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About The monitor. (Omaha, Neb.) 1915-1928 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 11, 1919)
The Monitor A National Weekly Newspaper Devoted to the Interests of Colored Americans. Published Every Thursday at Omaha, Nebraska by The Monitor Pub lishing Company. _ Entered as Second-Class Mail Matter July 2. 1915. at the Postoffice at Omaha. Neb., under the Act of March 3, 1879. THE REV. JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS. Editor and Publisher. Lucille Skaggs Edwards and Madree Penn, Associate Editors. Fred C. Williams, Business Manager. SUBSCRIPTION RATES, *2.00 A YEAR; *1.00 6 MONTHS; 60c 3 MONTHS Advertising Rates, R0 cents an Inch per Issue. Address, The Monitor, 304 Crounse Block, Omaha, Neb. Telephone Douglas 3224. r For mankind are one in spirit, and an instinct bears along, Round the earth’s electric circle the swift flush of right or wrong; Whether conscious or unconscious, yet humanity’s vast frame Through its ocean-sundered fibres feels the gush of joy or shame; In the gain or loss of one race all the rest have equal claim. —James Russell Lowell. _ / SHOTWELL DOES HIS DUTY C'lOUNTY ATTORNEY SHOT * WELL has done the right thing in filing complaints against Detec tives Brigham and Armstrong as well as Edgar Holman for the murder of Eugene Scott, the Plaza hotel bellboy. The jury recommended the holding of Holman; but in the opinion of many and The Monitor is one of the many, it should also have recom mended holding at least Brigham and Armstrong, who according to several witnesses pursued the fleeing fright ened boy, shooting and shouting, “Stop him, shoot him, kill him; kill the -!” Indeed, there are those who maintain that all the raiding squad, who had invaded the Plaza hotel without warrant, should be held accountable. Then others hold that Paul Sutton, whom Mrs. Anderson testified, shouted, “Stop him, shoot him, knock his head off,” when Scott, going about his duties was intercepted by Sutton on the third floor, is pri marily responsible and should be held. Something was said or done to Scott, who was a green boy from the south, on that third floor to frighten him and make him nan. Scott is dead and cannot speak. Sutton testified that he did not say or do anything to frighten the boy. Mrs. Anderson the only witness to the start of the af fair, says that Sutton did. So there you are. This fact, however, is indisputable, Brigham and Armstrong pursued Scott, and one of them at least fired two or three shots, and either one or both of them shouted, “Shoot, kill him;” and Holman, a special officer passing on Thirteenth street, hear ing the shots and shouts drew his gun and fii-ed. If, therefore, Holman is to be held, and that was the jury’s verdict, Brigham and Armstrong should also be held. And this Mr. Shotwell has done and public opinion sustains him in this action. Mr. Shotwell is to be commended for the thoroughness and lack of bias or prejudice with which he conducted the investigation at the inquest. Ev eryone was impressed with the fact that he was simply seeking to elicit the truth and fix responsibility. In our judgment Police Commis sioner Ringer should have suspended Armstrong and Brigham when they were ordered under arrest. But in stead of that they were released on bond and permitted to continue their work. It was stated that should they be bound over to tbe district court at the preliminary hearing they will be suspended. They have been bound over. Will they now be suspended? The Monitor, as our files will show, has not joined in the criticism made by the press of this city upon the police administration under Mr. Ring er and Chief Eberstein. But we de sire to go on record as being op posed to any effort that may be made by the police authorities to shield the men guilty of Scott’s mur der. His murderers and we use the term muiderers advisedly must be put on trial and punished for then crime. We are not asking for ven geance, but we do insist upon jus tice and will be satisfied with noth ing less. BIS THIS CROOKEDNESS? FEW weeks ago the crying need for some community work for the girls and young women of Omaha be came insistent. A representative con ference of women, including, as it should, every responsible group was held at the Kellom school and plans were agreed upon, to be put into oper ation as soon as the trained com munity worker who had been assigned arrived. A most competent commit tee of three women was appointed to act