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About The monitor. (Omaha, Neb.) 1915-1928 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 14, 1918)
I The Monitor A Weekly Newspaper devoted to the civic, social and religious Interests of the Colored People of Nebraska and the West, with the desire to con tribute something to the general good and upbuilding of the community and of the race. Published Every Saturday. Entered as Second-Class Mail Matter July 3. 1916. at the Post Office at Omaha. Neb., under the act of March 3, 1879 THE REV. JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS. Editor and Publisher. Lucille Skaggs Edwards and William Garnett Haynes, Associate Editors. George Wells Parker. Contributing Editor. Bert Patrick, Business Manager. Fred C. Williams, Traveling Representative I SUBSCRIPTION RATES, $2.00 A YEAR; $1.00 6 MONTHS; 60c 3 MONTHS Advertising Rates. 60 cents an Inch per Issue. Address, The Monitor, 1119 North Twenty-first street. Omaha Telephone Webster *243. QUESTIONS WHICH OBTRUDE TTJ HAT mystic wand has been kY\ wielded over our great race leaders and stilled their once fearless voices? What subtle alchemy has transformed their dauntless spirit into apparent submission ? What se cret force has quieted their efforts and made them forget their pleas for racial justice ? Has the jingling of the guinea helped the hurt that honor feels ? Has the race been sold as though it were so many slaves and so much chattel? Two hundred thousand Colored sol diers are over seas and another hun dred thousand rolling up, and where are the Colored commissioned men who were to lead them? The com- , parative handful of officers graduated from the training schools are not enough for ten thousand, let alone for three hundred thousand. Was the j training school a “sop” to delude the race into believing that Colored sol diers were to have Colored officers ? Colonel Young still rests upon the j shelf. Is there no man or band of men to force the issue so that hon esty may be proven or duplicity ex posed ? Why haven’t our Colored nurses been called in numbers so that we might know that the brown skin girl with the cross of red is more than a 1 myth? Why are so many departments of the government closed to our ef ficient young women and so many branches of the army closed to our young men? Why are the ship yards demanding union cards of Colored men when the managers know that the demand shuts out nearly all northern Colored work men ? These are but a few of the ques tions that obtrude and cause us to wonder if ouf leaders are asleep on their arms. If ever there was a time to fight for our rights, it is now. If libertj and democracy are issues, then they v, ho spill their blood are entitled to lift their claim. It is, therefore, to be deplored that many to whom the race has pinned its faith have evidently compromised and now-, with soft and soothing words, would palliate injus tice and bid us wait. Where w-rong j exists, there can be no waiting. The fight is an eternal fight and bayonets must be ever fixed. Is there no one to sound the tocsin and carry upward , the plea of twelve mill: >ns of dusky hearts ? Why need one hundred speakers cover this land to arouse the patriotism of the race, when even handed justice would rouse these listening millions into a seething cal dron of enthusiasm ? What can these hundred speakers tell their people where every wire w-ings some mes sage of discrimination or wrong prac ticed upon a faithful dependable peo ple, which despite their best efforts tend to nullify their words? Does Washington think that the American Colored man is ready to let one hundred men create the thought and feeling of twelve millions? Guess* again. Put Colonel Young back in the ranks; let us ear that thousands of capable Colored men are being made into commissioned officers; let the press tell us that thousands of Colored Red Cross nurses have embarked for sunny France to press the brow-s of our boys in khaki; give our women a chance when they prove up; let ability and character be the measure of race men in war work! Let the govern ment see to these things and do these things and the heart beats of tw-elve million pf Colored Americans will teach the ninety millions of white Americans w-hat patriotism means. LET US CHOOSE A DAY LAST week the Jews all over the world gathered together to cele brate the Jewish New Year, a day beloved and honored by every de scendant of old Israel. So most every other nation and people have some one day out of the calendar of three hundred and sixty-five, when it lays aside the realities of the present and calls back the sweet departed memo ries of the past. Our race has none. Some have tried to make Emancipa tion day a racial holiday, but against it are two reasons. First, it is lo calized to American Colored people only, and, secondly, it brings back the memories of sadness instead of triumph, memories that bring us up even to this hour and make us feel that the crimes and insults of slavery are not yet things of the past. Why not choose some day that may eventually become a gladsome anni versary to Hamitic people