Evening star., 1948-05-24
Eviction Threat
Faces University
Women Here
National Leaders
May Gust Branch
From Headquarters

The American Association Of Uni
versity Women, which is seeking
to expell the Washington branch
because of it's refusal to admit col
ored members, has served notice
that 1t may not continue past june
30 the agreement whereby the two
groups share the national head
quarters building here.
The warning was received in a
letter from DR.. Althea K. Hotel
rational president, which said the
AAUW was willing to discuss a
emporary working arrangement for
ne month.
You will understand that this in
10 way represents recognition that
ne Washington branch continues to
rave any right of tenancy or oc-
upancy in the National Headquar-
ers Building" DR.. Hotel wrote
You will also understand that this
omporary extension of the work.
ng agreement does not indicate the
'greement will be continued be-
,:ond June 30."
Injunction Behind Move.
DR.. Hotel said the temporary
extension was offered because the
national organization could take no
action on termination of the occu-
pancy while temporary injunction
is effective
This injunction. obtained by the
Washington branch to avert eXpul-
sion, expires June Is, when there
will be a District Court hearing
for a summary judgment in the
brancll's fight to remain identified
with the national organizat ton.
The question of whether the
Washington branch could invoke its
own bylaws for the admission of
new members arose 18 months ago,
when a colored college graduate
was rejected The AAUW ruled
that the Washington branch must
revise it's bylaws or face expulsion.
Nov the matter has gone far
beyond the original question, and
with us is a fight for local autono-
my against highly undemocratic
principles" Mrs. G. R. Wilhelm,
branch president, said.
Reports Other Disputes.
She had information that other
branches were becoming involved in
the same type of dispute. One such
branch was San Diego, Calf, where
the membership had voted for local
autonomy, she said
It also was revealed that about
300 of the more than 1000 members
of the Washington branch had
broken with the group and formed
a provisional branch.
The new group is composed OF
members who dissented when the
membership voted to continue appli-
cation of local bylaws despite the
threat of losing their national aftill-
alton.
Mrs. Wilhelm said the minority
group elected officers on May ana
notified the national organization
it was prepared to stand by and take
over in the event the regular orancn
was expelled. Later, the new officers
fled suit in District Court to stop
the Washington branch from deny
ing membership to eligible apph-
cants "on the grounds OF race, color
or religion
Onion Obtained.
An opinion by Owen ROBERTS,
former associate Supreme CourI
Justice. that the Washington branch
must make its bylaws conform with
the national or disafiliate. was IN
the hands of the minority group be-
fore she. as branch president, knew
it was forthcoming, Mrs. Wllhelm
said.
Actually, the offshoot group had
elected temporary officers and in
formed the national OF its position
on April 8, she said.
The letter from DR.. Hotel sug-
costing a discussion" of temporary
extension for the Washington
branch's tenancy was received by
Mrs. Clinton L. Doggett, chairman
of the national clubhouse operating
committee She relayed 1t to Mrs.
Wilhelm a week ago.
Frames New Budget.
Made up of three members ap-
0ointed by the national organiza-
ion, three appointed by the branch
md a chairman representing both,
he Operating Committee has each
year formulated a budget for opera
ting the headquarters building. The
budget then is submitted to boards
of both the national and branch
for approval.
The Operating Committee dis
cussed the extension proposal at
it's last meeting, but took no action.
Mrs. Wilhelm, a member of the
committee, said there appeared to
be nothing is DR.. Hotels letter set
ting a definite meeting to discuss
the extension.
BY an informal agreement, the
branch has been paying 40 per cent
and the national 81 per cent of the
headquarters operating expenses.
Mrs. Wilhelm said she assumed this
agreement would continue by mutual
consent until one or other TO the
governing boards demurred.
Complicating an immediate meet
ing for discussion extension of the
agreement is the fact that new
officers will be installed next Mon
day. This will include several men,
bers 70 the Operating Committee.
Tn. A..;n.. fouoroI,, INIT