Correspondence July 1949 National Committee to Free The Ingram Family National Office Hotel Theresa 125th STREET and 7th AVENUE ROOM 108 NEW YORK 27, N.Y. Provisional Officers: Chairman MARY CHURCH TERRELL National Vice Chairman ADA B. JACKSON National Executive Secretary THERESE L. ROBINSON National Administrative Secretary MAUDE WHITE KATZ National Treasurer HALOIS MOOREHEAD Partial List of Sponsors Atlanta, Georgia MRS. W.A. SCOTT MRS. JOHN WESLEY DOBBS Winston Salem, N.C. MRS. VELMA HOPKINS MISS MORANDA SMITH Philadelphia, Pa. MRS. BETTYE L. ALLEYNE MRS. DOROTHY LYMAS Temple Texas MRS. F.M. MEREDITH MRS. C.J. FISHER New York, New York MRS. ESTELLE M. OSBORNE MRS. SHIRLEY GRAHAM DR. GENE WELTFISH MRS. YOLANDA WILKERSON MRS. ELINOR GIMBEL MISS ESTHER LETZ MISS FLORENCE MURRAY Detroit, Michigan MISS ERMA HENDERSON Los Angeles, Calif. MRS. CHARLOTTA BASS Memphis, Tennessee MRS. ROSA BROWN BRACY Vicksburg, Mississippi MRS. G.H. JEFFERSON Enfield, Connecticut MRS. ESLANDA GOODE ROBESON Augusta, Georgia MRS. E.V. WALLACE Washington, D.C. MISS SALLY PEEK DEAN GEORGE A. PARKER Lexington, Kentucky MRS. LUCY HARTH SMITH July 1, 1949 My dear Mrs. Terrell, All's well that ends well. When we meet again. I will explain about the clipping. I am very glad you enjoyed your stay here. It was certainly a pleasure and a rich experience for those who met you. Your speech was superb. I am only sorry we did not have a copy so that excerpts could have been sent out in the press release. We sent a telegram to Dean Hottel commending the organization on the stand taken in Seattle. It was sent out as a press release, too. We have issued one financial statement covering the period from March 21 to [June] May 23. March 21st is when the organization was founded. The next financial National Committee to Free The Ingram Family National Office Hotel Theresa 125th STREET and 7th AVENUE ROOM 108 NEW YORK 27, N.Y. Provisional Officers: Chairman MARY CHURCH TERRELL National Vice Chairman ADA B. JACKSON National Executive Secretary THERESE L. ROBINSON National Administrative Secretary MAUDE WHITE KATZ National Treasurer HALOIS MOOREHEAD Partial List of Sponsors Atlanta, Georgia MRS. W.A. SCOTT MRS. JOHN WESLEY DOBBS Winston Salem, N.C. MRS. VELMA HOPKINS MISS MORANDA SMITH Philadelphia, Pa. MRS. BETTYE L. ALLEYNE MRS. DOROTHY LYMAS Temple Texas MRS. F.M. MEREDITH MRS. C.J. FISHER New York, New York MRS. ESTELLE M. OSBORNE MRS. SHIRLEY GRAHAM DR. GENE WELTFISH MRS. YOLANDA WILKERSON MRS. ELINOR GIMBEL MISS ESTHER LETZ MISS FLORENCE MURRAY Detroit, Michigan MISS ERMA HENDERSON Los Angeles, Calif. MRS. CHARLOTTA BASS Memphis, Tennessee MRS. ROSA BROWN BRACY Vicksburg, Mississippi MRS. G.H. JEFFERSON Enfield, Connecticut MRS. ESLANDA GOODE ROBESON Augusta, Georgia MRS. E.V. WALLACE Washington, D.C. MISS SALLY PEEK DEAN GEORGE A. PARKER Lexington, Kentucky MRS. LUCY HARTH SMITH 2 statement will cover the period from May 23 to June 23. You will receive a copy by the end of next week. On the Ingram petition we are presenting to the United Nations. Would you submit names of women who would be signers. The petition must be printed and very soon, so we must have all names by the end of next week, July 9th. We are having the clipping printed next week, so I will send you some copies. I will write again very soon. The financial statement will reach you by the end of the week. I hope you have a restful week end. With love Maude W. Katz 1318 Vermont Ave. N.W. Washington, D.C. July 1, 1949 My dear Mrs. Terrell. May I please congratulate you with heart-felt appreciation for the contribution you have made for womanhood throughout the world! Truly the tribute paid by the American Association of University Women is an example of such tribute and esteem. You may recall that I have been a national member since 1944, following completion of advanced study at Columbia University. Through the years as I worked as Dean of Women and professor of Education in Colleges of the South, students from foreign Countries considered it a privilege to be kept in touch with A.A: U W through the Journal. Now it will be possible to feel more actively a part of every phase of the Association programs. May God bless you for your challenge which has given us this new power. Ever gratefully, Ethna Beulah Winston 1615 S St. N.W. Washington, D.C. July 5, 1949 To the Public Asistance Division District of Columbia Dear Sirs: This letter is written to urge you to give financial assistance to Mrs. Cora Redmond, who needs it very much. I have been acquainted with Mrs. Redmond for many years, and [w] she was physically able to work it was easy for her to support herself. She was both [c] and willing to work. Those who knew here were eager to have her assist them, for they [kn] would render excellent service and could be depended upon to do anything which she [prom] to do. But her eyesight has been failing for many years, so that now she is almost blind is unable to work. There is no one to support Mrs. Redmond but her daughter who tries help her mother in every way she can. But, since her daughter is a widow and in debt, [s] can not help her mother very much. Mrs. Redmond is 79 years old and is nearly blind. Therefore she is [entitled] to receive financial assistance from the Public Assistance Division, I feel sure you [will] agree with me in this case. I beg you to give Mrs. Redmond the financial help of which is in much great need. Very truly yours, YOUNG PROGRESSIVES EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION SUITE 900, 19 WEST 45th STREET NEW YORK 19, N. Y. July 8, 1949 Mrs. Mary Church Terrel 1615 S. Street NW Washington, D.C. Dear Mrs. Terrel: The Young Progressives Educational Foundation was recently established "to educate young people for active participation