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About The monitor. (Omaha, Neb.) 1915-1928 | View Entire Issue (June 4, 1926)
m the Monitor si,: NEBRASKA’S WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF COLORED AMERICANS ' THE REV. JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS, Editor. I $2.00 a Year—5 Cents a Copy. OMAHA, NEBRASKA, FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1926 VoL XI.—No. 46 Whole Number 564 J ! WASHINGTON REQUIRES WATCHING TELEPHONE EMPLOYEES DELIGHT AUDIENCE _ - ; < .I’m* An Entertaining and Instructive | Program Illustrating Evolution and Problems of Telephone Service. -~ The audience which assembled in , St. Philip’s Guild Rooms, Wednesday night, was delighted with the instruc- j live and entertaining program prf rented by the employees of the i Northwestern Bell Telephone Com- j puny. The company had erected a witch board, representing Harney, j Walnut tmd Jackson exchanges, with i wires and machinery, upon which was demonstrated how the intricate tele phone system works. This was dem onstrated in a most lucid manner by Miss Clara McCann, instructor Ken wood-Central office, under the sub ject "What Happens When You Lift Your Receiver.” During this demon ‘ ration, which was the sixth numbei on the program, she was assisted in representing several telephone calls, by the Misses Clara Majeskc, L. Kearney and Laura Welsh, acting as operators and Miss Lucille Mauck, Mr. It. H. Rarden and Mr. Frank A , ecord, acting as subscribers. Much j merriment was caused by the latter s j witty illustration of types of tele phone subscribers; those who depend jj>on their memory for calling “< en trul”; those who iet the phone ring, while wrangling over whose call it it- During this high comedy, teach ing an important lesson, the audience as convulsed. The program opened with brief and well-chosen remarks by Mr. D. T. Patterson, Kewnood-Wcbster commer cial manager, who expressed the pleasure of the company to render service, not only commercial, but educational, such as this class of en tertainment Is designed foi, hat there may be understanding between the public and the company. This was followed by a beautiful film, ■Making Telephone History” with Miss Frances Isame at the piano, and Mr. K._ll. Berlinghof, at the mov ing picture machine. A vocal duet by the Misses Cor inne and Hazel I.indee was « pleas ing musical feature, as was also a whistling solo by Miss Hester Peters, which elicited an encore. A beauti ful motion picture, "When the Sleet Storms Come,” graphically depicted the work of restoring the damage wrought by the Ice King. A Felix comedy completed the delightful pro ram. the cafe deluxe A BUSINESS ASSET It is not generally known that Omaha ha* one of the most modern well equipped and beautifully ap pointed restaurants operated by and for our group in this section of the country. It is known as *he Cafe De Luxe, of which Janies Bell, who has been in the restaurant business for the past twenty-eight years is the proprietor. The Cafe De Luxe, neai Twenty-fourth and Lake streets is a model of cleanliness and good taste. Marble top tables and lunch counter, with the best of linen, give the place a distinctive air. There are three elegantly appointed private rooms, finished in ivory and pink, for the use of private parties. The kitchen .shipment is of the latest in that line "Jim” Bell’s fame as a chef is the guarantee that the cuslne is un excelled. The Cafe DeLuxe is a real ar~et to the community. PHYSICIAN ENTERTAIN CALIFORNIA DOCTOR The Negro Medical, Dental and I’harmaceutical Association, of which k Dr. Herbert Wiggins is president, trave a banquet Monday nifcht at tne Cafe DeLuxe complimentary to Dr. V. H. Whittaker of Los Angeles, Calif. Covers were laid for fourteen. Dr. Whittaker was enroute to New York for poHt graduate work. He was a classmate of Charles W. Dick erson and of Dr. L. E. Britt of whom he was the guest at his residence, 2619 Maple St., during hiH brief visit to Omaha. BETTER HOUSING CONDITIONS NEEDED FOR OUR RROBF Inter-Racial Commiaaio Advises Im provement of Neighborhoods in Which Colored Folk Reside. HOUSING IS FUNDAMENTAL Rate at Which Ambitious Members of Race Are Huying Homes Indicates Progress Which Should He Encouraged Atlanta, Ga., June 4.