NAACP President Frank M. Barnes

Portrait of Frank M. Barnes, president of the Santa Monica NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). Barnes was a postal worker suspended due to his activities supporting the African American community in Santa Monica. From the Evening Outlook newspaper: "Barnes Views His Exoneration as 'Nice Christmas Present.' Frank H. Barnes today viewed as 'a nice Christmas present' the U.S. Post Office Department's Loyalty Board ruling exonerating him of suspicion of disloyalty to the US Government and ordering him 'restored ...immediately' to his old job as a Santa Monica mail carrier. President of Santa Monica Chapter, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Barnes was suspended last May 4 on disloyalty charges growing out of his NAACP activities in connection with the picketing of the Santa Monica Sears store. Barnes' case was heard in a closed loyalty board session here July 15, and the man has been waiting since August 1 for the decision which was returned only yesterday. The board's decision followed efforts of Rep. Donald L. Jackson and Barnes' own personal appeal to President Truman to speed action on the case. Today Postmaster Philip T. Hill congratulated Barnes on his vindication and added: 'We'll be glad to have you back with us.' Barnes likewise issued a statement as follows: 'I wish to take this opportunity to thank all of the citizens of this community who were active on my behalf in writing letters, appearing as witnesses serving on committees, and sending telegrams. It was through the efforts of these people that the groundless charges against me were cleared. This decision serves as a vindication of the right of civil servants who are NAACP leaders to continue the struggle for equality of opportunity where there is equality of sacrifice.' Postmaster Hill said he had no official ruling as yet on the matter of Barnes receiving compensation for lost pay. Barnes, who worked as a plasterer during his suspension said he would file a formal appeal for compensation unless the department acted on the matter soon."