in the progressive life of the United States, through leadership institutes, training, and through the publication and dissemination of material devoted to that end." It is our thinking that this is one of the most vital responsibilities facing us today - so vital that it needs the support of every outstanding leader of the progressive movement in our country. For this reason - because we feel that your support would be a valuable aid for the job at hand - we ask you to join with us by becoming a member of the Educational Foundation Board of Directors. A copy of the prospectus for the Young Progressives Educational Foundation is enclosed; if you agree with us that this is a project of invaluable importance to the progressive movement in our country, we would be very happy to welcome you as a member of our Board of Directors. Sincerely yours, (signed) Olin Downes Dr. W.E.B. DuBois Dr. Henry Pratt Fairchild Charles Howard Ada B. Jackson Ray Lev Mary Cabot Macy Eslanda Goode Robeson O. John Rogge uopwa16 412 YOUNG PROGRESSIVES EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION The future of the progressive movement in this country is being decided today. In school and factories, on farms and in cities, the 40 million young - an active quarter of our populations - who are the future leaders of our country, are working and thinking and learning. The future level of understanding and activity in the progressive movement depends upon what we can do now to train our young people for positions of responsibility. The National Association of Manufacturers in the past year spent five and one half million dollars bringing its reactionary message to the American people. A large percentage of that budget went towards work among young people. Each year since 1945 that percentage has risen. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Legion and a host of like-minded organizations dump millions more into programs designed to win the youth of our land to support reaction in America. Progressives, dedicated to the struggle for a peaceful, prosperous, democratic America must regard this as a challenge. The Young Progressives Educational Foundation strives to help meet this challenge. POLICY STATEMENT: The purpose of the Young Progressives Educational Foundation is to educate young people for active participation in the progressive life of the United States through leadership institutes and training, and through the publication and dissemination of materials devoted toward this end. PROGRAM: 1. Provide for one National Leadership Institute at the end of this summer. This is to be a two-week course for fifty to one hundred students. 2. Provide for four Regional Leadership Institutes for one week during the Christmas holidays. These are to be located in the Far West, Mid-West, South, and Atlantic Seaboard. Such Regional Institutes will reach between two hundred and fifty and five hundred young people. 3. Provide for week-end Institutes in sixteen major cities throughout the country beginning in September. 4. Provide for the distribution of leaflets, brochures, fact sheets and a newspaper to begin about September 1, 1949. CURRICULUM: The Curriculum will be devoted to the presentation of American democratic history, of the efforts of the American people to advance socially, economically, politically - by democratic means. This includes a description of American life today and the role of American democratic tradition in furthering the aims of progress. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: A Board of Directors composed of progressive leaders from all sections of the country: an Executive Committee, selected from among the Board, and responsible for carrying out the policy and program of the Foundation. Partial list of Sponsors Ethel Brook Professor Edwin Berry Burgum Dr. W.E.B. DuBois Professor Henry Pratt Fairchild Ewart Guinier Henry Hannick John Harmon Charles Howard Jerry Ingersoll Raymond Ingersoll Mrs. Ada B. Jackson Ray Lev Max Levin Mary Cabot Macy Mrs. Albert Mizzy Aubrey Pankey Meyer Parodneck Abraham Pomerantz Harry Ragozin Mrs. Eslanda Goode Robeson Helen Rosen Jacob Turner Henry Willcox uopwa16 YOUNG PROGRESSIVE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION Suite 900 19 West 45 Street, New York 19, N.Y. JUdson 6-1868 Reply Young Progressive Educational Foundation Wants me to be Member Board of Directors NEW YORK, N.Y. JUL 8 8:30 PM 1949 Mrs.Mary Church Terrel 1615 S Street NW Washington,D.C. Organized 1986 Incorporated 1904 National Association of Colored Women, Inc. Affiliated with the National Council of Women U. S. A. Inc. 1906 Maintains Frederick Douglass Memorial Home and Property--1916 Established National Scholarship Fund and National Headquarters 1114 O STREET, N. W. TELEPHONE DEcatur 8160 WASHINGTON 5, D. C. July 9, 1949 National Headquarters Dr. Mary Church Terrell 1615 S. Street, N.W. Washington, D. C. Dear Mrs. Mary Church Terrell: The National Association of Colored Women, Inc., Headquarters, 1114 "O" Street, N.W., is pleased and humbly grateful for the opportunity to say "Thank you" for your courageous efforts in the behalf of humanity. Always you have been a champion of rights, The privilege of all the people all of the time to enjoy all the things that life and earth have to offer. For the more than 53,00 women in the 44 states of the United States and the Isles of the Sea: Honolulu, Hawaii and places unknown, please accept our grateful thanks in appreciation for your continue sponsorship and your undaunted interest in womanhood and her rightful heritage. I have had many telphone calls since I talked with you last week over the telephone in compliments to you, "Dear Lady". I have tried to sponsor in your honor the proper huge affair of gentility, education, and