Correspondence Nov. 1933 ESTABLISHED May 5, 1905 PRIVATE EXCHANGE DOUGLAS 0696 3435 INDIANA AVENUE THE Chicago Defender WORLD'S GREATEST WEEKLY CHICAGO OFFICE OF ATTY-SECRETARY N.K. McGILL November 1, 1933 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, 1615 "S" Street, N.W. Washington, D. C. My dear Mrs. Terrell: I have your letter and would have answered sooner, but have been engaged in the final round of my domestic affairs. Then too, we have been planning on some drastic changes in our personnel, and I wanted all of those things out of the way before going into other matters. You know I would do anything on earth possible for me to do for you, and I am taking up the contents of your letter and will give you every possible consideration. I am Yours very truly, N.K. McGill, NKMcG/MB 47, CHILTERN COURT, CLARENCE GATE, N.W.1 TELEPHONE, WELBECK 5544. Nov 2. 33. Dear Mrs. Church Terrell. Why "Confessions"? Rather an [ ] unsuitable word. A Colored Woman in a White World (?) I'm no good at finding publishers. But you can trust A.S. Watt. Hastings House Norfolk St Strand London WC. Send the M.S to him Don't be ego-centered. Let your story radiate with [?] anecdotes by the difficulties of the colored people. Colored Sister Living under the Color Barrier A Colored Woman in Martin [?Culgate] Good luck to you H.G. Wells THE HARRIET TUBMAN PUBLISHING CO., INC. INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK 2034-2040 Seventh Avenue New York City Editor-in-Chief Roscoe Conkling Bruce Associate Editors Wm. Stanley Braithwaite Clara B. Bruce Ambrose Caliver Elmer A. Carter Leslie P. Hill Georgia Douglass Johnson Kelly Miller A. A. Schomburg Mary Church Terrell Channing H. Tobias W. R. Valentine William A. Warfield Francis M. Wood Counsel James W. Johnson November 3, 1933 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell 1615 S. Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. My dear Mrs. Terrell: The "Copy" for our questionnaire was mailed to the printer last night. Before having it actually printed, I should feel better to have you look over it so that I may secure your reaction. "Who's Who in America" for 1932-33 contains biographies for 30,500 persons or about 1 biography for every 4000 of our general population. Does it seem to you unreasonable to plan for 1000 biographies in our "Notable Living Americans of African Descent," or 1 to 13000 persons of color? I mention this matter now because it seems to me that we should have a definite objective. Hoping that you agree with me, I am, Very sincerely yours, ROSCOE CONKLING BRUCE RCB:F So sorry to have missed you Sunday. D. C. BRANCH N.A.A.C.P. 1913 – 9th St.N.W. November 3rd., 1933 Dear Member: George Crawford has been returned to Virginia to stand trial for the murder of two white women. Many people believe he did not commit the crime. Crawford is poor, and what is worse in a case like this, is he is a NEGRO, charged with killing a white person. This Branch is raising a defense fund for him and we now ask you to help all you can. Give yourself, and ask your friends to give. The case will soon be heard and it is quite likely will go to the U. S. Supreme Court again before final settlement. If members of this organization and their friends do not help Crawford, he is helpless. Our lawyers are defending him, but Court records will cost lots of money, so we must get it together. On Sunday evening, November 19th, in the 19th Street Baptist Church at 8 o'clock Miss Nannie H. Burroughs, will address a meeting in the interest of this case. We are now urging you to be present, and report at that meeting all the money you shall have raised by that time. Remember it is up to the N.A.A.C.P. to see that this man gets his fair chance before the Courts. We are counting on you. Sincerely yours, A. S. Pinkett, Branch Sec'y. John C. Bruce, Acting Pres. FOR WASHINGTON'S SAKE THE COMMUNITY CHEST 223 INVESTMENT BUILDING - WASHINGTON - DC November 4, 1933 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, 1615 S Street NW, Washington, D.C. Dear Mrs. Terrell: I have the honor to advise you that you have been appointed a member of the Special Solicitations Committee of Area 5 for the forthcoming Community Chest Campaign. The organization meeting of this committee will be held at the Phyllis Wheatley Y.W.C.A., 901 Rhode Island Avenue, Northwest, Wednesday evening, November 8, from 7:00 to 7:45 P.M. We are counting very largely on this committee to form the atmosphere in which our campaign work will be conducted. Please be present promptly in order that we may adjourn promptly. Yours for Human Needs, H.O. Atwood H.O. ATWOOD, Chairman Area 5, Community Chest Campaign, Metropolitan Unit. HOA: f Dearest Mother, Had a lovely day enjoyed the game. Am leaving now 11:15 Hope you win a prize. Should F.E. call tomorrow night please tell him I wasn't feeling so spry so went to bed. Was dead tired. Thanks. Should he call during the day I'm out. Heaps of love - P Sat Nov 25 9 Logan Circle Washington, D.C. November 6, 1933 My dear Mrs. Terrell: I wish to thank you for your kind letter of recent date. It was more than kind of you to have seen Mr. DePriest and have him promise that hewould do all in his power to assist my son in securing the appointment at Tuskegee. I also thank you for you continued endeavor to see Mr. DePriest again "in the flesh" and arrange with him appointment in which I might place before my desire more fully regarding the appointing of my son as an Associate Physician at the Veterans Administration Facility at Tuskegee, Alabama. You have always been so very kind in responding to the many calls that I have made upon you in the past that I almost feel that it is an imposition to ask you further for your influence in securing a meeting as stated above. Again thanking you for your kindness, I am Sincerely yours, Harriet A. Lee. PHONE: MOnument 2-9006 THE HARRIET TUBMAN PUBLISHING CO., INC. INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK 2034-2040 Seventh Avenue New York City Editor-in-Chief Roscoe Conkling Bruce Associate Editors Wm. Stanley Braithwaite Clara B. Bruce Ambrose Caliver Elmer A. Carter Leslie P. Hill Georgia Douglass Johnson Kelly Miller A. A. Schomburg Mary Church Terrell Channing H. Tobias W. R. Valentine William A. Warfield Francis M. Wood Counsel James W. Johnson November 7, 1933 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell 1615 S Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. My dear Mrs. Terrell: In accordance with my letter of recent date, I am now enclosing proof of the proposed questionnaire. As you can see at once it is physically not possible to include on page one of the questionnaire the names of our Associate Editors. This I regret more than words can say. However, we propose to prepare very shortly a small four-page folder which will contain the entire list. And our new letter-heads will contain all the names. I need not tell you how proud we are to have such able Associates. There are some mistakes in this proof: For example, the caption of the volume is "Notable Living Americans of African Descent", and authoritative is spelled with an 'i' instead of an 'a'. Moreover, on page two, I think it wise to eliminate the column 'Remarks', and to make the width of each of the four columns identical instead of making the column for elementary schools larger than the others. And then too, you yourself may note some changes that are desirable. Before having the questionnaire printed, I am very anxious to ascertain the reaction of each of the Associate Editors. So, please be perfectly frank and be so good as to tell me exactly what you think of every detail. A prompt answer will be most helpful. With heartfelt good wishes, I am as ever Faithfully yours, Roscoe Conkling Bruce by R.C.B. Jr. Roscoe Conkling Bruce RCB: BWG District of Columbia Branch National Association for the Advancement of Colored People 1913 9th Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. Telephone : North 9892 National Headquarters : 69 Fifth Avenue New York City NATIONAL OFFICERS : President : J.E. Spingarn Vice-Presidents : Rev. John Haynes Holmes Arthur B. Spingarn Oswald Garrison Villard Bishop John A. Gregg Hon. Arthur Capper James Weldon Johnson EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Secretary : Walter F. White Assistant Secretary : Roy Wilkins Treasurer: Mary White Ovington Director of Publications and Research Dr. W. E. B. DuBois Field Secretary : William Pickens Regional Field Secretary: Daisy E. Lampkin LOCAL OFFICERS Acting President: John C. Bruce Whitelaw Apartments Phone North 8764 Secretary : A. S. Pinkett 748 Harvard Street, N. W. Phone Adams 3700 Treasurer : Garnet C. Wilkinson 406 You Street, N. W. Phone North 8673 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE : John C. Bruce, Chairman Robert W. Brooks Carrie W. Clifford Coralie F. Cook Charles A. Cornish Emily B. Francis Julia West Hamilton E.L. Harrison I.M. Hershaw J.L.S Holloman R.L. Jolie Amanda Gray Hilyer M. Madre Marshall Sam'l D. Matthews Martha A. McAdoo George A. Parker Frank S. Reid H.B. Taylor Mary Church Terrell William H. Thomas C.T. Murray COMMITTEES AND CHAIRMEN Charities : Mrs. Mary Church Terrell Civil Service : Rev. Wm. H. Thomas Education: Rev. Robert W. Brooks Employment: Rev. J. L. S. Holloman Fire Department: Whitefield McKinlay Inter-Racial: Hon. Charles Edw. Russell Junior Branch: Mrs. Louise E. Pinkett Legal: George E.C. Hayes Legislative : Louis R. Mehlinger Police Department: Rev. H. B. Taylor Press : H. E. Barnett Publicity: J. G. A. LuValle Propaganda : Mrs. Emma Lee Williams Women's Auxiliary : Mrs. Emily B. Francis November 8, 1933. Dear Board Member; We have launched a defense fund campaign in the Crawford case to culminate at a public meeting to be held at 19th Street Baptist Church on the 19th of this month at 8 o'clock. The enclosed letter is being sent to the full membership of the Branch. Please get behind this movement and help to put it over. Sincerely yours, A.S. Pinkett Branch Secy. ASP:L Enc.- The Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, Incorporated John Hope, President Louis R. Mehlinger, Secretary-Treasurer The Journal of Negro History Carter G. Woodson Director and Editor 1538 Ninth Street, N. W. Washington, D. C. Executive Council John Hope, Atlanta University Louis R. Mehlinger, Washington, D. C. Carter G. Woodson, Washington, D. C. James H. Dillard, Charlottesville, Va. William G. Pearson, Durham, N. C. Franz Boas, Columbia University William E. Dodd, University of Chicago Evarts B. Greene, New York City Executive Council Bishop R. A. Carter, Chicago, Ill. Joseph J. Rhoads, Marshall, Texas A. Clayton Powell, New York City Alexander L. Jackson, Chicago, Ill. Bishop R. E. Jones, New Orleans, La. A. M. Schlesinger, Harvard University Harry E. Davis, Cleveland, Ohio T. Wingate Todd, Western Reserve Univ. November 8, 1933 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, 1615 S Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. My dear Mrs. Terrell: I hear on all sides that the Annual Meeting was a great success. For this I shall not be so unwise as to take credit myself. I thoroughly realize that this favorable outcome resulted from the careful planning and faithful execution in which you participated. I do not think that I have ever worked with a more unselfish group of men and women. The joy which I experienced in meeting with you from week to week was just as great as that afforded by the conference itself. I am hoping that the interest thus aroused by what we have done to popularize the study of the Negro may increase as the years go by. Thanking you sincerely, I am Yours very truly, C.G. Woodson C.G. Woodson Director CGW*mld National Association of Colored Women, Inc. OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT Dr. Mary Fitzbutler Waring 4557 MICHIGAN AVENUE CHICAGO November 9, 1933 Dear Mrs. Terrell: The annual meeting of the National Council of Women of the United States will be held at the Vanderbilt Hotel -- Four Park Avenue, New York City, from the 22nd to the 24th of this month. As one of the bodies composing this organization, we are entitled to four delegates. I have sent your name in as one of the delegates. I hope you will attend. I believe you can do our organization credit by your presence. The expenses of publishing the Notes will have to come out of the general treasury. Your voluntary contributions for expenses of printing and mailing will tell us you are pleased. Send notes of interest nationally for next issue. Your friend, Mary F. Waring M.D Love to Mrs. H. MFW: LJ -----------------------------------OFFICERS--------------------------------------------- Dr. Mary F. Waring, President, Mrs. Daisy E. Lampkins, Vice Pres. Mrs. Lethia Fleming, Chr., Ex. Bd. Mrs. Julia West Hamilton, Treas. Miss Arsania Williams, Fin. Sec. Miss Marie Baker, Rec. Sec. Mrs. Wanda Bagnall, Rec. Sec. Dr. Mary V. Parrish, Chaplain Mrs. S. Joe Brown, Parliamentarian Mrs. J. E. Johnson, Statistician Mrs. Mamye Josenberger, Sec. to Ex. Bd. Howard University Washington. D. C. Founded by General O. O. Howard School of Religion Office of the Dean November 9, 1933 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell 1615 - S - Street, N・W. Washington, D.C. Dear Mrs. Terrell: It was my understanding and also that of Mr. Brooks that you were to prepare a statement to be presented to the Governor of Virginia urging, on behalf of the Committee on Race Relations, that action be taken promptly to punish the perpetrators of the recent mob murder in that state. Whatever we do should be done just as soon as possible. Your minutes will no doubt show the exact form of our vote. Hoping to hear from you and with all good wishes, I am. Very sincerely yours, D Butler Pratt DBP/MW Talladega College Under the Auspices of The American Missionary Association Talladega, Alabama Buell Gordon Gallagher President Nov. 11th, 1933 My dear Mrs. Terrell, It is splendid of the Washington Committee to send word to me, and I deeply appreciate your own personal expression of interest and good wishes. The task is one which is large enough for three men, and I shall need all the encouragement that you and others can give. I am going to Talladega because it is the opportunity to put into practice some of the things we are so interested in there in the M.A. C. Social Relations Committee. When the challenge to live what we believe comes our way, there is only one thing to do! Ever, Buell Gallagher Albert C. Ritchie Governor Executive Department Annapolis Maryland November 14, 1933 Miss Mary Church Terrell The Washington Federation of Churches 503 McLachlen Building Washington, D.C. Dear Miss Terrell: I received the letter of November 11, sent by members of the Washington Federation of Churches, with regard to the recent lynching in this state. I assure you that every authority at the command of the Governor and the Attorney General is being used to apprehend the responsible persons, and thorough consideration is being given to legislation which might be helpful to prevent a repetition of such an occurrence. Very truly yours, Albert C. Ritchie Governor. Lieutenant J. Williams Clifford An Applicant for Appointment to the Position of Collector of Internal Revenue, [Second] 3rd District New York City Educational -- Administrative -- Military -- Political Qualifications and Experience Name: Joshua Williams Clifford Race: Negro Birth: December 31, 1886 Age: 47 years Father: Honorable William H. Clifford (Deceased) Negro Republican Leader, State of Ohio, Elected and served two terms in Ohio state legislature; law classmate of Hon. Newton D. Baker, and staunch friend of Mark Hanna (deceased) national political figure of that time. MOTHER: Mrs. Carrie W. Clifford, of Ohio. Nationally known Race woman;poet,playwrite; author of two books; Honorary President of Ohio State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs. MARRIED: Ye[a]s--eleven years;Wife, Rhetta W. Clifford; one daughter, Jeanne, age 9. RESIDENCE: New York City, New York--Five (5) years. EDUCATION: PUBLIC SCHOOL Graduate of Bolton graded school, Central High School, Cleveland Manual Training School, all of Cleveland, Ohio. COLLEGIATE: Michigan University, Ann Arbor, Mich. two years, specializing in mathematics and science; Howard University, Washington, D.C., two years graduating with degree Bachelor of Arts, June, 1910, specializing in mathematics and economics. Columbia University, New York City, 1910, courses in mathematics and school administration. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE: Secretary, Armstrong High School, Washington, D.C. from 1911-1917. Appointed by Board of Education Washington, D.C. TEACHING EXPERIENCE: Substitute teacher of mathematics, High Schools, Washington,D.C. Temporary teacher of English, Dunbar High School, Washington, D.C. Night High School teacher of Applied Electricity, Washington, D.C. Above appointments by Board of Education, Washington, D.C. and served from 1911-1917. MILITARY EXPERIENCE: Appointed by Senator Warren G. Harding of Ohio to Officers Training School, Fort Des Moines,Iowa, July, 1917; Commissioned- First Lieutenant of Infantry, United States Army, October 1917; Assigned to Company M, 367th Inf., Camp Upton, New York- November 1917 to June 1918. OVER SEA SERVICE- nine months, participated in three major offensives; Meuse Argonne, St. Mihel; Metz. Honorable Discharge, Camp Meade, April 1918. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYMENT: Appointed by Honorable Newton D. Baker, Secretary of War as Special Representative of Discharged Negro Soldiers, War Risk Bureau, Washington, D.C., 1919-1922. In this unusual position it was necessary to write newspaper articles, make speeches, correspond with Negro organizations and churches- social administrators- leaders in education,- and welfare associations for the purpose of inducing the discharged Negro soldier and sailor to retain his War Risk Insurance. Page 2. The administration of this office necessitated the employment of fifty typists, stenographers, file and correspondence clerks, and messengers and resulted in establishing for it a national reputation for accomplishment and service. This emergency appointment was terminated at the expiration of three years. Resigned- 1922 to go into business. Appointed Vault Custodian, Office of the Register of the Treasury, Washington, D.C., 1925-1926. Appointed United States Narcotic Agent, Washington D.C., 1926-1928, Assigned to cases in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Virginia. Appointed United States Inspector of Customs, New York City, 1928-1933. BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Organized Monumental Pictures Corporation- $500,000. capitalization, 1922. Made eight pictures, Failed because of lack of distribution facilities, 1923. Appointed Manager, Lincoln Theatre, Washington, D.C. 1923. Half a million dollar house doing gross business of four to six thousand dollars weekly. Resigned 1925 on account of health. Organized with Mr. L.H. Stanton the Stanton-Clifford Feature Syndicate, New York City, Sept. 1932. The business of the company is the syndicating of news, features, and comics to the Negro Newspapers of the United States. Offered my services in Honorable Franklin Delano Roosevelt's pre-convention campaign. Name was placed in set-up as Contact Man- The Negro Veteran's Vote and sent to Hon. James A. Farley. Staunch Roosevelt admirer and supporter. Offered my services to the Recovery Party, Oct. 1933 for the reason that I believed said party would cooperate 100% with President Roosevelt and his National Recovery Program and that it would be for the best interest of the citizens of New York City. Appointed member Speaker's Bureau, Recovery Party Campaign, New York City; Addressed audiences in churches, schools, and halls in 11th, 17th, 19th, and 21st Assembly Districts. Appointed Captain 20th Election District, 19th Assembly District Have never been arrested for a misdemeanor or any kind of crime during lifetime; am well known, liked and respected by the members of my race throughout the country. I firmly believe that the Honorable Franklin Delano Roosevelt is one of the greatest Presidents in the history of this country and that his National Recovery Program is the greatest piece of legislation ever enacted by any nation in the history of the world and that it will be the salvation of the United States. I solemnly swear that the statements contained herein are true. Signed J. Williams Clifford Lieutenat J. Williams Clifford 408 Manhatton Avenue New York City November Fourteenth 1933 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell 1615 - S- Street N.W., Washington, D.C. My dear Mrs. Terrell:- I am asking a number of prominent leaders in the civic, political, and religious life of the country with whom I am acquainted to write a letter to the Honorable James A. Farley, Postmaster General of the United States Washington, D.C., endorsing me for appointment to the position of Collector of Internal Revenue, 2nd District, New York City, if they feel that my qualifications merit that consideration. Postmaster General Farley, the dispenser of Federal patronage for the Democratic Party, is now considering the qualifications of a number of New York Negroes who aspire to that position. It would give me much happiness and I would be signally honored to say nothing of my feeling of genuine gratitude if you were disposed to render me this most valuable service. If appointed, I give you my faithful pledge that my personal conduct and my official conduct of the office would bring you no regrets for anything you may have done in this matter. Expressing to you a most sincere admiration of your great worth in holding before the people those high ideals so necessary to complete happiness and wishing you a continued life of genuine service to mankind, I am Sincerely and gratefully yours, Jay Lieut. J. Williams Clifford Love always to you. Jay George Edmund Haynes New York, N.Y. 105 East 22nd Street November 14, 1933 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell 1615 S. Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. My dear Mrs. Terrell: I want you to share our joy over some effective work in connection with the NRA during the past three months. In the making of fifteen NRA codes, including coal and cotton textiles, there were attempts at unfair and unwise discrimination affecting Negro workers. Some proposed, for instance, exclusion from benefits of their code of certain occupations manned almost entirely by Negroes. Others proposed that common labor in the South be paid lower wages than in other sections - of course this would mean Negro labor to a large extent. Still others tried to apply a lower wage scale to prevent collective bargaining in districts where large numbers of Negro miners are employed. Through efforts of a joint committee, formed under the leadership of the Department of Race Relations, Federal Council of Churches, and representing eighteen of the leading national Negro and interracial organizations, such discriminations were eliminated from most code regulations. We are now following up to see that these fair provisions in the codes are carried out in actual practice. About twenty additional industries employing many Negro workers have submitted codes yet to be approved. Our services will be needed to assure similar just provisions in these codes. In passing along this good news of fair play in plans to reduce unemployment and to increase purchasing power for all workers I do so with a feeling of gratitude to you -- only by such support as yours in the past could we have had an effective organization ready to meet this situation. Because of these steps to secure equal standards of wages and hours for Negro workers, thousands of Negro men and women are better off now than they would have been. On their behalf the Department of Race Relations of the Federal Council of Churches sends you cordial thanks. Sincerely yours, George E Haynes George E. Haynes H-j Gospel Congressional Church Cresskill, New Jersey Thomas H. Wright, M.A., Minister Edmund Deacon, Clerk November 15, 1933 Mrs. Robert Terrell 1615 F Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. Dear Mrs. Terrell, I am very anxious to come to your Washington Association meeting and try to correlate the work of our New Jersey section with your Washington section. Will you please inform me where the meeting is to be held? I have written to the Secretary of the Association, asking for such information, but have received no reply. Do you think it would be possible to have brought together all the members of the Committee who will be in Washington that date to discuss our problem. I understand that Mr. Brooks and Mr. Tufts will both be absent. Have you any others interested in the problem of Social Relations whom we could draw together for discussion and fellowship? I shall be in Washington for several days. Please answer this letter immediately so that I may have it by or before early Monday morning. Thanking you, I am Very sincerely yours, Thos. H. Wright THW:AT 760 Porter St. Memphis, Tennessee November 15, 1933 Mrs. Mary Church-Terrell Dear Madam, I am pleased to write you the promised letter and include the information that I have just returned from Van Court's Office with Mr. Stevens who rented the 721 Leach house and will move in tomorrow after inside repairs are made. I worked there today replacing rear window glass of kitchen grate back & grate baskets - 3 locks to outside doors and put up new toilet and coal house! The lumber necessary for coal house & toilet was the old lumber from Church Street wrecking job[s] of some months ago. I charged you $1.00 for drayage to transfer 400 square feet of lumber to 721 Leach this represented a savings of $8.00 as the necessary lumber would cost approximately as much or more perhaps. Between the time 721 Leach house has been painted up to last Monday - some 2 one took a rear window of north side of front room. I used on of the old window's and made it large enough to use. The only plumbing repairs necessary for toilet + hydrant were as follows: toilet bowl - faucet - and flush hydrant for toilet. Presuming that you would welcome any savings I made in making place fit for occupier of the house that has suffered so much from petty thieft's. I put on the above mentioned plumbing fixtures while building toilet + cool house and I saw that water was promptly turned on - making house ready for the tenant as it should be. The Stevens wanted door thru front room to middle room so kitchen can be reached without going out on back porch, after promising that for a good tenant maybe you could give them a door the house was rented. As you know the 142 Hernando has been rented with pleasing rapidity thru the efficient help of the present janitor, I am volunteering 3 the suggestion that since this building is apparently safely rented it would be a wise move to transfer this particular janitor to one of the Church St., houses, and get that going again. 