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About The monitor. (Omaha, Neb.) 1915-1928 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 25, 1925)
> XhE MONITOR ‘’vt.;.."..: NEBRASKA’S WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF COLORED AMERICANS THE REV. JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS, Editor $2.M a Year—5c a Cop: £ OMAHA, NEBRASKA, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1925 Whole Number 532 Vol. XI—No. 12 COLORED LADY ON NATIONAL COMMITTEE Government Investigator Reports Charges Against Cohen False GEORGIA WOMAN SUCCEEDS JOHNSON IN PARTY COUNCILS 1 M rs. Georgia S. Williams Has Unique Distinction of Being First Woman of Color to Fill Such a Position SHE WILL SERVE UNTIL APRIL Johnson's peath Has Created Very Complicated Situation in Republicans Affairs in State Atlanta, Ga.—For the first time in his tory of American politics a race woman has gained the distinction of membership v on the Republican National Committee. The lady to he thus distinguished as the first race women to hold this position Is Mrs. Georgia S. Williams, of Savannah, Ga., who succeeds, temporarily to the seat made vacant by the death of Col. Henry Lincoln Johnson. Mrs. Williams will hold the post until the State Republic an Executive Committee names Johnson's successor, who will serve until the State Republican convention next April. It ia said that Johnson's death has cre ated a complicated situation in Republican affairs in Georgia. The party is suid to he badly split into factions whose alignments are constantly changing and a healed scramble is said to he in prospect for the seat made vacant by Johnson's death. ELEVEN NEGROES CHARGED WITH MURDER IN RACE RIOT IN DETROIT New York—Special dispatch to the Na tional Office of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, from its assistant secretary, Walter White, on the scene of the recent race riot in De troit, states that I)r. 0. H. Sweet and ten other Negroes, who defended Dr. Sweet’s home from the attack of a moh on Wed nesday, Sept. 9, have been held for trial charged with first degree murder. Mr. White's telegram to the national office of the N. A. A. C. P. reads: “All eleven defendants held without bail for trial on charge of first degree murder. Judge Eaust to hear any argument counsel may choose to present for bail in indivi dual cases Tuesday.” Defense of the imprisoned colored peo ple, Dr. Sweet and his wife and two broth ers, and seven others, has been taken over by the Detroit branch of the National As sociation for the Advancement of (ad ored People which raised $700 at a mass meeting, to which is added $400 raised by colored doctors and which will lie aug mented by additional sums as they are given. The National Office of the N. A. < A. C. P. will contribute financially to the defense. The N. A. A. C. P. assistant secretary has been in conference with Judge Ira W. Jayne, of the Wayne County Circuit Court, who is a member of the N. A. A. C. P. board of directors; with the N. A. A. C. P. branch in Detroit and with local white and colored lawyers as well as with the chairman of the Inter-racial committee, ap pointed by Mayor John Y. Smith of De troit In connection with the disorders, Mr. While reports the following facts: 1. Mayor Smith charges the disorders were due directly to instigation hy the Ku Klux Klan. | 2. The Detroit police, said to lie honey- ( combed with Klansmen, are charged with illegally shooting at least 55 citizens of Detroit between January 1 and September 1, 1925. 3. Dr. O. H. Sweet, 31 years old, grad uate of Wilberforce and Howard Univer sities, and well-known practising physi cian, bought a house last spring at 2905 Garland avenue, in a middle-class white neighborhood, with several colored resi dents in nearby streets. 4. Detroit’s colored population having increased in late years from 8,000 to 65, 000 colored people have been overflowing the original colored neighborhoods. On June 22, the house of a colored phy sician, Dr. A. 1- Turner, was invaded by a mob, which loaded his furniture on vans and returned it to his old home. 5. Dr. Sweet moved into his house on Tuesday, Sept. 8, having returned a tew weeks ago from Vienna where he has been studying. Dr. Sweet reports there was jeering because he had police protection that day. The following day, a crowd con gregated until there were by Dr. Sweet s estimate 1200 people. Stone throwing be gan at 7 p. m. Windows being broken and threats being shouted. The crowd in creased to 2,000. Mr. Davis went out with Dr. O. O. Sweet, dentist, and brother to Dr. 0. H. Sweet. They were stoned and the yard and porch were covered with bricks and stones. At 