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About The monitor. (Omaha, Neb.) 1915-1928 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 17, 1923)
Ft ' ‘ . ( g • • , ’ -1 y* * . ft v f 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, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 1923 Whole Number 423 Vol. IX—No. 7 O„ * _ The Old Folks Home Needs Your Help. Give It; You May Need Its Help Some of These Days URGE AUDIENCE WARMLY WELCOMES PROMINENT WOMAN President National Training School lor Women Makes Favorable Impression Upon Omahans. DELIVERS NOTABLE ADDRESS Mi«s Nannie H. Burroughs Gives Fx rellent Advice and Maps Out High Ideal for Race. “Stop apologizing for not being white and raise your own race; quail fy by training head, hand, heart and i » feet to render efficient service in the world's work; develop high Christian character; our well-doing will beat fanatical American prejudice to a frazzle" were some of the rich nug gets of advice given last Monday night l by Mies Nannie H. Burroughs, presl \ dent of the National Training School f for Women and Girls at Washington, l». C., In an eloquent address at Zion Baptist church before a large audience of our own people with a small sprink ling of whiles. Miss Burroughs is a speaker of unusual ability and her ad dn ssPwas one of the best ever deliver ed in this city. Miss Burroughs was Introduced by the Rev. W. F. Botts, pastor of Zion Baptist, who paid her a well-deserved x and highly eulogistic tribute, which (he modest speaker wittily deprecated. She said In part; "The eulogistic Introduction to which I have been subjected is cruelty to animals. 1 am not such a being as he described. In fact there is no such animal. 1 am a very ordinary in dividual, like the great mass of people, simply trying to do my bit. If one has any disiiosillon to think himself a wonderful creature, let him ascend to the top of the great Washington monument and look down upon the people below and their dimunltiveness will humble him. Consider the height from which God beholds man and he will realize his littleness. We are all little folk, ordinary people, called each in his own peculiar sphere to do our best at the task assigned us. When we hall have done that we will find that we have not turned the world up side down. ■ "Now my task has been that of try ing to make Negroes do what they didn't want to do, what they said they couldn’t do, what they said they wouldn’t do. Some job. For thirteen years I have been engaged in the work of building a training school for wom en and girls. There Is such a tendency upon the part of our speakers to give theories, notions and dreams, that I believe that it is essential to report progress. 1 therefore report that we have a building valued at $200,000. It is Necessary to enlarge our institution. I am engaged in the taBk of raising $200,000 for the new building. We be lieve that you should have the privi lege of contributing to this work, not only for the good you will do but the enjoyment yon will get out of It. The time for sel^-help is here. It is good to have things done for you when you are unable to do them for yourself; but it is a finer thing to do things for oneself. The time has come when we should help ourselves. And while I do not Intend to talk shop, if I can get you to see the big Idea and the ideal which lie back of the material build ing there will be no trouble about in dependence and self-help. It will be morally and spiritually helpful for us. Tbe fundamental thing back of the material building and the great mate rial prosperity of which our nation boasts is not the material aa so many suiierfically believe but the moral and spiritual. The development of char acter. In a civilization like this the real standing, status, rating of a race is determined not by what it has but by what It is. And the character of a people depends upon the standard of its womanhood. And so our task is to develop the highest type of woman hood, If we are to take our rightful place in civilization. The moral and, spiritual forces within the race must be developed. Not until we realize what it takes to win will we make much real progress. We must Real ize, Organize, Capitalize our forces. By so doing we will help America ful fill her mission; for the real things at which a democracy aim* is the dev elopment of chsrsctsr, the fine quali ties which make for manhood. Its aim and ideal is the bringing out of the moral and spiritual forces which will enable black and Wfcite to work together and live together as children of a common Father. America is not for white men or for black men, but for men of high character, without