Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1947-04-26
Famed Negro Singer Threatened Because
OF SUPPOSED Preference For Russia
Attocked By House Committee On
Un-American Activities

Peoria, ILL.,, April = (NNPA)-
Paul Robson, famed actor and
singer, called off his concert here
last Friday night because of
threats of violence after the city
had let it be known that he was
unwelcome.
His concert appearance here
was opposed by the City Council,
which passed resolution to that
effect. Mayor Carl o. Triebel later
banned the use of any public build
ings for a reception for Robson
for fear of violence.
Robson did not emerge from
the home of Ajay Martin, a district
official of the United Farm Equip
ment Workers Union (CIO.)
81 will be back" Robson de-
clared. He said he would not let
himself be bullied by what he cal
ed "these Fascist techniques."
Recalling that the Peoria at
tack followed the House Un-Amer-
lean Activities Committee attack
upon him, Robson said, frankly
I feel honored to be in the same
company with former Vice Presi-
dent Wallace, who lately was sub
jected to a most disgraceful abuse
by the committees subversive
pygmies.''
In a report on American Youth
for Democracy, issued in Wash
ington recently, the House I'm
American Activities Committee
charged that ''The spector of COM
munism stalks our college campus
masked under the cloak of the
American Youth for Democracy"
The report charged that Rob-
eson's name along with those of
Councilmen Benjamin J. Davis of
New York City and others graced
various AYD entertainments, meet
ings and campaigns.
The National Maritime Union
(CIO, meanwhile, condemned the
Peoria City Council and called its
action "a shocking affront to all
decent Americans"
A group calling themselves the
committee of H." of which Robe
sons host, Mr.. Martin, was enc,
sought to have Peoria listen to
Robson.
After Robeson's concert schedu-
led for last Thursday night at the
Shrine mosque was cancelled Apr.
IA, the committee of III was
granted permission to use the city
hall for a reception in Robeson's
honor Earlier the city council had
unanimously adopted a resolution
aimed at keeping Robson out of
town. 1t opposed the appearance
of any "avowed or active propa-
gandist for un-American ideology."
But Mayor Tribel spiked the
reception plans last Thursday by
denying the group to use the city
hall. He acted after Peoria Post
No. of the American Legion with
$500 members, objected to the use
of city or county facilities an
honoring Robson, and after a de-
LUCE of protesting telephone calls
to the city hall.
Joseph Hodges, president of the
Peoria ALL Trades and Labor as
sembly, told interviewers he did
not approve of Robeson's Sup
posed preference for Russio."
In Decatur, where he sang last
Thursday morning, Robson re-
acted to the mayors action by as
sorting he would "speak on the
street corner or sidewalk If neces-
sary, but I am going to speak in
Peoria" He then disappeared I'M
til located at Mr.. Martins home.
Meanwhile police and sheriff's
deputies had been alerted to han
die any possible disturbance re-
sulting from Robeson's visit. A
detail of police met the train he
had said he planned to take from
Decatur, but Robson wasn't in
evidence.
Last Thursday night about 100
persons collected around city hall,
but the crowd finally became bor-
ed and disappeared. There was NO
disturbance.
Robson Is truly one of the great
fTOr+sr,,aI - De- A.