141 - part of 141 1/2 part of 147 + all of 149 Church are vacant with a woman janitoress in charge living in upper 141 1/2 Church, and receiving I believe, a portion of her rent in exchange for her service and help in renting place. It could easily and discreetly be arranged for 142 Hernando janitor take over the 141 Church house which is all vacant - He doesn't want to move over on Church Pl, yet he personally told me many people come to him for rooms + have to turned away - now as badly as tenants are needed on Church St., It seems logical to believe you willing to let him do this. He could receive his compensation thru renting out the 1 room allowed him 4 as janitor, and by renting out the remaining seven rooms would bring you $25.00 per month where as it is now non productive. Mr. Van agree's or will sanction this idea believing the janitor lives in room allows him, but I don't know whether he will allow him to rent his own room and collect money for his service. But it seems a fair + honest exchange to me. Mr. Stevens the collector now on this route asked me to fix up the vacant 295 Gayosa and repair ceiling plaster of 293 Gayosa. As job was more work than he expected I am first enclosing estimate for approval + return please. the rear porch is rotten - cills gone, + shelf chimney sagged dangerously in kitchen. It will rent soon after repaired and I urge upon you to let me fix this soon as the weight of chimney upon wall over porch used by 213 Gayosa tenants is an unpleasant hazard. =5= I think I related that 363 Humphrey middle room was plastered neatly in every defective or bad place and entirely papered. I also pasted back hanging ceiling paper in front room, repaired 2 locks on middle room & kitchen door without charge, the tenant Mrs. Cesar really wanted 2 rooms papered instead of one, but I repaired front room paper as you requested when here. I plan to collect for painting 721 Leach front about saturday as it is now rented. The 701 Polk tenant needs & asked for a coal house, we have sufficient lumber to build it, if you agree to give them one. The 408 Beale room #2 is vacant & tenant moved some weeks ago, She had been requesting papering of front room- but was too far behind in rent to warrant my asking you. A room of papering for room #2 will speed up its renting. Room #1 of 408 Beale has a substantial tenant & I plan to repair her windows (three in all), her front room really needs papering also I think this particular tenant has been with us over 6 years. Please advise about these =6= needed repairs - and after considering & approving estimates, please return to me. Trusting you are well & happy & hopeful of an immediate reply. I remain, Respectfully James Rob't. Davis 760 Porter St. Memphis, Tenn. Apt.404 - 3220 Conn.Ave., N.W., Washington,D.C., Nov. 15,1933 Mrs. Mary Terrell, 1615 S Street, NW., Washington, D.C. My dear Mrs. Terrell: I am extremely sorry but I feel that it is impossible for me to continue with your manuscript, as I find the work too difficult for me, too nerve racking and not sufficiently remunerative. Also I am sure that my knowledge of the correct use of the English language is too limited for this kind of work. I told you that I was not an experienced typist and that was understood when I took your work. At the same time an experienced typist would expect about $65 for typing your manuscript, as you have almost 400 pages and the regular price is 10 cents a page and 3 cents extra for each carbon sheet, I am told by people who do this sort of work. I should most certainly not have undertaken the work for $25 had I realized how much it would prove to be. As I have already done 139 pages which is one third the entire amount I feel that I am entitled to at least one third of the price agreed upon (which would make it $8.34). Of course there is the possibility that you may not feel that I am entitled to anything, as I am not finishing it as agreed but under the circumstances I feel that your sense of justice and fair play should show you that I should have something for my work, as I have already spent $3 for the typewriter and almost that amount for paper and carbon sheets. So that as a matter of fact I am not getting anything for my work, so to speak, unless you would be willing to take the paper that I have left for $2, which would be advantageous to you, as I was able to buy it at wholesale price, and you would have the same kind of paper to finish the work on. I wish to correct all the mistakes which I made in the work I have already done as soon as possible, for I do not wish to pay rental charges on the typewriter again, so will you please look over what you have and let me come and get it within a day or two, or before Saturday. please call me up and tell me when I may come for it. I am extremely sorry that this seems to be the only solution to this problem, and do hope that you will be able to see my point of view without feeling any resentment on your part, as I do not wish any unkind criticisms. Very sincerely yours, Eleanor C. Squires Potomac 4372 Joint Committee on National Recovery Prudential Bank Building 717 Florida Avenue, N.W. Washington, D. C GEORGE E. HAYNES, Chairman JOHN P. DAVIS, Executive Secretary NANNIE H. BURROUGHS, Treasurer ROSE MARCUS COE, Technical Adviser MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority African Methodist Episcopal Church African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Colored Methodist Episcopal Church Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World National Association for the Advancement of Colored People National Association of Colleges for Colored Youth National Association of Colored Women's Clubs National Baptist Convention, U.S.A. National Catholic Interracial Federation National Negro Bar Association National Negro Business League National Technical Association Negro Industrial League Public Affairs Committee, National Young Women's Christian Association Race Relations Department, Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America Women's Auxiliary, National Baptist Convention, U.S.A. November 16, 1933 Dear Friend: PLEASE CONSIDER THIS A PERSONAL LETTER. We must act quickly and cannot take time to typewrite each letter. This letterhead will show that organizations, to some of which you belong, are members of the Joint Committee, which is seeking to protect Negro workers. Now, this is the reason for this letter: There are more than 50,000 Negroes working in laundries, mostly women. And most of them work in the South. On Monday, November 20, a public hearing on the proposed code of fair competition for this industry will be held in Washington. Laundry owners want to pay 14 cents and hour in the South, where most women of our race are to be found, and 30 cents an hour in the section where white women are mostly employed For 30,000 Negro women in the South this means a wage of $6.30 a week for 45 hours work, with the cost of living increasing rapidly. For them this will be a starvation wage. The rankest sort of discrimination has been practiced against these women. The 14 cents an hour si the lowest wage ever proposed in a code. We are determined to fight this low wage to the bitter end, even if we have to carry this fight to the White House. Walter White will present our brief. We hope to have the Secretary of Labor on our side. We cannot hope for success unless Negro leaders and organizations all over the country show their resentment of these wages by unified protest. As your part in this fight, will you send AT ONCE a telegram to the following people: President Franklin D. Roosevelt, arm Springs, Georgia; Miss Rose Schneiderman, Labor Advisory Board of the N. R. A., Washington, D. C.; Deputy Administrator A. D. Whiteside, National Recovery Administration, Washington, D. C. The telegrams should reach these government officials by November 20. It should protest the 14 cents an hour for the South, the long hours proposed, and endorse the brief of the Joint Committee on National Recovery. Will you also get as many other individuals and organizations to do this? While we would like as many telegrams and letters to reach these officials by the 20th, even those sent at a later date will help. And, finally, will you send us copies of all telegrams and letters sent, so that we may have a record? If we succeed in this fight, we can add more than $50,000 a week to the pay envelopes of Negro women laundry workers. Isn't that worth one or two telegrams on your part? Please help us at once. Sincerely, John P. Davis. JOINT COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL RECOVERY OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN 105 E. 22nd St. NYC November 17, 1933. MEMORANDUM -- From Dr. Haynes To Members of the Joint Committee on National Recovery The enclosed article has been sent to the Negro newspapers. At the request of our Executive Secretary I am asking that you or some other representative of your organization, or several of you together, send a communication to Dr. Bruce Melvin,Assistant Director,Subsistence Homestead Division, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C., with your endorsement of the policy adopted by the Joint Committee on National Reovery and your opposition to segregated homestead projects. I trust this meets with your approval. GEH National Association Colored Women's Clubs Att'n - Mrs. Mary Church Terrell FROM - Federal Council of Churches For immediate release 105 E. 22nd Street, New York,N.Y. THE NEGRO AND NATIONAL RECOVERY V. Subsistence Homesteads and the Negro by George Edmund Haynes, Ph.D. Industry today is concentrated in great urban centers where slums, racial conflicts and other demoralizing forces develop. Crises in the industry throw cut of employment self-respecting workers that must be cared for by charity. The reduction of acreage in wheat, corn, hog, cotton and other farming is not only producing a great surplus of farm wage workers but removing many tenant farmers and their families from marginal land. These and other changes have tremendously affected Negroes both those in industrial centers and those in rural cotton-growing communities. Cotton farming has suffered a greater break-down than even wheat, corn and hog farming. President Roosevelt set aside $25,000,000 for the development of subsistence homestead projects that will point the way to permanent solutions of such problems of excessive unemployment both in agriculture and industry. A subsistence homestead is a place of land of one to five acres with house and tools so that a family can raise vegetables, fruits, chickens, perhaps a cow and pigs, and thus cover subsistence needs. Money to provide the homesteads is to be supplied by the Government to be repaid over a term of years. Some projects may be near industrial centers; others will have supplemental local industries. Purely agricultural communities may be considered. The immediate emergency of surplus workers in such industries as coal mining and steel gives the plan somewhat of an emergency relief character, but it aims towards more permanent civic re-organization. The Subsistence Homestead Division of the Department of the Interior proposes to study the different problem areas and to select those for homestead projects that will not only meet existing conditions but also point the way toward future adjustment. Two such projects have already been started, both in mining areas where great suffering has taken -2- place among miners and their families - one in Pennsylvania and one in West Virginia. Each of these is proposed for a settlement of about 200 homesteader families. It happens that in both of these areas there are Negro residents, and some Negro families will probably be included in these projects. Segregated Colonies are Unsound With the question of inclusion of Negroes in the Subsistence Homestead Program the problem of forced segregation arises. Because a segregated plan of community life has grown up in America, white and Negro neighbors are separated in the schools, in churches, in business establishments, in community neighborhoods, and even in cemeteries. The great question for community planning for the future is, Should such experiments that are pioneering for the future be based upon this pattern of the past? Also, Should funds of the Federal Government supported by white and Negro taxpayers be used to foster segregated Negro homestead projects? G. Victor Cools in a syndicated article this week approves Dr. Clark Foreman's idea