Row Over Black Power Booklets

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32385, 26 August 1970, Page 13

Row Over Black Power Booklets

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, August 25. ; i Followers of the Black Power leader, Michael X, threatened staff of the Community Relations Commission for failing to pay for some booklets, a report in the “Daily Telegraph” said today.

According to the report, a spokesman for the commission said that there had been an “ugly scene” at the com-

mission’s premises in Russell Square. The booklets were about the work of the Black House Commune which offers accommodation to families, mostly newly-arrived immigrants.

They were ordered by Mr Sam Morris, West Indian-born deputy secretary of the Community Relations Confmission, who had not inquired about the price. When the 50 booklets arrived, they were accompanied by a bill for 250 guineas, which, the report said, Mr Morris refused to pay. A price of 100 guineas was subsequently agreed on, according to Dr David Pitt, the West Indian deputy chairman of the commission, the visit from the Michael X followers came when they did not get the money. A spokesman for the Black House Commune was reported as saying “we are surprised the commission h:s described it as ‘an ugly situation.’

“We deny the account of this. This suggests that people at Black House are prepared to use violence to achieve a simple objective. This is not true.”

He added that representatives from the Black House had gone to discuss the matter “in a very friendly way.” He had not been informed of any incident. Mrs Anna Chataway, a member of the commission and wife of Mr Christopher Chataway, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, said that she had received a report on the incident from the chairman of the commission, Mr Frank Cousins, which confirmed that there had been threats of violence after which the 100 guineas fee for the books was paid.