St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1949-05-27
OTHERS WORK
INDEPENDENTLY

L aN-NHA"AAN SHAANA
INDEPENDENTLY
individuals like c. W. wging-
ton, the architect. worked indie
pendently for the advancement of
the Negro.
However, a. time went on the
problem grew larger. these indi-
viduals and clubs were not large
or strong enough to cope with the
situation. They had to look else
where for aid.
In 1923, efforts were made 10
establish q branch Of the Urban
League In st. Paul. These efforts
were at first objected to by the
Chamber Of Commerce on the
grounds that 1t would bring In
more Negroes.
However, the league was estab-
Hshed that year by funds raised
by the st. Paul Negroes, and was
included in the 1924 budget Of the
National Urban Leagus.
Since then, It has been one Of
the jobs Of the Urban League to
secure employment for those
Negro immigrants unable to find
Jobs, and to intercede II they
were mistreated on the Job.
The past 50 years Of Negro pro-
gress in Minnesota has consisted
Of their struggle for equal rights
and liberties, the right TO secure
and hold the kind Of jobs for
which they were prepared, and
their respect as a human being.
A few of them have held jobs
for which they were trained, and
many Of them have tried to take
lesser jobs to make a living. The
Railroads, Swift, Armour packing
company and such industries are
still their major area of employ
/ ment.
A number Of Negroes through
out Minnesota are in business for
themselves. Some have political
jobs, some are on the police force,
the fire department, and on var
ious civil service jobs.
NEGRO PRESS
Many observers give consider
able credit to the Negro press for
its continued battle from before
the turn of the century TO the
present day.
Outstanding efforts were made
to improve the Negroes lot in this
state by the Western Appeal, the
N. w. Bulletin, short-hved but
vibrant paper published by the
late Walter Chestnut and Owen
Howell, the Minnesota Messenger
edited by Charles Summer Smith,
and later co-published by Hamlet
B. Rowe and other papers pub
lished by Phil Hale and ocie
Lawrence. Later came the Twin
City HERALD which was pub
lished by J. z. Perry and edited
by Cecil Newman
Two Of the present papers, the
SPOKESMAN of Minneapolis and
RECORDER, published by Cecil
Newman, have followed the fine
traditions Of the pioneer Negro
journals, and have kept in the
forefront for the fight for full
equality for the Negro.
Widely known in Minnesota
journalism, the papers are credited
by competent observers with hav-
ing editorial influence far beyond
the Negro community of the state.
One of the states greatest
daily Newspaper editors said re-
Gently Of the Spokesman q Re-
corder on the editor /" exercises
influence far beyond the size Of
paper and Negro population"
Many say that Negroes are on
the road to becoming fully inte-
grated In the different societies in
Minnesota. Both the white and
Negro are concerned, and have set
up organizations. both private and
under the auspices Of the govern
ment, for the betterment and ad-
yaneement Of the race and better
race relations.
Negroes in Minnesota today
have . higher percentage Of home
Ownership than those Of every
other state except one.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
| INCREASED
Since World War II integra-
ton Of Negroes into better job
categories spanked by the war
time Twin Cities ordance plant
operated by Charles L. Horn has
greatly increased
Some Of the Jobs now held by
Twin city Negroes include en-
gineers. draftsmen,' retail store
clerks. nurses. street railway
mOtormsn and conductors. milk
wagon drivers. truck drivers.
school teaehsra stsnographsrA.
radiologists. typlsts. medical tech