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Byline and image for P. D. East from the Petal Paper.

December 4, 1956<br /><br />
I visited with Mr. East and with his printer, Mr. Esten King of Pascagoula, Mississippi and received the following information. Because of economic reprisals on the part of the White Citizens Council of Mississippi, Mr. East has lost most of his advertising and will probably go out of business early in January unless some help is forth coming. Following this conversation, I talked with Dr. Lee of the Department of Racial and Cultural Relations of the National Council and gave him that information and reminded him of a conversation which we had had earlier with Mr. Roy Wilkins of the NAACP, to the effect that probably some national advertising might be sought and received for Mr. East.<br /><br />
December 12, 1956<br /><br />
I received a call from Dr. Lee requesting the number of subscribers to the Petal Paper and also the advertising rate. I got this information for him, and called him back. Two days later he called me and said that it seemed impossible to get national advertising for the Petal Paper, but requested that I supply him with a hundred and fifteen names of individuals in Mississippi to whom the Petal Paper might be sent. He informed me that ten organizations were willing to buy fifteen subscriptions each, making a total of a hundred and fifteen subscriptions.<br /><br />
December 27, 1956<br /><br />
I called Mr. East and asked if he would supply me with some of these names. He replied that he preferred not to do so, that if anyone desired his paper and could not afford it, he would be glad to send them a dollar to get a nickel paper to them, but if they did not want his paper, then he would not be a party to seeing that they got one. He was of course most appreciative of this effort by the various national agencies and said that he would be happy to supply the gift subscriptions to the individuals, but preferred that we make our own list, which I agreed to do.<br />

Internal memo from Will D. Cambell documenting his work securing subscriptions to the Petal Paper and money for P.D. East to keep the newspaper afloat

National Council of the Churches of Christ <br /><br />
in the United States of America<br /><br />
Division of Christian Life and Work <br /><br />
Department of Racial and Cultural Relations<br /><br />
1716 West End Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee, TELEPHONE Alpine 5-3842 <br /><br />
<br /><br />
Rev. Eugene Carson Blake, President <br /><br />
Rev. Roy G. Ross, General Secretary<br /><br />
Rev. Roswell P. Barnes, Associate General Secretary <br /><br />
Charles E. Wilson, Treasurer <br /><br />
<br /><br />
Officers of the Department <br /><br />
Samuel. H Sweeney, Chairman <br /><br />
Ralph M. Arkush, Vice Chairman<br /><br />
Olivia Pearl Stokes, Recording Secretary <br /><br />
J. Oscar Lee, Executive Director <br /><br />
Alfred S. Kramer, Associate Executive Director<br /><br />
Will D. Campbell, Associate Executive Director <br /><br />
Geneva R Jones, Administrative Assistant<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Note:<br /><br />
On Tuesday evening, September 9, Mr. East called me (Will Campbell) and stated that he could no longer carry on the operation of the Petal Paper because of financial destitution. He inquired as to whether or not I might assist him in finding employment. His condition was such that his telephone was to be taken out the following morning. I volunteered a personal loan of $250 to meet his immediate needs.<br /><br />
On the morning of September 10, I telephoned Mr. Harold Fleming, Southern Regional Council, to discuss this situation. We agreed that he would take the matter up with Mr. Ed Lucas of the American Jewish Committee and would present it to the Executive Committee of CCD which is to meet September 17 in New York. I am to discuss it with Lanier Hunt and others when I go to New York.<br /><br />
(Signed)<br /><br />
Will D. Campbell<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Dictated September 10, 1958<br />

Internal memo, Will D. Campbell on National Council of Churches of Christ letterhead

June 2nd,1958<br /><br />
Mr. C. H. Yarrow <br /><br />
AFSC<br /><br />
20 South 12th street<br /><br />
Philadelphia 7, Pennsylvania<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Dear Mr. Yarrow, <br /><br />
<br /><br />
I assume that Harold Fleming has written you about P. D. East and the possibility of giving some assistance to him through AFSC Rights of Conscience Program. <br /><br />
<br /><br />
Because of P.D.’s conscience, our audience came on the scene after he had come out against the WCC and white supremacy. Since this, he has lost most of his advertising. It is generally assumed that he has only stayed because he never had anything to do. Actually, this is not true. He had a good and growing thing, and there is no doubt that if he had followed the pattern, he would now have a 16- to 24-page weekly. Although it is true that the paper was not large from the beginning, it is also true that he had sufficient advertising to show a sizable profit. Furthermore, he lost all the advertisement down to the faithful few remaining in a very short period of time as a collection of back issues will show.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
I have not brought this to your attention earlier because of his extreme pride and sensitivity and desire for complete independence. Because you are interested in conscience, and in kind hands of newspaper editors, I have persuaded him to let us appeal to you.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
He agreed to write to you personally. If you desire information which you do not have, I shall be glad to cooperate. Also I would suggest that you write Easton King, Pascagoula Chronicle Star, Pascagoula, Mississippi. Easton knows PD well, what he started out to do, what he is now doing, the contribution he is making, etc. He is a fine liberal who has recently been denounced in a resolution by the Mississippi legislature as a “liar and integrationist.” <br /><br />
Personal regards to you and let me know if I can help.<br /><br />
Cordially yours,<br /><br />
Will D.Campbell <br /><br />
Associate Executive <br /><br />
<br /><br />
WDC:ddw<br /><br />
Cc: Harold Fleming <br /><br />
<br /><br />
Dictated, but not read by Mr. Campbell.<br /><br />
<br />

