St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1956-03-02

In discussing the proposal
Clayton Powell, N. Y. Congress-
the country participate in a one
hour work stoppage in protest of
the action taken against Negroes
in Alabama for taking part in
a boycott of the Montgomery, Ala.
bus lines, the group went on re-
cord in favor Of such action.
Rev. Worth L. Barbour, host
pastor Of the convention cited an
article which appeared in the Sat
urdays edition Of the Minneapo-
lis STAR which quoted Cecil e.
Newman, editor and publisher Of
the Spokesman and Recorder
newspaper as saying:
II don't quite approve OF Con-
gresham Powells proposal. In "a
OF the As states there is no open
oppression Of the Negro. II would
not be fair to people in these
states who don't approve of the
Alabama authorities to penalize
them with a nationwide stoppage."
Position Denounced
Several members Of the conven-
ton denounced Mr.. Newman's po-
sition, stating that the views of
the editor were not the views Of
the Negro community.
DR.. Floyd Massey Jr. pastor of
Pilgrim Baptist church and presi-
dent of the two-state convention,
who was presiding at the meet
ing. stated that he felt the con-
vention itself should make its
stand for the proposal in the form
Of a resolution and Rev. Bar
bour suggested that a copy OF said
proposal be sent to the Minneapo-
lis paper.
At the direction of the president
Of the convention. a committee
was appointed to draft the pro-
posal Chairman of this committee
Is Rev. Barbour. Appointed 20
serve W4th him were ycHn Pssn-
berton, president of the Twin
City Chippewa Council and Mil
dred T. Jordan, third vice presi-
dent of the women's auxiliary OF
the convention
Newman Reiterates Position
Cecil Newman told this reporter
Monday when informed Of the dis
cussion and debate at the conven-
ton meeting:
When the STAR requested my
views a few hours after press dis
patches revealed the plan of Con-
gresham Powell, gave the paper
my honest personal opinion on the
situation as / saw II.
In giving those views I did not
presume to speak for anybody but
myself, personally. The STAR
requested only my personal view
because II knew that was all !
could give upon such short notice,
and without eonsultation with
Twin City leadership, and the
communities at large.
Il frankly thought and still
think such a work stoppage plan
was premature and was certain
it had not been arrived at by
sober consideration Of its effect
public RELATIONSHIPS on the
American Negro community.
Il was sure that neither the
leaders in the NAACP, the Urban
League, the organized church
groups had been consulted on such
a program.
Il do not discount the value Of
well planned nationwide mass
demonstrations, but I was not and
am not convinced that much
thought has gone into Rev Pow
ellis plan
Favors Workers Donating Hours
Pay
Il told the newspaper and
others who have talked TO me
since Saturday that instead Of a
work stoppage I would instead
heartily favor a plan by which
workers would donate one hours
pay, 10 be sent to the NAACP. the
Urban League and the Montgom-
cry, Alabama Improvement AS
ISOLATION which is carrying on the
brunt Of the fight for justice
down In Alabama The best de-
monstration I can think Of now
is 10 send those people some
money 10 defend themselves In
court and keep the boycott go
ing"
Newman added: From what
have learned most Of those who
were 30 vehement in denouncing
me personally on my position on
the matter had never even read
the newspaper account and ap-
parently were chiefly concerned
because the paper had referred 20
me a. a leader / certainly exer-
else no control over how any
Newspaper cares 70 designate my
position In the Twin Cities"
-on the other hand I am glad
10 see the Minnesota North Da-
kota Baptist Convention take a