—Recognizing the very great importance of a wide pread program of better housing for Negroes, both North and South, the Commission on Iner-Racial Co-Opera tion at its recent annual meeting gave special attention to this subject, and in its findings set forth the following recommendations: “Housing is fundamental in the home life of any people, since its in timately affects the health, morals and economic condition of the family. Therefore: “I. logical and mutually agreeable plans of growth should be mapped out for Negro neighborhoods in growing cities. • “2. Munfc'pullties should he influ enced to develop some of these neigh borhoods into high-class residential sections where homes of which the owners can be proud can he built. These neighborhoods should be pro tected by adequate improvement laws nd supplied with all city conveniences. In order to relieve the conges tion, high rentals and unsanitary con ditions of rental sections, private capi tal should be encouraged to engage in building rental houses to return a lensonable per cent to the Investor. “4. The rate at which the ambitious Negroes are buying homes indicates remarkably praiseworthy progress apd should be stimulated by mobilizizng both white and Negro capital into building and loan organizations and mortgage companies especially devot ed to the finance of Negro homes and extending credit for less than the usur ious rutes." Efforts for housing improvement have been made by many local inter racial groups, beginning with the care ful study of housing laws and condi tions. In a number of cities the facts brought out by these studies have been laid before the authorities, with the result that marked improvements have been made in colored residential areas in the matter of streets, sewer age and other public facilities. PROMISING YOUTH VICTIM OF TYPHOID Booker Easton, fourteen-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Easton, 1724 .South Eighteenth street, died at Uni versity hospital with typhoid fever Tuesday. Hooker was in the eighth grade at Comenius school, where he was a great favorite with teachers and pupils for his studious habits • and genial disposition. He had won a scholarship at Tuskegee which it was planner) for him to accept upon graduation from Comenius. Booker was a member of the Boy Scouts. The funeral was held from Stack’s Undertaking Parlors, Thursday af ternoon at 3:30 o’clock. Rev. John Albert Williams, rector of t. Philip’s Episcopal church officiated. Inter ment was at Mount Hope Cemetery. Mrs. Matthews, the principal of Comenius school, several other teach ers and pupils were also present at the funeral, many of whom accom 'panied the remains to the cemetery. Pupils from Comenius sang "Abide 'With Me” and “The Lord Is My Shep herd." Boy Scouts from Troop 33 were pallbearers and under Dr. Craig Mor ris' direction gave the Scout benedic tion at the grave. Mr. Otis Edwards of Pensacola, Florida spent the week in Omaha. While in the city Mr. Edwards stopped with Mr. James Woods, 3212 Emmet St. Mr. Edwards Is an ac complished musician and teacher, and and old friend of Mr. H. L. Preston. RACE DISCRIMINATION IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (By Kelly Miller) Judgment should begin at the House of God. The District of Columbia is the seat of the National Government. The legislative, judicial and execu tive branches are all located here. At the Capitol laws are made for the Government of the United States. If the fountain head is pure the stream will be pure, but if the fountain head is polluted the stream must needs be defiled. It is therefore of prime importance to the colored people to keep a close eye and strict watch upon racial happenings in the District of Columbia. During the last few weeks matters have been going from bad to worse and from worse to worst. The Interstate Commerce Commission has denied jurisdiction in Interstate Travel. The United States Senate has by decisive majority declined to reintroduce the Dyer Bill which aims to correct the evils of lynching. The provision for separate bathing beaches has just passed both houses of Congress and has been signed by the President of the ! United States. The fact of separate bathing facilities is not out of harmony I with prevailing practice and custom in the District of Columbia in other modes of public utilities and facilities. The objecton lies in having this discrimination written into the law by the Congress of the Uniter) States. This is perhaps the most conspicuous instance of rare discrimination to be found anywhere in federal law. The Supreme Court of the United States by unanimous decision has declared local covenants excluding colored peo ple from buying, owning or occupying property iq covenanted districts not unconstitutional. This gives these covenants the force and sanction of law. We may note in passing that this case, originating in the Capitol of the nation, has been passed upon by three courts and