through out the world? Is there not in all the long range of the glorious African history some event, some date, some memory, that may be celebrated glad ly and bring back to our spirit some of the puissance that signalized our blood in the ages gone by? We are a great people, one of the greatest that ever lived upon the face of the earth, and we have the right to in still into our children a new spirit that shall carry them on beyond the dead level of today. Think upon it and let The Monitor hear from you. AFRICA FOR THE AFRICANS The Crusader magazine, a new race j publication that has set its sails to plow the journalistic seas, carries an article under the caption, “Africa for Africans.” It is a fine article and symbolizes a new spirit that has be gun to animate our race. With that spirit we heartily agree and commend and trust that it will carry a message to the heart of every race member. “Africa for the Africans,” how ever, must for the present be only an illusion. Would that it were not so, but stem fact makes it so. In all the length and breadth of that mighty continent there is not one black empire sufficiently strong to demand of the nations that Africa be left for the Africans. Japan has said, “Asia for the Asiatics!” and behind that phrase is a well trained army of nearly three millions of men, a ready and willing China and an India of millions of restless people. Besides there ;s wealth untold and a seat at the coun- ' cil tables to make the empires of the j world hearken and obey. For Africa there is no voice. Her people are di vided into a multitude of tribes, each warring upon the other. Her wealth is in the hands of European profit eers and she has no means to en force her demands against the armed world, even though she might care to do so. It is to be hoped that some day a homogeneous polity may be founded in the black continent and that in time it may become a factor in the world and a member of the world’s powers. Until such a time there ran be no clarion note sounding, “Africa for the Africans!” into the ears of the world. THE VIGIL ON THE NORTH SE t THE really great factor in this war and one that is very infrequently mentioned is the command of the sea. Aside from that, Germany had every thing in her favor when she started out to conquer the world. If she had had command of the sea, England and France would long ago have been in a state of starvation and in all prob ability their armies destroyed, for no reinforcements in food, men or muni tions could have reached them. * It was England’s command of the sea that has saved the world from militarism until the other nations could rally and send their forces the fighting line. For four years the English sailors have braved the storms and cold of the North sea, keeping such an unremitting watch of the wide expanses of ocean that no German fleet dare venture out of land-locked harbors defended by the heaviest guns and the most scientific ally constructed fortifications. And today that English fleet keeps watch for all the liberty-loving nations of the world, lately joined now by the American fleet, which endures the hardships, where there is no reporter to tell of the faithful manner in which that duty is performed. The little sub marine chasers and the few armed ships which accompany the convoys have something to relieve the tedium of their service. Not so those battle ships which guard the North sea. There for four years they have been and scarcely a word has been heard from them, but they have been one of the greatest factor- in the war.—The World-Hereld. The Midvale Steel Works, Philadel phia, Pa., employs fifty-six Colored women in their ammunition works. Colored men are working day and night, making from $48 to $50 per week, including overtime.—The Crisis. WATCH FOR “THE MENACE” in Next Week’s Paper! THE NEGRO AND GERMAN PROPAGANDA (Continued From Page One.) Here he was more successful, as the riots in St. Louis proved. But they drew the attention of thoughtful people and it was asked, “Why, if the Negro were at fault, were there more Colored men killed than white?” If, as propagandists were shouting, the Col ored people were a “problem” and a "menace to civilization,” how cante it that the troubles were invariably started by white men at tacking blacks? The German propagandists discovered to their dismay that their tactics were having the effect of drawing gen I eral attention to the wrongs of the Negro and arousing interest and sympathy for him on all sides. The mute protest of the Color ed women and children, all in black, marching down Fifth avenue, New York, with no bands, no orators, no disturbances—simply carrying banners appealing for protection and justice—created a deep and lasting impression. Finally, in a sort of desperation, the Germans spread the lies far and wide that Negro soldiers were being sacrificed at the front; they were put in the most dangerous places, and when wounded were left to suffer* and die unattended on the battlefield. Here again the boomerang turned and hit the conspirators. If they hadn’t started the treacherous propaganda the American public would not have heard