January 24, 1934

Dear Walter:

I have your letter of the nineteenth. I am very glad that you are mustering support here in the South for the anti-lynching bill. I was asked to attend a little meeting Sunday night at which Albert Barnett was present; but I had to speak that night and so it was impossible for me to get there. The meeting was the the house of Mr. Dillingham, who is connected with the State College here in Nashville. Certainly if I can make it possible I shall be glad to testify at any of the hearings on the bill, but I am not sure that I can arrange to do so. As to coming to Washington and lobbying for the bill, that is a harder question to answer. At any rate, I shall be passing through New York about the middle of next month and I will drop in at the office and talk things over with you.

With kind regards, I am

Mr. Walter White
69 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York

JWJ:fmn

NATIONAL OFFICERS

PRESIDENT
J. E. SPINGARN

VICE-PRESIDENTS
HON. ARTHUR CAPPER
BISHOP JOHN A. GREGG
REV. JOHN HAYNES HOLMES
JAMES WELDON JOHNSON
ARTHUR B. SPINGARN
OSWALD GARRISON VILLARD

TREASURER
MARY WHITE OVINGTON

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Baltimore
Carl Murphy
Boston
Joseph Prince Loud
Charleston, W.Va.
T. G. Nutter
Chicago
Jane Addams
Clarence Darrow
Cleveland
Hon. Harry E. Davis
Detroit
Hon. Ira W. Jayne
Hon. Frank Murphy
Emporia, Kas.
William Allen White
New York
Lillian A. Alexander
Rev. Hutchens C. Bishop
Marion Cuthbert
Hubert T. Delany
Rachel Davis Du Bois
Dr. W. E. B. DuBois
Lewis S. Gannett
Rev. John Haynes Holmes
James Weldon Johnson
Hon. Herbert H. Lehman
James Marshall
Lucy R. Mason
Mary White Ovington
Rev. A. Clayton Powell
Arthur B. Spingarn
J. E. Spingarn
Charles H. Studin
William English Walling
Dr. Louis T. Wright
Northampton, Mass.
Dr. William Allan NeIlson
Orange, N. J.
Dr. Vernon F. Bunce
Philadelphia
Isadore Martin
Richmond
Maggie L. Walker
Topeka
Hon. Arthur Capper
Washington
Sterling A. Brown
Nannie H. Burroughs
Hon. James A. Cobb
Abram L. Harris
Charles Edward Russell

NATIONAL LEGAL COMMITTEE
Chairman
Arthur B. Spingarn
Chicago
Clarence Darrow
Edward H. Morris
Cambridge, Mass.
Felix Frankfurter
Charleston, W. Va.
T. G. Nutter
Columbia, S. C.
N. J. Frederiek
New York
Morris L. Ernst
Arthur Garfield Hays
James Marshall
Herbert K. Stockton
Charles H. Studin
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Homer S. Brown
Toledo, Ohio
Jesse S. Heslip
Washington, D. C.
William H. Hastie
Charles H. Houston
Wilmington, Del.
Louis L. Redding

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE
ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE

69 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK

TELEPHONE: ALGONQUIN 4-6548

Official Organ: The Crisis

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

WALTER WHITE
SECRETARY

ROY WILKINS
ASSISTANT SECRETARY

DR. W. E. B. DUBOIS
EDITOR OF THE CRISIS

WILLIAM PICKENS
FIELD SECRETARY

DAISY E. LAMPKIN
REGIONAL FIELD SECRETARY

January 30, 1934

Dear Jim:

Thanks for your letter of the 24th.

If you are coming up this way about the
middle of February your trip will coincide with the
dates on which we hope the hearings on the Costigan-
Wagner Bill will begin. I am to be in Washington
tomorrow and on Thursday I will probably be able to
write you exactly when the hearings are to be held.
I certainly hope you can be on hand to testify.

Did you see the story in the Norfolk Journal
*and Guide* regarding the proposed merger between the
Association, the Urban League and the Interracial
Commission. Of course, we have been hearing these
rumors for some time. Did you happen to hear anything
about it when you were in Chicago?

Mr. James Weldon Johnson
Fisk University
Nashville, Tennessee

WW/RR

How do your Senators and Congressmen stand on federal legislation against lynching?

ENDORSED BY THE NATIONAL INFORMATION BUREAU, 215 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK

February 6, 1934

My dear Walter:

I shall probably be in New York for a day or two during
the week of February 18. Just what the days will be and
how long I shall be able to stay I cannot now say, but I
shall make every effort to get in touch with you.

I did not see the story in the *Norfolk Journal and Guide* about the proposed merger, nor did I hear anything about it when I was in Chicago. If anything now has arisen I shall be glad to talk it over with you when I come up. I shall get word to the office as soon as I can as to the time of my reaching New York. I know that you are in and out a good deal, but I can, of course, always reach Miss Randolph.

I have received a letter from Miss Roberta Bosley, who is, you may know, president of the James Eldon Johnson Literary Guild. She is trying to get a place in New York to hold a benefit concert. She tried to get the Meekscher Theatre, but it seems that the price prohibited it. I suggested to her the Peace House, at Eleventh Avenue and 100th Street, but I am not sure as to whether or not that is available. I have told her that her best chance is to get a downtown theatre one Sunday night and the best person in New York to assist her in doing that would be you. I would appreciate anything that you might do to help her.

