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Story
April 22, 1939
The Michigan Chronicle
Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan
What is this article about?
In St. Louis, Colored Clerks' Circle and NAACP picket Strand theatre to force hiring of Black projectionists, pressuring owner Thomas James amid union reversals; references 1935 committee adjustment. (187 chars)
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ST. LOUISANS
CARRY ON WITH
JOBS CAMPAIGN
Theatre Enters 2nd Week
With Picket Lines In
Front Of Its Doors
ST. LOUIS, April 21—In an attempt to compel employment of Race motion picture machine operators by theatres exclusively attended by members of the Race the Colored Clerks' Circle, an organization which has been instrumental in enforcing the employment of Race clerks in stores in Race neighborhoods, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People have instituted a boycott against the management of the Strand theatre at 2000 Market street, a house which heretofore has refused to employ Race operators.
The theatre has been picketed for the past week and according to Thomas James, the owner, there has been brought to bear "a lot of pressure".
James was told by John P. Nick and Clyde Weston, heads of the Motion Picture Operators' Local 143 that Race union operators could carry out the contract between his theatre and the union.
This is a complete reversal of the attitude expressed by Nick last year when a similar situation came about. At that time Nick refused to make any comment and told the organizations "not to bother us."
James said he employs four white operators who have been with him from 10 to 15 years and that he does not want to release them, but that the situation has now reached the point where a decision must be made and it may be necessary to replace his present operators with qualified Race workers, although, according to Lawrence Whitson business agent of Motion Picture Operators' Local 143A, the Race union, all 31 regular operators permit men and apprentices affiliated with his local are employed at present in 20 theatres in St. Louis and East St. Louis.
In 1935 Mayor Dickman appointed a committee which adjusted similar
CARRY ON WITH
JOBS CAMPAIGN
Theatre Enters 2nd Week
With Picket Lines In
Front Of Its Doors
ST. LOUIS, April 21—In an attempt to compel employment of Race motion picture machine operators by theatres exclusively attended by members of the Race the Colored Clerks' Circle, an organization which has been instrumental in enforcing the employment of Race clerks in stores in Race neighborhoods, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People have instituted a boycott against the management of the Strand theatre at 2000 Market street, a house which heretofore has refused to employ Race operators.
The theatre has been picketed for the past week and according to Thomas James, the owner, there has been brought to bear "a lot of pressure".
James was told by John P. Nick and Clyde Weston, heads of the Motion Picture Operators' Local 143 that Race union operators could carry out the contract between his theatre and the union.
This is a complete reversal of the attitude expressed by Nick last year when a similar situation came about. At that time Nick refused to make any comment and told the organizations "not to bother us."
James said he employs four white operators who have been with him from 10 to 15 years and that he does not want to release them, but that the situation has now reached the point where a decision must be made and it may be necessary to replace his present operators with qualified Race workers, although, according to Lawrence Whitson business agent of Motion Picture Operators' Local 143A, the Race union, all 31 regular operators permit men and apprentices affiliated with his local are employed at present in 20 theatres in St. Louis and East St. Louis.
In 1935 Mayor Dickman appointed a committee which adjusted similar
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Justice
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Boycott
Employment Discrimination
Race Operators
Strand Theatre
St Louis Labor Dispute
What entities or persons were involved?
Thomas James
John P. Nick
Clyde Weston
Lawrence Whitson
Mayor Dickman
Where did it happen?
St. Louis, Strand Theatre At 2000 Market Street
Story Details
Key Persons
Thomas James
John P. Nick
Clyde Weston
Lawrence Whitson
Mayor Dickman
Location
St. Louis, Strand Theatre At 2000 Market Street
Event Date
April 21
Story Details
Colored Clerks' Circle and NAACP boycott Strand theatre for refusing to employ Black motion picture operators, leading to picketing and pressure on owner Thomas James to replace white operators with qualified Black union members from Local 143A, despite all current members being employed elsewhere.