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Appointments to the MCCH
La Guardia announced the members had been selected “because of their distinct contributions in their several fields,” according to a story in the New York Sun. He would later say that the appointments had been made "by advice,” according to the New York Age. There was no direct evidence of who offered La Guardia that advice. That it had not come from the leaders of Harlem’s social organizations was clear from the pointed request that James Hubert, the Executive Director of the Urban League, made to the mayor in a letter on March 26, “that in the future you will avail yourself of such assistance as is very easily obtained in Harlem and other Negro sections of the City to the end that whatever is undertaken may be accomplished as I know you desire the work to be done.” Instead, La Guardia appeared to have relied on those with who he had political ties. Hubert Delany was likely one source of advice. La Guardia, who had appointed him Tax Commissioner, treated him “as an unofficial ombudsman for the black community” according to historian Thomas Kessner. (Delany was a member of NAACP, holding a position responsible for “Legal Redress and Legislation” – letterhead of Butler letter). The NAACP did send La Guardia a list of names on March 20 that included three of those appointed – Hays, Ernst, and Carter – but there is no evidence to confirm that the Mayor received that list before announcing the Commission members. <NAACP 0267-4> Historian Stephen Carter argued that Eunice Hunton Carter may have been appointed in recognition of her willingness to run for a state assembly seat for La Guardia’s Republican-Fusion party the previous year. He noted that the party machine “had a tradition of finding places for candidates willing to run in tough cases against incumbents.” An Associated Negro Press story published in the Norfolk Journal and Guide attributed Carter’s subsequent appointment to Thomas Dewey’s team of special prosecutors going after the Mob to that obligation.
La Guardia subsequently added two additional members, a Black clergyman and a white clergyman. Only the New York Amsterdam News reported those appointments, suggesting that the Mayor's office did not announce them in press statements. The appointment of Rev. John W. Robinson, the retired pastor of St. Mark's, the city's largest AME church, was foreshadowed in newspaper stories about the mayor's visit to the Interdenominational Preachers Meeting of Greater New York and Vicinity on March 25. Robinson led that group. After their complainants about La Guardia's failure to appoint a minister, the mayor indicated he would consider appointing a nominee of the meeting. Stories in the Home News, New York Times and New York World-Telegram, and in the New York Amsterdam News and New York Age reported that the meeting chose Robinson. Evidence of an indirect political connection that may have made La Guardia receptive to that suggestion appeared in a New York Amsterdam News story on the couple's wedding: Robinson’s second wife, pharmacist Dr. Julia Coleman, was active in the Republican Party in Harlem.
That La Guardia told the Interdenominational Preachers Meeting that he would also appoint a second clergyman “chosen from a denomination not included in the Alliance” was reported only in the New York Age. It took until April 4, almost a week after Robinson's appointment, for the mayor to finalize that choice: Father McCann of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church on West 141st Street. The New York Amsterdam News made McCann's appointment the headline of the story it published on April 6 about the MCCH hearing. McCann had appeared in earlier stories in the Home News, New York American, NYJ, NYP and the AN (3/30) as a result of a pastoral letter he made public on March 23 blaming Communists for the disorder and calling for a movement to keep them out of Harlem. The priest's anti-communism offered La Guardia a way to address those who had criticized those he had appointed as all liberals. However, La Guardia had clearly also decided the second clergyman on the committee should be Catholic as he had sought the advice of Edmund B. Butler, a prominent Catholic lawyer who was secretary of the city’s Emergency Relief Bureau about who to appoint immediately after he met with the Black ministers. Butler wrote to him the next day, to give him McCann’s name, which he had been unable to think of at that time: “He has always been very much interested in Negroes and volunteered for the work….I think that the appointment of him would be excellent.” A note on the letter recorded, “Father McCann is white,” likely another criteria for his selection given that the committee had two more Black members than white members after Robinson’s appointment. Several days later, on April 1, Butler spoke to La Guardia about McCann, after which he told the clergyman that La Guardia was going to appoint him. On April 4, La Guardia wrote to notify Roberts that he had appointed Father McCann. Even after the Communist Party wrote to both the MCCH and the Mayor to complain about McCann's appointment on April 25, the Daily Worker did not report it.