culture at the advice of Dr. McHale, Mrs. Dur. I am advising you in regard our conversation: That I leave July 24th until August 31st. I shall be in Kansas, Colorado, and California on tour. I expect to meet and greet many of our club women to advise them of our tentative plans in your regard. We shall expect telegrams from all over the world. To date - I have a reservation at the K Street Y.W.C.A. for 200 for luncheon, July 20, 1949. In cancelling same in view of the fact many top people are vacationing out of the city and our own Ella P. is on tour, and it seems advisable to await my return to Headquarters in August to plan for the first week in October, I want your opinion. Will you advise by return mail if this meets your approval. (Copy of same will be sent to the National President, Mrs. Stewart.) In the interim A.A.U.W. may be out of court and no embarrasement to anyone. Certainly we shall expect the (Daily) press and all others Best wishes to you. Take care of yourself for us. Once more, sincere best wishes H. Corinne Lowry H. Corinne Lowry, Executive Secretary National Association Colored Women, Inc. HCL/df MARY CHURCH TERRELL CLUB, NO.2 Des Moines, Iowa July 11, 1949 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell 1615 S Street, N. W. Washington, D.C. Dear Mrs. Terrell: In 1932, having been inspired by your personality and civic-mindedness, we organized a Federated Club, Mary Church Terrell No. 2, in an effort to follow the example you set in giving purpose to our lives, and assuming our responsibility in bettering the community. At the time of organization we were still in high school, and at the present time we have only two charter members. This fact has brought the feeling for the need of a Scrap Book of our "life" as the Mary Church Terrell Club. We would deeply appreciate your sending us a brief autobiography --we say brief so that you might be less disposed to refuse--that we might use as an appropriate section of our book. We know that there is an Autobiography published, but we do not have the title, and in a city of this size, it is sometimes quite difficult to get information desired. We have read with pride, and clipped the account in Ebony, July, 1949, as well as the picture and clipping in the Pittsburgh Courier of July 2, 1949. Enclosed in a self-addressed envelope for your convenience in answering. May continued success be yours, in good health. Respectfully, MARY CHURCH TERRELL CLUB, NO. 2 (Mrs.) Annabelle Blaney President Reply: Mrs. Mildred Brown, Historian 1417 Center Street Des Moines, Iowa Summer address Greensboro, Vermont July 12, 1949 Mollie, my Dear -- I am so excited that I shall write more unintellgibly than ever, and you will be unable to read it, - but I guess you will recognize the import. Your leter, note and the marvelous bunch of clippings reached me a few hours ago, forwarded from Bronxville my present address is at the beginning of this letter - You were wonderfully kind to write me so fully and to send all those clippings - Helen has already read a good deal to me in due time I have been longing to be in Washington in the midst of the fray - I seem out of the world up here among the hills - We do not have good radio reception 2. here, but we do get the New York papers- On the whole I think the clippings give a good idea of the affair, altho of course I should like to correct some mistakes - But we cannot help that so forget it - Your picture entering 1634 I St is a gem - I only wish I could see it better - I am much interested in the Howard University comments - particularly Mordecai Johnson's - A mimeographed notice from Ruth Lyons says that the new Branch will be formed as soon as the Court Injunction is dissolved. I hope to go to Washington in Sept. and think I shall join the new Branch altho I suppose my permanent home is to be with Helen. I am too much of a burden to Dorothy with all her work. I hope to be in the Heavenly Home before too long. I am pretty well considering my affliction, but I am losing ground, as is to be expected. Mary and I had a nice visit, but she is worse off than you are. She can walk very little and has considerable pain at times. Still she is the same Mary. I think that you are the real "lady of Spunk". I note that you are to be at the Beach, and I hope you will really rest- in content and peace for a time, now that our victory is at last won! If I remember Ethel Johnson correctly, she is a person of no great consequence, no ability as her letter shows-- what lies those women do tell! I suppose that Dorothy will be back about July 25. She is having a wonderful [?] camping in the mountains just now. I am so glad! I wish you could talk with [?Maricius] Noll. It would do you good. Thank you again and again:- Remembered me to Phyllis. Your pal always-N- Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart West 133rd Street at Convent Avenue New York 27. N. Y. Office of the President July 13, 1949 My dear Mrs. Evans: Already, I have had the pleasure of telling you by telephone of the truly wonderful spirit which was evident at the Convention of A.A.U.W. Mrs. Terrell was referred to in very beautiful terms by President Hottel. There was never any need to read or present documents. The Convention was solidly in favor of a truly spiritual and democratic admission policy. The vote for this ran something like 2,177 for and 44 against. The delegates from Alabama whom Mrs. Terrell mentioned were voting in favor of the right and open policy. I do not know who cast the negative votes, but I do know that Alabama voted for the present admissions policy. In this same envelope I am returning the pamphlets which you very kindly gave me and I am also including my love and good wishes, Cordially yours, Elle B. Byrne ng SUMMER