Mr. Walter White
63 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York

JNJ:1201

NATIONAL OFFICERS

PRESIDENT
J. E. SPINGARN

VICE-PRESIDENTS

TREASURER
MARY WHITE OVINGTON

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Baltimore
Carl Murphy
Boston
Joseph Prince Loud
Charleston, W.Va.
T. G. Nutter
Chicago
Jane Addams
Clarence Darrow
Cleveland
Hon. Harry E. Davis
Detroit
Hon. Ira W. Jayne
Hon. Frank Murphy
Emporia, Ks.
William Allen White
New York
Lillian A. Alexander
Rev. Hutchens C. Bishop
Marion Cuthbert
Hubert T. Delany
Rachel Davis Du Bois
Dr. W. E. B. DuBois
Lewis S. Gannett
Rev. John Haynes Holmes
James Weldon Johnson
Hon. Herbert H. Lehman
James Marshall
Lucy R. Mason
Mary White Ovington
Rev. A. Clayton Powell
Arthur B. Spingarn
J. E. Spingarn
Charles H. Studin
William English Walling
Dr. Louis T. Wright
Northampton, Mass.
Dr. William Allan Neilson
Orange, N.J.
Dr. Vernon F. Bunce
Philadelphia
Isadore Martin
Richmond
Maggie L. Walker
Topeka
Hon. Arthur Capper
Washington
Sterling A. Brown
Nannie H. Burroughs
Hon. James A. Cobb
Abram L. Harris
Charles Edward Russell

NATIONAL LEGAL COMMITTEE

Chairman
Arthur B. Spingarn
Chicago
Clarence Darrow
Edward H. Morris
Cambridge, Mass.
Felix Frankfurter
Charleston, W. Va.
T. G. Nutter
Columbia, S. C.
N. J. Frederick
New York
Morris L. Ernst
Arthur Garfield Hays
James Marshall
Herbert K. Stockton
Charles H. Studin
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Homer S. Brown
Toledo, Ohio
Jesse S. Heslip
Washington, D. C.
William H. Hastie
Charles H. Houston
Wilmington, Del.
Louis L. Redding

69 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK

TELEPHONE: ALGONQUIN 4-6548

Official Organ: The Crisis

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

WALTER WHITE SECRETARY

February 16, 1934

Dear Jim:

Miss Alice Clement, who lives with Mrs. Mary T. L. Gannett at Rochester, New York writes me:

"You will want to know, I am sure, that Mrs. Gannett's 80th birthday occurs on February 27th and that organizations with which she has been actively associated are planning a birthday surprise program for her. The affair will be held in the evening at the Parish House, 'Gannett House.'

"I thought you would like to send her a personal word of greeting for that day. We are not having any messages read in public or names announced but I know it will add pleasure to her day to have words of remembrance come for her private perusal.

"You might pass the word along to any who you know are friends of Mrs. Gannett - who would welcome such opportunity."

Miss Clement mentions you among others, and so I am passing this on to you.

The letter to Mrs. Gannett should be sent to Miss Clement at 15 Sibley Place, Rochester, New York.

WW/RR

THE COMPANY WILL APPRECIATE SUGGESTIONS FROM ITS PATRONS CONCERNING ITS SERVICE

1201-S

XU
The sender of this
Message

authorizes us to say that a
TELEGRAPHIC reply is desired

Via WESTERN UNION

5236

WESTERN
UNION (50)

WHITE
ENT

NEWCOMB CARLTON
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

J. C. WILLEVER
FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT

## SIGNS

DL = Day Letter

NM = Night Message

NL = Night Letter

- LC = Deferred Cable

NLT = Cable Night Letter

Ship Radiogram

full-rate telegrams and day letters, and the time of receipt at destination as shown on all messages, is STANDARD TIME.

Received at 232 Third Avenue North, Nashville, Tenn.

ALWAYS
OPEN

10MAR1 AM 11 52

NB278 18 XU= NEWYORK NY 1 1238P

JAMES WELDON JOHNSON=

FISK UNIVERSITY NASH=

AM FOLLOWING UP PICKENS LETTER TO YOU STOP CAN YOU PRESIDE
AT DINNER MARCH EIGHTEENTH PLEASE WIRE COLLECT=

WALTER WHITE.

<table><tr><td colspan="2">MINUTES IN TRANSIT</td></tr><tr><td>FULL-RATE</td><td>DAY LETTER</td></tr><tr><td>14</td><td></td></tr></table>

THE QUICKEST, SUREST AND SAFEST WAY TO SEND MONEY IS BY TELEGRAPH OR CABLE

NATIONAL OFFICERS

PRESIDENT
J. E. SPINGARN

TREASURER
MARY WHITE OVINGTON

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Baltimore
Carl Murphy
Boston
Joseph Prince Loud
Charleston, W.Va.
T. G. Nutter
Chicago
Jane Addams
Clarence Darrow
Cleveland
Hon. Harry E. Davis
Detroit
Hon. Ira W. Jayne
Hon. Frank Murphy
Emporia, Ks.
William Allen White
New York
Lillian A. Alexander
Rev. Hutchens C. Bishop
Marion Cuthbert
Hubert T. Delany
Rachel Davis Du Bois
Dr. W. E. B. DuBois
Lewis S. Gannett
Rev. John Haynes Holmes
James Weldon Johnson
Hon. Herbert H. Lehman
James Marshall
Lucy R. Mason
Mary White Ovington
Rev. A. Clayton Powell
Arthur B. Spingarn
J. E. Spingarn
Charles H. Studin
William English Walling
Dr. Louis T. Wright
Northampton, Mass.
Dr. William Allan NeIlson
Orange, N. J.
Dr. Vernon F. Bunce
Philadelphia
Isadore Martin
Richmond
Maggie L. Walker
Topeka
Hon. Arthur Capper
Washington
Sterling A. Brown
Nannie H. Burroughs
Hon. James A. Cobb
Abram L. Harris
Charles Edward Russell

NATIONAL LEGAL
COMMITTEE

Chairman
Arthur B. Spingarn

Toledo, Ohio
Jesse S. Heslip

69 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK

TELEPHONE: ALGONQUIN 4-6548

Official Organ: The Crisis

February
28th
1934

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

WALTER WHITE
SECRETARY

Dear Jim:

I am most sorry that you couldn't make it to Washington but thanks for sending me the fine statement which was read into the record. I have referred to the statement and quoted from it in a piece which I have just done for the New Republic.