of segregated subsistence homesteads. He says that the objections to the proposal of such colonies for colored people arise from a lack of knowledge of what subsistence homesteads are. He argues for separate colonies on the ground that Negroes are Jim-crowed in segregated neighborhoods in northern cities where Jews and Italians exploit them. He says he has devoted two years to an exhaustive study of farm villages and homesteads by first-hand observations of these projects in this country and by reading all available literature on various European projects. as a result he endorses "without any reservations, Dr.Foreman's idea." He says that he has followed the Negro's Sanhedrins, fact-finding conferences and economic conferences called by white philanthropists, but that there has been no leadership in definite plans for the economic advancement of Negroes. Mr.Cools fails to distinguish between segregated Negro communities that have grown up as a result of the internal social cohesion among Negroes themselves and the eternal social pressure that has forced them to themselves and segregated communities, rural or urban, managed and financed by funds from the public treasury. He ignores the fact that one of the most strenuous legal efforts Negroes and their friends have made in the last twenty-five years through the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has been to establish the fact by final decision of the Supreme Court that no municipal government has the right under our Constitution to formulate any residential segregation. This fact should lead anyone to realize that the intelligent Negro people throughout this country will oppose as far as they can any idea of governmental promotion of residential segregation whether it be in farm villages, urban centers, or any other place. The Joint Committee Proposes Non-Segregation Policy The criticism that here is no responsible group offering constructive ideas to the Homestead Division overlooks the formation of the Joint Committee on National Recovery embracing representatives of eighteen national racial and interracial organizations - the combined strength of the rank and file of organized Negro and liberal white groups. For several weeks they have been considering the question of subsistence homesteads for Negroes. The Executive Secretary of the Joint Committee, John P. Davis, had a conference with an official of the Homestead Subsistence Division and promised that when he had had time to get the consensus of judgment of the groups who represent Negroes of the United States, he could make some definite proposals. These proposals have now been voted by these representatives. They may be summarized as follows: 3 First - That the funds at the disposal of the Subsistence Homestead Division be allocated between white and colored families on the basis of need. After very thorough discussion it appeared that there could hardly be any other basis because any percentage basis on population or other ratios would not seem reasonable and fair. Second - That these new homestead communities set up under subsistence homestead provision "should be qualified in such a manner as to avoid the perpetuation of the uneconomic and social evils of the idea of segregation." Third - That at least two Negro experts, one in the field of agricultural and industrial economy and the other in the field of community planning, should be added to the staff of the Subsistence Homestead Division because in establishing sound experiments that would include Negroes, success would depend largely upon able, cooperative and sympathetic guidance of each project from its very beginning. Request has also been made for consideration of Negro architects and engineers. The Administration is also assured of the full cooperation of all of these organizations in carrying out projects under such a policy. Negro Leaders Oppose Segregated Colonies As chairman of the Joint Committee on National Recovery and as Secretary of the Department of Race Relations, Federal Council of Churches, this writer is in position to know the sentiment of the representatives and leaders of the organizations which embrace in their membership nearly all the adult Negro population. He is positive that the above statements represent almost the unanimous judgment of these leaders and many white leaders in the interracial organizations with which they are associated. They believe that looking toward the future these homestead projects are aiming at experiments to set community planning and patterns for the next twenty-five to fifty years. They believe that this should be set in the direction away from forced segregation, one of the root difficulties of our community interracial life. Furthermore, they are opposed to the idea that the Federal Government should develop under its own direction such segregated communities. 4323 Cathedral Ave. N.W. Washington, D.C. Nov. 19, 1933. My dear Mrs. Church Terrell: We are counting on you and on Rev. Milton Fairchild to speak about President Fairchild. As the time for all our speakers is very limited - three to five minutes each, since we have some eight to ten speakers - could you get into touch with Mr. Fairchild by telephone, and arrange to divide up the subject? Did President Fairchild do anything constructive in regards to colored students? If so, will you stress that point, please? Thanking you, I am Yours sincerely, Miriam E. Oatman-Blachly (President, D.C. Alumnae National Association of Colored Women, Inc. Office of the President Dr. Mary Fitzbutler Waring 4557 Michigan Avenue Chicago November 20, 1933 Members of the Board of Control Mrs. Mary Chruch Terrel 1615 S. St. Washington, D.C. Dear Friend: It was with much regret and deep concern that we found the convention had closed with a practically empty treasury. Mrs. Hamilton as enclosed report shows, is deeply concerned as to money to meet past due payments on Headquarters. We must each do our part. Mrs. Lampkins, the vice-president, suggests that one hundred women lend ten dollars each to tide over the deficiency. She and Mrs. Mary Bethune will pay first. Will you help? There are many things on which we need to counsel. Money is still scarce. Which date will suit you better Feb. 12th or 22nd. The Advisory Board for this bienial has not been appointed. That more women may be interested it might be well to replace those who have been move up to the Board of Control. What do you think? Yours truly, M. F. Waring Mary Fitzbutler Waring Officers Dr. Mary F. Waring, President, Mrs. Daisy E. Lampkins, Vice Pres. Miss Arsenia Williams, Fin. Sec. Mrs. S. Joe Brown, Parliamentarian Mrs. Lethia Fleming, Chr., Ex. Bd. Miss Marie Butler, Rec. Sec. Mrs. J.E. Johnson, Statistician Mrs. Julia West Hamilton, Treas. Mrs. Wanda Bagnall, Rec. Sec. Mrs. Mamye Josenberger, Sec. to Ex. Bd. Dr. Mary V. Parrish, Chaplain November 21, 1933 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell 1615 S Street, Northwest Washington, D.C. My dear Mrs. Terrell: It affords me sincere pleasure to introduce to you by this letter my dear friend and associate in the work of The Harriett Tubman Publishing Company, Inc., Mr. Cyrus P. Barnum of the University of Minnesota. Mr. Barnum's extremely interesting and significant work in international relations at the University has, it seems to me, prepared him most happily for the publishing enterprise upon which we have now entered. He is a man of broad and deep sympathies, a man of wide horizons and great faith. He believes that we should build upon the similarities of men rather than upon their dissimilarities. He believes in the oneness of mankind. Moreover, he is a business man of much responsible experience; his experience and his judicial temperament are most valuable assets to our corporation. Any courtesy, kindness, or service you may extend to Professor Barnum, I shall deem a personal favor to me. With sincere good wishes, I am Faithfully yours, Roscoe Conkling Bruce RCB: BWG Phone: Monument 2-9006 The Harriett Tubman Publishing Co., Inc. Incorporated Under the Laws of the State of New York 2034-2040 Seventh Avenue New York City Editor-in-Chief Roscoe Conkling Bruce Associate Editors Wm. Stanley Braithwaite Clara B. Bruce Ambrose Caliver Elmer A. Carter Leslie P. Hill A.A. Schomburg Mary Church Terrell Channing H. Tobias W.R. Valentine William A. Warfield Francis M. Wood Counsel James W. Johnson November 21, 1933 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell 1615 S Street, Northwest Washington, D.C. My dear Mrs. Terrell: Professor Barnum will endeavor to call upon you when in Washington, D.C. Friday of this week. He will stop at the Willard Hotel. He will not have much time in Washington because he has an important conference here in New York at 10:00 P.M. Friday. I am very eager for him to know you personally and for you to know him. Very sincerely yours, Roscoe Conkling Bruce RCB:BWG ENC:1 By the way, we have friends in the La Guardia administration. Martz Rivers & Sara Pelham stand very high. They will gladly help Phyllis. Gospel Congregational Church Cresskill, New Jersey Thomas H. Wright, M.A. Edmund Deacon Minister Clerk Nov. 21, 1933 Mrs. Robert Terrill 1615 F.Street Washington, D.C. Dear Mrs. Terrill: I have your letter from Baltimore, of Sunday, Nov. 19th. I have decided not to come to Washington at this time, due to the fact that both Mr. Brooks and Mr. Tufts are out of the city. I am hoping to come in the very near future and sit down with your committee and go over our plans together, and see if we cannot coordinate our work, especially that part of it which would involve the whole Middle Atlantic Conference. The Secretary I refferred to was, Mr. Goddard, of the Association. I had a copy of the program this morning by special delivery letter. I wish that you would let me know a time when your whole committee would be meeting, and at such a time, I would plan to come to Washington and lay before you all the outline of our work, and confer with you as to our mutual work in the M.A.C. I thoroughly realize the necessity and the justness of our acting within our own provinces on the problems most pertinent to us. On the other hand there are real ways we can copperate in relation to the larger work of the whole conference. I propose a meeting sometime in December, perhaps after Xmas, when we can get together for this purpose. Very sincerely yours, Tom Wright Post Card Chicago Nov 22 630 PM 1933 ILL. Mrs. Church Terrell 1615 S St., N.W. Washington, D.C. National Association of Colored Women, Inc. Office of President Dr. Mary F. Waring 4557 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, Ill. 193 Nov. 22, 1933 Mr dear Mrs. Terrell: Dr. Mary F. Waring is in New York, attending a meeting of the National Council of Women. She will arrive home Dec. 1, 1933. Phone: Monument 2-9006 The Harriett Tubman Publishing Co., Inc. Incorporated Under the Laws of the State of New York 2034-2040 Seventh Avenue New York City November 23, 1933 Editor-in-Chief Roscoe Conkling Bruce Associate Editors Wm. Stanley Braithwaite Clara B. Bruce Ambrose Caliver Elmer A. Carter Georgia Douglas Johnson Kelly Miller A.A. Schomburg Mary Church Terrell Channing H. Tobias W.R. Valentine William A. Warfield Francis M. Wood Counsel James W. Johnson Mrs. Mary Church Terrell 1615 S Street, Northwest Washington, D.C. My dear Mrs. Terrell: In spare moments, I am preparing the manuscript for a supplementary reader to be used in the eighth and ninth grades of the public schools, the title being "JUST WOMEN." The book is to tell in simple but, I trust, interesting fashion the life stories of about twenty American women of African descent who are no longer living. This volume is to consist of 150 pages, not including the index or the pedagogical apparatus. Realizing your interest in such a volume, I am taking the liberty of writing to ask you to be so good as to favor me with a list of the 20 most notable women who, in your judgment, should be included in the book. I may add that the illustrator is Miss Bernice Edmunds. She has already done what, it seems to me, is a perfectly marvelous imaginative portrait of Harriett Tubman. Obviously a supplementary reader of this type would not be effective if it were not effectively illustrated. But, far more important is a wise selection of the personalities to be included in the volume. Earnestly hoping and trusting that in the goodness of your hear you will give me the benefit of your judgment in this basic matter, I am as ever Sincerely yours, Roscoe C. Bruce Roscoe Conkling Bruce RCB: BWG [Ca 11-24-33] A Centennial vesper service will be held for Oberlin people and their friends at 3:30, Sunday afternoon December 3rd, in the First Congregational Church at 10th and G Streets N.W. A social hour will follow in the church parlor. Bring mementos of days in Oberlin. A silver offering will be taken for the scholarship fund. Let us know the number in your party. Reply Card This Side of Card Is For Address Mrs. J.M. Symons 3032 Rodman St., N.W. Washington, D.C. Colored Citizens' Civic League Of Greenwich, Connecticut 21 Oakridge Street November 26, 1933 Mrs Mary Church Terrell Washington D.C. My dear Mrs Terrell: During