St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1952-10-10
Owens Funeral
Continued from Page u

nthN, l~t9leI ID vi anger EAtCu-
tive Director. and r. Maurice
Moss, Associate executive Direc-
tor.
Rev. Francis J. Gilligan, presi-
dent of the board of directors Of
the st. Paul Urban League sent
the following message in behalf
of the board.
The st. Paul Urban League
has suffered irreparable loss in
the death of S. Vincent Owens.
Twelve years ago, in the fullness
of manly strength. he came 10 st.
Paul at the urgent request of the
board. At the first meeting of the
board, he stated forthrightly that
he would be guided solely by his
principles Of justice and equality
and that he would not yield to
compromise because OF the in
fluences OF the powerful. That at
titude characterized his service
to the League over the past
twelve years.
ION every question his position
reflected absolutely his loyalty
TO those high principles and on
all occasions. whether amongst
the strong or the weak he ex-
pressed those principles directly.
His fidelity to those principles
was a reproach to those individ-
uals who would compromise and
an incentive to those who strove
TO live by ideals.
Mr. Owens needs no monu-
ment Of granite because he has
left more vital and living one.
Because of his activities. men and
women are now working where
race prejudice had formerly bar
red the door Because of his
diligent and faithful work, men
and women are being upgraded
TO positions which were formerly
closed to them. Because of his
sincere and diplomatic manner.
many members of the white group
have been stirred to reform their
Attitudes and to live more consis-
tenuy by principle. Because of his
activities, the st. Paul Urban
League is now strong and vital
force in the City OF st. Paul
May the God to whose princi-
Piles of justice and fairness Vim
cent Owens was ever so loyal
now reward him and may He
comfort and console his bereaved
family"
c. Elmer Anderson, Governor
of the State Of Minnesota, in a
letter TO the family, wrote
"Vincent's death has come as a
shock TO me, and ! know that the
state has suffered a real loss His
contributions toward better UNI
derstanding and relations between
the people of this state, will long
be remembered.
AS executive secretary Of the
st. Paul Urban League, as MEM
Der of the Governors Interracial
Commission since its inception,
and as a member of the Cover
nor's Advisory Council on Chill
dren and Youth, Vincent perform
ed a real service to the people of
st. Paul and the state. l know
that we will miss his patience and
wisdom"
From the Division of Public In
situations, Jarle Lierfallom, act
ing director, wrote:
while words are never very
adequate in times OF bereave.
ment, would like TO ask you to
accept the sincerest sympathy OF
myself and my entire staff We
have all had many opportunities
to work with your husband and
continually found him a man OF
the highest integrity. gifted
leader and a true friend"
Arnold E. Gruber president Of
the Minnesota Welfare Confer,
ence wrote:
I'm behalf of 1900 individual
and agency members Of the Min,
nesota Welfare Conference,
wish to express our sincere sym,
pathy in the sudden loss of be,
loved colleague. AS the newly
elected treasurer of our organi,
zation, Vince" was known and
respected in every section of Min,
nesota and stood for everything
good and sound in the social work
profession. We shall long revere
his memory"
The executive director of the
Greater st. Paul Community
Chest and Council. Inc, Mr.
Charles j. Brit wrote:
The news regarding Vince
reached me this morning. | was
distressed and shocked. We are
all very sorry to hear Of his pass.
ing because st. Paul has lost a
good citizen and a constructive
worker"
Among the many other persons
and organizations that sent con-
dolence messages and flowers
were: Carl I. Rowan. president of
the Minneapolis Urban League:
Charles l.. Horn, president of
Federal Cartridge Corporation:
Walter J. Rock, Saint Paul Pub
lie Schools: Konrad Reisner. ex-
ecutive secretary Of Family Ser
vice Society Of Duluth: William