Arkansas State press., 1952-07-25
Dr.. Louis Wright Cites Naacp Record

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In response newspaper requests Dr. Louis T. Wright
chairman of the board of directors of the National Association
Tor the Advancement of coored People today issued the follow
ing statement the withdrawal by Judge Waring of
ms acceptance Of an invitation to address the 43d annual MA
ACP convention in Oklahoma City on June 27;
The Statement
The National Association for the Advancement Coored
People deeply appecave of the outstanding contributions
made to the civil rights by Judge J. Waes Warng
through notable decision opening the Democratic primaries
Negro voters in South Carolina and UNFOLDING the Caren
don county school the NAACP that egrega
ton per is discrimination and accordingly
In recognition of these historic contributions the NAACP
board of directors its regular monthly meeting June
voted to invite Judge Warng address associations 43rd
annual convention IN Oklahoma City When this invitation
transmitted by Executive Secretary Walter White Judge
ing accepted and said that he "felt honored action
Announcement made that the Judge would address the
convention Friday night June o. and arrangements
made in Oklahoma City larger meeting place for
this session in anticipation of large number of
ing out to hear the eminent jurist.
Later Judge Warng called and followed up his call
with letter. dated June 49, setting forth his why he
felt he should decline the invitation Because great
esteem for Judge Waring wrote to him expressing sim
disappointment and hope that he would reconsider
In his letter to Judge Waring said in part: "My
for appearing before any audience urge the of
full equality in the immediate future for all irrespective
OF race The NAACP was created for that purpose So there
little for anyone urge it accept these ideals
there is crying need that implement these ideals
There crying need that unequvoca action be taken And
my views there do not accord with the actions of your staff
views relative TO alliances and commitments of the staff
political party and also would criticize
OF the legal staff in attacking without continuous delay
evason what consider the basic namely segregation
would advocate the complete abandonment separate
equal approach Whatever be the difference opinion
the basic principles and methods of attaining the great goal
of equality of opportunity and full citizenship by Negro
people let us preserve united 'front.'
lnasmueh distorted Interpretation this letter and
oil subsequent developments has been published is necessary
TO re-stae the NAACP position and cite the record
L NAAtP q
mitted to no party and candidate staff
bers are expressly forbidden make any such commit
mens They are however. instructed TO study and com
pile the records Of the various candidates and parties
and to inform the NAACP membership and friends Of
their findings Staff members have adhered consistently
to this policy freely exposing the foes of civil rights
in both major parties.
2. Last year oyerburdened legal staff handled
7O2 cases involving not only segregation but also other
vital issues for the protection Of rights Even be-
fore the resolution Of the 1851 convention re-afmns
the associations antsegregaton stand and requiring "al
branch officers, members and attorneys refrain
participation in any other activities which in
any manner seeks to secure equality within the frame
work OF racial segregation even before this the legal
department had embarked upon II action calling
for frontal attack upon segregation per Sc. This de-
cSion evoked the wrath Of certain powerful interests,
both Negro and white, who held that discrimination could
be eliminated within the framework Of the separate
equal doctrine.
We Join with Judge Warng in the desire to "preserye
united 'front.' groups and individuals fighting for full
and Immediate civil rights And make public this
only because the facts this incident have been msrepresent
cd IN certain weekly newspapers
Contrary to the story published In these newspapers The
letter caused split in the board There was unanimous
regret that Judge Warng felt compelled to Withdraw his ac
cepance Of our invitation Henry Lee Moon our director of
public relations was not designated to call upon him in con-
necon with this incident No special meeting u the board
has been called to consider the by Judg, Warnp
And finally Judge Warng did not express this letter or
elsewhere far as know any objection going 10 Okaho-
City the basis Of the segregated pattern prevailing IN
that city Delegates to each convention choose the site Of the
next convention lnasmuch as al least 90 per our mem
berSp lives IN the south and carries the fight against seq
regaton at home the NAAtP viii refuse to take It's com
venon on OCCASION to that section Of the country There
no segregation within our conventions wherever they may be
held.