thirteen judges with unanimous concurrence. At the Capitol of the Nation the Negro meets with every form of dis crimination confronted in the southern states. Disfranchisement of the Negro, I believe, was first sanctioned here after the passage of the Four teenth and Fifteenth Amendments, but in order to give it the semblance of fairness the Whites were equally disfranchised. This reminds me to say (hat some of our Negro agitators seem to be more interested in equality than justice. They do not feel the disfranchisment in the District of Columbia because Whites and Blacks are alike voteless. We have separate schools the same as in the South and border states. There is no separate car law within the District although Jim Crow cars from Viiginia roll into the Union Station. The fact of the absence of Jim Crow cars in Washington may be due as much to the size of the city as to the attitude of the government on national separation. There is no city in the United States the size pf Washington with separate car systems. There is no antimiscegenation law although sundry attempts have been made to this effect. Some years ago we woke up one morning and found that such a measure had passed the House of Representatives by almost unanimous vote and was defeated in the Senate only by keeping it from a vote by skill ful tactics. There is constantly kept before Congress bills for the establish ment of separate cars and antimiscegenation laws for the District of Colum bia. In the present Congress a bill has been introduced for a national anti miscegenation law. The most insidious form of race discrimination is not written in law but presides in public sentiment. There is no law in Wash- , ington or elsewhere which forbids civil equality between the races except j in the instance above numerated, and yet the Negro is effectively excluded ; from restaurants, hotels, barber shops and places of amusement as if by! statutory enactment. It is vitally important that the race should keep its eye on the national legislature especially to forfend unfair action. We have very little hope for affirmative action in our behalf but live in constant dread of hostile enact ment. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is the only effective organization in the field of political and civil rights. The | headquarters are In New York City but the real focus is the National Capital. The local organization for this city has been fortunate during the past 10 j years in having at its head men of the highest consecration and devotion. The Honorable Archibald Grimke, recently retired because of age, was and ' is one of the most outspoken apostles for race equality with the “i” dotted ; and the “t” crossed. He served as the head of the local branch for many years and has been as effective as ary other in combating race prejudice and discrimination at the National Capitol. He devoted the ripest years of bis life to this cause without reward or compensation. Indeed he would have spurned remuneration for service rendered for human rights. For tunately he was succeeded by a younger man, Mr. Nevel Thomas, who is filled with a double measure of his spirit. Nevel H. Thomas is upright and down straight on all mutters of political and civil rights of his race and is as uncompromising as the Hebrew Prophet. As head of the local branch of the N. A. A. C. P. he keeps u hawk eye upon Congressional action and de partmental procedure. He has acquired an infallible instinct in detecting racial prejudice and discrimination and never fails to hit and to hit hard. He is a school teacher and draws his -tipend from the Federal government and yet he never fails to denounce tho wrong deed and the wrong doer with such unmistakable courage that even the legislators whom he criticises are compelled to commend his couruge and the righteousness of his position. When the rest of us were restrained by prudence and caution he demanded equality of provision in the public schools which, largely as result of his in sistence, has become the accepted policy of those in charge of the educa tional machinery of the National Capitol. Sports are of a most democratic ! nature. They are more democratic than the church or school. There is less discrimination at the Washington Ball Park than any other public institu tion in the city. When the monster, prejudice, threatened to raise its head even in sports, it w«r Nevel H. Thomas who chcked it in its insipiency and kept the sports of the National Capitol democratic. It was but last week j that he appealed to the President of the United States not to sign the sep arate bathing beach