the Campaign for Presidential elections you spoke before our organization, the Colored Citizens Civic League and everyone enjoyed your address so much we would like to have you come again. We are planning to hold our Emancipation exercises on Thursday evening, January fourth, nineteen thirty-four and would consider it a great honor if you could come to us at that time. If favorable will you kindly let us know just what you would expect in the way of an honorariam. Hoping for an early reply, Sincerely, Dr. Henry R. Walker Secretary RK Sabrean Bradhurst 2 - 5778 417 W 145th 83 St Nicholas Place Brother Potomac 4872 Joint Committee On National Recovery Prudential Bank Building 717 Florida Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. George E. Haynes, Chairman John P. Davis, Executive Secretary Nannie H. Burroughs, Treasurer Rose Marcus Coe, Technical Adviser Member Organizations Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority African Methodist Episcopal Church African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Colored Methodist Episcopal Church Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World National Association for the Advancement of Colored People National Association of Colleges for Colored Youth National Association of Colored Women's Clubs National Baptist Convention, U.S.A. National Catholic Interracial Federation National Negro Bar Association National Negro Business League National Technical Association Negro Industrial League Public Affairs Committee, National Young Women's Christian Association Race Relations Department, Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America Women's Auxillary, National Baptist Convention, U.S.A. November 27, 1933 Mrs. Mary C. Terrell 1615 S Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. Dear Mrs. Terrell: Enclosed please find copy of proposed additions to the policy of the Joint Committee on National Recovery. I am sending you this with the urgent request that you call it to the attention of the executives of your organization, and that you kindly write me at once as to their reaction on the same. This statement of policy will be among the many matters which will be discussed at our December Committee meeting, of which you will receive an official notice, and there a vote will be held on the matter. I should appreciate a reply from you within the next ten days concerning this policy. Sincerely yours John P. Davis JOHN P. DAVIS Executive Secretary Encl. d. Copy of letter and memorandum to Dr. Mary F. Waring. Memorandum Proposed Additions to the Policy of the Joint Committee on National Recovery The relations of white and Negro people in America at this time is crucial for the future welfare of both races and for the progress of our democratic institutions. In viewing this matter we believe that the integration of Negroes into industry, commerce, agriculture and government is essential to the success of the National Recovery Program and vital for the economic and community relations of all American citizens. The integration of racial groups calls for a change from the patterns of segregated organization and procedure of the past. Proposals to have separate Negro advisory councils in the government, segregated subsistence homestead settlements, different standards in public works or in public relief, different standards of wages and hours in industry or any other measure that will place the Negro on a lower or segregated status, should be opposed by all who long and work for real democracy in America. Wherever the government touches interracial life it should stand for a policy of interracial cooperation instead of separation. We call upon leaders as well as the rank and file of Negro and white people throughout the Nation to face the problems of race relationships from this point of view for the new economic order that is being born. October 24, 1934. Dr. Mary F. Waring, 4745 Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. Dear Dr. Waring: For more than a year the Joint Committee on National Recovery has been carrying on an effective campaign to secure the integration of Negroes into the various measures for national recovery. During that time nearly every member organization of the Joint Committee has put its shoulder to the wheel in financial support of the work of the Joint Committee. I personally have been extremely anxious to have not only the financial support of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs, but, as well, the sound advice which I know a representative of your organization could give the Joint Committee. Unfortunately both financial support and advice have not been received. As we are beginning another year's work, we must adopt a policy which will be more equitable to its member organizations who have contributed both time and money to the success of our work. I am writing to ask two things with all sincerity. First, that your organization pledge to pay $15.00 a month on or before the twenty-fifth of each month beginning in November for the next six months. Second, that either arrangements be made for your present representative, Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, or some other prominent Washington person, to attend our monthly meetings. She has not done so to date. I can appreciate, of course, the difficulties which have been in the way of your organization's giving us financial support or of Mrs. Terrell's inability to attend our meetings, but I am sure you would not want to continue as a member organization of the Joint Committee without giving us the active support outlined in this letter. I have taken the liberty of sending a copy of this letter to Mrs. Terrell and trust that we may receive a favorable response from you in the near future. Very sincerely yours, JOHN P. DAVIS, Executive Secretary. JPD: FC Phone: Monument 2-9006 The Harriett Tubman Publishing Co., Inc. Incorporated Under the Laws of the State of New York 2034-2040 Seventh Avenue New York City Publishers of "Notable Living Americans of African Descent" Editor-in-Chief Roscoe Conkling Bruce Associate Editors Wm. Stanley Braithwaite Clara B. Bruce Ambrose Caliver Elmer A. Carter Leslie P. Hill Georgia Douglas Johnson Kelly Miller A.A. Schomburg Mary Church Terrell Channing H. Tobias W.R. Valentine William A. Warfield Francis M. Wood Counsel James W. Johnson November 29, 1933 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell 1615 S Street, Northwest Washington, D.C. My dear Mrs. Terrell: Mr. Barnum reached New York on Friday night and expressed profound regret that his business in Washington made it impossible for him to call upon you as he had fully planned to do. He secured my letter of introduction from the Willard Hotel, but as I say, was unable to use it. I am very sorry indeed, and so is he. Mr. Barnum lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota and very seldom comes to New York, but I can assure you that the next time he comes East he will certainly be at pains to see you. He knows of your distinguished career and that of your distinguished husband. With heartfelt good wishes, I am Affectionately yours, Roscoe Roscoe Conkling Bruce Mr. B - was elected both President & Treasurer of the Company at the Directors meeting. He is really a very fine man. Confidentially, I do wish there were an appropriate opening for Phyllis in this Company. I'll let you know at once of any opportunity that at any time may arise here - or elsewhere. Correspondence Dec. 1933 and undated 1933 1824 N. 9th Street, Milwaukee Wis. December 4, 1933 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, 1615 S St. Washington D.C. My dear Mrs. Terrell: Four of us from the Milwaukee Y.W.C.A. attended the convention of the National Association of Colored Women in Chicago this summer. We were so impressed with the work of the organization and its possibilities that we came home determined to do something. We have organized a club of sixteen young women which is wide awake and promising. We have also presumed to call it the Mary Church Terrell Club because we want to contribute to the onward march of humanity as you have, not in so great a degree because we realize the limitations imposed by our varying abilities. This note comes to ask a favor. Would you write us a short, concise pledge which 2 we might use at the beginning of our meetings? We are making our debut to the City Federation of Milwaukee on the night of December 12th, if we had such a pledge and a letter to read from you on that occasion, we could imagine no greater thrill. Hoping that you are enjoying the best of health and that you have a happy holiday season, we are, Sincerely, Mary Church Terrell Club, Bernice N. Copeland, Pres. 760 Porter St Memphis Tennessee December 4, 1933 Mrs. Mary Church-Terrell Dear Madam: Your letter was rec'd and I was glad to hear from you again. Mr. Van Court has been out of the city and returned this morning, he was elated to hear of the entire 395 Driver being again rented and also one room of 397 Driver side. These named places were rented last week. This leaves me with 401 & a 2 front room's portion of 397 Driver yet to rent, which you can rest assured will be rented in a short time. You may recall 2 rooms of papering being listed in my estimate for 408 Beale - but being desperate for quick occupancy of the remainder of Driver St, vacancies, I plan to paper one room of 397 Driver - and one room of 408 Beale for the front room substantial tenant. There'll be no additional expense for labor, even though room of 397 Driver be larger in size, thus necessitating a little more material, and will accomplish at the same time better results. I make lengthy explanation here so you will fully understand the charge I shall make in the location of one of the listed rooms of papering. The janitor question is favorably 2 settled, it was all decided, your consent only was lacking - Mr. Van Court had partially agreed and upon relating all details fully today to him, together with the knowledge that you didn't object; he gave me full authority to start this Church St., property to renting under the Hernando St, janitor, so very soon I hope you'll notice a profitable change, I further assure you any help I can give will be gladly given. I note your perplexity and doubt about the wisdom of making repairs to the Gayosa St. property, to this I repeat that the repairs listed for 293 & 295 Gayosa will put house in rentable shape & will be rented soon. I never recommend repairs in instance's where I know you have an unfair chance for repayment - and frequently I make efforts uncommon to duties as a carpenter, to insure you against such loss. So far as the 721 Leach Street house (recently rented to the Stevens that formerly lived at 395 Driver next to Mrs. Woods.) having a door opening cut, they have become quiet about this, and there's fair chance we'll not have to do this. I don't think this door opening would rent the house any quicker to the average tenant, as most people admire the hall like convenience the side porch lends - as it affords entrance to each room with 3 out going thru, room to room. I see no reason why 721 Leach shouldn't be occupied a long time, as they have ample room & convenience at a reasonable price. There is the 227 Gayosa house situated on rear part of lot that I am mystified as what is best to do. It has been reduced from $10 to $6.00 and seems never to rent, too its in a horrible condition, yet the cheapness of rent should have attracted some one by this time. Frankly this particular house is not deserving of the repairs papering & other replacements needed, when one consider's the huge chance of it not immediately renting after repairs. What would you advise me do, try further to rent it at any price without repairs, risk repairing it, or as you suggested about the about the Manassas St house wreck it? That's why I told you not to build garage for former tenant as chance of renting it is too bad, and an adequate rent price seems impossible. Please advise immediately as I feel forced to do something here before cold weather begins here. Expecting an immediate reply, I remain Respectfully James Rob't Davis 760 Porter St. Memphis 1. P.S. I cannot neglect the expression of pleasure I received, when I read of your selection by the Anti-lynching Conference as a member of its Tribunal of Inquiry. The ceaseless efforts and unselfish sacrifice of time energy & money of such champion's of liberty & justice- plus the fortifying prayers of a poor deserving people cannot be in vain. The Conference asserted its wisdom by its selection. Public Schools of the District of Columbia Terrell Junior High School M Street Between New Jersey Avenue And First Street NW. Washington, D.C. Valerie E. Chase Principal December 5, 1933 Mrs. Robert H. Terrell 1615 S Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. Dear Mrs. Terrell: I am writing to request a picture of your late husband, Judge Robert H. Terrell. I would like to have one of his pictures in the front hall of the Terrell Junior High School. May I hear from you at an early date. Very truly yours, V.E. Chase V.E. Chase Principal 9 Logan Cicle Washington, D.C. December 7, 1933. My dear