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About The monitor. (Omaha, Neb.) 1915-1928 | View Entire Issue (May 24, 1919)
i , . i.fii. l=u The Monitor A NATIONAL WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF COLORED AMERICANS. $ * THE REV. JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS. Editor $2.00 a Year. 5c a Copy OMAHA, NEBRASKA, MAY 24, 1919 Vol. IV. No. 47 (Whole No. 201) REPORT OF INAUGURAL \ MEETING OF HAMITIC LEAGUE OF THE WORLD British Guiana Branch. (Special to The Monitor.) Cl EORGETOWN, British Guiana.— y On Thursday afternoon, April 24, there was held the inaugural meeting of the Britsh Guiana Branch of the Hamitic League of the World ill the St. Andrew’s school hall. There were present: A. Mcloan Ogle, esq., F. R., who fulfilled the duties of chairman; Rev. J. A. Gamer, Rev. A. Angold Brown, Rev. W. A. Deane, Dr. W. W. Campbell, Dr. R. F. Johnson, A. A. Thome, esq., F. R.; J. A. Bradford, esq.; C. A. Campbell, esq.; S. A. Rob ertson, esq.; H. D. Durant, esq.; G. H. A. Bunyan, esq.; D. A. Boilers, esq.; D. S. Boilers, esq.; W. W. Sullivan, esq.; John Carto, esq.; Prof. J. M. Cush, Messrs. E. H. Waddell, J. L. Griffith, Conrad Barrow, H. Aaron Britton, W. W. Duncan, A. S. Cam —„ iiridge, A. E. Small, W'. Hosannah, J. Jeffrey, A. V. Crane, R. Baird, M. Simpson, T. A. French, J. Reynolds, Donald Wilson, S. W. Ogle, jr., H. L. Palmer, P. A. Saunders, C. F. LaRose, Duncan L. Jordan, S. N. Collins, E. N. Beckles, with G. McL. Ogle, local rep resentative of the league. Rev. J. A. Gamer in introducing the chairman of the meeting said it gave him great pleasure to do so. There was a great difference between the condition of the Colored man in Amer ica and the Colored man in this colony. In America the Colored man was forced through circumstances to hold together, but in this country they were not segregated, hence they observed | their owrt color line, discrimnating among themselves. He regarded the | situation as one of wheels within | wheels, and he was sorry for it. What I was required here was a movement of : /the kind started that day, a system which would make for cohesion among the members of the race for their com mon good. He therefore took pleasure in introducing Mr. A. McLean Ogle as the chairman of the meeting. Mr. Ogle, in a few remarks, told the meeting the object for which they had been summoned, which briefly was to cement the relationship between the Colored people of the world. The movement, which originated in Amer ica, was represented in England, Africa and elsewhere, and was now being set on foot in this colony. He asked Mr. G. McLean Ogle to inform the meeting how he came to be se lected to initiate the movement. Mr. Ogle said that many years ago, when he was a small boy, he read of the great Booker Washington, and from that time on he had been inter ested in the Negroes of America. A w. few years ago he started subscribing \ to American Colored papers and lat terly to contribute articles and to in troduce the literature locally. He then got into communication with some American gentlemen, some of whom complimented him first on the interest shown by him in the affairs of his peo ple, and others on his push. When the movement was launched in America he was communicated with and au thorized to initiate a similar one here. He had, therefore, convened the pres ent meeting, and it gave him great pleasure in calling upon the chairman to present his address. lilt* uuuruMi wan iuvimuwi| htcivpu, Mr. Ogle being the recipient of a round of applause by the meeting. He explained that he had made many ex tracts from the first publication of the league, namely, “The Children of the „ ^Sun,” a booklet costing only 25 cents, which he would advise every Colored man to purchase. He then asked Mr. G. Ogle to read the plan of the league to the meeting, which was done. The chairman then invited the audience to discuss the subject matter of the meet ing. Mr. Fnjnch said that he expected something practical when he read the circular. What he would like to see is an insurance company started locally, whereby policies of, say, $200 to $.‘300 would be offered, enabling poor people to take up same at about the same rates they now pay to the burial socie ties. The chairman replied to the ef fect that we must creep before we walk, and that provision is made for /the financial side of the question. Prof. J. M. Cush, late of America, rtas then invited to address the meet ing. He said that agriculture was the chief requisite in this colony and un less the people turned their whole at tention to it they would be making no progress and would not be able to sup port their business enterprises. He said that he was just back from Amer ica, where he had gone through agri cultural colleges and graduated. Over (Continued on Page Two.) SCOTT ANSWERS DUBOIS Makes Red Hot Reply to Editor of “The Crisis”—Challenges Ihihois to Print “Bill of Particulars.” WASHINGTON, D. C.