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About The monitor. (Omaha, Neb.) 1915-1928 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 6, 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 Postofflce 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. 60 cents an Inch per Issue. Address. The Monitor, 304 Crounse Block, Omaha, Nek. Telephone Douglas 3224. THE ROOSEVELT CREED I BELIEVE in honesty, sincerity and the square deal; in making up one’s mind what to do—and doing it. I believe in tearing God and taking one’s own part. I believe in hitting the line hard when you are right. 1 believe in speaking softly and carrying a big stick. 1 believe in hard work and honest sport. 1 believe in a sane mind in a sane body. I believe we have room tor but one soul loyalty, and that is loyalty to the American people. _/ OFFICERS—SOT STOOL PIGEONS AND SPIES THE Monitor believes that Omaha colored citizens should have a larger representation on the police force. We believe that well-qualified men—men of intelligence, good judg ment, tact, character and courage can be found to serve as policemen and detectives. The men so chosen should be sworn In with full police authority. This involves the impartial preserva tion of law and order; the protection of the lives and property of all citi zens; the apprehension and arrest of law breakers and criminals and the discharge of such other duties—and they are numerous—as may rightfully be demanded of a public peace officer. Policemen serve the public, not spe cial classes. Policemen, full-fledged or otherwise, for work among one class of a city’s populace are anom alies and absurdities. They are just as much out of place as a fire com pany would be were it placed in a certain locality and given orders that it must respond to fire alarms only when certain classes of houses in that given neighborhood are on fire. It seems, however, that acting upon the advice of some colored citizen, this is the policy that the commis sioner and chief of police are inaugu rating with reference to the employ ment of colored men. Twelve men, whose names have been kept secret, have been appointed as “special offi cers' 'for ten days to work exclusively among the colored people to round up loafers, the unemployed and undesir ables in order that the city may be rid of such characters. With any sincere effort to rid the community of undesirable and danger ous characters, either white or black. The Monitor is in most hearty accord. But that there is an unusual number of undesirable characters among the Negroes of Omaha, The Monitor will not for one moment admit. The effort to make It appear so is part of well conceived plans, national in scope, to stir up strife among American citi zens. The tacit admission, by a re quest from any source for the appoint ment of "special officers” for spying on them, that Negroes of this city have a large criminal element among us, is but to play into the hands of our enemies who are anxious to have this opinion prevail. We regret ex ceedingly that some are so short sighted that they cannot see this. We favor the appointment of colored police officers and detectives to dis charge the full duties of such officers. Omaha has no reason to apologize for the efficient services of such men as Officers Noah, George Thomas, Joseph Balleau and Harry Buford who, when assigned to detective duty, was ac counted one of the shrewdest on the force. These men have conceived it their duty to apprehend all law breakers, white or black. Their serv ices have been satisfactory and effi cient. Why not then appoint more men of this type as permanent police officers to be included among the ad ditional one hundred new officers which the city is having difficulty to secure? Clothe them with full author ity to rid the city of undesirables of all classes. There is a vast difference between efficient police officers and stool pigeons and spies. All citizens of Omaha want intelligent and effi cient police officers who will serve all classes. Stool pigeons and spies can not add to the efficiency of the police force. Officers, please, not stool pigeons and spies. “BROWN IS CONVICTED” T TNDER the above caption the fol a_J lowing item was published on an inside page of last Sunday’s World Herald: “A jury in Judge Day's criminal court yesterday afternoon returned a verdict of guilty against Orrie Brown. 1608 Cass street, who was on trial for a statutory offense against Ellen Sundell, 7 years old. 1710 Cali fornia street. The Jury came to an agreement after less than an boor's deliberation.’’ , We call attention to it for a distinct purpose and that is to note the con trast between the publicity given by the press to crimes committed by white men and those of black men. The crime of which Brown was found guilty is almost too heinous to be con ceived. He, a man of about forty years of age, attempted to criminally assault a little golden-haired child of sev.en years, a mere baby. Can one codceive of such degeneracy and besti ality! Think of it. This degenerate, however, fortunately belongs to the "superior race.” He has a white face. We do not, however, charge his whole race with bestiality, because this de generate happens to belong to it. Be ing white his crime was evidently considered less heinous than it would have been were his skin black. One is forced to this conclusion from the manner in which the crime at the time of its commission was treated by the daily press. No box car type head lines called attention to the fact trat a white brute had attempted to rape a baby, nor was there the slightest suggestion that the degenerate should be lynched. Nothing of the kind. I was published in a very modest way; so modest indeed that it escaped the attention of many readers who read only glaring headlines. But had this degenerate been black, his crime would have been proclaimed in head lines readable across the street, and criminal indictment in the unthinking popular mind lodged against the en tire Negro race. The verdict of the jury would not have been published as a modeBt item, but would have been l given entirely unnecessary protni ! nence and publicity. We wonder when this policy, so i manifestly unfair and unjust, shall 1 cease. A WORD ABOUT THE MONITOR, rpn E Monitor is serving your in X terests to the best of its ability. The cost of publication is high. Sub scriptions should be promptly paid in order that we may meet our obliga tions and not only maintain our pres ent high standard, but improve it. If you are with us, send in your money promptly and interest your friends to subscribe. RENEW TOUR MEMBERSHIP. RENEW your membership in the Red Cross. This great society serves humanity generously and im partially. Wrerever there is need the Red Cross extends a helping hand. One dollar and a heart are all that you need to become a member of this great humanitarian order. Our people have warm hearts and all should have willing dollars for this good work. Renew your membership in the Red Cross. ARKANSAS JUSTICE, READERS of The Monitor will re call our special article In last | week’s issue on the alleged “Negro | uprising" in Arkansas. The facts as i therein given are authentic. They ex plain the situation. It conies there fore, as no surprise that advices from Helena state that six Negroes we'e convicted of first degree murder by a jury after eight minutes deliberation. A litle over a minute for each convic tion. But even that was mighty slov for "justice"—God save the mark—-In Arkansas where Negroes are con cerned. May God pity America if things of this kind are to be per mitted to continue with impunity any where in this fair land. WELCOME HOME, MAYOR SMITH. THE Monitor voices the sentiments not only of its readers and con stituents in this community but throughout the country when It bids cordial welcome home to Mayor Smith, who because of bis fearless and just stand for law and order and the endangering of his life for their maintenance has enshrined himself in the hearts of millions. None regard him with greater affection and esteem than the people for whom we speak LEADING EDITORIALS OF THE DAY Bosh, Buncombe, ‘Bui’ ‘Bull-Shevlki’ What is the idea of all this talk i about the colored man or race desir ing “social equality?” What is meant by the employment of that term? Is not the term “social equality” con fused by these disciples of alaim and protectors of the public weal and wel fare (most noble scions of democ racy!) with the term of "social inter mingling?” This stereotyped, antedeluvian and antiquated doctrine has outlived its usefulness and is more the cantanker ous cavortings of “brain-cracked” spotlight seekers and sensational yel low journalists than it is the earnest and honest convictions and belief of sane and sensible men. There is a vast difference between “social equality” and “social inter mingling.” They are as far apart as the north pole is from the south pole. There can be no justice where equal ity does not exist. What the colored man demands is "social equity,” "social sameness.” He wants the same rights of society that other men and races enjoy; but he does not ask the association and com panionship of men or women of other races. Social companionship can not be regulated by laws. If Bill Smith wants to associate with John Jones all the laws in the genius of man kind can not keep them apart. On the other hand if they do not desire each other’s companionship and comraderie, no law can be enacted that will have sufficient force to com pel these two men to be pals or so cial associates. Take both the written and unwrit ten law of the south relative to "so cial intermingling,” what these , apostles of alarm and exponents of force and mob-violence are wont to call “social equality,” and see how recklessly it has been violated and trampled upon by men from the othei side of the house. Fully 6,000,000 mulattoes out of 14,000,000 colored Americans speak louder than words that somebody is more anxious for "social intermingling” than the colored race. Throughout the south it is very dif ficult (and this happens quite fre quently) to tell which race has a rightful claim upon some of these . quadioons and octroons and in no case is the father of African descent. As soon as the colored man ask for a square and fair deal (something the south is unwilling to accord him, and will not do until it has to) these j monumental hypocrites and camou- | flagers bring out their age-worn bug bear and bugaboo of “social equality.’ , It has been worked so much that it now has the “wopsy.” The south professes and proclaims to the world that it deplores lynch law and is putting forth an earnest effort to blot it out and as soon .is colored people organize to aid in com batting it, not with force, but through the medium of combined co-operation the cry is sent broadcast that the “niggers are organizing for social equality.” And one disgusting part of the entire spectacle is that oft times, nowadays, this old tale is start- j ed by ex-service men, who are rank ling with a spirit of revenge at theii colored brothers because the French people treated the latter as men, de spite the subtle propaganda of the former. The Informer can now see how any I man, who lays any claim to common ! sense, in the face of the known condi J tions, can assert in public print or ut terance that the black man is trying or the least anxious to cross the line. But he is anxious that men of othei races stay on their side of the fence I and leave his wife, sisters and daugh ters alone and that when he protects the sanctity of his home at the hazard of his life, a lyncher’s rope will not be his reward. All this journalistic diarrhoea about “radical Negro editors” and “race up lifters inciting Negroes to revolt against the white man,” etc., is un adulterated and unsophisticated bosh, buncombe, “bull” and “bull-sheviki.” Democracy is what the black man was told by his white brother he was fighting for in France and if that be true (which appears to the contrary) then the colored race in America is perfectly within its bounds and exercising good sense when it de mands that this country become at home the exemplar of those altruistic ideals and principles she has so loudly and blatantly proclaimed to the hab itable globe. When the colored man purchases a railroad ticket, paying the same first class fare as passengers of other races and then is shunted off in a little 2x4 jim-crow car, dirty, dingy and in commodious, and feebly protests against such poor and un-American service, again the cry of “social equal ity” is raised. Yet in street cars and interurban cars both races are given seats in the same car and we never hear of any untoward event transpir : ing because of such arrangement. Consistency, thou are a jewel, a rare and almost extinct specimen of democ racy and Americanism! The white southern newspapers base their viewpoints of the “social equality” scare-crow in the same man ner as they do about race publica tions, which, by the way, seem to be causing the southern editors many sleepless nights and much concern. After failing to put a race news paper out of business in its town, a southern city, this white newspaper recently charged that colored editors “seem to be well supplied with funds for putting forth lurid publicity.” This paper had never stopped to con sider that this is a new age; that a new colored man is on the scene; that he is supporting his own newspapers and making of them towers of strength to fight the battles for hu man rights. The colored man is be coming racially self-conscious, thanks to the world war and colored news papers and when men begin to think, you cannot enslave them.—The Hous ton (Tex.) Informer. Negro ExSoldier and American Legion Every ex-soldier should join the American Legion. This organization will rule this country the next fifty years. The south has already seen this and is preparing to spread color hatred by excluding Negro ex-soldiers who reside in southern states from any voice in the affairs of the associa tion. This may be partly remedied by all northern Negro ex-soldiers joining the posts in their respective states. Don’t form any separate posts, because it accentuates the col or line, deprives you of any voice in the general policy and it plays into the hands of the Negro-haters. That’s what they want you to do, because they know the Negro separate organ ization can have no influence outside of the Negro race. It is not what they want that counts, it is what you want that is the thing. Too long Ne groes have stayed out of the affairs of the people, on the ground that “white folks don’t want us in there.” —Seattle Searchlight. INTERESTING LETTERS FROM OlIR READERS Commends Monitor’s Position La Grange, Tex., Oct. 23, 1919. The Monitor, Omaha, Neb. Editor: I want to commend you for the fearless fight you have put up for the race in these trying times. I am with you in the question of NO FURTHER SEGREGATION and make your editorials loud on that par ticular point every week. KEEP IT OUT OF OMAHA. The idea is to get colored people to acknowledge their inferiority and then they will put them where they want them. I al-, ways tell them I am an American citizen entitled to all the privileges that are vouchsafed to anybody else. Yours truly, L. D. COOK. Should Be in Every Home St. Louis, Mo„ Oct. 29, 1919. Sir: Please find enclosed P. O. money order for $2, the amount of my subscription for The Monitor end ing 7th inst. I may state the service has