8:30 shots were fired, killing one mem* her of the mob and wounding another. Judge Jayne has been a constant ad viser of the N. A. A. C P. and has been extremely kind and helpful. Mayor Smith has appointed an Inter racial commission consisting of eight rep resentatives of both races, among whom are: W. Hayes McKinney, head of the Legal committee of the Detroit Branch of the N. A. A. C. P., and M. L. Walker, vice-president of the N. A. A. C. P. A full accounting by a certified public accountant, is to be had and published by the N. A. A. C. P., of all sums received and expended in the course of the defense of the colored people tried for defending themselves from the mob. WALTER COHEN IS EXONERATED BY GOVERNMENT Charges Against Comptroller of Cus toms, Port of New Orleans, Louisiana, Held to Be Conspiracy Washington, D. C.—-Tho case involving the alleged conspiracy to violate the pro hibition laws in which Whiter Cohen, comptroller of customs at New Orleans, was reported to have taken part, has been dropped insofar as Mr. Cohen is concerned | therein. The report covering the findings j of agents of the special agency service of customs, ordered to make the investiga tion has reported to the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury that Mr. Cohen’s connec tion with the alleged conspiracy is sup ported by circumstantial evidence only. This virtually clears him of the charges. LEDRUE GALLOWAY POPULAR ATHLETIC IN POOR HEALTH Advised by Physicians to Go to Colorado or Arizona to Check Incipient Stone of Tuberculosis. _ Ledrue C. Galloway, son of C. C. Gallo way, the popular athletic who made such j a brilliant record at Central high school, and on the eleven at Iowa .Slate University, is off the gridiron forever, according to f _ physicians, who have discovered that he is a victim of tuberculosis, which fortunate ly is only in the incipient stage and there fore can be checked. Hut I-edrue must go to Colorado or Arizona. He is in Omaha now but will leave soon for the west. Ilis retirement from the Iowa State squad has badly weakened that team and Coach Igwerson is trying hard to de velop some one to take his place. During his four years at Central Ledrue was the outstanding athletic star of the school and was idolized not only for his athletic prowess but equally for his gentle manliness. He was chosen each year by almost unanimous decision of coaches and critics for a place on the All State eleven. When he entered Iowa State be made a record his first year on the second eleven in playing against the regular varsity tram and in his sophomore year won a place on the Varsity eleven in which he won dis tinction by his brilliant playing. It is the ardent hope and earnest prayer of Galloway's friends and admirers every where that he may be speedily restored to vigorous health. FORMER OMAHAN REPORTED FATALLY ILL IN WASHINGTON Henry R. Roberts, a former well known railroad man of Omaha, is reported to he seriously ill in a hosnila! at Ontralia, Wash. His wife, who left Omaha a few months ago, is with him. No hopes are held out for Mr. Pollens' recovery and the end may he expected any time. An interesting musical program was pre sented by the Roosevelt Post of the Amer ican Legion last Sunday night at St. John’s A. M. E. church before a large congrega tion. A collection of $35 waa given to-l ward the fund which the post is raising for the entertainment of delegates and vis itors to the American Legion convention which meets here in October. DEBATE PROVES LIVELY AND INSTRUCTIVE The Omaha Branch of the N. A. A. C. P. met at St. Paul Presbyterian cburch last Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock. An interesting debate instructed and pleased those who were present. Dr. H. Wiggins, who was to have opened for the affirmative, was unavoidably detained by professional duties. Attorney W. B. Bryant substituted for H. J. Pinkett and opened for the af firmative and Henry W. Black supported the negative. As there was only one of the principals for the affirmative present, it was agreed between the two principals for the negative, the Rev. Russel Taylor and Mr. Black, that the latter alone should support the negative. The subject was, "Resolved, That the Professional Men of Omaha Are Living Up to Their Civic and Racial Responsibilities." Mr. Bryant argued that corrupt civic conditions were being opposed by the Christian lawyers, while ministers could be charged with in difference and that therefore certain pro fessional men were meeting their civic and racial responsibilities. Mr. Black pointed out specific cases to prove that few of the professional people take any part in civic and racial matters ami