INTERRACIAL WORKSHOP July 1949 1867 Kalorama Road, N.W. Washington 9, D. C. DUpont 8637 Director George M. Houser Office secretary Catharine Raymond Participants Jane Adjahoe Esther Berky Robert M. Brashares James V. Clark Evelyn M. Deuchler Helen L. Dreher Lorena Estlow Albert C. Ettinger Wilbur I. Hoff Edwin Lewinson Ruth May Malmar Don F. Miller Jane A. Rittenhouse John Rudder Naomi Shakow Ruth C. Sorensen Joffre L. Stewart Richard Talbert A. C. Thompson Ruth E. Wadleigh Mrs. Mary Church Terrell Highland Beach Anne Arundel County, Maryland Dear Mrs. Terrell: Thank you very much for your note regarding the swimming pool situation. We are still hard at work implementing the plan which we presented to Secretary Krug, and from all that we have heard our efforts are meeting with some success. I am enclosing a bulletin that we put out that will give you some picture of what we are undertaking. In addition to the pool project, we have been working very hard on the Gre[y]hound restaurant, and amazingly enough have at least temporarily been successful, for the last two days, following a conference with the president of the company that owns the restaurant (which is not the Greyhound Corporation), they have been serving persons regardless of race. We will see what happens next. I am sorry that we will not be able to see you in town. I met you about three years ago when I was in Washington for a two- or three-week period working with a group interested in setting up an interracial nonviolent organization. I hope to see you again soon. Sincerely yours, George M. Houser R George M. Houser GMH/cr oeiu 153 Sponsored by the Fellowship of Reconciliation and the Congress Of Racial Equality oeiu153 - AFL Dear Mrs Terrell - We left your lovely home at such an ungodly hour that we did not have the nerve to awaken you for adieus etc but we want you to know that we had a delightful time and thank you a million times for your hospitality Love, as always Nena [Elbert] [Ca 7-19-49] A visit with you Is a happy event! Thanks for the good time So pleasantly spent! With love Sam + Nena The original of the design reproduced on this card was painted by Ruth Jeaneret a member of the Rust Craft Artists Guild 10AT6698 COPYRIGHT MCMXLVIII RUST CRAFT BOSTON U.S.A. THANK YOU for Your HOSPITALITY July 19, 1949. My Dear Mrs. Terrell, I can't begin to tell you how much Sam and I miss Highland Beach. We do love it so much, and due to your kindness we feel so much at home and so comfortable. Some how, I feel closer to you and Phyllis than any one else I know. I guess it's because of the close association of our families through the years. We greatly appreciate your kindness in letting us come each summer. Our one regret this year was that we didn't have more time to visit with you. But under the circumstances we couldn't do any different. We got home at 7:20 P.M Friday evening - twelve hours to the minute from which we waved good-bye to you. It was a cool day for driving and we were quite comfortable. Each day since we've been home has been a littler warmer and today it's up to 87° with no relief in sight. Well, the Indians still seem to be going alright and have gained one game on N.Y. They start a series with N.Y. today and I'm hoping they'll win all three. Then Washington comes in the last of the week and they are always very troublesome "critters" Sam joins me in sending lots of love and always many thanks for a lovely vacation. Folks say we shaw that we enjoyed ourselves and that we both look well. As ever, Sincerely yours Dorothy AMERICAN CONTINENTAL CONGRESS FOR WORLD PEACE Suit 71, 49 West 44 Street, New York 18, N.Y. Telephone: Murray Hill 7-4292 July 20, 1949 Dear Mrs. Terrell: Living today in a war-threatened world, we feel that you are one of the distinguished Americans who wish to use your influence for world peace. Here is an opportunity to do just that. Enclosed is the call to the Continental Congress for World Peace to be held in Mexico City on September 5th through September 10th. At this important gathering prominent individuals, men and women representing organizations in the fields of the arts, sciences and professions, church, women, youth groups and trade unions will meet together to discuss their common problems in order to work out a cooperative program for peace. The enclosed list of some of the initial sponsors from Latin and North America will give you an idea of the hemisphere-wide support for this meeting. We hope you will join with them---and us---in the United States sponsorship and that it may be possible for you to attend the Congress. Sincerely yours, W. E. B DuBois W. E. B. Du Bois John Clark John Clark Uta Hagen Uta Hagen Linus Pauling Linus Pauling O. John Rogge O. John Rogge For the American Continental Congress for World Peace HOWARD UNIVERSITY WASHINGTON 1, D. C. SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK July 20, 1949 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell 1615 S Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. My dear Mrs. Terrell: I am writing to ask a very great favor of you. I am engaged in a research project intended to bring to light some of the social welfare activities of Negro pioneers in the field. I am particularly interested in the period from 1865 to 1900. Knowing of your activity and interest in the National Association of Colored Women, I am wondering whether it would be possible for you to grant me an interview at your convenience to give me some help in bringing to light activities of the group in relation to social welfare or benevolent activities. I should be glad to come to your home or to met you at any place convenient to you at a time which would meet your convenience. Would you be kind enough to drop me a line or telephone my office