—In the May issue of the Crisis magazine, Dr. W. E. B. Dubois, editor, attempts to "quiz” Dr. Emmett J. Scott, special asistant to the secretary of war, re garding certain conditions said to ex ist among Negro troops in France and. in the course of public addresses, recently delivered by Dr. DuBois in Washington, D. C., and Richmond, Va., made veiled insinuations concerning the way and manner in which he claims Dr. Scott has been looking after the welfare of Negro soldiers overseas. When the matter was mentioned to Dr. Scott, he said: Yes, I have read Dr. DuBois’ ques tions, as propounded and sent around to the Colored newspapers through his advance sheets. Apparently he seeks to discredit 'one who, according to his ow-n testi money, has been laboring in the war department “under very dif ficult circumstances” and who has never failed during the war to take a firm stand for the rights of Negro soldiers at home and overseas. In the first place, I do not recognize the usurped right of Dr. DuBois to “call me to account,” or as the man to whom I must give an account of my stewardship. I am willing to leave to that loyal, unbiased, and sane jury of twelve million Colored Americans, whose interests I have endeavored to represent in the war department, the verdict as to whether or not I have done my full duty. I am now pre paring an account of my stewardship which will be presented to that jury at the right time and in the proper way. In the representative capacity I have been serving during the war I necessarily welcomed the “loyal and unselfish co-operation” of all Colored Americans, whether of the radical or conservative type, but again quoting the words of Dr. DuBois, my asso ciation with him during the war has been “At the cost of suspicion and criticism,” for I have been‘repeatedly warned that he is neither unselfish nor sincere.” , It is rather amusing, however, to read on pages 7 and 8 of the same issue of the Crisis, wherein Dr. Du Bois assumes the self-appointed task of insinuating my alleged neglect or failure to do certain things or "every thing,” in the article headed “My Mis sion” he says: "I went to Paris. . . . What did I do when I got there? First, there were certain things that I did not do. . . . But it did not follow that because I could not do everything I could do nothing.” How Complaints Were Handled. Now, it was precisely the same when I came to Washington and be gan to labor “under very difficult cir cumstances” (as Dr. DuBois states) in the war department. “There were certain things that I did not do” and I soon found that “I could not do ev erything," but there were a number of important things I could and did do for the benefit of Negro soldiers in ramps at home as well as overseas. Of course, no sane person would ask or expect a man holding a confidential position in a great department of the government to reveal in public print official and confidential information, but as proof of the fact that com plaints concerning Negro soldiers overseas reported to me by Negro officers, Negro chaplains, and Negro and other American civilians, did re ceive prompt action at my hands, I submit at this tme just a few of the many letters whch I have received from Negro officers who actually served overseas and from other men who brought specific complaints and grievances of Negro soldiers overseas to my office for attention. These let ters express appreciation of the satis factory and, in most cases, the effec tive way in which I have taken up and nanmeci an suc/i complaints. Be it remembered that American white officers and soldiers had their hardships, troubles and grievances, as well as the Negro troops belonging to the American Expeditionary forces— some of which thev had to endure and all of which it was not possible for even the war department in Washing ton altogether to remove or remedy —and yet I offer no apologies for these conditions or hardships! In order that the exact facts might lie secured regarding Colored soldiers overseas it will be recalled that it was upon the recommendation of the Negro Editors’ Conference, held in Washington, D. C., June, 1918, which (Continued on Page Two.) — ZION BAPTIST ( H1RCH AS IT WII L LOOK WHEN COMPETED. THE KEV. WILLIAM FREDERICK BOTTS, Pastor of Zion Baptist Church, Under Whose leadership the Sum of $10,700 Was Raised in Seven Weeks’ Drive. : ——__—___— — —- -- ' ■■ -■■■ ■ ■- —■ ZION BAPTIST CHURCH RAISES $10,700 Notable Achievement by Local Con gregation in Seven Weeks’ Cam paign—The Story of the Drive as Told by Mrs. J. W. Dallas. And they said we couldn’t do it! But did you hear about the greatest victory of the middle west? Seven weeks ago, after a confer ence between Dr. York of the state mission board and the executive board of Zion Baptist church, it was decided that the work on the main auditorium must be started June 1, 1919. In view of this fact the contractor announced that $10,000 