in conse quence our people are not receiving the representation due in public offices or making the progress in the development of business enterprises that is possible. Sev eral others took part in the discussion. The next meeting of the branch will lie the first Sunday in October at the North Side Branch of the Y. W. C. A. | R. NATHANIEL DETT. FAMOUS COMPOSER, TO GIVE RECITAL HERE Omahans are going to have the priv ilege soon of hearing the eminent composer and pianist, R. Nathaniel Dett, probably the first week in November. The recital is to be under the joint management of Mrs. John Albert Williams and Mrs. Florentine F. Pinkston. It is to be for the benefit of the Episcopul church of St. Philip the Deacon. Prominent musicians and mu sic lovers of the city to whom Mr. Dett’s compositions and reputation are well known have promised their hearty co-op eration in making his first appearance in Omaha a pronounced success. The definite date for the recital has not been fixed. National Advancement Association Sees Segregation as Biggest Issue for Negro New York City.—Segregation con stitutes one of the gravest dangers confronting the Negro in America to day, and the menace of it is spread ing throughout the North, according to a warning statement issued by .James Weldon Johnson, secretary of | the National Association for the Ad : vancement of Colored People, who calls upon all.colored citizens to aid the N. A. A. C. I’, in the fight it is making in behalf of the race. "Colored people of America are not awake to the danger which threatens them,” says Mr. Johnson’s statement. ‘‘So long as the mob is not at their ! door ordering them to move into an- I other neighborhood, threatening them j with death, if they do not give up I their home and sell their house, they | seem to think the danger a distant I one. But the menace of segregation, whether by ordinance, by agreement among white property owners, or by the anarchy of direct mob action, is one that increasingly looms over every Negro home in America. "Already the N. A. A. C. P. has segregation cases on its hands origin ating in all parts of the country. The fight against segregation by property owners’ agreement in the national cap ital will probably be heard before the United States Supreme Court this fall and similar cases in many states are awaiting its outcome. In Louisiana COLORED COMMERCIAL CLUB COMMISSIONER MAKES ANNUAL REPORT Report of Labor Bureau As commissioner of the Colored Com mercial Cluh of Omaha, and the active worker, it is with pleasure that I shall endeavor to touch the high spots of the activities of the cluh during 1924, to stale some of the problems faced, their solu tion, and to outline the situation we faced ! in 1925, already begun. Since its establishment in 1919, the Col j ored Commercial Club has conducted a constructive program of activities for the improvement of welfare work umong Ne groes, as well as foster a 1 tetter under standing between the colored and white business houses. These two activities have been crowned with much success. Such success has been obtained because of the willingness of the citizens to co-operate with the club in every way possible. The outstanding features of 1924 were the placements made through the Em ployment Department to the number of 1,835 since January, 1924; the organizing of a Junior Club consisting of a member ship of fifty-five young business men; the j co-operating with other organizations throughout the city in the development of welfare work among our people; the co operating with the American Legion, Theo dore Roosevelt Post 'No. 30, in putting on a street carnival; the -'ompiling and pub lishing each week, bits of Negro history; the laying of the foundation for the organ izing of an inter-racial commission in Om aha; the compiling of data on Negro bus iness and publishing a 1925 business guide, a copy of which has been placed in practically every colored home. This bus iness guide will be gotten out each year. Tbe Employment Department The problems facing the Employment Department have been many and varied. However, the work of this department has been very successful when you consider the general economic conditions of the city with reference to the employment of colored help. Out of a total number of 1,978 calls, placements were made to the extent of 1,835, while this number is con siderably lower than in 1923, namely, 2,109, it will be remembered that industrial con ditions were much better and more favor able to the employment of colored people, and too, the economic conditions were much better in 1923 than in 1924. As compared with 1923 however, the monthly Race Everywhere Urged to