racial distinction. ‘‘Our race has made wonderful ma terial advancement which delights our friends and baffles our enemies. Hut be not deluded by material progress, if it has not helped forward moral and spiritual progress. If it has not raised our ideals and standards. "God has given America a chance to see if she is worthy of her trustee ship. If she proves unworthy her place will be like unto that of Sodom and Gomorrah. "A democracy ^ucb as tills gives op portunity to men of finding themselves and projecting themselves by efficient service. This opportunity is open to the Negro. He must prepare hi/nself for the opportunities that are coming to him. Efficient service, sacrifice, /i-doing and well-being will bring sir reward. Well-being will beat lanatlcal American prejudice to a fraz zle.” Miss Burroughs urged her audience to educate their children, to remove excuses for segregation and other un democratic discrimination, by being neat and cleanly in person, genteel in speech and conduct and in keeping one’s home and premises attractive. She cited the fhct of migration as giv ing a golden opportunity to the race in the North for helpful service. She emphasized the fact that while there ! are at least 12,000,000 of us In the United States, we are only 4,000,000 strong and 8,000,000 WEAK. One-third of our number measure up to AJner ilcan standards in intelligence and liv ing conditions, two-thirds of our num ber are far below that standard and it is the duty of the 4,000,000 to raise the 8,000,000 to a higher standard. *• 11 is a big Job. But It is n God appointed one. and in doing it we will raise the standard of American civili zation and help brin, to pass the pur IHise for which God called into being this nation, not for white men or for black men, but for all men who will measure up to the moral and spiritual standards which make for righteous ness.” Preceding MiBs Burroughs’ address several selections were sung by a quintette from the school, composed of the Misses Ruth Triplett, District of Columbia; Olivia Williams, Texas; Geraldine Watson, Indiana; Margaret Ellis, New York, and Virginia Wood, Kentucky, accompanied by Miss Oren tes Wood of Kentucky. Several of the selections were composed by Miss Bur roughs. Miss Irene Cochran, a local favorite, sang, "We’ve Fougtit Every Race’s Battles But Our Own”, com posed by Miss Burroughs. The mu sical numbers were thoroughly enjoy ed eliciting repeated encores. Mrs. M. H. Wilkinson, preSident of the New Era Baptist Association, un der whose auspices Miss Burroughs spoke, presided. SURPRISE THEIR SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT Zion Baptist chui£h was the scene of a very • pretty affair lant Friday night, August 10th, when the officers, teachers and members of the Sunday school gave a surprise in honor of the birthday of Mr. D. G. Shaw, who has been their efficient superinten dent for the past two years. Every thing, appropriate for the occaaion, was there—even the birthday cake with the necessary (?) number of can dles. Short addresses were given by Mr. Leroy Kelly, the assistant superin. tendent; Mr. H. L. Anderson, state Sunday school superintendent; Mrs. Odessa Harris, state B. Y. P. U. pres ident; Miss Florence Jones, secretary of the Sunday school; Mrs. Irene Jones Reed, Lieutenant Ray Williams and Mr. Earl Humiegan. At the close of the festivities Superintendent Shaw was presented with a beautiful signet ring, as a slight appreciation of his most valuable services. The affair was sponsored by Mr. I^eroy Kelly jvlth the able assistance of Mrs. C. J. Bolden and Mrs. 1* J. Robertson. ATTORNEY RETURNS FROM A MONTH’S VACATION Attorney Amos P. Scruggs has re turned from a month’s vacation, the first in fifteen years, spent in the western part of Nebraska, Iowa, Min nesota and Canada. He has returned to hi* legal duties much benefitted by his rest. I IK) YOU THINK THE OWNERSHIP of such a building as this for our Old Folks’ Home, the only charitable institution con ducted by our people in this city, would be a credit to our race? Do you want us to have it? Do you believe we ought to have it? Then you MUST help! This is the last week of the SPECIAL FINANCIAL DRIVE for the balance of the first payment of $3,000. By Monday night we must have $2,500.00 in hand or forfeit the $500.00 we have paid and lose this providential opportunity. To reach the goal $1,000.00 must be raised by Mon day night. I^t EVERYBODY give and this property will be ours. COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL DRIVE FOR OLD FOLKS’ HOME. V A. A. C. P. NOTES I jet everyone who is interested in our rare and its welfare go to Grove