General Pershing’s opinion of the Colored troops. After denying the truth of “the stories, probably invented by German agents,” he adds, "I cannot commend too highly the spirit shown among the Colored combat troops, who exhibit fine capacity for quick training and eagerness for the most dangerous work.” The head of the Red Cross came forward to testify that the same '-are and attention was given by the society to the Colored men as to the white. Returning travelers and soldiers add a few details. They say the Negro troops are tremendously popular in all the French vil lages where they are billeted; that their smart appearance—every puttee polished,every button shining—their unfailing good humor, their glorious bands and mellow singing voices, and above all, the high spirits and eagerness for the fight that they are bringing to war-weary France, arouse enthusiasm wherever they go. “Complaining that they are given dangerous jobs?” The offi cers commanding Colored troops report that the only complaints their men make are against being held back. They beg for the first line; they glory in the danger. The German propagandist has helped the people all over this country—east and west, north and south—to realize that our Negro troops are men to be proud of; loyal Americans, every one of them! Obvious Observations A press dispatch stated recently that General Foch had either Indian blood in him or Negro, it wasn’t sure which. Come across, brother, come across. The Monitor explained about General Foch’s Hamitie strain a few days after he was made commander in chief of the allied forces. in Seattle there is only one ship yard where Colored men can work, yet Seattle cries for thousands of men. The Literary Digest prints the hero Johnson’s own story of the famouf scrap and puts into Johnson’s mouth a jumble of language that is anything but English. Johnson is a New York er bom and never could have learned English that way, but it is the white man’s weakness to believe that his Colored brother never could learn his language. A Colored man .was sentenced to three years in the ppn because he en listed as a white man. Be careful, brothers and sisters, w hose pigaments are missing. Be proud to be youi self. We thank the President for saving the lives of ten of the Colored soldiers who were in the Houston riot. Wt* know what they were up against. General Pershing has his all-Ameri can army about ready to step now and it is going to be a dark day for Fritz,, | believe muh, Mable. Where did you say that Hindenburg iine used to was, teacher? I Reports from the little Alp country , say the kaiser is white haired from ! worry. When us folks and friends ] get through with him he won’t have | any hair at all. The dose which the I. W. W.’s got in Chi ought to convince any hardheaded scout that Unk Sam isn’t playing a game like London Bridge is Falling Down. Thanking you kindly for your earn est attention, we will now look in the mail box for our classification card. PICKAXIN' CHILE For The Monitor Little black jewel. Daughter of night, Dark-eyed laughter, Dusky hued sprite! j Heir of song-makers. Dialect, bard. Banjo-child poet, Smiling so hard; Piekanin’ chile! Cottonfield fairy, Wooly-haired gnome, Sweet singing blackbird, African poem! Sun-footed dancer, Strewer of mirth, Coal-glossy mocker, Baby of earth; Piekanin' chile! —M. Eugene Konecky. SKITS OF SOLOMON Letters I UTTER w riting is a fine art for -i which the majority of folks have as much use as a monkey has for ; red pepper or an elephant for a chew of old climax tobacco. The old ink j pot and pen and per have no siren j call to busy men and women, or for lazy ones either, but nowadays one should hit old antipathy on the bean and spread a few scrawls and send them to the boys in France. It doesn’t make any difference what boy, just ao it is one of the boys. When one is several thousands of miles from Four tenth and Dodge its like a shaft of sunshine through the old dugout door to get a letter from somebody back beyond the pond. .Most folks say they don’t know what to write, but write anything. Tell ’em about the picture you saw at the movies; about the good looking browns who are wishing j they’d hurry up and can the kaiser and come home; about the way the ! allies are walloping the Dutchmen around Belgium way. Tell ’em that that cat’s got kitten* and you only wish they could have seen the best j dog fight pulled off in the neighbor hood for many moons. Tell ’em that I spring chicken comes high and that you are I'ving on pork and beans. Tell 'em you’re proud of them and that no soldier on earth looks any better than a brown in khaki. Send ’em an aeter or a chrysanthemum out of your own garden, or out of some body rise's garden. You might even blow a few pennies for a package of Camels or Turks and tell ’em to have a smoke on you. There’s so much a person can do to make the boys happy and then not be doing anything much. So get busy. If you don’t know anyone to write to, just post it to “One of the Colored Boys Over There,” and the chap who never ex pected a letter will be the one who gets it. Get over your grouch now and get into the