EDITORIAL ROOMS OF

THE CRISIS

69 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

FOR THE

ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE

W. E. BURGHARDT DU BOIS

October 27, 1926.

Mr. J. E. Spingarn,
Troutbeck,
Amenia, New York.

My dear Mr. Spingarn:

I was very sorry that you
were unable to be present at our
distribution of prizes, nor did
I get your message from Arthur
until the next day. We had a very
interesting occasion. There were
three hundred and fifty people
present. The program went off very
smoothly.

I have been trying to get the
Negro banks and insurance societies
to offer certain prizes which would
bring in to essays and stories the
questions of banking and insurance.
Carl Brandt is giving a prize for
Rhythm and Mrs. E. R. Mathews for
Music. I want to announce there
prospective prizes in the December
CRISIS which goes to press November
16th. I am wondering if you have
had a chance to bring before Mrs.
Spingarn her decision as to next

EDITORIAL ROOMS OF

THE CRISIS

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

FOR THE
ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE

W. E. BURGHARDT DU BOIS

December 8, 1931.

Mr. Joel E. Spingarn,
9 West 73rd Street,
New York, N. Y.

My dear Spingarn:

We are again in a tight place with THE CRISIS and I am simply writing to keep you updated.

The trouble has been that instead of realizing our low estimate of $2,800 a month for 1931, the average will fall below $2,400, not counting, of course, the $5,000 from the N. A. A. C. P. We have tried a number of experiments but our only real success has been increased circulation, together with some good advertising contacts, which are, however, slow in paying. Miss Malvan has personally consulted a number of persons who have not been especially active but are good friends of the magazine. She has asked John Haynes Holmes, Mr. Studin, Mrs. Alexander and Mr. Villard, and one or two others to meet us next afternoon. To them we are going to propose some plans of relief.

One is to enable us to borrow $5,000 for one year with the privilege of renewing it for another year. We could get this from the bank on proper endorsement, but, of course, there would be some risk for the endorser. If within the next two years the general situation begins to mend, we can probably handle this indebtedness which will be used to finance our current debts and pay current

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deficits which we are going to make as small
as possible. Or again, if the N. A. A.C. P.
receives the Philadelphia legacy, the Board
might appropriate enough to relieve us.

Miss Malvan is suggesting also some other
plans, but something must be done. Otherw-
wise, we shall have to soon suspend publica-
tion.

As I have said, I am simply writing this
for your information. I have discussed the
situation with THE CRISIS Board, which had
no further suggestions, and I am also writing
your brother.

Very sincerely yours,

WERD/DW

EDITORIAL ROOMS OF
THE CRISIS

69 FIFTH AVENUE
NEW YORK, N. Y.

W. E. BURGHARDT DU BOIS

Rockefeller Hall
Spelman College, Atlanta, Ga.

February 22, 1933.

Mr. J. E. Spingarn,
9 West 73rd Street,
New York, N. Y.

My dear Spingarn:

My work here is going very pleasantly. I have two
classes, each three times a week. One on "Karl Marx and
the Negro Problem", and the other on "The Economic History
of the Negro". Once a week I have a Seminar on "The History
and Sociology of the Negro Vote". The groups are small and
composed of graduate students: two of them of four students
each, and one of twelve students. Now and then I give a
talk at the college chapels, or to other groups. The rest of
my time I put on Reconstruction and THE CRISIS. The study of
Reconstruction grows in interest and for that very reason
seems almost impossible to finish. I could easily put five
years on it, but I'm going to finish it one of these days.

I think my more detached view of THE CRISIS and its
mission and the change from New York environment has helped.

I trust you are in good health and busy with interesting
things. I shall hope to see you on or about March 6.

With best regards to you and Mrs. Spingarn

Very sincerely yours,

WEBD/DW

EDITORIAL ROOMS OF
THE CRISIS

W. E. BURGHARDT DU BOIS

March 9, 1933.

Mr. J. E. Spingarn,
9 West 73 Street,
New York, N. Y.

My dear Spingarn:

As I said to you in New York, the Spingarn Medal
has been awarded to Max Yergan. The statement of
the Committee is enclosed. This award was approved
by John Hope, Mordecai W. Johnson, Oswald Garrison Villard,
James H. Dillard and myself. Neither Roosevelt nor
Embree could be reached. They are both in far Asia.

It was very pleasant to have the visit that I did
with you.

Very sincerely yours,

WEBD/DW