General Race News
I
CONGRESS ON CITIZENSHIP
RIGHTS.
Preliminary Call
Hillburn, N. Y., July 15, 1916.
Fellow Comrades and Fellow Citizens
of Color:
By the authority vested in me as
president of the National Equal
Rights League I hereby issue this
preliminary call for the ninth annual
convention of said league.
The matter of the exact date and
place for the convention is not yet
quite settled, but it is very timely
and proper that there be no further
delay in inviting public attention to
the fact that such a convention is
to be held, and within the next sixty
days.
National Race Congress.
It has been wisely suggested in
view of existing unfavorable social,
civic and political conditions confront
ing us as a people, that the National
Equal Rights League invite and urge
all of our people in all sections of the
country, to unite in a great “Na
tional Congress of Colored Ameri
cans,” and for the special purpose of
voicing the feelings and opinions of
the race on those unfavorable condi
tions now surounding us in this
country; and also to decide upon the
wisest and best methods for combat
ing color segregation and all other
forms of discrimination.
Ha H 1
Extraordinary W rungs buttered.
After fifty years of so-called free
dom in this country, what is the pre
vailing condition of our Colored
American population ? Briefly stated
it is this: Our civil rights have been
rendered almost futile; we are
shamefully curtailed politically; we
are denied equality before the law;
we are not allowed equal industrial
opportunities; our property and our
very lives are not at all secure; and
“the black horrors of lynching” in
nocent Colored Americans continue
unabated. While our Federal Gov-'
emment’s indifference towards all
these injustices is but little less than
the nullification of our great war
amendments. Throughout the south
land, and to more or less extent in
the north, the increasing millions of
our fellow Colored Americans are
being more and more reduced to the
pitiable condition of political serfs
and social outcasts.
Can We Be Unmoved?
If such conditions do not stir our
souls and our blood what under
heaven can do it ? Do not the in
dustrial oportunities denied us, the
freedom of speech and of the press
not allowed, the civic and political
rights taken from us, and the inse-'
curity of property and life that sur
rounds us, give sufficient ground and
reason for the calling of such a Na
tional Congress of Colored Americans
as is herein suggested ? “In this
fierce era of controversy and blood
shed,” can we be unmoved ? While
the whole world is wide awake so
cially and politically, shall we sleep?
While all other classes and races are
on the verge of social and political
revolutions, shall we be indifferent?
Since all other groups of oppressed
people are in the stir and rush of agi
tation, is it not high time that we
should at least begin to get on the
move?
The south is still in the saddle at
our national capital, rushing head
long with a most reckless disregard
4
for the feelings and rights of ten
millions of loyal, but oppressed Col
ored Americans.
Fling Our Standard.
Therefore let us get together in a
great national congress, and fling to
the whole wide world the full story
of our grievances and of our earnest
demands for justice and fair play.
Get Ready.
Let all our religious, educational,
social and political leaders among
us heed this call. Let all of our
great religious organizations and
lodges and benevolent societies be
gin now to plan to be represented in
this proposed congress. By so doing
we cannot fail to produce a powerful
effect on the public mind that will
greatly help us in our struggles for
justice and freedom.
This congress will be independent
and wider than any present organiza
tion. Its deliberations will not be ln
der the Equal Rights League, which
will meet in conjunction.
Faithfully yours,
BYRON GUNNER,
President of the National Equal
Rights League.
JACK JOHNSIN IS
REPORTED BROKE
Madrid, Aug. 4.—Only the diamonds
this his wife is wearing stand be
tween Jack Johnson and poverty. This
is the general impression of Ameri
cans who have observed the former
world’s champion in his desperate ef
forts to make money in Spain.
Some months ago Johnson turned
up in Spain with his wife, an Eng
lish boxer trainer and a Colored boxer,
and took a suite of rooms at a pala
tial hotel. He attempted to book pas
sage for Brazil, but learned that he
was not permitted to leave Spain
without a passport. The American
embassy refused to issue him a pass
port under instructions from Wash
ington because he fled from Chicago
during his prosecution for white
slavery.
Johnson went to Barcelona and
staged a prize fight between himself
and another Negro. The $1,000 John
son earned at that fight soon ran out
and he is having a hard time coaxing
promoters to stage another affair.
COLORED MEN ARE
HEROES OF FLOOD
Charlotte, N. C., Aug. 4.—The skill
and strength of two unknown Colored
men in a flat boat were the means
of saving six persons July 25, when
.wenty persons were thrown into the
swollen Catawba river by the collapse
of the Southern Railway bride at Bel
mont. Four white employes of the
Western Union Telegraph Co. made
an attempt to man another rescue
boat but were tossed into the river
and had to be taken from the tree
tops.
CALIFORNIA STATE
FEDERATION MEETS
Pasadena, Cal., Aug. 4.—The tenth
annual convention of the California
State Federation of Colored Woman’s
Clubs, which met here last week at
the Metropolitan Baptist Church, had
a large and representative attendance.
The papers and discussions showed
the women to be alert to questions of
the day. Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, state
president, presided.
...
August Sale of Furs
with savings of 15 to 25% under regular
Now in Full Force
ALSO
Our Third Annual
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affording savings of 15 to 50%
Burgess-Nash Company
: “EVERYBODY’S STORE”
L..——..—
A good place to have a good time
BARBER SHOP, SOFT DRINKS, CIGARS AND CANDIES
IN CONNECTION
ARTHUR CHERRY’S POOL HALL
Tel. Webster 5784 2416 North 24th Street
BARBERING—THAT’S MY BUSINESS
Up-To-Date Methods, Courteous Attention, Clean, Sanitary Sur
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This Is What My Shop Offers You.
P. H« JENKINS
1313 Dodge Street
V. F. KUNCL
MEAT MARKET
The Oldest Market in the City
Tel. Doug. 1198 1244 S. 13th St.
* * * ’^GO* WHERE IT IS
COOL
LEAN
OJVIFORTABLE
North Star Cafe
2414 North 24th St.
OMAHA’S FIRST-CLASS
RESTAURANT
Sunday Dinner, 35c. Also Meals
a la carte
Count Wilkinson, Prop.
« ■« . ■«■■..~-i
...
Hill-Williams Drug Co.
PURE DRUGS AND TOILET
ARTICLES
Free Delivery
Tyler 160 2402 Cuming St.
. ..- « « ■ «
CORECT MANICURING |
MRS. LILLIAN TAYLOR
JENKINS’ SHOP 1
1313 Dodge St. Phone Red 3357 j
Will answer out of the shop calls j
for women customers. ♦
i . . ... « • «
♦ * "take 'your* meals at \
1 THE VENDOME
| The Best Place in the City
t A. Marshall, Prop. *
| 1210 Dodge Street
| Open 6:30 a. m. to 9 p. m. J
LAWN ’ MO^RS*SH*ARPENED
Called for and Delivered
ARTHUR DORN
Locksmith and Gun Repairer
Klectric Bells, Bicycle and General
Repairing
We Will Open the Most Compli
cated Locks
Phone Webster 4509 2420 Lake St.