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Footnotes 1403
Bunche, of, cit,^ Vol. i, pp. 45-47.
Program Book for N,A,A,C,P, Branches (1939), p. i. Quoted in ibid,^ p. 45.
A main tactic, for the branches as well as for the National Office, is legal redress.
The great majority of the cases handled by the Association originate in the branches.
The branches are advised to carry the financial and legal responsibility for local cases
themselves as far as possible. When they cannot be so handled, the branches appeal to
the National Office and its Legal Committee for assistance. If the National Office enters
a case, it works in collaboration with the branches. (See ibid.y p. 38.) It is held that
neither the National Office nor the branches should function, or could function, as
a legal aid society:
‘‘It [the Association] only handles cases where it seems great injustice has been or
is about to be done because of race or color prejudice, or cases where its entry will
clearly establish a precedent affecting the rights of colored people in general.” (E.
Frederic Morrow, An Outline of Branch Functions; cited in ibid,, p. 39.)
Thus, even if the individual sufferings cannot be disregarded as a motive for action,
the main consideration must be its importance as a test case. Bunch summarizes:
“In the selection of the issues on which fights are to be waged, the branches arc told
to select ‘live issues,’ in which discriminations are glaring, ‘where the correction of the
injustices will benefit a large number of Negroes,’ and where there is a chance to win.
Publicizing the fight is regarded as an important element in the struggle, and the
branches are advised never to ‘start on a big campaign without telling the folks that
count . . . what it Is the branch is about to do,’ and enlisting their support. The aid of
the other organizations, such as interracial, civic, religious, and labor union groups, is
also to be solicited in the campaigns, in efforts to bring maximum pressure to bear on
officials, and to mold a favorable public opinion.” (Ibid,, pp. 49-59.)
Publicity should be a vital part of the work of the branches, they are told. They are
advised to build up a “contact list” of prominent people of both races, “who could
assist in sending telegrams and letters of protest to officials when impending legislation
is detrimental to the best interest of the group, or letters and telegrams urging enact-
ment of impending legislation that will protect or enhance the best interests of colored
people.” (E. Frederic Morrow, An Outline of Branch Functions, p. 1 5 cited in ibid,,
pp. 49-50.)
*®The Association has been unable, for financial reasons, to carry out its old plan to
employ regional secretaries to supervise and stimulate the activity of the branches.
(Information from Roy Wilkins in memorandum [March 12, 1941].)
An account of the observations made of N.A.A.C.P. branches by interviewers for
this study is given in Bunche, of, cit,, Vol. i, pp. 108 ff. See also White’s and Wilkins’
critiques. The present writer himself visited, in the years 1938-1940, a great many
N.A.A.C.P. branches in all parts of the country.
Bunche, of, cit,, Vol. i, p. 117.
Ibid., Vol. I, p. 1 1 .
Ibid,, Vol. I, pp. 128-129.
For a survey of the independent local organizations, see ibid,, Vol. 4, pp. 587-667.
Ibid., Vol. I, pp. 116-117; compare ibid,, Vol. 4, pp. 598 ff.
^^rnterview (November, 1939); quoted in ibid,, Vol. i, p. 130.
N.A,A,C,P. Press Service, Series No. 22; cited in ibid,, Vol. l, p. 40. (See also
ibid,, Vol i,.p. 100.)
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