It was a great occasion. They moved the airmail investigation out of the caucus room where the chief hearing under way is held, putting the airmail crowd in a smaller room on the back of the Senate Office Building while we took over the caucus room. You already have seen the list of witnesses who appeared. They represented something like thirty-five million people.

The most extraordinary thing of all, however, was the coast-to-coast hook-up. Senator Wagner tells me that this is the first time in history, so far as he knows, where the entire proceedings of a Senate investigation were broadcast. We don't know to whom we are indebted but we understand that a wealthy woman, deeply stirred by lynching, "used her influence" with the National Broadcasting Company. This probably means that she spent a good many thousands of dollars. Through this extraordinary generosity the N.A.A.C.P. probably reached in two days more people than ever before in getting over the real facts about lynching.

The hearings will be resumed when the lynchers of George Armwood on the Eastern Shore of Maryland last October, for whom subpoenas have been issued following Attorney General Lane's testimony giving their names and the evidence against them, are rounded up. Huey Long is going to filibuster against the bill, so I hear, but that will help us rather than hurt. The Communists also are trying to defeat the bill but that also may help with some people. We have a good chance though I have found it best never to be too sure about anything in Congress.

It will be absolutely magnificent if you can give some

#2 - Mr. Johnson

2/28/34

time to the really important work, as you point out, of buttonholing
senators after the bill gets through the Judiciary Committee. Do
you know just about the time when it would be convenient for you to
come up? We are hoping to get the bill out of Committee by the
middle of March.

Miss Randolph has shown me her letter to you regarding Dean
Paine and the New York University lectures. Are you going to be
able to do this? You would be the ideal person. If, however, you
aren't going to do it, what about Countee Cullen? As you know, he
is very anxious to land a position and needs one very badly. He
tells me that you have been your usual generous self in writing to
various places about him. If there is no likelihood whatever of
your wanting to do the New York University lectures, what do you
think of my suggesting to Dean Paine that he talk with Countee?

I am awfully sorry I missed you for I wanted to talk over
several matters with you and to get your advice on them, especially
about the Du Bois matter. We have decided to make no statements
here whatever, at least for the time being. Did you see the
editorial in last week's *Afro-American*? My chief fear is that some
of the papers may vent their personal dislike of Du Bois in this
situation. It is somewhat disheartening when we have cut our force
and salaries, gone practically without literature, which has hurt
the Association, to pay over to the Crisis during the last four
years more than thirty thousand dollars from the funds of the Asso-
ciation and then on top of this to be accused of trying to "oust"
him.

When are you going to be this way again? I do most heartily
hope you can be here for the anniversary dinner on March 18th and
can serve as master of ceremonies and speak. That would insure the
dinner being a success.

Mr. James Weldon Johnson
Fisk University
Nashville,
Tennessee.

WW:CTF

ALL MESSAGES TAKEN BY THIS COMPANY ARE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING TERMS:

To guard against mistakes or delays, the sender of a message should order it repeated, that is, telegraphed back to the originating office for comparison. For this, one-half the unrepeated message rate is charged in addition. Unless otherwise indicated on its face, this is an unrepeated message and paid for as such, in consideration whereof it is agreed between the sender of the message and this company as follows:

1. The company shall not be liable for mistakes or delays in the transmission or delivery, or for non-delivery, of any message received for transmission at the unrepeated-message rate beyond the sum of five hundred dollars; nor for mistakes or delays in the transmission or delivery, or for non-delivery, of any message received for transmission at the repeated-message rate beyond the sum of five thousand dollars, unless *specially valued*; nor in any case for delays arising from unavoidable interruption in the working of its lines; nor for errors in cipher or obscure messages.

2. In any event the company shall not be liable for damages for mistakes or delays in the transmission or delivery, or for the non-delivery, of any message, whether caused by the negligence of its servants or otherwise, beyond the sum of five thousand dollars, at which amount each message is deemed to be valued, unless a greater value is stated in writing by the sender thereof at the time the message is tendered for transmission, and unless the repeated-message rate is paid or agreed to be paid, and an additional charge equal to one-tenth of one percent of the amount by which such valuation shall exceed five thousand dollars.

3. The company is hereby made the agent of the sender, without liability, to forward this message over the lines of any other company when necessary to reach its destination.

4. Domestic messages and incoming cable messages will be delivered free within one-half mile of the company's office in towns of 5,000 population or less, and within one mile of such office in other cities or towns. Beyond these limits the company does not undertake to make delivery, but will, without liability, at the sender's request, as his agent and at his expense, endeavor to contract for him for such delivery at a reasonable price.

5. No responsibility attaches to this company concerning messages until the same are accepted at one of its transmitting offices; and if a message is sent to such office by one of the company's messengers, he acts for that purpose as the agent of the sender.

6. The company will not be liable for damages or statutory penalties in any case where the claim is not presented in writing within sixty days after the message is filed with the company for transmission.

