COLOUR CONTROVERSY

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23331, 15 October 1945, Page 4

COLOUR CONTROVERSY

Mrs Truman Involved

(7.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Oct 12. A refusal by the “Daughters of the American Revolution” to permit the negro pianist, Hazel Scott, to rent their Constitution Hall for a concert has projected the President’s wife (Mrs Truman) into her first controversy since she became

First Lady. When the organisation, which is composed of women whose ancestors fought in - the revolutionary war, reaffirmed that their hall was reserved exclusively for white artists, the pianist's husband. Negro Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, New York, asked Mrs Truman to follow the example of Mrs Roosevelt and not attend a tea arranged in her honour to-day by the organisation Mrs Truman telegraphed Ml Powell: "May I call your attention to the fact that the invitation was extended and accepted before the unfortunate controversy which personally I regret, and for which I am in no way responsible. In my opinion an acceptance of hospitality is not related to the merits of the issue which has since arisen. “I deplore any action which denies artistic talent the opportunity to express itself because of prejudice against race or origin.” President Auman sharply criticised racial discrimination by making public the letter. He wrote to Congressman Powell on the matter, and said: "Artistic talent is not the property of any one race or group. One of the marks of democracy is its willingness to respect and reward talent regardless of race or origin.” President Truman added that Mr Powell would realise the impossibilit'- of any interference by the President in the management or policy of a private enterprise such as the one in question.

Explanation Not Acceptable (7.30 pm.! WASHINGTON, Oct. 13. Refusing to accept Mrs Trumans explanation. Mr A. C. Powell declared: "From now’ on Mrs Truman is the Last Lady. I cannot support her or her philosophy anywhere in future public life.” He added that unless President Truman deprived Constitution Hill of its tax exemption privileges "American negroes and millions of whites will be aeainst him and anyone he mav sponsor for nublic office." Asked if she were willing to accept similar invitations in future Mrs Truman replied: “Why not?"