Letter, Will D. Campbell to CH Yarrow

Letter, PD East to Will D. Campbell

Copy<br /><br />
ITEM NO. I<br /><br />
Since January 4, 1962, the Mississippi Citizens’ Council and the State Sovereignty Commission have conspired in an open attack upon me which has been well publicized in the state and national press. This attack came because I am printing a new newspaper for Negroes, the Mississippi Free Press, which is dedicated to working for Negro rights and freedom. <br /><br />
I am only the printer for this paper. I have no financial interest in it and no control over it. I am vitally interested in seeing it survive because it is badly needed. The men who have put their money into this paper, business and professional men of Jackson, have implicit confidence in me and are guided a great deal by what I tell them in the line of newspapering. I very much would like to be in a position financially where I could have the time to help more with this paper and make it into a quality paper of statewide distribution. This could be done if the money could be made available, I have the know-how and the willingness to do the job. <br /><br />
ITEM NO. II<br /><br />
THE BAPTIST OBSERVER, now a monthly but already with authority to go weekly when funds are available, is strictly a church and religious paper. But the Negro ministers sponsoring this paper are keenly aware of the need of promoting a greater participation for Negroes in the life, economy and government of our state. This paper will help ministers to develop leadership among themselves and their congregations to the end that some day they can speak with one voice. This they desire to do-but naturally it will take time. They must get their own people together. We have in mind that some day The Observer will go into every Baptist home in the state. Adequate financing could make this a reality NOW. <br /><br />
ITEM NO. III<br /><br />
Organized labor is viewed with suspicion in Mississippi by the Governor on down. This is an attitude deliberately fostered by the top officials as labor leaders know. Labor needs a better press in Mississippi and better public relations. It has no paper of its own at the present time-although it once did. A statewide weekly newspaper which would report labor news fairly, honestly and accurately could be of great assistance in educating Mississippians about the facts of life on labor-about which they know very little at the present time. If Mississippi is to grow and progress industrially our attitude toward organized labor is going to have to change. <br /><br />
In our Jackson suburban paper, the Northside Reporter, we have a paper that already has a good following in Jackson. It could be enlarged and extended citywide first and then statewide-if my husband (Walter D. Smith) and I had enough financial backing. We are able and what’s more important, willing to do this job. We feel it would be making a contribution to the growth and development of our state and I have some definite ideas about how this could be done if anyone is interested. <br /><br />
ITEM NO. IV<br /><br />
We need money NOW. $1,400.00 for past due taxes and insurance, now critical,<br /><br />
2,000.00 on $6,200 loan from 1st National Bank of G’ville<br /><br />
-also now critical. Entire loan must <br /><br />
be liquidated soon. <br /><br />
1,000 must pay on paper bill, (Now $4,500.) <br /><br />
2,000.00 for assorted miscellaneous accounts including a <br /><br />
partial payment on $1,800 engraving bill.<br /><br />
ALL OF ABOVE DESPERATELY NEEDED NOW. <br /><br />
(We still have the $20,000.00 note to be repaid <br /><br />
to Mr. Harrison-not worrying about it now.<br /><br />
(Note: If we could get our hands on $15,000 it would get rid of the one big note that is ono our backs as well as the past due bills-leaving us still the $16,200.00 note in Jackson on which we pay 6 per cent and $200,00 monthly-when we have it)<br />

Overview of the publications that Hazel Brannon Smith publishes, attacks she faces from segregationist groups, and a budget of the money she needs to run her businesses

Letter, Hazel Brannon Smith to Leslie W. Dunbar (Southern Regional Council)