bill, thus writing into law race discrimination by the federal government. Although his protest was not effective it at least called mention of the Negro and the nation to the grave danger of hav ing race discrimination nominated in the bond. As local prejudice is so strong as to prevent identity of public rights and facilities, it is a wise policy to defer only as far as we must to the discriminating practice but never allow it to1 be crystallized into law. When Nevel H. Thomas was first promoted tq the head of the local associ ation many felt that he was perhaps too outspoken and incautious for safe leadership ev^n o{/ an agitative organization, but experience easily proves that when one is in the right he can hardly be over insistent. Even those who are’opposed to one’s position will respect and admire uncompromising courage when they know in their heart of hearts that his course of action is just and right. It requires two types of temperament to effect reform. John Brown and Abraham Lincoln were the complements of each other; John Brown, with reckless courage and sacrifice to blast away at the evil foundation; and Abraham Lincoln for safe, constructive endeavor. The militant organization of the Negro Race today must first of all be militant. It must fight discrimination and prejudice without compromise. Other types of temperament will do the safe and sane constructive work. Nevel H. Thomas has consecrated himself to the cause of human rights as a sacred religion. He enters the conflict as upon a holy war. He gives not only his services but himself with complete detachment without fear of consequences or hope of reward. He devotes every moment of his time out side of his stated livelihood to the welfare of his race. During all of his career he has never received or expected one cent remuneration for his services. You can not buv devotion with dollars any more than you cam purchase the gift of God with money. He would no more think of accepting a salary for this service any more than a priest would accept pay for prayer. Our one conspicuous, militant organization is fortunate in having in the key position at the National Capitol a man of such militant spirit at such a time as this. HOWARD KENNEDY SCHOOL VICTORS IR TRACK MEET Thirteen Thousand Spectators Cheer Youthful Athletes as Records Are Made in Annual Meet. LONG SCHOOL PLACES SECOND (ilrls Responsible f< r Showing Made | by Long and Lathrop; Margaret I Bell Third Time Winner of 75 Yard Dash. Thirteen thousand people witnessed the well-trained athletes of Howard Kennedy capture their first public school track and field championship sponsored by the World-Herald, at Teoh field last Friday afternoon. Long school, former champions, won second place, and Lothrop school, third. For ty-seven and a half of the total 63% points scored by the new champions, were made by the big boys. Ten firsts were won by Howard Kennedy. Heavyweight boys: 220-yard dash by Martin; 50-yard dash by Peak; 100-yard dash by Dickerson; standing broad jump, Crumbley; running broad 1 iump by Beasley; 440-yard relay by Peak, Crumbley, Dickerson and Mar tin. Girls: 250-yard relay by Mary' Crumbley, Clemmie Duncan, Rosetta Larkin, Edith Coleman and Leslie Stewart. Light weight boys : 100-yard dash, by Love; 440-yard relay by Peak, Lindsay, Philips and Love. Run ning broad jump by Maxwell. This school also captured three seconds and two thirds. liong school won second place with 40 points and Lothrop third with 41 ; points. Long and Lothrop girls were I | responsible for their high scoring. ! j Long won six firsts and Lothrop five. I Henson Junior high was fourth with 24 points. Margaret Bell of Long, for the third successive time, won the 75-yard dash in 0 1-10 seconds. Long won the heavyweight hoys’ shuttle relay with Glover Scott, Fred Smith. Lawrie Tur ner. Laurence Michael, Solomon Wood, Tionis Carpenter, Joseph Strowder. Richard Alexander, Bennie Elkin and | Percy Hall. In this event Howard j Kennedy was second and North Junior i High, third. The weather was ideal and the grand stands and field presented a colorful field. School bands furnished music and it was a gala event. True Americanism was seen at its host—hoys and girls from all classes and races wearing the colors of their respective schools and striving for mastery, cheering groups manifesting true sportsmanship, urging their far I vorites on. There were no sore spots or ill-feeling. The best of order and good nature prevailed. Howard Ken nedy and Long have a large enroll- ! ment of colord pupils and consequent i ly most of the winners from these j schools were of this