The Pittsburgh Press (July 23, 1944)
Truman is called ‘poison to Negroes’
Washington (UP) – (July 22)
Director Edgar G. Brown of the National Negro Council today denounced Democratic vice-presidential nominee Harry S. Truman and the party platform as “poison to the Negro citizen.”
Mr. Brown declared in a statement that the “dumping” of Vice President Henry A. Wallace and the failure of the Democrats’ Chicago convention to support a permanent Fair Employment Practices Committee “leaves the Negro deserted.”
Mr. Brown said Mr. Truman and his committee have “defeated every attempt to secure just consideration for the Negro worker.” The nominee’s refusal to hear “united and militant pleas” on behalf of Negroes in industry has “weakened” their morale, he declared.
The Democratic planks on equal voting rights and a permanent FEPC were “doubletalk,” Mr. Brown said.