M. E. church on August 19th at A p. m. and hear the Rev. Edgar M. Brown speak. The Rev. Mr. Brown is a well known and forceful speaker, much in terested in the problems of our com munity. Miss Irene Cochran, well known to all music lovers, will give one of her popular selections. This will he the last meeting before the delegates go to the convention at Kansas City, Moi, August 29th to Sep tember 5th. Come out with a member and Join. Help make a good report for Omaha. It is to be hoped that everyone who can will run down to Kansas City and visit the convention. We need more support. The race needs the associa tion more and more. Remember the Dyer Anti-Lynching bill is to come up again. Peonage must be fought and many other problems need atten tion, not only national, but local. Come out! HENRY W. BLACK, President. ENTERTAINS AT LUNCHEON Mrs. William H. Jackson, 3532 North Twenty-ninth street, entertained at luncheon Wednesday afternoon com plimentary to her sister-inlaw and house guest, Mrs. Ophelia Johns of Chicago; Mrs. Elmira Owens of Du Quoln; “.Mother’’ Howard of Quincy and Miss Blanche Nance, recently re turned from Toronto. Other guests present were Mesdames Chas. T. Smith and John W. Oatus. LEAVE EOR ARIZONA Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Brown and daughter Sarah left Thursday after noon for Phoenix, Arizona, for an in definite stay, for the benefit of Mrs. Brown, who has been ill for several weeks. A change of climate was rec ommended by their physician. Natha lie, the elder dauguter will remain at home w-ith Mrs. Ferguson, Mrs. Brown's mother. RETURN FROM EASTERN TRIP A party composed of Mr. and Mrs. James Shelby of Lincoln, Mr. and Mrs. Shannon Webster and Mrs. Nat. Hun ter of Omaha returned Saturday from a motor trip east. They stopped at Des Moines, Chicago, Gary, Ind., Bat tle Creek and Detroit, Mich., and Amherst, Canada. Returning they came by way of Toledo, O., and South Bend, Ind. It was a most enjoyable trip. .. N—■■■ CORRECTION In the wedding announcement in last week’s issue of The Monitor, the name of Robert Johnson was errone ously given for Robert Jackson. WELFARE WORKER ACCEPTS POSITION IR PORTO RICO Government Recalls Mrs. Grace M. Iliittcn. Commissioner Colored Commercial dub, to Educa tional Eield. WILL SAIL SEPTEMBER FIRST Mrs. Grace M. Hutten, who tor the past three years has been the com petent and efficient commissioner of the Colored Commercial Club, has been appointed by the United States gov eminent as a teacher in Porto Rico, where she taught most successfully for three years, before resigning to be come commissioner of the local 01 ganizatioh. At that time she had been reappointed to a supervisory position at a substantial increase in salary, hut a desire to be near her parents, both of whom were in poor health at that time, her mother having since died, and the opportunity of being of service in Omaha, influenced her to decline the appointment. The govern ment has recalled her to the educa tional field at a substantial increase in salary and transportation to Porto Rico. She will sail about Septem ber 1. Mrs. Hutten’s departure will be a distinct loss to Omaha. As commis sioner of the Colored Commercial Club and in charge of the employment bu reau ehe has secured employment for hundreds of our people. She sponsor ed the organization of the Boy Scouts and other welfare activities for the boys and young men of our city and has conducted a branch public library which has been largely patronized by members of both races, and has been active in the Church of 8t. Philip the Deacon and other organisations. Mils. Hutten ts a woman of fine education, being very proficient in Spanish and English in which she spe cialized. Her recall to the educational field is a tribute to her ability. RACIAL DISCRIMINATION IN STATE OF MICHIGAN I Detroit Life lusuance Company Seeks to Hnr Colored People front the Profertion of Life Insurance. Atlanta, Georgia, August 17.—’‘No Negro Life insurance Risks Wanted”} is the decision of the Detroit Life In surance Company of Detroit, Mich., according to an article appearing in The Indicator, an insurance journal published in Detroit, issue of July 20; 1923. The statement of thip company, ac cording to the article, is as follows: “In order to discourage the writing of Negro risks, the Detroit Life Insur ance Company, through Its actuary, Earl C. W'ightman, has notified its agents that no commissions will be paid on such business.” According to the laws of the state of Michigan colored people must be treated the same as white people ini the matter of insurance, but to get < around this legal requirement the De troit Life Insurance