group. But from i several other schools boys and girls ! of our race won honors for their j schools. On that kaleidsocopic field ; they were all just plain, red-blooded, I healthy American boys and girls. In these annual field meets the schools of Omaha are giving a demonstration of what true Americanism means and contributing more than is now real | ized to those ideal principles which j underlie the republic. MRS. OTHELLO ROUNTREE SUCCUMBS TO LONG ILLNESS Mrs. Lulu Rountree, wife of Othello Rountree, a resident of Omaha for, the past fifty-six years, passed away at the family residence, 1125 North • Nineteenth street, Tuesday night af ter a protracted illness. Mrs. Rountree, who is the daughter of the late Thomas and Aurora Cor nish, was bom in Indianapolis, Ind., Dec. 1, 1866, and was brought to Omaha by her parents when she wa> four years old, where she has since resided. She was married to Albert Green in 1884, to which union three children were born. Thirty-five years apo she was married to Othello Roun tree, to whom she bore fourteen chil dren. Mrs. Rountree has been active in church, charitable and fraternal cir cles, having served as high priestess of Golden Sheaf Tabernacle, Matron Shaffer Chapter O. E. S. and Presi dent of the Daughters of Bethel. She was a member of Bethel A. M. E. Church. She is survived by her hus-t band, two daughters, Alberta Wiggins, of Chicago; and Miss Aurora of Omaha; five sons Othello Jr., Vernon, Thaddeus, Percival and Leslie, and ten grandchildren. The funeral will be held Saturday afternoon at 1:30 from Zion Baptist church, the Rev, T. W. Kidd, pastor of Bethel, and the Rev. W. F. Botts, pastor of Zion, of ficiating. U. B. F. AND S. M. T. NOTES. Grand Master Duke Diggs of Jef ferson City, Mo. arrived unday and was met at the train by a committee composed of P. W. White, A. H. Dick erson, and Dist. Deputy M. C. Sands. He was accompanied to the home of Mr. and Mrs. M. G. Sands, where he has been royally entertained since his arrival in the city Sunday after noon. He attended the annual Thanksgiving sermon of the U. B. F. and S. M. T. where he delivered a brief talk. The sermon preached by Rev. G. W. Day will be long remem bered and the excellent choir of Mount Moriah Church is to be com mended for their good singing and music. Mrs. Allie Jones, W. P., of Ak-Sar Ben presided as princess of the day. Mrs. M. C. Sands, Mother Matron of the Juveniles, Dr. D. W. Gooden, Master of the day and Bro. Earl Jones Master of Ceremonies. On Tuesday evening a large num ber attended the royal banquet and enjoyed a grand time. The banquet was served bv the different temples. Mrs. D. W. Gooden, M. E. Q. of Le ona Burton Royal House. Sick members of Temple this week: Mrs. Mamie Jones, Mrs. Verda Mal lory of Harmony Temple, Mrs. Car mel Black and Georgie Jackson of Diamond Square Temple and Mrs. Hawkins of Benson Temple. Mrs. Fanny Tomlin of Des Moines, la., was the guest last week of her sister, Mrs. Dolly Johnson, 2132 North Twenty-ninth street. INCREASE RESERVE OFFICERS’ INTEREST General Staff i'laris Series ol Kadio laiita. Washington. lii un effort to in iTeu.se tlie interest of reserve oi.iet r« of (lie army ami give them some mili tary Instruction ai home, Lieui. Coi. H. Edmund Hullis, general staff, is seeking the co-operation of several ra dlo broadcasting stations, lie believes that lie can reach reservists, who live in rural communities or at leusi are out of contact with the reg i lar army, by u series of radio broad cust talks on military subjects, and proposes to establish a small broad cast school next full. To start next fall's instruction lie Is preparing eight ten-minute radio talks to be given by army officers from the stations willing to co-operate. It is desired to give these talks at the .same time on the same week day for eight consecutive weeks. The eighth lesson would be In the form of an ex amination. All reserve officers who send their solutions to the problems to the radio stations will have their papers graded and returned by an army officer designated for this pur pose. The stations and dates of talks will be announced at this summer's train ing camps by means of offiHal wht department bulletins and through the various military publications. Sugges tlons and ofTers of co-operation from any radio stations will be gladly re ceived by Lieut.-Ool. H. Edmund Bulili war department. Washington. ^Through the courtesy of the pro gram director of WOAP arrangement: were made for t'olonel Bullls while on an Inapectlon trip to deliver his talk "What Our Army D<*ea Besides Fight." from fourteen different radio stations