Rally to Support of Organization Which Is Sanely But UNCOMPRO MISINGLY Fighting Against Menace Looming Large Over Every Color ed A m e r i c an Home (MHtIMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIillllllllllllHIIIIMIINIIIIMIIII'-MIIMIMII'llllllllllllllllltIflHIIIIIIIItllllllllllllllllimillr the N. A. A. C. P. is fighting state and municipal segregation ordinances passed in defiance of the Supreme Courts’s decision in the Louisville case of 1917. In State' riant), N. Y., the N. A. A. C. P. is backing up Samuel A. Browne, the colored postman who j stood his ground against the mob. In ! Detroit the N. A. A. C. P. will throw! its entire power to the defense of Dr. j O. H. Sweet, his wife, two brothers! and six friends, who, surrounded by a howling mob, defended Dr. Sweet’s home and are now facing trial on ! charges of murder. “There is not a colored man, woman ' or child in America, no matter in what city or town, whose status will not he affected by these segregation struggles. The N. A. A. C. P. intends ! to fight them all, and whatever others >"hv arise, as vigorously and unrelent-; average for placements was 149 in 1924 und 180 in 1923, while the average monthly ] orders for help was 165 in 1924 and 187 in 1923. This indicates that the demand , for help was less in 1924 than in 1923. The placements based on orders in 1924 were 91% as compared with,95% in 1923. Because of the industrial conditions faced during the year, it was necessary to I employ an assistant on part time pay. which afforded the commissioner an op portunity to spend from three to four hours a day in field work, calling upon the var- | ious industries in quest of employment. This met with the approval of the em ployees and was a means of opening many new avenues of employment for colored people, and at the same time popularized the work of the labor bureau. It gave us an opportunity to acquaint the public more in detail with the necessity of a Commun ity Chest and organi zed charity. The club plans to appoint an Industrial Committee to function with the Labor Bu- , reau in solving the many problems that i are coming up each day with reference to employment, and to assist the Labor Bu reau in opening new avenues of employ ment for colored people. There is a great need for closer co-oper ation with the larger employers and the agencies of the Community Chest, as I have met many of them who were not ac quainted with the work of the various agencies. In view of this fact, 1 recom mend that an educational campaign be conducted by the Community Chest for the purpose of acquainting, not only the large employers, but the general public as well, with the work of each agency, A program of employment cannot be put over by the Executive Committee or the Industrial Committee, but should have the support of both white and colored in fluential citizens. The first six months of 1925 indicates a much higher placement total than in 1924. We are putting forth all efforts to secure jobs for the common laborers that they may not become public charges this winter, as is usually the case among un skilled workers during the winter months. From the information received, it is evi dent that working conditions in Omaha will be much better this winter than last. Nevertheless, we are not letting up with our efforts to place these people before the winter months set in. It is our earn est desire to sell the Community Chest idea to the general public, not only with words, but in rendering service to the community. | ingly as its means permit. But it can | only be effective if backed up by the | united and solid support of colored Americans. “The case before the Supreme Court ! in Washington alone will probably cost upwards of $3,000. These cases must be fought by the very best law yers and those lawyers must be paid as well as the heavy bills for legal printing and other charges. Any one case may cost from $1,000 to $3,000 and if there are appeals to higher courts, the cost rises proportionately. “It rests with the colored people of the United States whether they will provide the munitions of war. For it is a war and it wll be a fight to the finish if the N. A. A. C. P. is given the means necessary to properly con duct that fight. Do you want to be i a segregated race? Do you want the i Jim Crow system extended to the res 1 iriential streets of northern cities? | Or will you fight residential Jim Crow i through the courts and before the tribunal of public opinion ? The an swer rests with colored Americans. The N. A. A. C. P. stands ready to carry out their mandate. It is al ready embarked upon this immense struggle with shamefully inadequate funds. JAMES WELDON