to let me know when this could be arranged or whether it would be possible. Thank you very much for you consideration. Sincerely yours, Inabel B. Lindsay Inabel B. Lindsay Dean ILB:mr Organized 1896 Incorporated 1904 National Association of Colored Women, Inc. Affiliated with the National Council of Women U. S. A. Inc. 1906 Maintains Frederick Douglass Memorial Home and Property--1916 Established National Scholarship Fund and National Headquarters 1114 O STREET, N. W. TELEPHONE DEcatur 8160 WASHINGTON 5, D. C. July 21, 1949 Highland Beach National Headquarters Mrs. Mary Church Terrell Highland Beach, Maryland Dear Mrs. Terrell: We are terribly sorry that you were disappointed having expected us to call las week-end. However, you may definitely expect us Saturday. We plan to leave the headquarters around nine A.M. You can judge about the time we will arrive by the distance. Mr. and Mrs. Fax and their 6 year old son and myself will constitute the group. Mrs. Ella P. Stewart was here on Tuesday and promises to return on Saturday. If she is here we hope that she will be in the party. Upon Mrs. Stewart's request we should like very much to make definite plans for the reception in your honor. Because the Boards will be meeting in Washington during the first week of September, it is her request that the affair be held at that time in order to facilitate their attendance. If this meets with your convenience and approval we can discuss it on Saturday. Looking forward to seeing you then. Yours very sincerely, H. Corinne Lowry H. Corinne Lowry, Executive Secretary HCL/df [7-21-49] WESTERN UNION JOSEPH L. EGAN PRESIDENT CLASS OF SERVICE This is a full-rate Telegram or Cablegram unless its deferred character is indicated by a suitable symbol above or preceding the address. 1201 SYMBOLS DL = Day Letter NL = Night Letter LC = Deferred Cable NLT = Cable Night Letter Ship Radiogram The filing time shown in the date line on telegrams and day letters is STANDARD TIME at point of origin. Time of receipt is STANDARD TIME at point of destination PA002 P.BRA032 PD=WASHINGTON DC 20 901P= 1949 JUL 21 AM 6 13 :MRS MARY CHURCH TERRELL= (RTE IN AM)= HIGHLAND BEACH ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY MD VIA ANNAPOLIS MD =FOR OVER A YEAR STATION WMAQ IN CHICAGO HAS BN DRAMATIZING THE LIVES OF THOSE MEMBERS OF YR RACE WHO HV CONTRIBUTED SO GREATLY TO OUR AMERICAN HERITAGE. THE PGM IS ENTITLED QUOTE DESTINATION FREEDOM UNQUOTE AND IS BROADCAST ON SUNDAY MORNINGS FROM 1000 TO 1030 CDT. WE WLD LIKE TO PRESENT YR STORY ON SUNDAY AUGUST SEVENTH. WL APPRECIATE YR WIRING COLLECT YR AUTHORIZATION= JUDITCH WALLER NBC CHICAGO= THE COMPANY WILL APPRECIATED SUGGESTIONS FROM ITS PATRONS CONCERNING ITS SERVICE [7-22-49] WESTERN UNION JOSEPH L. EGAN PRESIDENT CLASS OF SERVICE This is a full-rate Telegram or Cablegram unless its deferred character is indicated by a suitable symbol above or preceding the address. 1220 SYMBOLS DL = Day Letter NL = Night Letter LC = Deferred Cable NLT = Cable Night Letter Ship Radiogram The filing time shown in the date line on telegrams and day letters is STANDARD TIME at point of origin. Time of receipt is STANDARD TIME at point of destination .PA167 1949 JUL 22 PM 10 39 P.WB051-176 NL PD=WASHINGTON DC 22= MARY C TERRELL= 1615 S ST NORTHWEST WASHDC= SENATE JUDICIARY SUB-COMMITTEE TODAY REPORTED REVISED VERSION MUNDT-FERGUSON-JOHNSTON BILL CONTAINING ALL REPELLENT FEATURES ORIGINAL MEASURE. BILL'S SPONSORS CLAIM ADMINISTRATION SUPPORT. FULL JUDICIARY COMMITTEE ACTION MAY COME MONDAY. EMERGENCY ACTION NECESSARY BY ALL OPPONENTS. URGE IMMEDIATE WIRES TO CHAIRMAN MCCARRAN TO REJECT MUNDT BILL IN ANY FORM= JERRY J O'CONNELL CHAIRMAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO DEFEAT THE MUNDT BILL=.. [7-22-49] WESTERN UNION (AN ANSWER IS EXPECTED) PA152 SSA654 1949 Jul 22 pm 900 P.LLN705 NL PD=WUX NEWYORK NY 22= MRS MARCH CHURCH TERRELL= :HIGHLAND BEACH MD RTE VIA ANNAPOLIS ARUNDEL CO MD= THANK YOU FOR YOUR WIRE AND PERMISSION TO DRAMATIZ YOUR LIFE ON DESTINATION FREEDOM DO NOT QUOTE UNDERSTAND WHAT FURTHER INFORMATION YOU ARE EXPECT FROM US PLEASE LET ME KNOW= JUDITH WALLER= [7-23-49] WESTERN UNION WILL CALL FOR: 1949 Jul 23 pm 507 89-2791 JOHN E WALLS 655P AC FLD PA113 P.CA536 DL PD=WUX CHICAO ILL 23 1217P= :MRS MARY CHURCH TERRE[G]L= HIGHLAND BEACH MD VIA ANNAPOLIS MD= =THANK YOU FOR ALL INFORMATION RECEIVED TODAY. WE WILL SEND YOU COPY OF RICHARD DURH%'S SCRIPT FOR THE AUGUST SEVENTH BROADCAST ON DESTINATION FREEDOM WHEN IT IS FINISHED. WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE YOUR INTEREST AND COOPERATION. THE BROADCAST IS SCHEDULED OVER WMAQ AT TEN AMCDT. REGARDS= JUDITH WALLER NATIONAL BROADCASTING CO= The New York Times Times Square New York 18 July 25, 1949 Miss Mary Church Terrell, Highland Beach, Anne Arundel County, Maryland. My dear Miss Terrell: At the suggestion of Mr. Jacob Billikopf, Mr. Merz has asked me to send you copies of two letters in The New York Times about the AAUW in which you were interested. Clippins of the letters from Ethel Johnson and Helen H. Evans are enclosed herewith. Yours very truly, Beatrice Sherman Secretary to Mr. Merz. Action of A. A. U. W. Branch [* N.Y. Times 7/2/49*] Washington Group Withdrew, It Is Said, Because of Threat to Autonomy 7/2/49 To the Editor of The New York Times: A United Press dispatch printed in The Times of June 24 under the caption "University Women Admit Negroes; Washington, D. C., Branch Secedes" contains misstatements and partial statements that create an erroneous impression. This dispatch was apparently used as the basis for an editorial in The Times of June 25 entitled "Degrees of Color." In dealing with a dispute between two groups, it is desirable that information from both sides of the controversy be