7. It is agreed that in any action by the company to recover the tolls for any message or messages the prompt and correct transmission and delivery thereof shall be presumed, subject to rebuttal by competent evidence.

8. Special terms governing the transmission of messages according to their classes, as enumerated below, shall apply to messages in each of such respective classes in addition to all the foregoing terms.

9. No employee of the company is authorized to vary the foregoing.

THE WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY

INCORPORATED

R. B. WHITE, PRESIDENT

CLASSES OF SERVICE

TELEGRAMS

A full-rate expedited service.

NIGHT MESSAGES

Accepted up to 2:00 A.M. at reduced rates to be sent during the night and delivered not earlier than the morning of the ensuing business day.

Night Messages may at the option of the Telegraph Company be mailed at destination to the addressees, and the Company shall be deemed to have discharged its obligation in such cases with respect to delivery by mailing such night messages at destination, postage prepaid.

DAY LETTERS

A deferred day service at rates lower than the standard telegram rates as follows: One and one-half times the standard night letter rate for the transmission of 50 words or less and one-fifth of the initial rates for each additional 10 words or less.

SPECIAL TERMS APPLYING TO DAY LETTERS:

In further consideration of the reduced rate for this special Day Letter service, the following special terms in addition to those enumerated above are hereby agreed to:

A. Day Letters may be forwarded by the Telegraph Company as a deferred service and the transmission and delivery of such Day Letters is, in all respects, subordinate to the priority of transmission and delivery of regular telegrams.

B. This Day Letter is received subject to the express understanding and agreement that the Company does not undertake that a Day Letter shall be delivered on the day of its date absolutely, and at all events; but that the Company's obligation in this respect is subject to the condition that there shall remain sufficient time for the transmission and delivery of such Day Letter on the day of its date during regular office hours, subject to the priority of the transmission of regular telegrams under the conditions named above.

NIGHT LETTERS

Accepted up to 2:00 A.M. for delivery on the morning of the ensuing business day, at rates still lower than standard night message rates, as follows: The standard telegram rate for 10 words shall be charged for the transmission of 50 words or less, and one-fifth of such standard telegram rate for 10 words shall be charged for each additional 10 words or less.

SPECIAL TERMS APPLYING TO NIGHT LETTERS:

In further consideration of the reduced rates for this special Night Letter service, the following special terms in addition to those enumerated above are hereby agreed to:

Night Letters may at the option of the Telegraph Company be mailed at destination to the addressees, and the Company shall be deemed to have discharged its obligation in such cases with respect to delivery by mailing such Night Letters at destination, postage prepaid.

FULL RATE CABLES

An expedited service throughout. Code language permitted.

DEFERRED HALF-RATE CABLES

Half-rate messages are subject to being deferred in favor of full rate messages for not exceeding 24 hours. Must be written in plain language.

CABLE NIGHT LETTERS

An overnight service for plain language communications, at one-third the full rate, or less. Minimum of 25 words charged for. Subject to delivery at the convenience of the Company within 24 hours.

SHIP RADIOGRAMS

A service to and from ships at sea, in all parts of the world. Plain language or code language may be used.

NATIONAL OFFICERS

PRESIDENT
J. E. SPINGARN

TREASURER
MARY WHITE OVINGTON

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chicago
Hon. Harry E. Davis
Detroit

Rev. John Haynes Holmes

James Marshall

Lucy R. Mason

Mary White Ovington

Rev. A. Clayton Powell

Arthur B. Spingarn

J. E. Spingarn

Dr. William Allan Nelson
Orange, N. J.

Isadore Martin
Richmond

Maggie L. Walker

Sterling A. Brown

Nannie H. Burroughs

Hon. James A. Cobb

Abram L. Harris

Charles Edward Russell

NATIONAL LEGAL
COMMITTEE

Chairman
Arthur B. Spingarn

T. G. Nutter
Columbia, S. C.

N. J. Frederick
New York

James Marshall

Herbert K. Stockton

Homer S. Brown
Toledo, Ohio

William H. Hastie

Louis L. Redding

69 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK

TELEPHONE: ALGONQUIN 4-6548

Official Organ: The Crisis

April
3rd
1934

MEMORANDUM TO MEMBERS OF
THE COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATION:

Miss Ovington

Mr. J. E. Spingarn

Mr. A. B. Spingarn

Mr. Isadore Martin

Mr. James Weldon Johnson

Dr. Du Bois

Mr. Pickens

Mr. Wilkins

I would be grateful to members of the Committee on Administration for advice on the matter of requests which have been made of the Secretary by newspapers, individuals and others for comment on the editorial on segregation in the April Crisis. Typical of these is the telegram received yesterday from the Philadelphia Tribune which read:

"Request statement from you on Du Bois
editorial (in) April Crisis."

and to which I replied:

"I would prefer making no statement on Du Bois editorial in April Crisis other than that my own position on segregation is stated in March Crisis as clearly as I am capable of expressing it."

Under no circumstances does the Secretary intend to depart from the plane of discussion of the issue on the basis of principle. This, however, has led certain newspapers to charge that I have "evaded the issue".

I would be grateful for your opinion for my guidance in this difficult position.

Secretary.

WW:CTP

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

WALTER WHITE SECRETARY

April 6, 1934

My dear Mr. White:

I have your letter of the third addressed to
the members of the Committee on Administration.

Do not let any newspaper or any other medium
of publicity draw you into making any personal
statement regarding the editorial of Dr. DuBois
on segregation. You have already indicated
your individual opinion in the Crisis.