been perfectly satisfactory. The Monitor should find a place in every colored home. You will kindly ac knowledge receipt of same and con tinue sending me The Monitor. Sin cerely yours, WM. BF.ATON, M. D. STOP AND THINK Omaha, Neb., Nov. 1, 1919. Editor Monitor: Having resided in Omaha from my boyhood, I believe I am in good posi tion to both write or speak upon the moral status of the colored people of Omaha. In this connection let me say that I have had during my residence here more social, business and profession al relationship with the colored peo ple of Omaha than any other white man in this city during that time, embracing a period of 39 years that I have lived here.. And will say that without fear of successful contradic tion that in proportion to the popula tion of this city and their race, they have been more law-abiding than any other race or nationality in this city or county. Yet, if perchance through the failty and weaknesses of the hu man race, to which the human family are heir, is there any cogent reason why the majority of their race should sufer and bo held responsible for the acts of a few of their race any more than it would against the race or na tionality of any other race residing in this community? The law-abiding, tax-paying, church going, liberty loving, patriotic colored people of Omaha constitutes 98 per cent of the colored people of this city. And when the passions and prejudices of the day shall have passed away and the enlightened judgment of the people of this community shall have been rendered, it will have been shown that the colored people of Oma ha are more law-abiding, in propor tion to the population, than any other race or nationality in this city. All they want is a fair show and equal justice, as guaranteed them under the constitution and laws of this state. ED F. MORE ARTY, Attorney, 640 Bee Bldg. -—— - i Dental Hygiene and Care of the Teeth * By Dr. W. W. Peebles By Dr. Peebles. TRENCH MOCTII. (By Dr. W. W. Peebles.) Attention of the writer has recently been called to the prevalence of a dental lesion, termed in the words of the layman. Trench Mouth. While by no means a new malady, yet this dis ease was by no means commonly found prior to the great war. This condition was very often found in the mouths of soldiers in France, and the theory is advanced that its re currence now in America is possibly the result of having been brought home by the returning soldiers. No attempt will be made to enter into a technical discussion of this condition as no benefits will be de rived therefrom, but it may be of pass ing interest to so describe it that one may be able to realize somewhat the condition, when so unfortunate as to become a victim. Many theories have been advanced as to its origin, but none have been of such a definite nature that positive ness is assured. One theory often ad vanced In France, and which gained great weight was that it was caused from the dusty roads, over which the soldiers so often traveled. The ex creations from horses and cattle, dry ing up and mingling with the limy dirt, converted into dust, and easily M taken into the mouth, hastily fur nished the germ which caused the trouble. However that may he. ^ nevertheless the germ was found and much trouble ensued. As the writer has seen numbers of cases among sol diers where there was very little dust, and in places where there was rain, rain, rain all the time, he places very t little credence in this theory. The disease first manifests itself in pain and swelling around the lower front teeth, never starting in the back or upper teeth. Soon a whitish coat ing or ulcerated surface is seen, and the back teeth soon become like the front, sore, and the gums appear much inflamed. The condition soon spreads to the upper teeth and then the tonsils may become involved and large painful ulcers appear. No amount of month washes or proph>rlaxis will help the condition. It would be well for one to consult their dentist as soon as the first sore ness manifests Itself around the lower front teeth, as much difficulty Is ex perienced in the treatment of the con dition in its later stages. Oftentimes one may associate this with pyorr berd, but the conditions and symp toms are so easily differentiated that no discerning dentist will make the error, as this condition may reach alarming proportions. Here in Amer ica it is well that we should be on the alert. If the dentist Is consulted in time much pain and time will be saved the patient, for I can assure you it is surely a disease that one will not care to have a second time. r WE SAVE' YOU 2596 1 •j* Every’ article in the store is of first class quality’ that you can de- -j* »* pend upon. f A Men’s Heav’y Union Suits *1.98 A Y Boys’ Heavy Union Saits $1.25 ■,* X Misses’ Union Suits 69c X y Men’s Mackenaws . $9.95 A X Flannel Shirts $2.98 and $1.98 X j •j. Suits and Overcoats, Up from. $25.00 ,j. j 11. Helphand Clothing Co. f n 314 North 16th Street. X '.’‘vvvvvX'Vvvvvvvvvvvv'X'V’X-X’vvvv'X'Vvvvvv'X'vvv’yvv'/vv'/v ! The W. H. & R. Investment Co. 1 a y Successor to the Douglas Washington Investment Co. 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