sun beam business. It only costs a few pennies, but it’s worth a million bones. Get the writ ing habit. JOHN W, LONG Who succeeds Scruggs as Inspector of Weights and Measures. f-' “DOUGHNUTS FOR DOUGH BOYS” is the Slogan for This Week. Nothing too Good for Our Boys in Khaki. / FOURTH LIBERTY LOAN COMES NEXT. Thomas Kilpatrick & Co. CHARLOTTE DRI MGOOL DIES AT THE AGE OF 104 YEARS Charlotte Drumgool, Colored, died at the home of her grandson, Johnson Gemer, 5023 1-2 South Twenty-sixth street, at the remarkable age of 104 years. Mrs. Drumgool was born a slave at Murfreesboro, Tenn., and was granted her freedom by the civil war. p to ! the time of her death she retain her faculties to a remarkable degree. She leaves her grandson and one great grandson. Her funeral was held Mon day afternoon from Bethel Baptist church. CARD OF THANKS We wish to thank our many friends for their kindness during our sad bereavement in the loss of our hus band and son. Diamond Square Tem ple, Lenora Burton Royalhouse past and present princesses, Emilie Leral Tab. No. 1!), Princess Osell Chapter No. 59, Stewardess’ Board A. M. E. church, Evening Star Temple No. 4, Palestine Guards, Taborian Band, and friends for beautiful floral offerings. MRS. C. H. HUSTON, MRS. JACKSON. MR. AND MRS. HUvSTON, DELA HUSTON. * Since 1913 farmers have been re ceiving for their wheat a gradually in creasing proportion of the price paid by the consumer for bread. The amount received by the wheat grower for his contribution to the average pound has increased from less than J 11-2 cents per loaf in 1913 to more than 3 1-2 cents early this year. The 1 proportion to the whole price is shown • by the relative length of the black j columns of the chart. The middle portion of each column i shows what the miller received for his ; milling costs and profit. This has been j | a somewhat variable factor* but is now at the minimum (fi per cent). In this 6 per cent, however, is included the cost of the containers (bags, sacks, etc.), shown as dotted area, which has increased very nearly in proportion to the price of bread itself. Hags now cost about 50 per cent more than in 1913 and 1914. The shaded portion of the column represents the expense of distributing the flour, making it into bread and getting the loaf to the consumer. The chart shows that the farmer is now receiving a much larger share of the final price for his product than in the past, and that a considerable amount of “spread” has been taken out of other expenses. TELEGRAM TO PRESIDENT \t the Enthusiastic Meeting of the Boston Branch of the National Equal Rights league Thursday Night on Sending Delegate* to Chi eago the Following Telegram Mas Sent to President Wilson—Text of Telegram to President. “To tthe President, Woodrow Wilson, White House, Washington, D. C. “National Equal Rights League ap preciates your commutation of ien | tences of majority having death sen tences for Houston riot and your rea son as recognition of splendid loyalty of their nice and inspiration to con tinued service to country and its lib erties at every front of battle. “In came recognition and for same i inspiration League asks discontinu ance of offensive, undemocratic branding in segregation detachable corner of army registration card for new draft.” A committee of arrangement wag formed to arrange the Liberty Meet- 1 ings to send delegates to the Annua) Meeting in Chicago, September 17. j Mr. lid win Still, chairman, and four dollar donations were recivcd. CHICAGO READY FOR COLORED WORI. I) DEMOCRACY CONVENTION — Sessions to He Held in Olivet Baptist Church—Mrs. W. B. W. Barnett Heads Large Committee of Wel come. , Chicago, III., Sept. 12.—Extensive preparations, evidencing a lively and earnest interest on the part of mem bcrs of the Colore/1 race in this city are being made here to welcome dele gates to the national Yace convention to be opened on Tuesday of next week. The meetings will last three days, September 17 to 1!>, inclusive, and con stitute; the 11th Annual Meeting of the National Equal Rights League, the organization which protested the Brownsville soldier discharge and (he segregation of Colored clerks at Washington. The official call of the convention invites the Colored citizens of the na tion to a national conference on plans to include the cause of justice for the race in the final settlement of the world war. The sessions will be held >• in the Olivet Baptist Church, 27th and Dearborn streets, with a public meet ing each night. Mrs. Ida B. Wells Barnett, president of the Negro Fel lowship League, is chairman of a large local committee of welcome. Rev, Byron Ounner of Hillburn, N. Y., is president. Delegates are expected from many states. COMFORT COMMITTEE AIDS SOLDIER’S WIFE Washington, Sept. 12.—On receiv ing advice from Charles W. Turner, representative of the National Color ed Soldiers’ Comfort committee at Anderson, Ind., that the wife of a Colored soldier there was ill and in need, the committee promptly sent its check for a sum to take care of her immediate wants. It is this prompt' responding to calls for aid that is win ning confidence for this organization.