The matter as it has developed and stands is one
that must be considered and disposed of by the
Board of Directors. I think the Board will find
it necessary to make a re-statement of the Asso-
ciation's position upon the principles and the
entire question of segregation. I think that
this consideration and action should be taken
promptly.

Mr. Walter White
N.A.A.C.P.
New York, New York

JWJ:fmm

NATIONAL OFFICERS

PRESIDENT
J. E. SPINGARN

TREASURER
MARY WHITE OVINGTON

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BALTIMORE
Carl Murphy
BOSTON
Joseph Prince Loud
Charleston, W.Va.
T. G. Nutter
CHICAGO
Jane Addams
CLARENCE DARROW
Cleveland
Hon. Harry E. Davis
DETROIT
Hon. Ira W. Jayne
Hon. Frank Murphy
EMPORIA, KAS.
William Allen White
NEW YORK
Lillian A. Alexander
Rev. Hutchens C. Bishop
MARION CUTHBERT
Hubert T. Delany
Rachel Davis Du Bois
Dr. W. E. B. DuBois
Lewis S. Gannett
Rev. John Haynes Holmes
James Weldon Johnson
Hon. Herbert H. Lehman
James Marshall
Lucy R. Mason
Mary White Ovington
Rev. A. Clayton Powell
ARTHUR B. SPINGARN
J. E. Spingarn
Charles H. Studin
William English Walling
Dr. Louis T. Wright
Northampton, Mass.
Dr. William Allan Nei
Orange, N.J.
Dr. Vernon F. Bunce
PHILADELPHIA
Isadore Martin
Richmond
Maggie L. Walker
Topeka
Hon. Arthur Capper
Washington
Sterling A. Brown
Nannie H. Burroughs
Hon. James A. Cobb
Abram L. Harris
Charles Edward Russell

NATIONAL LEGAL COMMITTEE
Chairman
Arthur B. Spingarn
Chicago
Clarence Darrow
Edward H. Morris
Cambridge, Mass.
Felix Frankfurter
Charleston, W. Va.
T. G. Nutter
COLUMBIA, S. C.
N. J. Frederick
New York
Morris L. Ernst
Arthur Garfield Hays
James Marshall
Herbert K. Stockton
Charles H. Studin
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Homer S. Brown
Toledo, Ohio
Jesse S. Heslip
Washington, D. C.
William H. Hastie
Charles H. Houston
Wilmington, Del.
Louis L. Redding

69 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK

TELEPHONE: ALGONQUIN 4-6548

Official Organ: The Crisis

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

WALTER WHITE SECRETARY

DR. W. E. B. DU BOIS
EDITOR OF THE CRISIS

AIR MAIL - SPECIAL DELIVERY

April 16, 1934

Dear Jim:

Charlie Houston is going to be in Nashville on Sunday, April 29, and he has offered to address a meeting under the auspices of our Nashville Branch if one can be arranged.

Unfortunately, the Nashville Branch, as you know, has not been active for the past two years and it would be needless at this short notice to try to get the officers to work up this meeting. At the same time this opportunity to have the citizens of Nashville hear Mr. Houston whose address I am sure would do much toward awaking new interest there in the Association's work should not be lost.

I am also writing Professor Albert E. Barnett of Scarritt College. Could you not cooperate with him in working up this meeting for Sunday afternoon, April 29.

As soon as I hear from you I will, of course, write to the former officers of the Branch urging them to fall in line and help to make the meeting an overwhelming success. I am sure they would not fail to take advantage of this chance to arouse interest for reorganization of the Branch.

WW/RR

How do your Senators and Congressmen stand on the Costigan-Wagner Anti-Lynching Bill?

TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE — OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA., June 27 - July 1, 1934

NATIONAL OFFICERS

PRESIDENT
J. E. SPINGARN

VICE-PRESIDENTS
HON. ARTHUR Capper
BISHOP JOHN A. GREGG
REV. JOHN HAYNES HOLMES
JAMES WELDON JOHNSON
ARTHUR B. SPINGARN
OSWALD GARRISON VILLARD

TREASURER
MARY WHITE OVINGTON

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Baltimore
Carl Murphy
Boston
Joseph Prince Loud
Charleston, W.Va.
T. G. Nutter
Chicago
Jane Addams
Clarence Darrow
Cleveland
Hon. Harry E. Davis
Detroit
Hon. Ira W. Jayne
Hon. Frank Murphy
Emporia, Kas.
William Allen White
New York
Lillian A. Alexander
Rev. Hutchens C. Bishop
Marion Cutbert
Hubert T. Delany
Rachel Davis Du Bois
Dr. W. E. B. DuBois
Lewis S. Gannett
Rev. John Haynes Holmes
James Weldon Johnson
Hon. Herbert H. Lehman
James Marshall
Lucy R. Mason
Mary White Ovington
Rev. A. Clayton Powell
Arthur B. Spingarn
J. E. Spingarn
Charles H. Studin
William English Walling
Dr. Louis T. Wright
Northampton, Mass.
Dr. William Allan Neilson
Orange, N. J.
Dr. Vernon F. Bunce
Philadelphia
Isadore Martin
Richmond
Maggie L. Walker
Topeka
Hon. Arthur Capper
Washington
Sterling A. Brown
Nannie H. Burroughs
Hon. James A. Cobb
Abram L. Harris
Charles Edward Russell

NATIONAL LEGAL COMMITTEE

69 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK

TELEPHONE: ALGONQUIN 4-6548

Official Organ: The Crisis

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

WALTER WHITE SECRETARY

April 17, 1934

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

The Committee on Administration at its meeting yesterday considered the offer of the Pittsburgh Courier to launch a campaign for the raising of a National Defense Fund for the N.A.A.C.P.