Black members:
- Hubert T. Delany
- "Tax Commissioner of the City of New York" in the Press statement
- "Negro, lawyer, graduate of the College of the City of New York and New York University Law School, Assistant United States Attorney under former United States Attorney Charles H. Tuttle, Republican candidate for House of Representatives from 21st Manhattan District in 1920. Commissioner of Board of Taxes and Assessments by appointment of Mayor LaGuardia in February 1934" in the New York Herald Tribune
- “lawyer and Republican leader" in the New York Post
- Attendance
- Description in Foreword: "Commissioner of Taxes and Assessments of the City of New York, was well-qualified to anlayze the employment situation in Harlem. Mr Delany, a lawyer and former public official, was well-equipped to analyze the problem of unemployment with as little intellectual bias as anyone in the community."
- A. Philip Randolph
- "Natl. President, Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters" in the Press statement
- "general organizer and president of National Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, attended College of City of New York, founder of a magazine, "The Messenger"" in the New York Herald Tribune
- “president of the National Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters” in the New York Post
- Foreword: "a great leader in the labor movement displayed his keen sense of understanding as President of the International Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. Mr Randolph brought to the Commission a greater understanding of labor problems as they affect the Negroes than any other man that could be found in the community. Harlem respects and admires A. Philip Randolph."
- Charles Roberts
- "Dentist" in the Press statement
- "Negro, dentist, graduate of Lincoln University, Republican candidate for House of Representatives from 21st District in 1924, member of Board of Aldermen, 1931-1933" in the New York Herald Tribune
- “dentist, Republican leader and former Alderman” in the New York Post
- The Foreword to the MCCH's final report "selected for the reason that he has lived in the community of Harlem for over a quarter of a century. His life has been devoted to the development of the social, economic and cultural advancement of the community, both as a former public official and as a professional man. His unquestioned interest and knowledge of the community needs make him an outstanding representative of Harlem."
- Charles Toney
- "Municipal Court" in the Press statement
- "Justice of Municipal Court; graduate of Syracuse University, Tammany Democrat" in the New York Herald Tribune
- "justice of the Municipal Court and Democratic political leader” in the New York Post
- Foreword: "a Justice of the Municipal Court of the City of New York, was of great assistance in that by reason of his experience in what is known as the poor man's court, brought a legal understanding to the commission that was valuable."
- Eunice Hunton Carter
- “social worker and lawyer" in the Press statement
- "Lawyer and social worker, holds degrees from Smith College and Columbia and Fordham Universities, Republican-Fusion candidate for Assembly from 19th Manhattan District in 1934" in the New York Herald Tribune
- “lawyer and social worker and Fusion political leader” in the New York Post
- Foreword: "a social worker, lawyer and leader in every important progressive movement in the community, who knows Harlem in its gladness and sorrow."
- Countee Cullen
- "Author" in the Press statement
- "poet, graduate of New York University; contributor to magazines and newspapers and winner of several poetry awards" in the New York Herald Tribune
- “the poet” in the New York Post
- Foreword: "a young Negro pedagogue and poet, brought to the commission the point of view of the youth."
- Rev. John Robinson
- Foreword: "a representative of the Interdenominational Ministers Alliance, symbolizes the opinion of Negro clergymen of Harlem. It is useless to state the churches of Harlem exercise the most vitalizing influence that can be found in this area."
White members:
- Arthur Garfield Hays
- "Lawyer" in the Press statement
- "Lawyer, graduate of Columbia University, counsel to American Civil Liberties Union, appeared as defense counsel in many cases involving civil liberties - coal strike in Pennsylvania, 1922; Scopes evolution trial in Tennessee, 1925; Countess Cathcart immigration case; Sacco-Vanzetti case in 1927, and most recently in defense of John Strachey, English lecturer threatened with deportation" in the New York Herald Tribune
- “of the Civil Liberties Union,” and grouped with Ernst in the New York Post
- Foreword: "a champion of civil liberties, conducted with astuteness and patience the public hearings concerning the police and their treatment of Harlem. The information so adduced was of invaluable worth to the study."
