Arizona sun., 1950-04-21
DR.. Murray COnfrOnts
Library Board With
$64 Question
By L. w. PITTMAN

the Public Library of Phoenix, last
Monday, DR.. Walter I. Murray,
dumped "hot potato" directly in
the laps of members of the library
board. Hardly had the purpose OF
the meeting been presented by one
Mr.. John Lassou, Civic Unity lead
er, when DR.. Murray pointedly
asked the group, il they had in
cluded in their plans as result OF
having built an elaborate library
in an area which is predominately
of Negro and Spanish American
decent, employment for members
of these majority groups to oper-
ate the library? To convince the
powers that be of such necessity,
DR.. Murray presented for their
observation two charts indicating
the general outline of the area, and
1.-The westside residents who would
be benefited by the new library at
Harmon Park.
He insisted that due to the fact
public library should definitely
accommodate citizens within ra-
dius of six blocks, Negro represent
alton running as high as sixty per
cent around the place in question
should be considered.
DR.. Murray was asked if there
was a Negro qualified to serve as
librarian, to which he replied he
didn't have that information avail
able, but whether there was or not,
he felt certain if Negro students
at Tempe, knew that library job
was in the offing for them, would
pursue the required studies for that
job.
| The city Librarian Mrs. Hudgins
was feverishly perturbed over what
i she termed "rumors of prejudice"
on the boards part in employing
Negroes to work in city libraries.
She stated there have been eight
former. Negro employees of the
Phoenix library system. DR.. Muir
ray said it is an unfortunate sit
uation but deemed it a justifiable
complaint of disgruntled Negroes
who find no members of their race
operating as librarians, pages or
custodians in city libraries at pres
ent.
Mrs. Hudgins attempted to JUS
tify the closing of the Phyllis
Wheatley Library by suggesting it
received poor circulation but this
point was also chilled by DR.. Muir
ray who informed her that he had
inspected reading material at
Phyllis Wheatley, and that many of
the books were old, worn out, and
headed for the incinerator.
Mr.. Lassou suggested, if Negroes
were not adequately prepared to
assume full operation as librarians
in their respective localities, they
be given a chance to work as
traineeS or underStudieS in the
larger libraries and in that way
become trained for higher positions
in their areas, as jobs become avail
able.
DR.. Murray was asked quite
pointedly what he thought of send
ing "a caucasian" as head librarian
over to the new building at Har-
mon Park. He replied "I don't
think much of it.; you wouldn't
send Negro over to supervise the
Encanto Park Library would your"
''What about a Mexican?" the
question was asked. DR.. Murray,
replied, 'T think it would work al
right-Negroes and Mexicans do
get along very well over there, but
rather than one particular race, I
think it would be a plausible idea
to consider Mexican, Negro and
white employees and in so doing,
keep in mind the predominating
influence of the locality"
It was brought out by members
of the board that they had no
plan yet as to the employment at
the new library, while in the same
breath they suggested that DR..
Murray "be on the lookout for
some old reliable person who
might fill the bill as custodian" :"
He informed them that he could
not accept that suggestion because
Gin essence) he felt they were tell
ing him the type of employment
he may have hand in helping to
choose.
Miss Hudgins said, to stimulate
/ oI;1Iravo MT n,,1x, &ha