Evening star., 1948-05-06
University Women
Continued From First Page \

admit a colored college graduate,
Mrs. Mary Church Terrell.
The injunction essentially asks
that the national not be allowed to
operate on nondiScriminatory
basis" Mr.. Horsky said. I'VE think
no court would enforce such an in
junction"
Mr.. Horsky declared that the
national boardswasa. not trying to
exclude any one - rgH'fs "s@
The national simply says that If
the branch does not allow women to
become members without discrimi-
nation" he said, 1T is disqualifying
itself"
AS a result, he said, the national
board will get another branch in
Washington
Amy group of 10 women can form
a branch" he explained. Well
simply say that's the Washington
branch. Anybody who wants to join
that branch or use the clubhouse
can do so, provided they operate ON
4 nondiscriminatory basis"
In the referendum held by the
Washington branch last week, 297
women favored conforming to the
national boards Interpretation of
the bylaws. Presumably. they would
be the nucleus of the proposed new
branch. There were 448 votes for
standing by the Washington branch
in its contention that the branch
has the right to choose its own
members frsm among eligible
women.
DR., Hotel will be one of the wit
nesseS at the May l3 hearing, Mr..
HorSky said. Other national board
members also will be asked to tes-
tify, he added.
Formal Modification Received.
Meanwhile DR.. Hotel was sent
formal notification by the Washing
ton branch that the branch is ad-
herring to its position.
Mrs. G. R. Wilhelm, president of
the branch, acknowledged receipt of
the 'ultimatum" of the national
board and went on to give the re-
suits of the referendum.
Although the branch board felt
the will of the membership was we'll
known from the results of several
previous votes. Mrs. Wilhelm wrote,
it took the added precaution" of
submitting the question to the men,
berShip again. Mrs. Wilhelm then
reported the majority vote to main
tain the branch's previous position
that the branch has the right to
select its own group" and to adhere
to this position by appropriate
legal action"
DR.. Hotel, in her statement, said
the Washington branch has been
permitted to use part of the ma
,ional headquarters building at 1884
I street NV, paying share of
the maintenance expenses in lieu OF
rent.
Fears Loss on Property.
The National Board of Direc-
tors she added. had expected
that, should the local group act in
such a way as to sever the relation
ship with the national association,
plenty of time would be taken to
work out arrangements for termi-
mating the Washington groups
tenancy with fairness to all con-
cerned."
In requesting the preliminary in
junction, the branch said it had
$4,000 worth of property in the
building and faced serious loss if
it had to remove the property and
sell it.
DR.. Hotel said the primary issue
is one of principle not property
the issue being the refusal of the
branch to admit "a national AAUW
member who is Negro" ,
The National Board of Directors
has acted in this matter only after
careful study and discussion of the
issues with officers and members of
the branch over period of more
than lS months" DR.. Hotel said
In view OF this attitude on the part
OF the board, it is hard to under
stand why the local group thought
1t necessary to take legal action