- William J. Schieffelin
- "Trustee of the Tuskegee Institute” in the Press statement
- "Chemist, graduate of Columbia School of Mines and University of Munich, chairman of Citizens Union, trustee of Hampton Institute and Tuskegee Institute, schools for the education of Negroes" in the New York Herald Tribune
- “chairman of the Citizen's Union and of Tuskegee Institute, the Negro university” in the New York Post
- Foreword: "a trustee of Tuskegee Institute, a contributor and benefactor of the Negro race, a director of the Citizen's Union, and an exponent of social justice, contributed calm understanding of the perplexing problems that this committee dealt with."
- Morris L. Ernst
- "Lawyer" in the Press statement; “writer and publisher” in the Daily Mirror and New York American
- "lawyer, graduate of Columbia University, member of American Civil Liberties Union, counsel in many liberal causes, represented Mrs. Margaret Sanger, birth-control advocate; mediator in recent taxicab strike by appointment of Mayor LaGuardia" in the New York Herald Tribune
- "of the Civil Liberties Union,” and grouped with Hays in the New York Post
- Foreword: "an eminent attorney, did yeoman service relative to the housing situation."
- Oswald Garrison Villard
- "Publisher" in the Press statement
- "owner of "The Nation"; graduate of Harvard University, liberal crusader, grandson of William Lloyd Garrison, founder of "The Liberator," and apostle of abolition of slavery" in the New York Herald Tribune
- “editor of the Nation” in the New York Post
- Foreword: "former editor and owner of a metropolitan daily, former professor at Harvard University and contributing editor to the Nation, a member of the NAACP, writer and lecturer, a keen student of American social problem, not excepting the oftern referred to Negro problem, brought a wealth of understanding and experience. It has been said of Mr Villard that his merciless scrutiny and analysis make him one of the foremost social philosophers of America."
- John J. Grimley
- "Doctor" in the Press statement
- physician, lieutenant-colonel of 369th Infantry, National Guard of New York, crack Negro regiment" in the New York Herald Tribune
- “lieutenant-colonel of the Negro 369th Infantry, National Guard” in the New York Post
- Foreword: "brought to the Commission intimate contact with the manhood of Harlem through his experience as commanding officer of the 369th Infantry. Col. Grimley also rendered technical advice relative to the problem of health, having spent years as superintendent and director of various hospitals."
- Father McCann
- Foreword: "represented the Catholic opinion of the community."
In the historical literature, only Lindsey Lupo identified all thirteen the members of the MCCH, in a chart that described their occupations in two or three words. Cheryl Greenberg named Delaney, Randolph, and, inexplicably, Cullen as examples of the "impressive range of experts" that La Guardia had appointed, also mistakenly including Frazier as a member of the commission. Naison only identified the number of "representative citizens" appointed, which he stated was eleven, neglecting the later appointments of Robinson and McCann. Johnson also mistakenly identified the MCCH as an eleven-member commission, without identifying any of the members. Kessner mentioned only Roberts, the chair, as did Watson.
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- "Says Economic Conditions in Harlem Are Bad," Atlanta World, March 27, 1935, 1, 2.
- Edmond Butler to La Guardia, March 26, 1935, Mayor's Committee on Conditions in Harlem: General, Correspondence, Departmental Correspondence, Box 33, Folder 9 (Roll 170), Records of Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia, 1934-1945.
- "Riot Deaths Mounting Daily as Fourth Victim Succumbs. Extra Police Still on Duty; Many Sentenced to Workhouse Terms," New York Age, March 30, 1935, 1
- "Mayor Places Radicals' Foe on Riot Body," New York Amsterdam News, April 6, 1935, 1.
- "Alien Squads Hunt Harlem Red Lairs," Daily Mirror, March 21, 1935 [clipping].
- "As Harlem Recovers From Night of Terror 5 Reds Face Court in Race Riot Mop-Up," Daily News, March 21, 1935, 3.
