The Home Journal

Outstanding Service

Mr. and Mrs. Ashley L. Totten are spending a few week's vacation here. Mr. Totten is president of the American Virgin Islands Civic Association, and secretary treasurer of the International Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters.

Mr. Totten's service to the Virgin Islands as a whole and scores of islanders individually is well known. In New York, whenever a Virgin Islander gets in trouble and wants help or advice, he seeks out Mr. Totten, and he is never turned away. That service dates back to the early days of mass migration to Harlem when it took longer for islanders to adjust to conditions and problems of the big metropolis.

Mr. Totten is entitled to retirement from his arduous duties of administering the business and financial affairs of the Brotherhood, but members who have re-elected him time and again do not want to lose an officer whose ability, honesty and conscientious devotion to their cause have stood the test of a generation. And Mr. Totten himself is reluctant to retire and take it easy.

It was Mr. Totten who founded the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, who risked his life to organize its members. He was beaten and nearly killed one day on the streets of Kansas City for his organizing Brotherhood efforts. Today a clean, honest, well respected union and its leaders have received worldwide recognition and acclaim. Certainly, Mr. Totten has for many years been the most influential Virgin Islander on the mainland, and he has used that influence unselfishly and in the best interest of the people of the Virgin Islands. He deserves the rest and relaxation, and we hope he will enjoy an active life for years to come.