Atlanta Daily World

Baptist Congress Passes Civil Rights Resolution

Support Of

BAPTIST SUNDAY SCHOOL AND BTU CONGRESS PASS RESOLUTION IN FAVOR OF CIVIL RIGHT

CLEVELAND (ANP) Support of civil rights legislation at federal as well as local levels was resolved last week at the National Baptist Sunday School and Baptist Training Union congress here.

The congress also resolved to raise membership fees for each Sunday School and BTU from $6 to $10; to send representatives to the world Youth council 1949 meeting in Stockholm, Sweden; to select a permanent meeting city for the congress, and to take other actions.

In implementing its civil rights policy the conference voted to give active support to the proposal for an FEPC law in Cleveland promoted by Councilman Harry Jaffe and to ask all three parties to pledge and act to pass such legislation. Delegates also voted to send letters of commendation to President Truman for his civil rights stand and to the U. S. Supreme court for its restrictive covenant decision.

SUPPORT MOVEMENTS

The Fraternal Council of Negro Churches of America, the Youth Council of the World Baptist Alliance and the World Youth council should be encouraged by the congress through moral and financial aid, the unit decided.

The president of the congress and a member will be sent to the 1949 World Youth council in Sweden; the sending of individual representatives by each state was also recommended.

Although the President has already signed the draft bill and made it law, the congress resolved that it still opposed war and conscription in any form.

The selection of a permanent convention city was favored by the church group because it would make it easier for delegates to attend meetings, and housing would be obtained more easily, and expenses would be lower.

Many groups have been missing recent sessions because of the constant change of meeting places.

In other civil rights action the congress voted to support the opponents of the Boswell amendment in Alabama designed to keep Negroes from voting.

Two new offices, second and third vice presidents, were recommended by the convention to take care of the added responsibilities of the congress. These offices would be created by constitutional revision.

The Rev. S. Y. Nixon of Longview, Texas, was chairman of the resolutions committee and John J. Giddens of Detroit was secretary of this committee.