It was the consensus of opinion that this was a matter upon which the Board of Directors should pass. Since the Courier is anxious to go ahead with its arrangements for the campaign, preliminary work for which has already been started, the Committee on Administration voted that:

A Special Meeting of the Board of Directors be called for Monday, April 23, for the purpose of considering the offer coming from the Pittsburgh Courier.

The meeting will be held in the offices of the Association at four o'clock.

Secretary

WW/RR

NATIONAL OFFICERS

PRESIDENT
J. E. SPINGARN

TREASURER
MARY WHITE OVINGTON

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Baltimore
Carl Murphy
Boston
Joseph Prince Loud
Charleston, W.Va.
T. G. Nutter
Chicago
Jane Addams
Clarence Darrow
Cleveland
Hon. Harry E. Davis
Detroit
Hon. Ira W. Jayne
Hon. Frank Murphy
Emporia, Kans.
William Allen White
New York
Lilliam W. Alexander
Rev. Hutchens C. Bishop
Marion Cuthbert
Hubert T. Delany
Rachel Davis Du Bois
Dr. W. E. B. DuBois
Lewis S. Gannett
Rev. John Haynes Holmes
James Weldon Johnson
Hon. Herbert H. Lehman
James Marshall
Lucy R. Mason
Mary White Ovington
Rev. A. Clayton Powell
Arthur B. Spingarn
J. E. Spingarn
Charles H. Studin
William English Walling
Dr. Louis T. Wright
Northampton, Mass.
Dr. William Allan Neilsen
Orange, N.J.
Dr. Vernon F. Bunce
Philadelphia
Isadore Martin
Richmond
Maggie L. Walker
Topeka
Hon. Arthur Capper
Washington
Sterling A. Brown
Nannie H. Burroughs
Hon. James A. Cobb
Abram L. Harris
Charles Edward Russell

NATIONAL LEGAL
COMMITTEE

69 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK

TELEPHONE: ALGONQUIN 4-6548

Official Organ: The Crisis

May
7th
1934 (Dictated May 1st)

Dear Jim:

Whatever the Pulitzer Prize Committee does Lewis Gannett, you will note by the enclosed clipping, votes for ALONG THIS WAY. Here's hoping the Committee agrees with him!

I wish you would write me your opinion of the present situation with regard to Dr. Du Bois. You, of course, have seen the May issue of the Crisis. What do you think the Association should do? And what, if anything, should I personally do? I would be most grateful for your opinion and advice.

When are you coming this way again?

WW:CTF

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

WALTER WHITE SECRETARY

CONFIDENTIAL

May 15, 1934

Dear Walter:

Thank you for sending me the clipping from Lewis Canett's column. Or course, I agree with Lewis in his preferences for the award in biography. He indicates that ALONG THIS WAY was, at least, a shade better book than JOHN HAY. I have not read JOHN HAY, but I know that the Saturday Review of Literature refers to it in this manner: "While not brilliant it is sound and useful." At any rate, it was a safe choice for the committee. But there is a probability that something took place that I do not know about. I received a letter dated May 3 from a man in New York, who, I judge, was in the know. He wrote congratulating me upon receiving the Pulitzer award for ALONG THIS WAY.

Now as to the important matter; I should like to be able to talk with you and with the members of the Board, in order to form a sound opinion as to just what ought to be done. Separated as I am by distance and otherwise, it is not so easy to take into consideration all of the facts and factors; but it appears to me that the situation has reached an impasse and that something must be done, either by Dr. DuBois or by the Board of Directors, or by both together. I do not see that any individual responsibility falls upon you. The situation as it is certainly cannot continue. I think I can be present at the July meeting of the Board and, of course, I shall be glad to give any suggestions or services that I can toward clarifying it. At this distance I cannot see any specific action you can take or that you should be called upon to take as an individual or even as secretary. The Board of Directors has re-stated and clarified its position on the main point in the whole controversy and I think it is for you only to carry out as fully as you can that policy and the other policies which are fundamentally the organization.

I shall not be in New York before the first week in July. The University does not close until the thirteenth of June and the following week I begin some lectures; engagements in the Midwest that will keep me occupied until the first week in July. After that I expect to come directly to New York. If anything should arise which calls me up during this month or during the first of June, I shall let you know.

I think your interview with Mrs. Roosevelt was a very important one. I wish that I could be in Washington and give any help in my power toward pressing the Anti-Lynching bill through, but I am sure I do not know whether I could accomplish anything or not. I shall gladly send a telegram

Mr. Walter White - 2.

to President Roosevelt, urging his insistence on the bill prior to
adjournment. I shall ask some other person connected with the university here to do likewise.

With best wishes, I am

Mr. Walter White
National Association Advancement
Colored People
New York, New York

JWJ:fgg

May 24, 1934

My dear Walter:

I judge you intend to print only the words of "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing". If you were going to print them merely for gratuitous distribution I would simply say, go ahead, but since you are going to sell them I think you had better make some arrangements with E.B. Marks Music Company. Say to Mr. Marks that you are planning only to print the words and that you are quite sure that instead of detracting from the sale of the song as he publishes it, it will add. You might also impress upon him the tremendous agency which the National Association has been in spreading the use of the song. When you write to him or talk to him - and I think you had better stop by and see him - you need not say to him that I have stated that you might go on and print the words if you were going to give them away; for he would object even to that.