presented. From the context, the United Press dispatch would seem to be drawn mainly from data supplied by officials of the national board of the Association of University Women. It is in consequence colored by the views they wish to have accepted. It does not give a true picture of the situation. If those desiring to write about the matter would acquaint themselves with the testimony given under oath by officers of the national association and of the Washington branch v. National Board, American Association of University Women, United States District Court, June 1948, they would be in a position to discuss it more intelligently, and also in a less biased manner. Upheld in Decision The fact that Justice Bolitha Laws in his decision in the above cited case upheld the Washington branch, and that this decision was again upheld by the Court of Appeals in June of the present year, should suggest to unprejudiced persons that there are other questions involved than the one which certain officials of the national board seek to persuade the public is the issue. The former Washington branch did not "secede" from the national body. It withdrew. Formerly it had been a separate organization. It returns to its status as the University Women's Club of Washington. This action was not taken because the A. A. U. W. voted to admit Negroes to membership in the association. Negroes are and have been members of the association for a number of years. The Washington branch has never objected to such membership. Some of the members of the branch, which has been maintained in part as a social club, were opposed to mixed membership in the club. That was the occasion, but not the cause, of the split with the national body. Some of the members of the majority group in the Washington branch have no objection to the admission of properly qualified colored women to the group. They do not, however, sanction illegal methods as the way to achieve that result. They object to the theory that the end justifies the means. they hold that such policies only intensify prejudices instead of removing them. They believe that education rather than force is the method to employ in order to achieve lasting results. Reason for Break The real reason for the break with the national association was the attempt on the part of certain of the present national officials to destroy the autonomy of the branch. When the College Club joined the national body some years ago, it was given assurance of the right to maintain its autonomy, continuing its practices and procedures as in the past. This agreement was honored until the present national officials came into power. The board of directors of the former Washington branch, at a meeting prior to the Seattle convention, instructed its delegation, under the leadership of its president, to withdraw the branch from membership in the national association if the proposed revision of the national by-laws, which the national officials were advocating, were adopted in the form presented, or in such form as to destroy or seriously impair the autonomy of the branches. If Dr. Conrad, the branch president, stated, as quoted in the United Press dispatch, that the by-laws had been Purposes of AAUW [*7/8/49*] Member of New York Board Takes Issue With Recent Communication To the Editor of the New York Times: I'm somewhat amazed at the space The Times of July 2 accorded to a letter from Washington concerning action taken at Seattle by the Convention of the American Association of University Women. First may I say that this question is of particular interest to me because Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, over whom the issue rose, has been for nearly fifty years a member of the National Council of Women, of which I am at this time president, an organization founded sixty years ago for the advancement of all women. Through my acquaintance with her in the National Council of Women I was able to help her a little. In 1947 I presented her name to the New York City branch of the American Association of University Women, where we have had Negro members for many years, the first coming in during my term as president of the New York City branch 1939-45. I am still on the board of New York City AAUW, and we have many other distinguished Negro women in addition to Mrs. Terrell; among them the new member of the Board of Higher Education, Frances Douglas. We are proud of them. Regarding the letter, "Action in AAUW Branch," the writer seems a little confused as to the exact purpose of the American Association of University Women. She speaks of the Washington branch "being maintained in part as a social club." That was not included in the original charter. Again, "Some of the members of the majority group in the Washington branch have no objection to the admission of properly qualified colored women." I submitted a statement as to the qualifications of Mrs. Terrell. Furthermore, according to my interpretation of Article 1, Section 1, the national organization at Seattle was only reaffirming its original principles and the Washington branch trying to change the rules. HELEN H. EVANS. Brooklyn, July 3, 1949. Action of A.A.U.W. Branch [*N.Y. Times 7/2/49*] Washington Group Withdrew, It is Said, Because of Threat to Autonomy 7/2/49 To the Editor of the New York Times: A United Press dispatch printed in The Times of June 24 under the caption "University Women Admit Negroes; Washington, D. C., Branch Secedes" contains misstatements and partial statements that create an erroneous impression. This dispatch was apparently used as the basis for an editorial in The Times of June 25 entitled "Degrees of Color." In dealing with a dispute between two groups, it is desirable that information from both sides of the controversy be