JOHNSON, I Sec’y, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.” Co-operative Efforts During the six months of 1925, the club has been the center of many activities of the various organizations. The following meeting schedule is evidence of this fact: Jan. 1, Pullman Porters Progressive As sociation Jan. 3, Young Men’s Debating Club of Junior Colored Commercial Club. Jan. 5, Executive Committee, Roosevelt Post No. 30, American Legion. Jan. 5, Executive Committee, Colored Commercial Club. Jan. 8, Executive Committee, N. A. A. C. P. Jan. 9, General Meeting. Roosevelt Post No. 30, American Legion. Jan. 14, Pullman Porters Progressive As sociation. Jan. 15, General Meeting Colored Com mercial Club. Jan. 21, A. K. A. Local Chapter. Jan. 22, Jr. Colored Commercial Club. Jan. 23, Pullman Porters Progressive Association. Jan. 23. Roosevelt Post No. 30, Amer ican Legion. Jan. 30, Jr. Colored Commercial Club. Feb. 2, Smoker, Colored Conf. Club. Feb. 3, Ways and Means Committee. Colored Commercial Club. Feb. 4, Nebraska Medical and Phar. Association. Feb. 5, Business and Professional Men’s Club. Feb. 6, Smoker, Roosevelt Post No. 30, American Legion. | Feb. 7, Jr. Colored Commercial Club. Feb. 7, National Postal Alliance. Feb. 8, Presbyterian Church, temporary location. Feb. 9, Smoker, Colored Commercial Club. Feb. 9, Pullman Porters Progressive As sociation. Feb. 9, Joint Committee from the fol lowing organizations: Colored Commercial Club, Business and Professional Men’s /League, N. A. A. C. P., Ministerial Alli ance, Roosevelt Post No. 30. Feb. 12, Business and Professional Men's League. , Feb. 14, Jr. Colored Commercial Club. Feb. 16, Missouri Pacific Shop Workers Club. Feb. 18, Pullman Porters Progressive Association. Feb. 19, Business and Professional Men’s League. Feb. 20, A. K. A. Local Chapter. (Continued on Page Two) ! RELIGIOUS WORK TRAINING FOR COLORED WOMEN Opens in Raleigh, North Carolina, October 1st, in Connection With St. Augustine’s School Raleigh, N. C.—A school for the train i ing of young colored women for religious and social work is to be opened here in ] October, in connection with St. Augus tine’s school. The institution will be un der the auspices of the Protestant Episgl copal church and is being established in response to a general demand for trained women for church and community service. The curriculum will cover two years and will include courses in Bible, with special emphasis on the life of Christ, religious education, case work, community organi zation, recreation, club work, hygiene, and sociology. Practical work will be given in the community and in St. Agnes hos pital and training school. The entrance re quirement is two years of junior college or its equivalent, but in case of vacancies high school graduates may be admitted as special students. The charges will he $175 a year, which covers board, tuition, books and uniform. The 6rst building, a three-story brick structure just completed at a cost of 130, 000, is known as the Bishop Tuttle Me morial House, and will acocmmodate part of the faculty and twenty students, besides providing a number of class rooms. Ap plication for admission or for further in formation should be made to the director. Miss Bertha Richards, care St. Augustine’s School, Raleigh, N. C. PRESBYTERIAN PASTOR TO BE INSTALLED The Rev. Charles H. Trusty, D. D.. pas tor of Hillside Presbyterian church, for merly St. Paul Presbyterian church, 30th and Ohio streets, will be formally installed as pastor at 8 o’clock Wednesday evening j September 30. The installation sermon will be preached by the Kev. Edwin Hart Jenks, D. D., pastor of the first Presby terian church; the charge to the pastor will be given by the Rev. Dr. J. W. Press ley, secretary of the Nebraska synod, and that to the congregation by the Rev. R. W Taylor, assistant secretary of the synod. The Rev. H. G. Heuser, moderator, will preside. At a. meeting of the presbytery held September 21, consent was given to change the name from St. Paul to Hillside. SEVERAL COLORED BOY SCOUTS MEMBERS COURT OF HONOR It is pleasing to notice in the September number of “Omaha Scout News”, the of ficial publication of the Omaha Council Boy Scouts of America, the names of sev eral colored boys, who have been admitted to the Court of Honor for merit in some of the scout activities. Unless one happens to know the respective troops and the boys one would not know their race or color as they are simply named, and that is the proper way to do it, as Boy Scouts. Four members of Troop 79, T. P. Ma hammitt, scout master, aiTd one member of Troop 23, Dr. Craig Morris, scout master, have won honors. They are Archie Brown, public