Arizona sun., 1947-09-19
ANHOUR LIFE
OF PAUL robson
By BILL BROWNELL

San Francisco.-Paul Robson,
singer and anti-Fascist didn't get
more than a sidewise glimpse Of
Anton Refregier's murals when he
cisited the Rincon Annex post of
flee this week to view the artists.
work.
Accompanying Robson was FIRE.
ida Salzman of the Spanish Refu-
ges Appeal. Waiting at the post of
flee to greet the singer, in addition
to Refregier, were reporters from
the commercial press, and from
the Daily Peoples World, photo
graphers, a delegation from 10
cal Negro newspaper, Georgia Kid
we'll from the Civil Rights Con-
gress. Giacomo Patri from the Cal
ifornia Labor School art depart
ment, salesman from the Inter-
national Correspondence School
and three or four Negro post office
employees.
Before Robson had strolled half
way down the length of the post
office, in company with Refregier,
flash bulbs flared, and the repor-
tiers had him surrounded.
"FIow come nine years after the
Spanish war, Spanish refugees still
need dough?" asked one reporter
a shade suspiciously.
Robson patiently expl aine d
what it meant to be a Spanish re-
fugee with a powerful United
States government supporting the
last vestiges of fasciSm throughout
the world.
"Mr. Robson, can you tell me
why so few colored boys have
signed up-even under the CT bill
for Correspondence courses?"
asked the correspondence course
salesman.
Robson shrugged his shoulders.
maybe it's not SO easy to get
job-even if you have education
if you are a Negro" he said.
whats that you've got?" asked
the same reporter, poking curious
ly at the sheet music Robson held
in his hand.
"Just some music" said Robe
son.
"How about a shot of you up on
the scaffolding with Mr.. Refre-
gier," said one of the photograph
erS.
While Robson sat on the Scaf-
folding and patiently followed the
instructions of the photographer,
who wanted to get real "human
interest" shot, the reporter was
busily going through the music
which Robson had left with his
coat down below.
Nothing much in there" said
the reporter disgustedly. "One
composer I never even heard OF
before"
The picture taking concluded,
female reporter from The San
Francisco Sun spoke up.
"Mr. Robson, are you Com
munist?" she asked.
"Do you have communistic lean
ings?" asked a man who appeared
to be the lady reporters overseer
at the interview. He acted as if ne
feared she might ge the wrong
slant.
Robson sighed deeply. what
do you mean, a Communist? Do
YOU mean am 1 on the side of the
people? Do you mean do I oppose
fascism? Do you mean am I op-
posed to Rankin? y"
Robson talked quietly and sin
cerely to all those who wanted to
talk and then he left in company
with his friends, Miss Salzban, Pat
ri, Refregier, and Miss Kidwell.
His brief appearance at the post
office was just one more in a long
line of appearances. He appeared
at the Shrine auditorium in Los
Angeles Friday, in Oakland Sun
day, in San Francisco Monday, in
Madison Square Garden in New
York with Henry Wallace on
Thursday.
Other plans include additional
appearances with Henry Wallace,
concerts in Europe and South
America next season, a London
production on "Othello," Holly
wood film production of Howard
Fast's Freedom Road"
And, oh yes, Robson thought
Refregier's murals were excellent.