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Tags: Hazel Brannon Smith

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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

“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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