- James Ford to Eunice Carter, April 25, 1935, Subject Files, Box 167, Folder 8 (Roll 76), Records of Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia, 1934-1945 (New York City Municipal Archives).
- "New Fighting in Harlem," New York American, March 21, 1935, 1.
- "Mayor La Guardia announced the appointment of the Committee...," March 20, 1935, Mayor's Committee on Conditions in Harlem: Agendas, Box 32, Folder 6 (Roll 170), Records of Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia, 1934-1945 (New York City Municipal Archives).
- Marilynn S. Johnson, Street Justice: A history of police violence in New York City (Boston: Beacon Press, 2004), 187.
- James Ford to La Guardia, April 25, 1935, Subject Files, Box 167, Folder 8 (Roll 76), Records of Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia, 1934-1945 (New York City Municipal Archives).
- La Guardia to Charles Roberts, April 4, 1935, Subject Files, Box 167, Folder 4 (Roll 76), Records of Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia, 1934-1945 (New York City Municipal Archives).
- Edmund Butler to La Guardia, April 2, 1935, Subject Files, Box 179, Folder 10 (Roll 86), Records of Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia, 1934-1945 (New York City Municipal Archives).
- "Mayor Orders Bi-Racial Study Of Harlem Riot," New York Herald Tribune, March 21, 1935, 1.
- Urban League to Mayor La Guardia, March 26, 1935, Mayor's Committee on Conditions in Harlem: Misc. Correspondence M-Z, 1935-36, Departmental Correspondence, Box 34, Folder 4 (Roll 171), Records of Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia, 1934-1945
- "Tinderbox," New York World-Telegram, March 22, 1935, 28.
- “Dr Charles H. Roberts Named Head of City’s Investigating Group," New York Age, March 30, 1935, 1.
- Thomas Kessner, Fiorello H. La Guardia and the Making of Modern New York (New York: McGraw Hill, 1989), 374.
- Stephen L. Carter, Invisible: The Forgetten Story of the Black Woman Lawyer Who Took Down America's Most Powerful Mobster (New York: Henry Holt, 2018), 105.
- C. C. Nicolet, "Dodge on Trail of 'Red Menace' in Harlem Riot," New York Post, March 21, 1935, 1.
- "12 Indicted in Harlem Rioting," New York Evening Journal, March 21, 1935, 1.
- "Five Indicted as Result of Harlem Riots," Brooklyn Daily Eagle, March 21, 1935, 1.
- "Mayor's Committee Under Fire," New York Amsterdam News, March 30, 1935, 1.
- "Told Mayor Riot Was Brewing," New York Sun, March 21, 1935, 21.
- "Mayor Tells Why Preachers Are Not on Rioting Body,” Afro-American, March 30, 1935, 2.
- "Dodge Declares War in Red Leaders; Harlem Girl, "Cause of Riot," is Fined," Home News, March 24, 1935, 3.
- "Probing N. Y. Riot Causes," Norfolk Journal and Guide, March 30, 1935, 1.
- Cheryl Greenberg, Or Does It Explode? Black Harlem in the Great Depression (New York: Oxford University Press, 1991), 4.
- "Rev. J. W. Robinson and Dr Coleman Wed at Bride's Old Washington Home," New York Amsterdam News, August 13, 1930, 1.
- Mark Naison, Communists in Harlem During the Depression (Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1983), 142.
- Lindsey Lupo, Flak-Catchers: One Hundred Years of Riot Commission Politics in America (Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 2010), 61-62.
- Nicole Watson, "The Harlem Riots, 1935, 1943, 1964," in Revolting New York: How 400 Years of Riot, Rebellion, Uprising, And Revolution Shaped a City, eds Neil Smith and Don Mitchell (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 2018), 167.
- "Mayor Lays Riot To 'Vicious' Group," New York Times, March 21, 1935, 16.
- "Grand Jury Indicts Twelve; Dodge Threatens New Drive on Communists and Foreign Born," Daily Worker, March 22, 1935, 1.
- Thomas Kessner, Fiorello H. La Guardia and the Making of Modern New York (New York: McGraw Hill, 1989), 371.