for the larger committee in looking up suitable quarters and such other preliminary work as might be necessary- An officious and “influ ential” individual intruded himself The committee was politely ignored. An assistant, a very excellent young woman, but however, unasked for by ; the young woman assigned here by the War Camp Community Service, was appointed. Search for suitable quarters was instituted. None sug j rested suited. Then a marvelously philanthropic offer was made. Rather than see the community house home less, the Afro-American Realty com 1 pany at Twenty-seventh and Lake ! streets, would vacate their office and rent it, including two office desks and ! some other office equipment for the nominal sum of $30 per month. A 1 most generous act! But wholly un I appreciated. First, the room was unsuited foi ' the community work which it was de sired to do. This was the chief ob jection to this place. Then it was found that this room rents from the firm of Hastings & Heyden for $16 per month. The philanthropy and disinterestedness of those putting across the deal is quite apparent to the most obtuse when it is discov ered this $16 a month room was be ing sublet to the War Camp Corn unity Service for $25 a month. This i is a sample of some of the shady schemes being put across by some public-spirited, race-loving individuals in Omaha. It may be shrewd busi ness, but it looks like crookedness. There comes a time when silence is ■ criminal and patience ceases to be a ; virtue. PLAYING WITH FIRE f I ’HE MON ITOR believes unques *- tionablv in the white American’s sense of fairplay. We do not think that at heart he is mean or believes in injustice. We are convinced that he hates from the bottom of his soul that species of depravity which manifests itself in wilful and deliberate lying to get somebody into trouble. It is dif ficult for him to get the viewpoint of the Colored American, and because he does not have this viewpoint, he fre quently misunderstands us and thinks that we make a vast deal of unneces sary fuss about alleged discrimina-1 tions, w'hich he honestly conceives to be more imaginary than real, because | never has “the iron entered into his soul.' The unfortunate- aspect of the situation is the difficulty of getting the unvarnished facts before the av erage white American. The dailies play up, big as a rule, reports of al leged crimes and miselemeanors, the seamy side of life, but minimize the higher achievements of the race and the constructive side of our racial life. And knowing this, and that we are misjudged by this one-sided pres entation of the case, some of us are i wont to become impatient and charge our fellows of the other racial group writh desiring to misjudge us. But| this is not true and we should take the view of the situation that much of the injustice and indifference to this injustice upon the part of people* of the ether race is due to their ig norance of the facts. Of course they will not feel flattered to be told that they are ignorant of the real facts con cerning us, but it is nevertheless the truth. We have published in these columns recently no less than three authentic accounts of accusations of heinous crimes made against Negroes, which were afterwards confessed to be wil ful and deliberate lies. Now, does anyone believe that the average Amer ican, white or black, approves of any thing of this character? Not only does their sense of justice and fair play oppose it, but they realize that such a practice is playing with fire, that must inevitably result in a wide sweeping conflagration. One of the great tasks before us is to get the facts before the American people. There should be a fund available in every city to buy space in the leading dailies to run as advertisements the truth about our race. There should be a fund available to pay for plac ing extra copies of our own reliable publications in the hands of at least the thoughtful sentiment molding white people of every community. For playing up alleged crimes as big fea tures, and the denial in an obscure, out of the way neWs item, as is shown in the articles republished elsewhere in this issue from the Washington Post, a paper largely responsible for the race riots in the national capital, is unjust and hazardous and playing with fire. SCHEMES AND SCHEMERS EVERY community of any size is afflicted with individuals who spend a vast deal of time in concoct ing and endeavoring to put across questionable schemes, with an eye single to the main