With best regards, I am

Sincerely,

Mr. Walter White
National Association
New York, New York

James E. don Johnson

JWJ:fmm

NATIONAL OFFICERS

PRESIDENT
J. E. SPINGARN

TREASURER
MARY WHITE OVINGTON

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

NATIONAL LEGAL COMMITTEE

69 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK

TELEPHONE: ALGONQUIN 4-6548

Official Organ: The Crisis

May 31st
1934

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

WALTER WHITE SECRETARY

Dear Jim:

Your friend Marks is about as hard-boiled as they make them. I enclose self-explanatory copy of the correspondence between them and ourselves. What do you suggest?

WW:CTF

1201-S

<table><tr><td>CLASS OF SERVICE</td></tr><tr><td>This is a full-rate Telegram or Cable-gram unless its de-ferred character is in-dicated by a suitable sign above or preced-ing the address.</td></tr></table>

WESTERN
UNION

(42)

R. B. WHITE
PRESIDENT

<table><tr><td>SIGNS</td></tr><tr><td>DL = Day Letter</td></tr><tr><td>NM = Night Message</td></tr><tr><td>NL = Night Letter</td></tr><tr><td>LC = Deferred Cable</td></tr><tr><td>NLT = Cable Night Letter</td></tr><tr><td>Ship Radiogram</td></tr></table>

The filing time as shown in the date line on full-rate telegrams and day letters, and the time of receipt at destination as shown on all messages, is STANDARD TIME.

ALWAYS
OPEN

1934 JUL 1 AM 4 43

AA14 44 NL=OKLAHOMACITY OKLA 30

JAMES WELDON JOHNSON=

FISK UNIVERSITY NASH=

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED

PEOPLE ASSEMBLED IN ITS TWENTY FIFTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

SINCERELY REGRETS YOUR SERIOUS ILLNESS AND WISHES FOR YOUR
EARLY AND COMPLETE RECOVERY STOP YOUR LONG AND DEVOTED
SERVICES TO THE NAACP ARE HIGHLY RECOGNIZED BY THIS

CONFERENCE=

WALTER WHITE SECRETARY.

<table><tr><td colspan="2">MINUTES IN TRANSIT</td></tr><tr><td>FULL-RATE</td><td>DAY LETTER</td></tr></table>

WESTERN UNION MESSENGERS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE DELIVERY OF NOTES AND PACKAGES

NATIONAL OFFICERS

PRESIDENT

J. E. SPINGARN

VICE-PRESIDENTS

HON. ARTHUR CAPPER

BISHOP JOHN A. GREGG

REV. JOHN HAYNES HOLMES

JAMES WELDON JOHNSON

ARTHUR B. SPINGARN

OSWALD GARRISON VILLARD

TREASURER

MARY WHITE OVINGTON

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Baltimore

Carl Murphy

Boston

Joseph Prince Loud

Charleston, W.Va.

T. G. Nutter

Chicago

Jane Addams

Clarence Darrow

Cleveland

Hon. Harry E. Davis

Detroit

Hon. Ira W. Jayne

Hon. Frank Murphy

Emporia, Kas.

William Allen White

New York

Lillian A. Alexander

Rev. Hutchens C. Bishop

Marion Cuthbert

Hubert T. Delany

Rachel Davis Du Bois

Dr. W. E. B. DuBois

Lewis S. Gannett

Rev. John Haynes Holmes

James Weldon Johnson

Hon. Herbert H. Lehman

James Marshall

Lucy E. Mason

Mary E. White Ovington

Rev. A. Clayton Powell

Arthur B. Spingarn

J. E. Spingarn

Charles H. Studin

William English Walling

Dr. Louis T. Wright

Northampton, Mass.

Dr. William Allan Neilson

Orange, N. J.

Dr. Vernon F. Bunce

Philadelphia

Isadore Martin

Richmond

Maggie L. Walker

Topeka

Hon. Arthur Capper

Washington

Sterling A. Brown

Nannie H. Burroughs

Hon. James B. Cobb

Abram L. Harris

Charles Edward Russell

NATIONAL LEGAL COMMITTEE

Chairman

Artbur B. Spingarn

Chicago

Clarence Darrow

Edward H. Morris

Cambridge, Mass.

Felix Frankfurter

Charleston, W. Va.

T. G. Nutter

Columbia, S. C.

N. J. Frederick

New York

Morris L. Ernst

Arthur Garfield Hays

James Marshall

Herbert K. Stockton

Charles H. Studin

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Homer S. Brown

Toledo, Ohio

Jesse S. Heslip

Washington, D. C.

William H. Hastie

Charles H. Houston

Wilmington, Del.

Louis L. Redding

69 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK

TELEPHONE: ALGONQUIN 4-6548

Official Organ: The Crisis

July
25th
1934

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

WALTER WHITE SECRETARY

Dear Jim:

It certainly is magnificent to have your note of the 23rd written in your own handwriting. Through every possible contact I have been keeping tabs on you and was delighted when Arthur told me a few days ago that Lewis Gannett had seen you recently and that you were in fine shape. We all breathe more easily here to have this great good news.

I know you will be shocked to hear that Gladys had a very serious operation last Saturday for a bi-lateral colloid goiter. She was on the operating table for two hours and fifteen minutes, under local anaesthesia. It was a terrible strain and a very delicate and dangerous operation but Louis did a magnificent job, as usual. She is now resting fairly easily and, if no complications set in, should be out of the danger zone within a week.

Thank you ever so much for your willingness to help us in this difficult period with the Crisis. I do wish it were possible for me to sit down and talk with you for a long time and get your advice on several matters. Are you by any chance going to be in New York or vicinity soon? If not, how soon would you be strong enough and in the mood to let me run up to Great Barrington to see you? There is a possibility that Charlie Houston may be in New York next week. Perhaps I could get him to drive me up for he, too, is anxious to see you. He was very much concerned over your health and drove to Nashville to see you but found you gone.