would be necessary to put the material on the ground. A meet ing was then called of the members of the church, who, as the facts were laid before them, assured the pastor that they would support him to the end. As in every walk of life, the “doubt ing Thomas” appeared on the scene and said $10,000 is too much to be raised in seven weeks, but having implicit faith in the God we serve, who has promised never to leave us alone, Dr. Botts went and out among the ranks, smoothing out a rough place here, strengthening a weak one there, and lending inspiration all around, until all lines of separation and doubt were erased, and all were united in the new idea and accepted as their slogan, “On to Victory.” I think we are safe in saying that there are very few, if any at all, who ever witnessed such an effort mate rialize. It should be long remembered in the history of the Negroes of Oma ha that a Negro church with less than 1.000 members succeeded in rais ing that large amount in such a short time. Dr. Botts is a man of no small abil ity. Though educated along several other lines, he has given himself wholly to religious work; in this he is simple and unaffected, and those who heal' him cannot fail to know that his heart is intensely n the work. This fact was proved in the untir ing efforts that he put forth in this last great effort. Regardless of the doubts and fears that may have crept into the minds of some, all is now well and victory is ours. At the close of the services last Sunday night, the pastor was able to present to the audience a certified check and cash on the table for a grand total of $10, 716.14. We thunk you all kindly who helped us make it a success. Dr. J. L. Cohron of St. Louis, Mo., assisted the pastor throughout the -lay. AGITATION TO REMOVE .3ITT. BRUCE CONTINUES (By the Associated Negro Press.) Washington, I). C., May 23.—The fight for the removal of Itoscoe C. Bruce as assistant superintendent con tinues here with unabated fury. A petition of 10,000 people, many of them prominent in public life, has been presented to the school board, asking for the removal. Mass meetings have been held in several of the churches, all being at tended by great crowds and addressed by prominent men and women. The president of the school board has stated that he will recognize the peti tion, provided specific charges are pre ferred against Superintendent Bruce. OUTLASTS HIS MONEY Hundred and Eighteen-Year-Old Ne gro Taken to Infirmary. (By the Associated Negro Press.) Chicago, May 23.—Squire James, who claims to be 118 years old, was taken to the Oak Forest infirmary. “I was bom in Salem, N. C.,” he stated. “I was bom in slavery, was married in slavery and had my wife and chil dren taken from me. I thought I had enough money to last me, but never figured that I was going to live this long.’, ■ DUBOIS DRAMATIC CLUB SCORES A BIG HIT The great war drama, “Under Two Flags,” given by the DuBois Dramatic dub at Boyd’s theater Friday evening, May 9, for the benefit of St. John’s A. M. E. church, was a glowing suc :ess. It was said, by all patrons and pa tronesses, that this was the best the atrical effort ever put forward by Omaha local talent. Each character seemed so well adapted for his or her part. The leading roles, taken by Mrs. James Jewell and Mr. John Woods, were played with perfection and show ed a great deal of real dramatic ability. Lieutenant Reed, who is al ways good, carried like a professional the tragic note into the play. Mrs. John Smith as Cigarette was inimi table. Miss Ruth Washington as the Arabian maid was exceptionally good. Mrs. Jessie Peoples played the lady of rank with poise and distinction. Lieu tenant Turner, Messrs. George Parker I and Cecil Alexander played their parts j with rare interpretation. Mr. Jesse j Peoples’ voice and presence were both j good. Throughout the play the audience by their uproarious laughter showed their appreciation of the wit and humor brought into the play by the Irish characters played by Mrs. Jesse Moss and Mr. John Smith. Mr. Rus- | sell Reese as a Jewish money lender j was splendid. The audience showed at all times their keen enjoyment of the music specialties, furnished between the arts, by Mrs. James G. Jewell, Miss Pearl Ray, Mr. Roscoe Miller and the har monious Parker’s orchestra. A great deal of credit belongs to Mrs. John Smith, manager, and Mr. Andrew Reed, director, whose efforts made this overwhelming success pos sible. The report made of money on May 11 placed the amount cleared at $350. JAMES REESE EUROPE LAID TO REST New York Pays Last Respects to the Great Band Leader; Entire Country Mourns. (By the Associated Negro Press.) New York, May 23.