Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, 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
urday's edition Of the Minneapo-
lis STAR which quoted Cecil f.
Newman, editor and publisher OF
the Spokesman and Recorder
newspaper as saying:
Il don't quite approve Of Con-
gresham Powells proposal In "a
Of the IS 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 It's
stand for the proposal in the form
Of q resolution and Rev. Bar
bour suggested that a copy OF said
proposal be sent 10 the Minneapo-
liz paper.
At the direction Of the president
Of the convention. a COMMITTEES
was appointed TO DRAFT the pro-
posai. Chairman Of this committee
10 Rev. Barbour. Appointed TO
serve with him were John Pend
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 Rriterates 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. I gave the paper
my honest personal opinion on the
situation ~ ] saw IL
In giving those views ! did not
presume TO speak for anybody but
myself, personally. The STAR
requested only my personal view
because IL knew that was all !
could give upon such short notice,
and without consultation 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
IL had not been arrived at by a
sober consideration OF It's effect
pubic 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
program.
Il do not discount the value OF
well planned nationwide mass
Demonstrations, but was not and
am not convinced that much
thought has gone into Rev, Pow
els plan.
Favors Workers Donating Hours
Pay
Il told the newspaper and
others who have talked 10 me
since Saturday that instead Of
work stoppage would Instead
heartily favor plan by which
workers would donate one hours
paw, 10 b. sent 10 the SAACP, the
Urban League and the Montgorn-
cry. Alabama Improvement As
sociation which is carrying on the
br7Int % the fight for Justice
down In Alabama Tho best de-
nonstration ! can think ~ n1F
IL 20 send those people some
money 10 defend themselves in
court and keep the boycott go
ing"
Newman Added Prom what I
have learned. most Of those who
were % vehement In denouncing
me personally on my position on
the matter had never even rad
the ne~spaper account and ap-
parently were chiefly concerned
because the paper had referred n
ne az leader certainly sssr-
else no control over how any
ns~spaper cares % designate my
position IN the Twin Cities"
On TIE other hand am Eiad
20 80 The Minnesota North Da-
kotA Baptis; Convention take .
Continued a. page q