chance. Professing to be interested in their race, Esau like they would sell it and its dearest interests for a mess of pottage. If these individuals would only be hon est, manly and straightforward they could be of great service to their community. But in using whatever ability they may' have as they do they are a menace and a hindrance. Unfortunately, Omaha is afflicted with some of this class of bipeds to whom crookedness seems native. They pose as reformers and I-am-holier than-thou paragons of righteousness while in reality they are lying knaves and hypocrites. They hide behind the petticoats of some well-meaning and unsuspecting woman or take ad vantage of the confidence and un suspecting nature of some friends to cany out their well laid schemes. Sooner or later their knavery and trickery will be exposed, for as Lin coln well said, “You may fool all of the people some of the time, you may fool some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.” THE MORALS SQUAD THE language used by Armstrong and Brigham while chasing Scott, charged with no crime, to his death, shows eminent qualifications for a morals squad. FITZGERALD RULES RIGHT JUDGE FITZGERALD, in view of the evidence submitted by the state at the preliminary hearing Wednesday, would have stultified him self if he had not held the two ac cused detectives to the district court. Their responsibility for the deplorable affair is beyond question and Judge Fitzgerald did his duty in so ruling. PERFECTLY PLAIN I3RESIDENT WILSON stated in his “keynote speech” that the peace treaty is perfectly plain to those who have read it and understand it. Grant ed. But who in heck has read it? Seen any such freak around your burg? PRESS CLIPPINGS Keep Cool! With the great racial excitement now existing all over the country, it is well for Colored people to keep cool. No good can come from incendiary talk. It is rank folly to talk about actual, physical fighting to win the contest for justice in the U. S. A. It would be futile as the Colored people have neither wealth nor guns and are outnumbered five to one. Never be the aggressor, but defend yourself if wantonly attacked. The Colored people must fight but it must be with the spirit, money and the ballot. Use every legitimate means to create a healthy public opin ion and vote for the individual or party guaranteeing protection of life and liberty.—The Appeal. NO OCCASION FOR UNEASINESS Clayton of Texas State Agricultural Department, Gives Assuring State ment to Perturbed People of State. (By Associated Negro Press. Austin, Tex., Sept. 3.—Speaking at the meeting of the State Farmers’ In stitute, J. E. Clayton, of Manor, Trav is county, who is a member of the field force of the Texas department of agriculture, gave assurance that there is no occasion for uneasiness among the white people of Texas of trouble by the Negro race. “There seems to be unrest over the state that the Colored people are go ing to give the white people trouble,” .said Clayton. “There is no foundation for this. I stand here and say for the 865,000 Negroes in Texas that they have no intention whatever of pulling away from the white people. They want your help and they want to help you.” Please remember that your subscrip, tion is due, and be kind enough to drop into the office and pay it prompt ly. :...—i | Flashes of Most Anything IN the medieval ages, when men were only partially civilized, to enter a church was to enter a sanctuary. A man’s enemies stopped at its sacred portals and no harm befell their vic tim as long as he remained within its hallowed walls. Not so in Crisp coun ty, Georgia, situated in the democracy of the United States. A mob of white lynchocrats chased a Negro accused of ! making an inflamatory statement into a church and shot him to death there, ! and then burned to the ground the temple that had been dedicated to God | and every other constructive place i I they could find belonging to Negroes.! Enlightened public opinion, put on the brakes, put on the brakes. Sliding down a precipice is jolly but danger ous and that smash up at the bottom I isn’t good to contemplate. - j “Tust for thirty pieces of silver he j i/left us. Just for a riband to stick in his coat.” So Browning speaksj of the lost leader, so must we speak of some of our modern Judases. Truly { the open enmity of our enemies is to be preferred to the trickery of our | so-called friends. DID you ever stop to think that after all the straight open path is the best road in which to