—The funeral of James Reese Europe, leader of the fa mous “Hell Fighter*'’ band, who was slain in Boston by one of the drum mers of the band, Herbert Wright, was held in this city Tuesday. Thou sands of people of both races viewed the solemn procession as it made its way from the undertaking establish ment, 131st street, to St. Mark Meth odist Episcopal church, Fifty-third street, where the sermon was preach ed by Dr. W. H. Brooks, pastor of the church and chaplain of the Fifteenth New York infantry. After the services the body was taken to Arlington ceme tery in Washington, D. C., where it was buried in the last resting place of thousands of the patriotic dead. The funeral was attended by some of the most prominent people in the country, the members of his band be ing in the procession, but marching in silence. The members of the band, under di rection of Felix Weir, expect to make a national tour, the proceeds to go for the erection of a monument to the memory of the great musical director. It has been proposed that a national musical memorial day be held to honor the memory of James Reese Europe, the same to be the first Sunday in June. At that time a patriotic memo rial address would be delivered and music for the occasion would be en tirely the product of our composers. Stick to your job and save your money. DISTINGUISHED PRELATE TO VISIT OMAHA Bishop Camphor of Monrovia, Liberia, Will Preach at Grove Methodist Episcopal Church Sunday; Here in Interest of Centenary Drive. Omaha is to have the privilege of hearing one of the most distinguished prelates of the Methodist Episcopal church in the person of Bishop Cam phor, who will speak Sunday at the Grove Methodist Episcopal church, Twenty-second and Seward streets. Bishop Camphor is a graduate of New Orleans university, Louisiana; Gammon Theological seminary. Atlan ta. and Columbia university, New York City. He was for ten years president of the Central Alabama college, Birm ingham, Ala. While president of the latter institution he was elected bishop at the general conference of the Meth odist Episcopal church held at Sara toga Springs, N. Y., May, 1916. He spent more than a decade as mission ary in Africa, where he rendered most efficient service as preacher and edu caw r. Bishop Camphor is recognized as one of the outstanding leaders of the race and the church. His work, both at home and abroad, stands a living monument to the grandeur of his char acter and greatness of his learning. He comes in the interest of the great centenary movement of the Methodist church, and every man, woman and child should hear him. He will speak at 11 a. m., May 25, and at 3 p. m. the bishop will address a great mass meet ing at the Groce Methodist church. The public is invited to come pre pared to help in this final centenary drive. The ministers, their choirs and congregations are cordially invited to these services. The members are expected to sub scribe their full quota for five years, so that an “over the top” report may be rendered at the “world meeting” in Columbus, Ohio, June 20. AMERICAN LEGION FACES RACE QUESTION Massachusetts Spokesman Leads Fight For True Democracy. (By the Associated Negro Press.) Boston, May 23.—Massachusetts, as in former years, steps to the front with a spokesman who demanded at the formation of the American Legion that “all men be treated equal.” Colonel J. F. J. Herbert of Worces ter declared that one great fight that Massachusetts must lead is that in be half of justice to our people. The race question, though not brought to the floor of the convention, was discussed many hours in committees between Northern and Southern delegates. It was finally agreed to permit all sol diers to join on equal terms, each com munity deciding for itself whether they come in one body or separate. Colonel Herbert said: “The country will look to Massachusetts for leader ship in this great fight for justice, just as it did a half-century ago. In this caucus the north has not faced the issue squarely, but we must make up our minds to go to Minneapolis next November determined that the black man who was good enough to fight beside us is good enough to sit beside us.” MEMBERSHIP DRIVE ON National Association for the Advance ment of Colored People Has Set the 100,000 Mark. (By the Associated Negro Press.) New York, May 23.—The proposal of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to continue their membership drive until 100.000 members are secured is being encouraged by many thousands of peo ple. There is a strong determination and feeling that the time has arrived when there must be united action in behalf of the “true democracy” con tended for in the war. TWO WEEKS’ EPIDEMIC OF LYNCHING IN SOUTH (By the Associated Negro Press.) Chicago, May 23.—The people of the country are greatly stirred up because of the recent epidemic of lynching which has been going on almost daily in various sections of the South in the last two weeks. These occurrences following so ran idlv the session of the National Con ference on Lynching, held in New York, one lynching occurring while the conference was in session, has stirred the people to a point where summary 1 action is demanded.