Dr. J. Oscar Lee May 15, 1962<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Will D. Campbell<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Expense Account for Mrs. Hazel Brannon Smith<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Mrs. Hazel Brannon Smith is Editor of The Lexington Advertiser in Lexington, Mississippi, and has been under extreme financial pressure from the White Citizens Council because of her editorial and news policy regarding the subject of race and civil rights. I arranged a conference with several agency heads in Atlanta to explore the possibility of obtaining some financial assistance for her. The enclosed Expense Statement is to reimburse her for her travel from Jackson, Mississippi, to Atlanta, Georgia, to attend this consultation.<br /><br />
<br />

Expense request from Will D. Campbell to Dr. J. Oscar Lee (National Council of Churches) to reimburse Hazel Brannon Smith for travel expenses

Smith, Hazel Brannon <br /><br />
<br /><br />
Established in 1877 <br /><br />
<br /><br />
THE LEXINGTON ADVERTISER <br /><br />
<br /><br />
Printers-Publishers <br /><br />
<br /><br />
Lexington, Mississippi <br /><br />
<br /><br />
September 7 <br /><br />
<br /><br />
1957 <br /><br />
<br /><br />
HAZEL BRANNON SMITH, Publisher <br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Mr. Will D. Campbell <br /><br />
<br /><br />
1716 West End Avenue <br /><br />
<br /><br />
Nashville, Tennessee <br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Dear Will: <br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
I have just finished the enclosed-and gone over it to try to mark any needed corrections. It is neither very neat or as complete as I'd like but it cannot be helped. This is the best I can do-and I hope it is all of the information you wanted, <br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Am sorry I couldn't get it to you any sooner-but I stay so busy every minute that I have very little time and some times when I can find a little time I am so exhausted I just don't have energy enough to write anything. <br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
The past two weeks have been very trying with a lot of problems and frustrations and I have done well to get anything at all written. Am mailing Gene a carbon on all this too. <br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
The more I think about it the more I believe that the only answer to the rabble rousers is to shout them down-the liberal conservatives have been intimidated into complete silence and the rabble has taken over. That is apparently what has happened in Little Rock-and will happen all over if they get away with it-which they will unless the President acts. And I doubt that he will take a strong hand- certainly he hasn't yet. He doesn't seem to have the heart or the stomach to do his job. <br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
What I would like more than anything else in the world would be to be able to say exactly what I think about everything that is going on–and try to promote a climate of reasoning and logic rather than the emotional binge we are now on. Unless sanity is restored and the right to have and express an opinion (contrary to popular beliefs even) is restored with it then I think we might as well close up shop and forget about our heritage of freedom. Very little of it is left today. <br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
My own long range view is the development of the Northside Reporter into a force to be reckoned with in North Jackson, which is the preferred section of the city. Most of the state's leading officials and business and professional men and their families reside in this area- and it is the preferred section of the moderately successful young marrieds <br /><br />
<br /><br />
that who are now taking over the social, business, and political life of Jackson. The paper has won wide acceptance and popularity-and could be the basis for starting another publication, a progressive, newsy weekly with a statewide circulation, filled with features, etc. and a strong editorial voice in state affairs, friendly to labor and fair to all interests, but favoring none. <br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Let me know if you need anything else. Best regards, and thanks. <br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Hazel

Letter, Hazel Brannon Smith to Will D. Campbell

“Principles and Men: Truth—the Weapon we use in their Defense" <br /><br />
<br /><br />
THE LEXINGTON ADVERTISER <br /><br />
<br /><br />
ESTABLISHED IN 1837 <br /><br />
<br /><br />
LEXINGTON. MISSISSIPPI <br /><br />
<br /><br />
HAZEL BRANNON SMTH <br /><br />
<br /><br />
EDITOR <br /><br />
<br /><br />
May 12, 1962 <br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Rev. Will Campbell <br /><br />
<br /><br />
NCCC <br /><br />
<br /><br />
Nashville, Tenn. <br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Dear Will: <br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
It was really nice seeing you this week and I look forrard to our next meeting. <br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
The purpose of this letter is just to let you know the amount of the plane ticket, $58.03. I will write later on things relative to our conversation. Will send you a copy of what I send Les so that you will be informed also. <br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
In the meantime accept my sincere thanks and appreciation for your interest in us and what we are trying to do here in Mississippi. <br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Hurriedly, <br /><br />
<br /><br />
Hazel <br /><br />
<br /><br />
Hazel Brannon Smith <br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
I got back on an earlier plane since my friend was not in his office— he had been out of town and did not come to his office that day. Got back to Jackson at 8:20 p.m instead of 9:30. Smitty met me. <br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
H. <br /><br />
<br />

Letter, Hazel Brannon Smith to Will D. Campbell

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