Mrs. Terrell: I must first congratulate you upon your very fine manner of presiding at the Anti-Lynching meeting recently held at John Wesley church. I am delighted to know that the movement is headed by one of your pronounced ability. I shall add my feeble membership to this organization and shall do all in my power by words and deeds to further its interests. There has just come to my attention one of the most flagrant cases of discrimination on the part of the government which is supposedly "by the people, for the people and of the people" that it has been my lot to see. My own son, Milton A. Lee stands at the head of the register at the Civil Service Commission and has been called three times only to be told that the vacancy has been filled, the most startling of all occurred Tuesday when at 10 minutes to three P.M. he was called over the telephone to report for duty at the Munitions Building at once. He was there at 4 o'clock and when they saw that he was colored the clerk informed hi that the place had been filled. No amount of reasoning could induce her to change her statement. I am powerless to fight this to the bitter end for I must retain my position, but those who are fighting for the civil rights of our race and against segregation and the most flagrant discrimination of this race in making appointments of clerks, are at liberty to see that this discrimination should cease. So long as it is permitted to go on without protest so long will it continue. I am sending you this for your information and you may use it as you see proper. Thanking you for any suggestions you may make in this particular case, and wishing for you the greatest success in your splendid work, I am Gratefully yours, Harriet A. Lee OFFICE of THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL RECOVERY 717 - Florida Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. November 28, 1933 My dear Friend: As you are aware, Mr. Davis, our Executive Secretary, left Washington on last Thursday (November 23rd) for a Southern tour to investigate the working and living conditions of Negroes there. Mr. Davis' trip will take him through the states of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky and Tennessee. It is true that every minute of Mr. Davis' time will be valuable during this trip, but he has made arrangements to forward to his office daily an account of his trip and findings. Therefore, I am enclosing herewith excerpts from his reports to us in order that you too might be aware of the conditions. At the time of the mailing of this memorandum Mr. Davis has gone as far South as Greensboro, North Carolina. As you can see the conditions there are critical, and they will be even more so farther South. In view of the facts which I am attempting to call to your attention, my I remind you that these are just 'drops in the bucket' of the many problems of the treatment of Negroes below the Mason-Dixon Line. With Thanksgiving so near, there are many things which we should be thankful for. Among them is, the fact that there is one man in our midst who fearlessly and willingly goes into the far South where illiteracy and barbarism reign, where a man's life is valued at naught, using methods which we ourselves would not dare use in order to secure information upon which we might be able to make a case for equality and freedom for millions of Negroes. At times Mr. Davis has to pay for the desired information, and even then he doesn't get all he wants. This trip is expensive. There is a part you can play in it, and that part is to contribute to the many expanses attached to it. We re not asking you for an enormous contribution - as every dollar counts. There is no special amount - simply contribute according to your feelings. Make checks payable to the Joint Committee on National Recovery, and we will send you by return mail an official receipt for the same. Will you do this at your earliest convenience? You will receive a full account of Mr. Davis' trip and findings in his report to the Committee at the December meeting. May we hear from you by return mail? Sincerely yours, JOHN W. WHITTEN, Secretary to Mr. Davis. November 28, 1933 Excerpts of Mr. Davis' trip and findings: Left Washington the night of November 23rd. Arrived at Danville, Virginia on the morning of the 24th. Findings in Danville: ----------------------------- The Dan River Cotton Mill is located in this city. In this mill Negro women are employed exclusively as "sweepers". Negro men as "Cleaners and outside crews". Before the code was adopted the mill was paying $6 a week to sweepers for 10 hours per day. After the code was adopted the mill voluntarily decreased hours to 8 and increased wages of this class of workers to $7 a week. The male employees now receive $10 a week for 48 hours, wherein they were formerly receiving $9 for 10 hours a day work. The reduction of hours has increased "some employment". There are still cases where people are unemployed. In one of the many similar cases, a woman had been applying for a job as a sweeper for weeks, but had not been employed. In this particular case, the woman was the mother of three children, lived in a two room house, which was rented from one of her relatives, and had not been in position to pay any rent for some time. She was able to secure domestic work "sometimes" at the rate of 50 cents a day. This was her only income. This work was secured in Oakridge, an exclusive white section of Danville. She stated that she had not been to a store to purchase food for over two weeks, and her usual purchase was fatback at 10 cents a pound; beans at 12 cents a quart, and lard at 10 cents a pound. The woman under discussion further stated that she had to leave school in the second grade, but in view of this she appeared to be unusually alert and intelligent. She lived in a North Carolina town about 3 1/2 miles from Danville, but had been in Danville since April. This woman refused to give her name, stating that she was afraid "Uncle Sam's Men" (meaning us) might give her some trouble. This witness was accosted on the street on her way to apply for work at the mill. She had also worked in a tobacco factory (The Edmunds Tobacco Factory) where she had received $5 a week as a "stripper" working from 7 a.m. to 5. p.m. and sometimes 5:30 p.m., this was for six days a week. The outside crewmen also gave testimony as to their wages, similar to that given above. Findings in Winston-Salem, North Carolina: -------------------------------------------------------------- Held an interview with E. M. Mitchell, general manager of the Winston-Salem branck of the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company. He is also president of the branch office of the NAACP. Mr. Mitchell noted an improvement in employment conditions. he believes there is more work for men in tobacco factories. This is reported to be a peak period for tobacco factories, but in spite of this the mills are closed down from three to2five days a week. The average number of days worked seem to be two Pay day is now Wednesday. Last week the men were paid for three days work. In view of the work being paid for by the piece, it is somewhat difficult to compute daily or hourly earnings. Some indication that conditions have improved in Winston-Salem will be gotten from the fact that records of the North Carolina Mutual branch office for the week of July 24, 1933 showed industrial debit of $1,296.51, with a balance due on premiums to the company of $1,083.03. For the week of November 13, 1933 the same debit had jumped nearly $100 to $1,391.77 and the balance due the company in premiums had declined to $637.26. For the week ending November 20th the latter figure had declined to $504.00, while the industrial debit remained approximately the ... the same as the preceeding week. 3 Mr Mitchell further stated that he had heard of no displacement. That in one oase a filling station was employing three Negroes and three whites; after the code it was necessary to secure addition help, and two Negroes and two whites were added. Had an interview with Mrs. M. A. Poag of 111a Highland Avenue. Mrs poag is in charge of Public Employment Office for Negroes. Mr. Hauser, her assistant, is on the Emergency Relief Board. a small office has been donated in the Bruce Building by the owner, Dr. Bruce, the city's wealthiest Negro. This office is now engaged in registering the unemployed who are in search for jobs. The registration is classified as "active and inactive". "active" indicates those who have registered once, and have returned a second time looking for work. "Inactive" indicates those who have only registered once. For the 30 day period ending October 7, 1933 there were 678 on the "active" list and about 1,800 on the inactive list". For the month ending November 7, the "active" had jumped to 714, and the "inactive" to 1,316 --- indicating an even worse condition of unemployment for Negroes. No hope is given to clerical or teaching applicants. Domestic work and common labor productions with a wage from $2 to $5. In reference to cost of living, most of its food stuffs are sold in Winston-Salem by chain stores. There are about 80 independent Negro stores which are patronized exclusively by Negroes. The prices in the 20 stores are slightly higher. Interesting wage and hours data and cost of living material was secured at the Haines Knitting Mills at Hainestown, North Carolina. This is a spinning mill. This mill is located seven miles from the Negro quarters. The only way Negroes can get to the mill town is to walk, since the bus lines do not carry colored passengers. Thus Negroes are forced of necessity to buy at the company commissary at prices somewhat higher than obtain in the city. About 25 Negro employees and their families live on company owned homes in "Nigger village". The homes are everything but "sanitary." The company charges 40 cents per room per week, or $1.60 per week for a four room house. Findings in Greensboro, North Carolina: Upon arrival Mr. Davis paid a visit to the Cone Mills. The Cone Company operates four cotton mills 2 1/2 miles outside of Greensboro. They are namely: Revolution, Cone, Print Works, White Oaks and Proximity. In the time of prosperity these mills are reported to employ as many as 700 colored people. About 90 houses are provided for them at East White Oaks, they are well separated from the better located mill village for "whites" at White Oaks. The Negroes work in the "lap room", as cleaners, scrubbers and sweepers and as yardmen. No Negro women work in the Cone Mills. The workers come from Greensboro, and must either walk the 2 1/2 miles, leaving home in time to get to work by 7, or else must pay 7 cents car fare. The Cone Mills evidenced greater concern for its Negro employees than any other visited so far. There is a Cone Memorial Y.M.C.A. for the colored, employing E.T. Black, colored, as secretary. Mr. Black is paid by the company and runs a boy club. There is a colored school in the settlement, which is supported by the State, with the Cone Mills supplementing the salary of Mrs. Washington, who is principal and also does welfare work. Mrs. Washington conducts a sewing class for women twice a week. The mill workers have been employed by this mill for a long period of time, some as long as 20 years. The entire system appears to be paternalistic. Negro workers live on the company land,in company houses, and buy from company stores, and there prices are from 10 to 30 per cent higher then in Greensboro. The workers run credit accounts and -3- are thus generally in debt to the company. Consequently they are forced to continue to deal with the stores. X National Association of Colored Women, Inc. Office of the President Dr. Mary Fitzbutler Waring 4557 Michigan Avenue Chicago Mrs. Mary Chruch Terrell 1615 S St., N. W. Washington, D. C. December 8, 1933 Dear Mary: Your letter received. Thanks very much. Sorry to not have seen you in N. Y. I am inclosing a card for History by the person who's name is on the card. It was sent C. O. D. on their order. They failed to take it out. Please take it out, pay for it and sell it so as not to have the expense of return postage. Please attend to this as soon as you possible can. Will you please send me a statement of how much money has been sent in [f] to headquarters for the drive. I had a very nice letter from Julia S. Hamilton which I am answering this morning. I just returned from the East. When Mary Bethune comes to the city, I wish you and Mrs. Hamilton would consider this plan - find a woman that needs a home and has some income to live on, let her use a room on the top floor or the back bedroom on the second floor and the kitchen. Have her pay the gas bill and her own electric bill. - Keep the president's room locked. Put all records that you find in the closet where the linen is and lock it, leaving the back room on the 2nd floor empty. It is very foolish to continue paying a woman to clean up an empty house. Somebody must remain in it? I know. See if you cannot get some of these new organizations to use that large basement room and the first floor. The back room could be used as [an] a consulting office, and the front