
AIyes of the United Negro and
Allied Veterans: What really did
happen At that Chicago Convsn-
toni To all veterans: II you
have q veteran problem which re-
quirea action IN Washington IN
stead Of your local VA Office. drop
Us q line NJ the NNPA News Ssrv-
Zee, 2O07 Fiftssnth street, ". w.,
Washington, ID. C.. and ne viii do
wha. We can far Won from this end.