Mr. James Weldon Johnson
"Five Acres"
Great Barrington,
Massachusetts.

WW:CTF

NATIONAL OFFICERS

PRESIDENT
J. E. SPINGARN

TREASURER
MARY WHITE OVINGTON

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Baltimore
Carl Murphy
Boston
Joseph Prince Loud
Charleston, W.Va.
T. G. Nutter
Chicago
Jane Addams
Clarence Darrow
Cleveland
Hon. Harry E. Davis
Detroit
Hon. Ira W. Jayne
Hon. Frank Murphy
Emporia, Kas.
William Allen White
New York
Lillian A. Alexander
Rev. Hutchens C. Bishop
Marion Cuthbert
Hubert T. Delany
Rachel Davis Du Bois
Dr. W. E. B. DuBois
Lewis S. Gannett
Rev. John Haynes Holmes
James Weldon Johnson
Hon. Herbert H. Lehman
James Marshall
Lucy R. Mason
Mary White Ovington
Rev. A. Clayton Powell
Arthur B. Spingarn
J. E. Spingarn
Charles H. Studin
William English Walling
Dr. Louis T. Wright
Northampton, Mass.
Dr. William Allan Neilsen
Orange, N.J.
Dr. Vernon F. Bunce
Philadelphia
Isadore Martin
Richmond
Maggie L. Walker
Topeka
Hon. Arthur Capper
Washington
Sterling A. Brown
Nannie H. Burroughs
Hon. James A. Cobb
Abram L. Harris
Charles Edward Russell

NATIONAL LEGAL COMMITTEE
Chairman
Arthur B. Spingarn
Chicago
Clarence Darrow
Edward H. Morris
Cambridge, Mass.
Felix Frankfurter
Charleston, W. Va.
T. G. Nutter
Columbia, S. C.
N. J. Frederick
New York
Morris L. Ernst
Arthur Garfield Hays
James Marshall
Herbert K. Stockton
Charles H. Studin
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Homer S. Brown
Toledo, Ohio
Jesse S. Heslip
Washington, D. C.
William H. Hastie
Charles H. Houston
Wilmington, Del.
Louis L. Redding

69 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK

TELEPHONE: ALGONQUIN 4-6548

Official Organ: The Crisis

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

WALTER WHITE SECRETARY

August 16, 1934

TO THE COMMITTEE ON PLAN AND PROGRAM
FOR THE N.A.A.C.P.:

Mr. Abram L. Harris, Chairman
Mrs. Rachel Davis Du Bois
Miss Mary White Ovington
Dr. Louis T. Wright
Mr. Sterling Brown
Mr. James Weldon Johnson

Since our notice to you of the meeting of the Committee to be held at the National Office on Monday, August 27, Mr. J. E. Spingarn has indicated that he cannot wait until then for a decision as to whether the Committee will accept his invitation to spend that week-end - September 1 and 2 - at Amenia; that he must know definitely by the end of this week.

Will you, therefore, let me know by return mail whether or not you can go to Amenia?

WW/RR

NATIONAL OFFICERS

PRESIDENT
J. E. SPINGARN

TREASURER
MARY WHITE OVINGTON

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Baltimore
Carl Murphy
Boston
Joseph Prince Loud
Charleston, W.Va.
T. G. Nutter
Chicago
Jane Addams
Clarence Darrow
Cleveland
Hon. Harry E. Davis
Detroit
Hon. Ira W. Jayne
Hon. Frank Murphy
Emporia, Kans.
William Allen White
New York
Lillian A. Alexander
Rev. Hutchens C. Bishop
Marion Cuthbert
Hubert T. Delany
Rachel Davis Du Bois
Dr. W. E. B. DuBois
Lewis S. Gannett
Rev. John Haynes Holmes
James Weldon Johnson
Hon. Herbert H. Lehman
James Marshall
Lucy R. Mason
Mary White Ovington
Rev. A. Clayton Powell
Arthur B. Spingarn
J. E. Spingarn
Charles H. Studin
William English Walling
Dr. Louis T. Wright
Northampton, Mass.
Dr. William Allan Neilson
Orange, N.J.
Dr. Vernon F. Bunce
Philadelphia
Isadore Martin
Richmond
Maggie L. Walker
Topeka
Hon. Arthur Capper
Washington
Sterling A. Brown
Nannie H. Burroughs
Hon. James A. Cobb
Abram L. Harris
Charles Edward Russell

NATIONAL LEGAL COMMITTEE

69 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK

TELEPHONE: ALGONQUIN 4-6548

Official Organ: The Crisis

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

WALTER WHITE SECRETARY

August 24, 1934

Dear Jim:

I shall, of course, be only too glad to do
whatever I can for Lucile.

I have been wanting to write you for several
days to extend to you congratulations on the
evacuation of Haiti. To you more than to any other
individual credit for this is due. The only task
that remains now is ending of the financial control,
and that seems to be at least in process of settlement.

I do hope you continue to improve.

Gladys is up and about again though still
somewhat weak. She certainly did enjoy the lovely box
you and Grace sent. The very first food she ate on
returning from hospital were the artichoke hearts.
She asked me to say to you that she is going to write
you in person soon. My sisters, Madeline and Helen,
are here for a few days, and so she may not get to it
until next week.

Mr. James Weldon Johnson
"Five Acres"
Great Barrington, Mass.

WW/RR