room as a reception room - Unless we can find a way to have someone there to answer the telephone intelligently, there is no sense in having the expense of the telephone added to the other bills. As much as we wish to keep headquarters open, we must look at the thing sensible. As soon as I have checked up on what money came in on this drive, I will advise as to procedure. Mrs. Bethune is fully authorized to cooperate with Mrs. Hamilton in raising money for headquarters Thanks for the information relative to the origin of the National Council. You are O. K. Send me an answer the questionnaire that I Send you last week. I will send you more that you may use as you wish. With love Mary OFFICERS Dr. Mary F. Waring, President, Mrs. Daisy E. Lampkins, Vice Pres. Mrs. Lethia Fleming, Chr., Ex. Bd. Mrs. Julia West Hamilton, Treas. Miss Arsania Willias, Fin. Sec. Miss Marie Baker, Rec. Sec. Mrs. Wanda Bagnall, Rec. Sec. Dr. Mary V. Parrish, Chaplain Mrs. S. Joe Brown, Parliamentarian Mrs. J. E. Johnson, Statistician Mrs. Mamye Josenberger, Sec. to Ex. Bd. LEONIDAS H. DAVIS 1424 MORNINGSIDE COURT HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. December 11, 1933 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell Washington D. C. Dear friend Mary: Your letter and testimonials received and I was very glad to hear from you after all these years. I was glad to read the many fine testimonials of the splendid work you have done through so many years. I will send you a copy of a letter to Doctor Wilkins. I have written Dan Bradley, who is quite an influential member of the Board of Trustees. I was very sorry that I could not be in Oberlin with the class last June. I had a major operation in the year when Mrs. Davis broke down physically and nervously from which she never recovered. After the first of this year she gradually grew worse and passed away to the larger, fuller life, May, the eleventh. I sometimes think that I would like to go back to Oberlin next June. I sincerely hope that the much merited and long delayed honor will come to you next Commencement. I want also, to send you and yours, my heartfelt Christmas Greeting and my sincere good wishes for the New Year. I trust that you will have many happy returns of the season together. With sincere personal regard, your friend Leonidas H. Davis I shall send testimonials under separate cover. December 11, 1933 President Ernest H. Wilkins, LL. D. Oberlin, Ohio Dear President Wilkins: The Class of '84 has followed with considerable interest certain of its members such as Luelle Minor in China, Cyrus Clerk in Japan, Azeriah Root in Oberlin and Mary Church Terrell in Washington. I am writing concerning March Church Terrell, who as a student in scholarship and character won the respect, the admiration and the friendship of the class. In the years since graduation she has rendered doubtless, the largest service to her race and to her country in standing for the rights and possibilties for her people then for any other woman of her race. She has filled places of high responsibility in educational work in the City of Washington for a number of years, an year after year she has been the voice and medium of presenting the claims of the colored race with rare understandings of their problems and the duty of our people to give them in spirit, life and citizenship what Lincoln intended by his great Act of Emancipation. I think every Oberlin man and woman has been proud of their Alma Mater because she was the pioneer in so many ways, in doing so many noble things that needed to be done. Not the least was the opening the door for the emancipated people. President Ernest H. Wilkins, LL. D 2 In view of Mrs. Terrell's educational equipment received at home and abroad and the great service through so many years and done in such a masterful way I would be very happy, as I know the class would be, if Oberlin, at the next Commencement would give some degree which would recognize her services and confer honor upon one who unselfishly and persistently through all these years has given the best in brains, heart, and life to her race. May I suggest, Mr. President, to you, that you give the matter your careful consideration and I am sure that that the Class of '84 would feel that in so honoring Mary Church Terrell you were honoring one of the most worthy and sacrificial of our Alma Mater. With kindest personal regards, I am Yours sincerely, Leonidas H. Davis Colored Citizens' Civic League of Greenwich, Connecticut 21 Oakridge Street Dec. 11, 1933 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, 1615 S. Street N.W. Washington, D.C. My dear Mrs. Terrell: The Colored Citizens Civic League of Greenwich is delighted to know that you have so kindly consented to honor our organization by speaking for us on Thursday evening January fourth nineteen thirty four. The League prefers paying an honorarium of fifty dollars ($50.) and you bearing your expenses. If you have an engraved out of your picture, would you be so kind as to let us have it so that we might use it in our local paper. We are eagerly looking forward to the event. Will you also let us know if you are planning to stay over-night and just what time you are likely to arrive in Greenwich so that some one may meet the train? Hoping to hear from you at an early date. Sincerely Yours, Dr. Henry R. Walker Secretary Gospel Congregational Church Cresskill, New Jersey Thomas H. Wright, M.A., Minister Edmund Deacon, Clerk Dec. 13, 1933 Miss Mary Church Terrell 1615 S. Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. Dear Miss Terrell: I have your letter of the 11th. I am very sorry, but I expected to have a more immediate reply from Mr. Brooks, and now find it impossible to arrange to leave here, so as to be with you on the fifteenth. I was trying to work the meeting in, in a very crowded schedule. May I make the following suggestion? At your meeting on the fifteenth, please try to draw up a plan which your committee would like to work on for the coming year, perhaps for as long a period as two years. I understand that your group would like to work with the problem of International Relations, and world Peace. We are having a meeting, all day on Monday, Dec. 18th. with the Religious Education Committee, and the Committee from the Women's Association, at which we plan if possible to unify our work in the conference, with especial relations to the New Jersey Association. In drawing up our program for the period ahead, it will be necessary to bring into its scope the M.A.C. meeting in the Spring, as well as the local association meetings. Therefore, I feel that this would be the best procedure. Have your Committee work out its plans, as ours is doing here, then I will come to Washington, after Xmas, probably on Tuesday, Dec, 26th. and we can get together and go over the whole picture. Our group up here is getting quite enthusiastic about the possibility of cooperation together and the seeing of the whole job as a unified job, with the emphasis being placed on education with regard to human relations. I am sorry that I cannot be present with you at your preliminary meeting, but the time element forbade Won't you please let me have a record of what you did. I will send to you a record of what our Committees do next Monday. Thanking you for this effprt your committee is making to work with us, I am, Very sincerely yours, Thos. H. Wright National Association of Colored Women, Inc. Office of the President Dr. Mary Fitzbutler Waring 4557 Michigan Avenue Chicago December 13, 1933 Dear Heart: How are you this bright morning? I was clearing up the desk and came across a carbon copy of a letter sent to you this week. It is full of errors and so awful that I am writing to ask you to tear it up. There is a typist in the building who has no work, I had her write a letter to you and one to Julia West Hamilton, allowing her something on her room rent, which was overdue. These two letters were so full of mistakes that I would not have allowed them to have been mailed, had I seen them in time. Please tell Mrs. Hamilton to write me; and also tell her that the words "will you please" should have been written by the typist in front of the several request which were made. I am mailing you today, under separate cover another copy of circular letter which you kindly give to the president of any club who has none. I find that I must work hard and assiduously, early nad late hours. in order that I may help along all lines; I am desirous of coming over and do what I may, in the solution of "National Problems.", but financial difficulties do not permit. With Mrs. Bethune, Mrs. Hamilton, Nannie Burroughs, the first and last National Presidents, we shall accomplish things. With love, Mary F. Waring P.S. - Please send a short article for the "NOTES," this week, as we are ready to put the copy in for the printer. --M.F.W OFFICERS Dr. Mary F. Waring, President, Mrs. Daisy E. Lampkins, Vice Pres. Mrs. Lethia Fleming, Chr., Ex. Bd. Mrs. Julia West Hamilton, Treas. Miss Arsania Williams, Fin. Sec. Miss Marie Baker, Rec. Sec. Mrs. Wanda Bagnall, Rec. Sec. Dr. Mary V. Parrish, Chaplain Mrs. S. Joe Brown, Parliamentarian Mrs. J. E. Johnson, Statistician Mrs. Mamye Josenberger, Sec. to Ex. Bd. Public Schools of the District of Columbia Armstrong High School First and P Streets, N.W. Washington, D.C. G. David Houston, Principal Orra W. Spivey, Assistant Principal Cato W. Adams, Assistant to Principal December 14, 1933 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell 1615 S Street, N W Washington, D C My dear Mrs. Terrell: I am including proofs. Please advise me relative to the final form. If it is possible for you to see me at school, we may be able to decide upon the form you want. You may, for example, want a cover. Please see me by all means. Sincerely yours, G. David Houston G. David Houston Principal GDH: CA Paramount Fusion Club of New York 738 St. Nicholas Avenue New York, N.Y. December 15, 1933 Roger W. Gerard Honorary President Robert T. Bess President Miss Harriet C. Keelan Vice-President L.B. Rogers Treasurer Miss Ena Senhouse Secretary Miss Julia Brown Assistant Secretary Mrs. Mary C. Terrell 1615 S. St. N.W. Washington, D.C. Dear Madam: We take this opportunity of inviting you to become a member of the Paramount Fusion Club of New York which was organized for the express purpose of supporting and cooperating with the incoming City administration headed by Mayor-elect La Guardia. As those who are interested in better government in the City of New York, we believe that Mayor La Guardia will be the man who will lead us to the goal. We therefore believe that all intelligent people should get behind him to do so, hence this organization. It admits into membership all persons without regard to race, creed or color, therefore we believe that a wonderful work can be done. Our membership is already growing by leaps and bounds and we have a large number of business and professional people (white and colored) as well as people in all walks of life. All those who join up to Jan. 1st will be accepted as Charter members. Our last meeting for the year will be held at the residence of Mr. B. F. Thomas, 241 W. 139 St., City, on Tuesday, Dec. 19th, 1933, at 9 P.M. You are invited to be present and to bring your friends with you. Cordially yours, R.T. Bess Robert T. Bess, President Mrs. Delos O. Kinsman 4426 Klingle Street Washington, D.C. Dec. 16, 1933. Dear Mrs. Terrell:- I am forwarding with this, Dr. Wilkins reply to my letter. It does not sound very encouraging, but I suspect he would not wish to speak for the committee. I wish now that I had asked if Oberlin had ever granted an honorary degree to a colored alumnus. If not, at the close of 100 years it might be appropriate to do so! Would it be possible to get the names of the committee from a recent catalogue or in some other way, and write directly to them? If we knew the names of the Mrs. Delos O. Kinsman 4426 Klingle Street Washington, D.C. committee, it might be possible to reach them through friends of theirs. I hope very much the degree will be granted to you - Ever sincerely yours, Anna B. Kinsman P.S. Do you know personally Mrs. Laura Shurtleff Price of Chicago? She was at the meeting of the Oberlin Women at the Friends Meeting House last spring. She is the daughter of Prof. Shurtleff and niece of Theodore Burton and prominent in The Chicago group of alumni. CARRIE CHAPMAN CATT 120 PAINE AVENUE NEW ROCHELLE NEW YORK December 16, 1933 My dear Mrs. Terrill: I received your letter and was delighted with it. I know of nothing that I shall enjoy doing so much as writing to the President of Oberlin. I shall write him today. I do hope, my dear Mrs. Terrill, that you will receive this degree and if I can persuade anyone else to write for you, please call upon me. Mail is so heavy at this time that I have not answered your letter promptly and I beg your pardon for the delay in replying. Very sincerely, Carrie Chapman Catt Mrs. Mary Church Terrill, Washington, D. C. Potomac 4372 JOINT COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL RECOVERY PRUDENTIAL BANK BUILDING 717 FLORIDA AVENUE, N.