presented. From the context, the United Press dispatch would seem to be drawn mainly from data supplied by officials of the national board of the Association of University Women. It is in consequence colored by the views they wish to have accepted. It does not give a true picture of the situation. If those desiring to write about the matter would acquaint themselves with the testimony given under oath by officers of the national association and of the Washington branch in the case, Washington branch vs. National Board, American Association of University Women, United States District Court, June 1948, they would be in a position to discuss it more intelligently, and also in a less biased manner. Upheld in Decision The fact that Justice Bolitha Laws in his decision in the above cited case upheld the Washington branch, and that this decision was again upheld by the Court of Appeals in June of the present year, should suggest to unprejudiced involved than the one which certain officials of the national board seek to persuade the public is the issue. The former Washington branch did not "secede" from the national body. It withdrew. Formerly it has been a separate organization. It returns to its status as the University Women's Club of Washington. This action was not taken because the A.A.U.W. voted to admit Negroes to membership in the association. Negroes are and have been members of the association for a number of years. The Washington branch has never objected to such membership. Some of the members of the branch, which has been maintained in part as a social club, were opposed to mixed membership in the club. That was the occasion, but not the cause, of the split with the national body. some of the members of the majority group in the Washington branch have no objection to the admission of property qualified colored women to the group. They do not, however, sanction illegal methods as the way to achieve that result. They object to the theory that the end justifies the means. They hold that such policies only intensify prejudices instead of removing them. They believe that education rather than force is the method to employ in order to achieve lasting results. Reason for Break The real reason for the break with the national association was the attempt on the part of certain of the present national officials to destroy the autonomy of the branch. When the College Club joined the national body some years ago, it was given assurance of the right to maintain its autonomy, continuing its practices and procedures as in the past. This agreement was honored until the present national officials came into power. The board of directors of the for- mer Washington branch, at a meeting prior to the Seattle convention, ininstructed its delegation, under the leadership of its president, to withdraw the branch from membership in the national association if the proposed revision of the national by-laws, which the national officials were advocating, were adopted in the form presented, or in such form as to destroy or seriously impair the autonomy of the branches. If Dr. Conrad, the branch president, stated, as quoted in the United States dispatch, that the by-laws had been Purposes of AAUW [*7/8/49*] Member of New York Board Takes Issue With Recent Communication To the Editor of The New York Times: I'm somewhat amazed at the space The Times of July 2 accorded to a letter from Washington concerning action taken at Seattle by the Convention of the American Association of University of Women. First may I say that this question is of particular interest to me because Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, over whom the issue rose, has been for nearly fifty years a member of the National Council of Women, of which I am at this time president, an organization founded sixty years ago for the advancement of all women. Through my acquaintance with her in the National Council of Women I was able to help her a little. In 1947 I presented her name to the New York City branch of the American Association of University Women, where we have had Negro members for many years, the first coming in during my term as president of the New York City branch 1939-45. I am still on the board of New York City AAUW, and we have many other distinguished Negro women in addition to Mrs. Terrell; among them the new member of the Board of Higher Education, Frances Douglas. We are proud of them. Regarding the letter, "Action in AAUW Branch," the writer seems a little confused as to the exact purpose of the American Association of University Women. She speaks of the Washington branch "being maintained in part as a social club." That was not included in the original charter. Again, "Some of the members of the majority group in the Washington branch have no objection to the admission of properly qualified colored women." I submitted a statement as to the qualification of Mrs. Terrell. Furthermore, according to my interpretation of Article 1, Section 1, the national organization at Seattle was only reaffirming its original principles and the Washington branch trying to change the rules. Helen H. Evans. Brooklyn, July 3, 1949. branch has never objected to such membership. Some of the members of the branch, which has been maintained in part as a social club, were opposed to mixed membership in the club. That was the occasion, but not the cause, of the split with the national body. Some of the members of the major- ity group in the Washington branch have no objection to the admission of properly qualified colored women to the group. They do not, however, sanc- tion illegal methods as the way to achieve that result. They object to the theory that the end justifies the means. They hold that such policies only in- tensify prejudices instead of removing