They leased a printing plant that belonged to a church publication, taking over the Twin City Press, and inaugurated their weekly statewide newspaper on May 9, 1941.
[3] L. C. Bates's editorials were fiery, writing that a pastor's sermons were "more offensive than the odor from a cesspool that has been exposed to the sun from the morning of creation down to the present moment" and leading to a $1,500 judgement for libel.
The Bateses editorialized, "We feel that the proper approach would be for the leaders among the Negro race—not clabber mouths, Uncle Toms, or grinning appeasers to get together and counsel with the school heads."
Concerning the policy of academic desegregation, The State press cultivated a spirit of immediatism within the hearts of African American and white citizens.
While Governor Orval Faubus and his supporters were refusing even token desegregation of Central High School, this editorial appeared on the front page: It is the belief of this paper that since the Negro's loyalty to America has forced him to shed blood on foreign battle fields against enemies, to safeguard constitutional rights, he is in no mood to sacrifice these rights for peace and harmony at home.
[9]: 176 This boycott successfully cut off funding, except the money which came directly and through advertisements from the NAACP national office, and through ads from supporters throughout the country.