Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1950-07-07

FNN% ~ "~~N~ Wv w.
pleasure cruise down the Misaia-
tickets for the Saturday, II 80
midnight cruise down the river.
The four were Mr.. and Mrs.
u. Mitchell Rhone. etS Iglehart
Ave. J. Aiphonso Horton. b7l w.
Central, Ave-, and Dorothy Mon
son, 400 N. 81, Adams II. They
were told by the Waterman on
tho boat that the boat was for
whites only and they could not
come aboard.
Boat Here Each Year
The steamer Avalon comes an
nuAlly 10 the Twin cities for from
10 TO IL days. sponsoring pleasure
excursions down the Mlanissippi.
Owners Of the boat have consia-
tsntly refused 10 allow Negroes
to ride on these cruises. II docks
at Lambertn Landing In g. Paul,
and sohcits riders from advertise
Ing In the daily press and by poo.
tsra throughout the city The
Avalon this year leaves ~. Paul
on July 0.
The captain Of tho ship, . Cap.
tain HAIL. At first told the two
couples they could by no means
enter the Hhlp. He said that on
that night the ship was being for
whites, and Negroes would have .
night on July 0.
"NIght for Negroes"
The couples asked why Il was
necessary 70 have . special night
for Negroes. and why such infor-
nation was not present In tho
ships advertisements. Tho cap
tain, however, shook hia head and
stated they just could not get on.
The owner Of the boat, Henry
Meyers, who was selling tickets
and collecting money At the time,
then Interfered and said that Me-
gro night was July ., and n the
two couples did not get off the
boat, they would DO thrown Off.
Horton then Informed Meyers
that he had purchased the tickets
In good faith and demanded 70
know why he could not ride on
Saturday night. He told him he
had waited until 1880 10 he could
ride on the midnight cruise.
Meyers, pocksting tho tickets
Horton offered him, offered 10 re-
fund his money for the tickets.
However, Horton said no intend
ID 10 ride on the cruise, and did
not want . refund. Meyers thsn
referred him 20 tho captain Of the
boat, saying that he had the final
say a. 10 who went on the boat,
but the captain continuously said
you just can't ride tonight"
Meyers would not return HoF-
toms tickets. However, Mr.. Rhons
refused 10 lst Meyers have his
tickets, saying that he did not
want . refund. but wanted 20 90
on the cruise.
-. but Don't Dance
Meyers and Hall then went into
q short conference, returned and
told the two couples thsy could
20 on the cruise. but could not
dance, explaining that they could
not dance whils there was drink
ing on the boat
Rh0ns and Horton refused 70
board the ship under those con-
ditions. stating they had pur.
chased the tickets and meant 20
get their moneys worth. Meyers
said the captain had the night 10
admit or refuse whomeyer he
chose. even after tickets had been
purchased.
Yearly Practice
Negro couples attempting 70
ride the Avalon have continuous
Iy been refused Admittanes. The
captain each year has q different
reason for not letting them o.
Last year. he told several couples
that private parties had charter
I'd the boat for that particular
night. Each year that the Avalon
has refused the admIttance Of
Negroes, II has been violating the
civil rights laws Of the stAts.
The 30, Paul branch Of the
NAAcP 10 planning legal action
against the owners OF the boat
and the captain. J. Nathaniel
Smith, president Of the branch.
and members Of the group were
In conference with the County At
tonsy Thursday morning. July Q.
Mr.. Horton Ia bringing q ciVil
suit against the owner and cap
tain Of the boat. Attorney LYMAN
Cohsn. 128 MlnneaOta BldR.. A