MR WALLACE PELTED

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25589, 2 September 1948, Page 5

MR WALLACE PELTED

North Carolina Meetings

“AN UN-AMERICAN BUSINESS” (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) NEW YORtf, Aug. 31. Farm produce was again tossed at Mr Henry Wallace, Progressive Party candidate for the United States Presidency, when he attempted to address meetings at Charlotte and Hickory, North Carolina, to-day. The attack at Charlotte was made shortly after President Truman, in Washington, had described yesterday’s tossing of eggs and fruit at Mr Wallace “a highly un-Ameri-can business, violating the American concept of fair play.” Mr Truman said: “Mr Wallace is entitled to say his piece like any other American citizen.” None of the objects struck Mr Wallace at either meeting, but members of his staff and reporters near him were hit by rotten eggs and soft tomatoes. The eggs were so bad that several persons became violently ill. Signs were conspicuous in the Charlotte crowd, one reading, “Sell your junk in Moscow, Henry.” The police there arrested three men on charges of disorderly conduct. Mr Wallace’s attempts to speak were drowned by

boos. Amid jeers, catcalls, and a hail of farm produce, Mr Wallace told the crowd at Hickory that when he was secretary of Commerce he had established a special section for negro businessmen. To-morrow Mr Wallace will visit Birmingham, Alabama, where his VicePresidential running mate, Senator Glen Taylor, was recently gaoled briefly for violating the segregation law. The Birmingham Police Commissioner has promised to protect Mr Wallace, saying, “There will be no egg and tomato throwing here,” but the police at all Alabama towns at which Mr Wallace is to call have warned that the segregation law will be enforced. Everywhere in the South, Progressive Party organisers have had difficulty in finding halls which will permit non-segregated audiences.