Jackson Advocate

Pres. S.L. Green Declines Use Of Campbell College For Testimonial Honoring Gladys Bates

President Sherman Lawrence Greene, Jr., declined the use of facilities of Campbell College for a testimonial honoring Mrs. Gladys Noel Bates, young woman school teacher, mother of two, who recently filed suit in the federal court here for equalization of Teachers Salaries.

Both Mrs. Bates and her husband Prof. John Bates, Trades Instructor at Lanier High School were dismissed from service at the close of the school term as a result of the suit.

The plan to honor Mrs. Bates is being sponsored by the recently organized Citizens Committee headed by Dr. Lula Bell Stewart and the local branch of the NAACP and was put forward after Mrs. Bates and her husband were dismissed from service, and after reports began to spread that they were subjected to unusual coolness from teachers as a result of official pressure.

Campbell College, an A. M. E. Church school is traditionally looked upon as free from influence effecting the operation of state supported and certain other Negro institutions. On both sides the families of the Bates have been long active members of the A.M. E. Church.

Mrs. Bates is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Noel, of West Pearl Street, longtime members of Pearl Street A.M.E. Church. Mr. Noel has long been an active worker in the interest of and a contributor to Campbell College.

According to a statement by Mr. A.J. Noel, who was appointed to head a committee to find a place for the testimonial dinner, he first conferred with President Greene with respects to having the affair at the college on Sunday, July 4th. Reporting to a later meeting of the committee it was suggested that since both Sunday, July 4 and the following Monday would be holidays, it would be better to have the affair Monday.

Returning to President Greene, Mr. Noel stated that the President told him that although he had previously promised him that the affair could be held at the college on Sunday, July 3rd, after further thought he had reached the conclusion that the affair could not be held at the college on Sunday or any other time. Mr. Noel stated that President Greene did not attempt to amplify his statement.

Carsie A. Hall, overall chairman of the arrangement committee stated early this week that efforts were being made to secure the use of the Basement auditorium of Christ Temple Church.