health; Clifton Hill, athletics; Nelson Ricketts, athletics; Fred Smith, swimming, all of Troop 79, and William Reed, Troop 23, personal health. Among the officials receiving merit badges is Mar tin Thomas, assistant scout master, Troop 79, for swimming. METHODIST CONFERENCE MAKES APPOINTMENTS The Conference which met in Leaven worth, Kans., last week reappointed the Rev. Charles A. Williams to St. John’s A. M. E. church and the Rev. Ollie C. Burck hardt to Allen Chapel this city. The Rev. Fred Divers, former pastor of Bethel, has been appointed to Tousin, Arizona. The Rev. John Adams has been appointed pre siding elder for this district. STANDARD LIFE AGAIN DECOMES RACE INSTITUTION St. Louis Underwriters Corporation Redeems Old Insurance Company Which Had Passed Into Other Hands THE DEAL INVOLVES MILLIONS Live Group of Responsible St. Louis Business Men Will Take Over Company Octo ber 1st St. Louis, Mo.—Announcement has just been made froip the offices of the St. Louis Underwriters Corporation, 2803 Pine Boulevard, that contracts were signed this week whereby the Standard Life Insurance Co. of Atlanta, Ga., become the property of this group of St. Louis business men. thereby bringing back to the race this or ganization which was their pride. It is understood that the business is to be turned over to the corporation on or about October 1, 1925. The deal represents ap proximately twenty-four, million dollars worth of insurance in force. Together with the business come assets of close to one hundred thousand dollars. The trans fer is made, including good will, the en tire agency organization and clerical forces of the home office and branch offices in 13 states. The St. Louis Underwriter’s Corp. which is responsible for the redemption of the Standard Life, was founded by the presi dent, who was formerly an agent of the old Standard Life Insurance Company and who cherished th^ hope of being instru mental in bringing this gem back to the colored people. It will be remembered that at the time the Standard Life Insurance Co. passed into the hands of the Southern Life, a promise was made by Mr. Will G. Harris, president of the Southern Insurance Com pany, agreeing to sell the company back to any group of reputable Negroes within the next ten years. Several of the officers of the St. Louis Underwriters Corporation, particularly the president, had been instru mental in disposing of a large amount ot stock and insurance of the Standard Life, and were naturally interested in its salva tion. With this in view. Mr. Harris was approached and after several conferences in Nashville and St. Louis, the deal was finally consummated. Among the personnel of the corporation are leading business and professional men. The officers and directors are as follows: Wm. O. McMahon, president; W. H. Mos bv, secretary; A. C. Maclin, treasurer; R. F. Crenshaw, C. A. Pitman, Dr. T. J. Jackson, Dr. C. M. Powell, J. E. Mitchell, Dr. R. C. Haskell, M. L. Sanford, L. S. Williams, Dr. S. P. Sanford, Rev. B. L. Abbott, Dr. H. B. McMechen, Prof. J. B. Coleman, Dr. Wm. B. Tompkins, Willis G. Moseley and Attorney Jos. L. McLemoie, counsel. THREE GRADUATES FROM TECHNICAL HIGH Three of our young girls were graduated from Technical high school last week.They were the Misses Ida B. Crocker, Jessie L. Partridge and Margaret E. Murray. As there were ninety-six graduates in the class our group represented one thirty-second of the whole number. The ratio ought to be larger. Congratulations, girls. But what’s the matter with th eboys? GARDEN CLUB ENTERTAINS The Garden Cluh of the North Side Branch of the Y. W. C. A. entertained at a well appointed luncheon at the "Y" Tues day in honor of Mrs. W. L. Bingham, who left Thursday for Oakland, Calif. The tables were beautifully decorated bv Mrs. E. R. West. A paper expressing regret at her departure and best wishes for her hap piness in her new home was read by Mrs. D. W. Gooden. Covers were laid for six teen. Out of town guests were Mrs. Small wood of Washington, D. C, and Miss Grace Sisco of Beatrice, Neb COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA The Rev. George Slater, pastor of Bethel A. M. E. church, and wife! left Monday evening over the Chicago and Great West ern for Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, where he has been assigned to serve as pastor, and at Junkins and Pine Creek, Alb. A number of hie members were at the depot I to wish them Godspeed and presented them with a purse as a token of their appre ciation for the services rendered while here to the people of the community. Bethel A. M. E. church is without a pastor at present One will soon !M as signed to fill the vacancy.