Company will pay no commissions to its agents who present applications from colored peo ple. Officers of the Standard Ufe In surance Company, the first old-line legal reserve life insurance company among colored people and located here at Atlanta, in discussing the subterfuge resorted to by the Detroit Life Insurance Company in a state ment issued this week said that while the Colored people of the state of Michigan should use every meane pos sible to combat the setting up of such a vicious precedent, they (the oqlored people) are not without opportunities for securing life insurance protection as there are now a number of well established insurance companies oper ated by well known and capable mem bers of their own race. WELL-KNOWN WIDOWER WEDS Mr. John C. Parker, choir director of St. John’s A. M. E. church, a well anown widower, was married to Miss Emma Mitchell at Tyler, Tex., Thurs day morning, August 16. Miss Mitchell spent some time in Omaha, making her home here with Mr. and Mrs. Alphonso Wilson. It was during her residence here that Mr. Parker met, wooed and won his fair and accomplished bride. Mr. and Mrs. Parker will spend their honeymoon in Texas and will return to Omaha about September l. They will reside tem porarily at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James G. Jewell, 2911 Lake street. The Rev. and Mrs. D. M. McQueen entertained at a dinner and reception at their home, 2709 Charles street, Monday evening, August 6, In honor of National Grandmaster of Mosaic Templars of America, S. J. Elliott and Mrs. Elliott. About forty guests were present and enjoyed their gracious hospitality. , PILGRIM BAPTIST CHURCH WM. FRANKLIN, Pastor The services were well attended throughout the day and were of a highly spiritual character. Several members were added to the church. The pastor’s theme was “Christian Unity.” At 8 o’clock the Peerless Dramatic club of Pilgrim rendered an excellent program of vocal and in strumental selections, the principal participants being Mesdames Dacus, Dixon, Young, Ford, Smith, Wilkin son. Bentley and Welch. The B. Y. P. U. is showing much progress under the new method by which it is being conducted. The second annual Chau tauqua began Tuesday night, August 14, and will continue through the 25th. The Young Men’s Social Club made their quarterly report to the church last Sunday which was very encouraging. They reported $68.00 and a membership if thirty-five. Mrs. M. L. Dixon’s sons, Travis ana Fred Douglas; Mrs. A. M. Robersen’s son Rosco, and Mrs. M. H. Wilkinson’s nephew, Lynwood Bradley, were among the boy scouts who left Mon day for a ten days outing at Camp | Gifford.—B. S. Sutton, Reporter. MT. MORIAH BAPTIST CHURCH E. H. McDONALD, Pastor. Services Sunday were largely at tended. The pastor’s text in the morning was, “Rest For the Weary.” Evening text, “Peace Be Still.” Both services were instructive and uplift ing. Many visitors were present. Among them was Dr. Adams, who spoke on the Southern Race Imagra tion to Northern Fields; also Miss May Williams of Kansas City, who sang two gospel hymns. Mrs. Wade, who hag been so ill, was out to church and all were glad to see her. The Sunday School picnic was held at Eimwood Park Thursday. There will be a rummages sale, at the church Friday night given under the auspices of the B. Y. P. U. The choir will give a special song service next Sunday morning. The public is cordially invited to at tend the Sunday services. Sunday School at 9:30 a. m.; morning sermon 11 a. m.; B. Y. P. U. 6:30 p. m.; eve ning sermon 8 p. m.; Wednesday prayer service 8 p. m. Mrs. J. H. Kelley, Reporter. ALLEN CHAPEL A. M. E. CHURCH Twenty-fifth and R Sts. O. J, BURCKHARDT, Pastor Thp church is on the last lap of a successful conference year in which pastor and people have grown more closely together. Sunday morning the pastor preached on “Glorifying God by Good Works.”A large congrega tion was present at this service and throughout the day. At 7:30 praise service was conducted by the Rev. S. E. Grass and Mitchell Davis and at8 p. m., Rev. P. M. Harris preached a thoughtful sermon on Man’s Con science.” Next Sunday at 11 a. m., the pastor will preach on “Church Babies” and at 8 o’clock, the speaker will be the Rev. Mr. Beens. Mrs. Sarah Jones has returned from Ex celsion Springs and was in her place Sunday. Other sick members of the congregation who are improving are Mother Gray, Mrs. Moffatt, Miss Emma Barger «and Messrs. J. B. Showers and Preston Clay. CHCRCH OF T. PHILIP THE DE \CO> l^ast Sunday morning at the eleven o’clock Eucharist the church was comfortably filled by a large congre gation. The music which consisted of