them. They believe that education rather than force is the method to em- ploy in order to achieve lasting results. Reason for Break The real reason for the break with the national association was the at- tempt on the part of certain of the present national officials to destroy the autonomy of the branch. When the College Club joined the national body some years ago, it was given assurance of the right to maintain its autonomy, continuing its practices and procedures as in the past. This agreement was honored until the present national offi- cials came into power. The board of directors of the for- mer Washington branch, at a meeting prior to the Seattle convention, in- structed its delegation, under the lead- ership of its president, to withdraw the branch from membership in the na- tional association if the proposed re- vision of the national by-laws, which the national officials were advocating, were adopted in the form presented, or in such form as to destroy or seriously impair the autonomy of the branches. If Dr. Conrad, the branch president, stated, as quoted in the United Press dispatch, that the by-laws had been improved, she certainly did not mean that the new by-laws were an improve- ment over the former ones. Instead, what she meant, and what presumably she said, was that although amend- ments from the floor of the convention had removed some of the objectionable features of the national's proposed re- vision, enough of the undesirable pro- visions remained to require her, in compliance with the instructions from her board of directors, to withdraw the branch. Other Branches Involved There were other branches besides the Washington one that objected to the proposed revision of the by-laws. In the form presented by the national officials, they would have destroyed any semblance of democracy in the association. They would have given to the national board autocratic author- ity over the finances and property, the policies and procedures of the branches, as well as establishing con- ditions which could enable the board to perpetuate its own powers. The Washington branch was not the only branch that considered withdraw- ing from the association. The Berkeley, Calif., branch had, prior to the con- vention, authorized withdrawal if the by-laws were adopted in the form originally presented. It is not unlikely, if the present policies of the national officials are continued, that other branches may withdraw and that eventually a new association or fed- eration of university women may be formed. In such a federation the branches, instead of being an assembly line of rubber stamps for a power- zealous national board, should be free and autonomous members of a demo- cratically administered organization. E[?]ther M. Johnson. Member of board of directors of the University Women's Club of Wash- ington. Brownfield, Me., June 26, 1949, (as the editorial referred to clearly stated, a court ruling last year upheld the right of the Washington branch to exclude Negroes under the then by- laws of the A. A. U. W. Consequently, the national body changed its by-laws at the recent convention in order to force all its chapters to admit Negroes on equal terms with whites. Whether the Washington chapter "seceded" or "withdrew," it at any rate moved to sever its connection with the A. A. U. W. Even if the basic argu- ment was over local autonomy, as the writer of the above letter suggests, the fact still is that, to use her own words, the "occasion" for the split was the color questions. -- Editor, THE TIMES.] CLASS OF SERVICE This is a full-rate telegram or Cablegram unless its deferred character is indicated by a suitable symbol above or preceding the address. [We try to see to it that every message has its reply in the shortest possible time. YOUR COOPERATION by sending your answer promptly will be very helpful. 4383] [*Obscured* WESTERN UNION [?...L. EGAN] PRESIDENT (7 - 27 - 49) 1201 SYMBOLS DL = Day Letter NL = Night Letter LC = Deferred Cable NLT = Cable Night Letter Ship Radiogram The filing time shown in the date line on telegrams and day letters is STANDARD TIME at point of origin. Time of receipt is STANDARD TIME at point of destination 1949 JUL 27 AM 6 18 ..PA011 SSA027 P.LLA82 DL PD MISSENT=NEWYORK NY 26 438P= MRS MARY CHURCH TERRILL= HIGHLANDBEACH ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY MD RTE ANNAPOLIS (PHONE OR MAIL FROM COUNTY CH)= BROADCAST IS LOCAL PROGRAM ONLY AND HEARD IN CHICAGO AREA WE WILL BE GLADSTO SEND YOU A RECORDING= JUDIT WALLER NBC CHICAGO= JUDIT=. THE COMPANY WILL APPRECIATE SUGGESTIONSFROM ITS PATRONS CONCERNING ITS SERVICE Washington, D.C. July 27th 49 My Dear Mrs. Terrell, I am including the lines dedicated to you, as near as I can recall. Accept them with my deep admiration and appreciation of a symbol of noble woman hood Respectfully Julia J. Jenkins Greetings To You Greeting you, bring back memories Fraught with love and true esteem Envisioned is the old time loveliness Thru the years - a golden dream Among the great, known and honored Gracious, learned - truly famed, Fashioned in a mould of beauty Modest, radiant - still the same. In all great and noble gatherings When or where ever you appear, Warm hearts glow with pride and fervor For the one we hold so dear. Julia J. Jenkins To Mrs. Mary Church Terrell MARY WASHINGTON COLLEGE of the UNIVERSITY of VIRGINIA FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA LIBRARY July 28, 1949 Ransdell, Inc., Printers 810 Rhode Island, N. E. Washington, D. C. Gentlemen: If you can supply, please quote price of Terrell, A colored woman in a white world, so we can issue a formal purchase order. Yours very truly, Carrol H. Quenzel (Mr.) Carrol H Quenzel Librarian CHQ : ch Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.