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. GEORGE E. HAYNES, Chairman JOHN P, DAVIS, Executive Secretary NANNIE H. BURROUGHS, Treasurer ROSE MARCUS COE, Technical adviser MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority African Methodist Episcopal Church African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Colored Methodist Episcopal Church Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World National Association for the Advancement of Colored People National Association of Colleges for Colored Youth National Association of Colored Women's Clubs National Baptist Convention, U.S.A. National Catholic Interracial Federation National Negro Bar Association National Negro Business League National Technical Association Negro Industrial League Public Affairs Committee, National Your Women's Christian Association Race Relations Department, Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America Women's Auxiliary, National Baptist Convention U.S.A. December 20, 1933. Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, 1615 - S - Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. Dear Mrs. Terrell: Enclosed you will find a copy of a letter sent Miss Frances Perkins, Secretary of Labor; Edward F. McGrady, Assistant Secretary of Labor; General Hugh S. Johnson, Administrator, and Daniel C. Roper, Secretary of Commerce. This letter is self-explanatory. At the meeting of the Joint Committee which was held December 15 - 16, it was voted that the enclosed letter be sent to the above persons mentioned, and that each organization be urged to send similar letters and telegrams protesting the dismissal of Miss Byrd. Will you kindly give this matter your immediate attention. Sincerely yours, John P Davis JOHN P. DAVIS, Executive Secretary. Public Schools of the District of Columbia Franklin Administration Building Thirteenth And K Streets NW. Washington, D.C. Garnet C. Wilkinson First Assistant Superintendent December 21, 1933 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, 1615 "S" Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. My dear Mrs. Terrell: Herewith please find copy of my communication to Mr. Elwood Street, Director Washington Community Chest, for your information. Very sincerely yours, GCWilkinson Treasurer, Colored Social Settlement enc. p 4409 Tioga St., Pittsburg, Pa,, 12/26/33 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, Dear Madam, This comes to you through the advice of Mr. Boyles, one of the Editors of The Pittsburgh Courier, I am seeking a photo of your Hon. husband Robert Terrell, also one of Wm Monroe Trotter, Editor of The Boston Guardain. Under the leadership of Hon. Robt. Vann, we have changed our politics. This calls for a change of ideals. Where we have idealized Lincoln and Douglass here to fore. We are now ready to place them in the hall of Fame and seek new ideals. Mr. Wm Monroe Trotter and Hon. Robt Terrell are among the early Colored Democrats so felt that they should be used at this time as our Ideals of whom all would be proud to recognize. Therefore I am calling upon you to find out if I can secure on of Judge Terrels late Photographs. If you will kindly loan me one I will make a copy of it and promptly return it to you. If there is any charge I will gladly pay what ever you request. I have tried several News Papers and A News Association in Washington D.C. but no success. Many thanks for whatever service you can render. Very truly Robert P. Sellers. Wiley College Marshall, Texas December 27, 1933 The Dean V.E. Daniel Department of Sociology Mrs. Mary Church Terrell 1615 S Street, Northwest Washington, D.C. Dear Mrs. Terrell: No doubt you have been informed that the Office of Education at Washington is contemplating calling a national conference to consider special problems involved in the education of Negroes. In order that the conference may be a fact integrating one rather than a speech-making affair, the Planning Committee has organized seven functional groups that will study intensively the relation of the following phases to the education of the Negro: Home Life, Vocations, Citizenship, Leisure, Health, Financial Support, and Ethics and Morals. It is the expressed wish of those who are planning the conference that the approach to the study of Citizenship be made from a broad sociological base, and that it receive the whole hearted cooperation of leading educators, especially in the southern states. Along with a number of others I have been requested to suggest those who should be most effective in serving on the functional group on Citizenship. I have followed your work quite carefully during the years, and judge from the addresses that I have heard you deliver, from your experience as a civic leader and interpreter, and because of your connections with a family that has achieved much in the field of citizenship, that you in conjunction with those whom you may get to assist you, will bring to our Functional Group a most signal contribution. I trust that by this time you have received formal invitation from the United States Commissioner of Education to serve on the Functional Group on Citizenship, and that you will be kind enough to inform me as to the phase of the work for which you will be responsible with the help of your co-workers and others with whom you are connected, either in the District of Columbia or in other parts of the country. Suggested Method of Attack, of the Functional Group on Citizenship-- 1a. A review of the general status of citizenship in the United States. 1b. A review of the general status of the Negro in relation to citizenship. Wiley College Marshall, Texas The Dean V.E. Daniel Department of Sociology 2a. A review of the best literature that gives a modern approach to citizenship. 2b. A review of the materials in books, reports, and theses on citizenship and the Negro. 3a. List and analysis of the major topics to be studied under the head of citizenship. 3b. List of the special problems of the Negro with respect to these topics. 4a. A study of the relation and possible contributions of education to citizenship. 4b. A study of the opportunities and responsibilities of schools and colleges for Negroes with respect to citizenship. (This includes both curricular and extra-curricular approaches to the situation.) 5a. An outline of the duties to be performed by teachers in regard to citizenship. 5b. An outline of the duties of laymen in regard to the subject. 6a. Preparation of a brief bibliography on citizenship for the use of laymen. It may be that many members of the Committee will want to assume responsibility for the same topic. On the other hand it may be possible for many members to send in contributions on several topics, which contributions may be synthesized for the report of the functional group. Certainly we shall be pleased to learn the part you will be willing to play, and to render every possible cooperation from the standpoint of our relationship to the Committee. Cordially yours, V.E. Daniel V.E. Daniel Planning Committee Representative Functional Group on Citizenship VED:GA [12-30-33] Patrons Are Requested To Favor The Company By Criticism And Suggestion Concerning Its Service 1220S Class of Service This is a full-rate Telegram or Cablegram unless its deferred character is indicated by a suitable sign above or preceding the address WESTERN UNION Signs DL = Day Letter NM = Night Message NL = Night Letter LCO = Deferred Cable NLT = Cable Night Letter WLT = Week-End Letter Newcomb Carlton, President J.C. Willever, First Vice-President 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. Received at 1933 DEC 30 PM 9 11 NA1216 72 NL=GREENWICH CONN 30 MRS MARY CHURCH TERREL = 1615 S ST NORTHWEST WASHDC= CONCERNING SUBJECT OF YOUR ADDRESS FOR OUR EMANCIPATION EXERCISE THURSDAY JAN FOURTH WE LEAVE THAT ENTIRELY TO YOU ANY SUBJECT YOU THINK APPROPRIATE FOR THE OCCASION WE THOUGHT IF WE KNEW IT MIGHT BE INTERESTED TO HAVE THE SUBJECT PRINTED ALONG WITH OUR ARTICLES IN THE PRESS HOPING YOU HAVE ENJOYED A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND WISHING YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR WILL WRITE SCHEDULE OF TRAIN TONIGHT IN LETTER SINCERELY YOURS= H L WALKER. FOR GIFTS Describe article, leave deposit. Western Union does the rest. Your card or free telegram with each gift. Save trouble and transportation charges; be assured of stipulated delivery. Invest your giving with this novelty. Western Union Shopping Service The Quickest, Surest, And Safest Way To Send Money Is By Telegraph Or Cable [ca 1933] National Association of Colored Women, Inc. ORGANIZED, 1896 Affiliated with the National Council of Women, 1906 Affiliated with Frederick Douglass Memorial and Historical Association, Inc. 1916 Incorporated 1904 OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT 800 Lincoln Ave. Evansville, Indiana Telephone 2-5130 Mrs. Mary C. Terrell Member Executive Board and Committee Worker Dear Co-Worker: You will please accept my thanks for all the help you have given the National during the last four years whether by deeds, moral support, or only the spoken word. The unusual situation of an "Off Year" is facing us with the coming Century of Progress or International Council of Women at its close. This international meeting offers to us one of the most glorious opportunities ever presented to the organization: that of presenting a pageant to an international organization depicting the rise of the Negro Race. Our national program of work is simplified to the point that any woman who reads may know exactly what to do. We are at the end of organizing, but for our girls. There is a state federation in every state where many colored people reside. We have launched out with headquarters and a paid executive secretary. Truly we launched into this expense before we had money enough to make the office really function. But by-gones are by-gones! We must get enough money to do the work as it should be done, or stop wasting money doing the job in a half-baked way just to be saying that we are operating headquarters. We are spending $1000 annually for taxes and interests with no returns. We have money enough to keep headquarters open and to pay the secretary and to pay the coal bills, but not enough more money to push the program. We must rid the National of the great drain in interest by completing the headquarters' purchase price. At the rate we are going it will take us ten years to finish the purchase price and will cost us $7300 more as interest. If we raise $30000 in this drive, we can finish the purchase price of headquarters, save the $7200 interest and set the next administration free of financial worries and give them some money to do its work with. I am sure you can see what I am trying to tell you, and how necessary it is for us as an organization to go a step further or quit wasting money. Our only redemption is a financial drive. If you are one of the appointed workers, you have received the handbook and ample instructions; if you are not one of the workers, I am asking that you lend support to the National in every way. Talk favorably about your organization everywhere you go and do it constantly. OFFICERS Mrs. Sallie W. Stewart, President, 800 Lincoln Ave., Evansville, Indiana Dr. Mary F. Waring, V.-Pres.-at-Large Miss Arsania Williams, First Rec. Sec. Dr. Ida Mae Myller, Chaplain Mrs. Daisy E. Lampkin, Chr., Ex. Bd. Miss Marie Baker, Second Rec. Sec. Mrs. C.S. Smith, Parlimentarian Mrs. Julia West Hamilton, Treas. Mrs. Jessie C. Grayson, Third Rec. Sec. Mrs. J.E. Johnson, Statistician Mrs. Mayme Josenberger, Sec. to Ex. Bd. 2 Boost all you can. Inform yourself of its functions and needs and inform the public. If no worker is active in your city see that something is being done. You can at least enter into the effort of taking on after collection in every Negro church in this country the fifth Sunday in October. Aside from the drive, we are trying to make this year a year for publicity. Send news of your activities to the papers. The Afro-American through Mr. George B. Murphy, Jr., 1353 You Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. offers us space under the caption "National Association of Colored Women" each week. Send news to him each week if you have it. We are trying to make the citizens of the U.S. National Association of Colored Women Conscious. All this will help us to do more work and to do it more effectively. If the present indebtedness can be cancelled this "Off Year", it will not be necessary to increase taxation nor to conduct another drive. The annual taxation from the status will take care of operating expenses and will enable us to send National Notes to every registered member. That every member receive the Notes is absolutely necessary if we would be well informed and actively functioning as an organization. The National is depending upon you to help push forward to a triumphant culmination of all our efforts at Chicago. You know your abilities and aptitudes best. Push where you can be of most help. No obstacle can withstand a united pull all together. Yours for united action, Sallie W. Stewart President National Association of Colored Women Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.