Woodward’s Communion Service in E. flat and well-known hymns was beau tifully rendered by the vested choir, lead by the organ, supplemented by two violins, played by Miss Ruth Seay and Evelyn Battles, and two saxa phones, played by Mesdames Adame and Gaines. Fr. Williams preached from the Gospel for the Day, on "The Self-Conceit of the Pharisee". ;He was assisted in the service by the Rev. Fr. Diggs, general missionary of the diocese, who read read the Epistle and administered the chalice. BETHEL CHOIR GIVES A SPECIAL PROGRAM Bethel A. M. E. choir is giving spe cial musical programs monthly on Sunday evenings. Each one is im proving. Last month the choir sang "The Holy City” Next Sunday night they will sing Negro Polk Songs. The numbers will be given in groups, each group being precedde by an explana tory talk. ROWDY TOURISTS VERT SPLEEN OR RACE SURGEON Americans Traveling in France Eject Black Veteran of World War from Night Seeing Bus En route to Battlefields. MOSSES GREAT INDIGNATION Freneli Press Scores Insolence of Amerieans Towards Frenchmen of Color—Deputies Will Act Paris, August 9.—It is learned that the Quai d’Orsay’s somewhat startling communique last week saying that if foreign tourists did not quit baiting colored Frenchmen, the government would inflict punishment, had its im mediate origin in an incident of sev eral days ago, during a visit of some Americans to the battlefields. A French surgeon, who is a Negro, occupied one of the seats in the big tourists’ automobile as it started on the trip to the region of Rheims. Prac tically all the other twenty occupants were from the United States. They objected to the presence of the colored surgeon among them, but nevertheless the car got under way. A few miles out of Paris the Americans renewed their protests, which led to a heated argument, in which the Americans said they wouldn’t ride with a "nigger”, and the Negro replied: “I fought four and a half years, dur-. ing most of which you Americans were not fighting. It seems to me I have as much right as you to go to see the battle fields.” The end of it was that the Ameri cans threw the man out of the car and left him by the roadside. The result was a protest to the foreign office. Deputies Candace and Bousse, both Negroes, have served notice on Pre mier Poincare that they will inter imlate the government on this issue When parliament reopens. The Temps devoted an editorial headed “Prejudice” to the actions of American tourists toward black Frenchmen. After expressing pleas ure that France sees so many Amer ican tourists, the Temps asks: "But why must a certain number of them forget that they are not in their own country and that all the usages of their country are not necessarily our usages? Their question of whites and blacks is one for our American friends, and the solution they have found shows that a country can at the same time be democratic and also yield to prejudices. “We have nothing to do with the attitude which prevails in America among her citizens. That is not our business. But this is France, and with us the color line is totally unknown. Our forefathers didn’t write the De claration Ies Droits de l’Homme (de claration of the rights of man) for us to forget its letter and spirit. “Besides, our lack of all discrimina tion against colored men is not in spired alone by doctrine. We are sin cere about it. The blacks, with whom we come in contact, come from the French colonies. Whatever their status—citizens, subject or proteges— they are our compatriots, and we treat them as such. How could it be otherwise when so many of them fought by our side to save France? “That small number of our Ameri can visitors who forget that the French republic makes no differentiation among the inhabitants of Its immense empire, whatever their race or color of their skin, will, we hope, regard our black citizens as good as the rest or us. They will not forget that their country also accepted the services of black men in time of need. “We promise in return that when we are in the United States we will obey the dry law which American legislation has imposed on every one. And we expect our visitors to obey our rule, which proceeds not from law, but from our character and customs, in virtue of which all Frenchmen form one grand family, from which none of them is disinherited.” Mrs. Joseph LaOour entertained a large children’s party on Satuday af ternoon at her home on Maple street for Virginia Jones and Gloria Griffin of Des Moines, la., who have been vis iting the grandmother of Virginia, Mrs. Jones, the past month. Thirty five children enjoyed a very happy af ternoon and ail had their picture taken.