St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1955-10-14

here are nine members ON the
commission.
Leland's appointment by the
commission was vigorously criu-
oizcd editorially by the SPOKES-
MAN and RECORDER papers on
Oct. 7, as n political plum" and
influenced by Gov. Freeman's de-
sire that Leland be appointed.
The criticism by the two papers
which are independent politically
and who have generally supported
DEL candidates. created SEN
sation which hit all the news SER
vice wires. radio and the daily
press all over the state.
The papers, admitting that they
thought the job should have gone
to qualified Negro. also criucix-
cd Leland for his performance Al
executive secretary Of the Mime
apolis Mayors Council and his
work as executive secretary OF the
Minneapolis rEP commission.
Accomplishments MI
The papers called Leland's re
cord OF accomplishment In ending
Job discrimination In Minneapolis
as practically nil"
They chiticizcd the Minneapolis
commission ''for allowing Leland
to neglect his duties as director
while holding part time job
teaching school, while drawing
down salary OF $1,000 for doing
practically nothing. adding.
There was absolutely no excuse
for man who was doing 30 little
being allowed to work on two
jobs"
Forced To Resign
Leland, the paper stated, had
been forced to resign as admins
trative head of the Mayors Coun-
ell. Leland told the Minneapolis
TRIBUNE that his resignation
was not forced, but occurred over
differences on financial matters.
In reply TO the papers charge
that the Minneapolis FEPC under
his dictatorship had not accom-
plIshed anything, Leland told the
TRIBUNE that this was not true
and cited gains in minority group
employment since he assumed the
FEPC post. tsee editorial. Truth
Of the Matter page ~.
Crates statement Tuesday was
the second he had made since he
told the Minneapolis TRIBUNE
Saturday that he had not been in
nuenced by political considera-
lions In the selection OF an execu-
tive secretary.
He said some OF the other COM
mission members had also ex-
pressed themselves In the same
fashion. Cratic also told this paper
that ne thought he was express
ing the concensus OF opinion Of
the entire commission, but also
that he had not been authorized to
make such a statement.
Papers Say appointment
Justified"
The Twin City OBSERVER and
the ST. Paul SUN, Republican Me-
gro weeklies published in the Twin
Cities by Milton tGus) Williams,
praised the selection Of Leland as
Justified" These two papers sug-
gested Leland as a prospect for
the executive secretaryship In
April following the signing OF the
FEPC measure.
Praise Spokesman and Recorder
Position
Meanwhile hundreds OF Minne-
sotans. Negro and white. praised
the stand Of the SPOKESMAN
and RECORDER papers. Two Of
the leading Negro pastors In ST.
Paul called the papers stand.
frank and courageous"
Letters received on the issue
to date are nine TO one in favor
Of the papers contention that a
qualified Negro should have re-
ceived the top job.
A major St Paul merchant told
a reporter for the paper he felt
that the commission made its
selection too hurriedly. He also
said he thought the job should
have gone 10 a qualified Negro
American citizen.
A Minneapolis industrialist en-
pioyer OF Negro labor, said he was
disappointed that qualified Me-
gro did not receive the appoint
ment. He said he agreed with the
SPOKESMAN and RECORDER
that there were "fve Negro
American applicants who are head
and shoulders above Leland IN re-
cord Of performances.
One Minneapolis Negro Ameri
can woman complained In .
letter 10 the paper that n should
have attarked Lsiand's poor ~