Housing Problem Attacked By NAACP
By Arlene Paiys

"The seriousness of the housing situation may be the cause of undermining citizen morale," said Rev. F.W. Penick, president of the NAACP, when the Executive Board reported to the membership Monday night. "It is our patriotic as well as our civic duty to do all that we can to alleviate a very bad situation."

How serious the conditions were was revealed in the discussion by the defense workers. The hotels, formerly owned by Japanese, but taken over by whites, had been declared, by signs posted in conspicuous places, to be for whites only. "We are not trying to fight the Japanese' battle," one worker said, "but we have to admit they did not refuse us a place to live."

"We are working every day," said Mr. Wood, speaking for the defense workers, and we do not have time to investigate this matter to see what can be done. We have joined the NAACP because we think this is the organization to help us. Many of us have lived in these hotels for twenty-five or thirty years. We ask you to help us for if we are forced out of these hotels, we haven't a place to go."

Dr. Penick accepted the challenge and agreed with Mr. Wood that the NAACP was the organization to take up the fight. He augmented the committee that is working on this problem. Bernard E. Squires is chairman, but Rev. Penick, as ex-officio member of the committee, will work with them. Another member of this committee is also a member of the Fair Rents Committee of Seattle. The president invited members to call him any time about the problems they are facing. He will be glad to use his time and effort in their behalf. He may be reached by calling Pros. 8420 or East 3730.

Other matters discussed at the meeting included the Bellingham Case and the treatment of Service Men.

Mrs. Vivienne Penick, chairman of the membership campaign, outlined her plans which included a big kick-off dinner on Thursday, April 29th, and a national officer to be present for the victorious close. "We are emphasizing this year Crisis Memberships," the chairman said as she explained the features of The Crisis magazine and the advantages of a subscription. As a result of her talk, many members who had previously paid $1.00, increased their membership this year to $2.50 to include The Crisis. The following memberships were reported: $5.00 memberships, Quentin Browning. $2.50 memberships, Robert Williams, Mrs. Martha Davis, Mrs. Lucile Morton, Charles H. Harrell, and Arthur Branch. $1.00 memberships: Mrs. Eva Brown, H.J. Morton, Mrs. Ruby Beasley, Dr. Giles Graves, and Albert Chisholm. Mrs. Penick is calling a meeting of her campaign commtitee [committee] for Monday, April 6, 8:00 p.m. at the Y.W.C.A.