walk? The winding way full of obstructions and pits and snares makes it harder to reach any kind of goal; one trips and slips and falls so often. WANTED, A SAMARITAN Prone in the road he lay. Wounded ami sore bestead: Priests, Levitcs past that way, And turned aside the head. They were not hardened men In human service slack: His need was great: but then His face, you see, was black. —New York Independent. DOCTOR PEEBLES TO WRITE FOR MONITOR rjAHE MONITOR, which is always 1 looking for attractive features foi its readers, announces with pleasure that Dr. William W. Peebles, who, i after having served several months • overseas, with the rank of captain, as j dental surgeon in charge of different units, has just recently reopened his thoroughly equipped office at Thir teenth and Farnam streets, will con duct a department on “Dental Hygiene and the Care of the Teeth” each week in The Monitor. This will be most useful and instructive. The dental surgeons who served with the Ninety-second division were especially recommended by Colonel Oliver, chief dental officer of the United States army in France, for un usual proficiency, and Captain Peebles was especially complimented for sev eral delicate and successful dental operations. The Monitor is gratified to be able to secure Dr. Peebles’ serv ices in conducting this department. Monitor office, Douglas 3224. i | The Beautiful Thing f * About the FORD CAR is its 100% simplicity of operation, 100% per Ij! •> cent economy, and 100% service. That’s why we’ve adopted the v 5” slogan 100% Ford Service. We strive to maintain the Ford standard | all the time, in all ways, in all departments. y j|* We sell Ford Motor Cars and Fordsom Farm Tractors. X | Sample-Hart Motor Co. | % Tyler 513. 18th and Burt Streets. .{. 5 *“ .XXX-XX-X'-W-X-X-XX-X-XX-X-W-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X' ? i I FALKENDER REAL ESTATE CO. f •' I We have houses in any location you want—north. From f 4 to 7 rooms, at reasonable prices. Glad to show at any ❖ time. ? ROOM 23 ARLINGTON I5IX)CK I Douglas 6420 Ij! Z t ! YOUNG WOMEN WANTED AS DEMONSTRATORS We have an attractive proposition to make to a few am : bitious women. A line of goods that sell themselves. Ex perience unnecessary. Four dollars a day and commission. Apply Dr. Halliday, Hotel Loyal, Sixteenth and Capitol Ave. i II r ....| I H Classified Directory of Omaha’s Colored professional and Business firms .BH|NMaiHaaMaaaaMaMBaaa)iMaMnMnnHnnia>tMMM>uuxM*>M*'1*'-*" " l“1"1"11"111"111"1" .._____ nwm m » mi«ji(ci»u»a»moioiuiBimmuHyiWf fflfflftViif iifiii 4? !f Tf nfftfrtfty'tf if MK'li V11 | SILAS JOHNSON a Licensed Em'nalmer and Funeral ;j Director « K 2518 Lake Street « The place known for its qual- & F ity service, and reasonable prices a ii We spare no pains for our g s; complete chapel service. Open « " dav and night. R SC Phone Webster 248. a » ■< g R. H. Robbins I | & Co. | | GROCERIES AND MEATS ;; * I An Up-to-Date Store. Is 1411 North 24th Street. ;; Prompt Delivery. W. 241. Do It j i Now j Mrs. J. H. Russell f PORO SYSTEM “ Hairdressing and Manicuring ” Distinctive Service '• Appointments Made by Phone x :: 2914 Erskine St. Web. 2311 || X x.x xx:x-x a $ Allen Jones, Res. Phone W. 204 » Andrew' T. Reed, Res. Phone ” Va Red 5210 > i 1 JONES & REED FUNERAL PARLOR t 2311 North 24th St. Web. 1100 f I a Lady Attendant g Repairing and Storing Orders Promptly Filled x NORTH SIDE | SECOND-HAND STORE ^ R. B. RHODES Dealer in jj x. New and Sxond-Hand Furniture x, and Stoves. | Household Goods Bought and te !. Sold. Rental and Real Estate, a 2522 Lake St. Webster 908 “ 8 I H maWOOiiXtMMOumKKKKMtXKmtm| & South & Thompson’s Cafe 3 x 2418 North 24th St. Webater 4588 x % SPECIAL SUNDAY DINNER a £ Stewed chicken with dump •{< lings .50c jj x Roast Prime Beef au jus 50c x -i; Roast Pork, Apyle Sauce 50c ” g lor. ’ » •j Karly June Peas « Mashed Potatoes Salad M. Coffee Dessert We Serve Mexican Chile jf 1 _ ' § KotwKoarjiwMMM^^ mass®® « « i EAT AT WEST CAFE x Good Cooking, Reasonable Prices 5< —*■ !1712 North 24th St. T. J. ASHLEY, Prop. I S. W. MILLS ; | FURNITURE CO. We sell new and second hand |< furniture, 1421 North 24th St. ^ Webster 148. 24th and Charles. jl IWWMKSCKi* x’XPWCXXKGX.'XIXMW B § DR. P. W. SAWYER © DENTIST Tel. Doug. 7150; Web. 3636 j 220 South 13th St. JllXxxx x.x.x’x xx x X x x xx x x x,x.. Open for Buelneea the BOOKER T. WASHINGTON HOTEL Nicely Furnished Steam Heated B Rooms, With or Without Board. B 523 North 15th St. Omaha, Nab. B Phona Tylar 897.