. the monitor r^n A NATIONAL WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF COLORED AMERICANS THE REV. JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS, Editor S2.00 a Year :,c a Copy OMAHA, NEBRASKA, MARCH 17, 1921 Vol. VI No. 38 (Whole No. 280) PRESIDENT OF LIBERIA VISITING UNITED STATES DRAlvX LEAGUE HOicSS RACE STAR Charles Gilpin, Famous Actor, Attends Banquet at Fashionable New York Hotel as One of the Distinguished Guests and Re ceives a Remarkable Ovation at the Beginning and Close of His Brief. Well-Chosen and Unaffected Address—Not a Jarring Note Disturbs Function. RECORD-BREAKING ATTENDANCE AT BANQUET The I nprecedented Number of More Than Siv Hundred Gather Vround the Festive Board Despite Presence of Black Artist. Who Was “Joyously Welcomed. Enthusiastically Acclaimed as a Great Actor and Made to Feel That Art Knows No Bar rier Either Sectional. Geographical or Racial.” TVEW YORK CITY, March 17.— * Threatened dissension among members of the Drama League be cause Charles Gilpin, the Negro actor In “The Emperor Jones,” had been in vited to the annual dinner, evidently failed to materialize, for the dinner, held Sunday night, March B. at the Hotel McAlpin, was one of the most successful In the history of the league Insofar as attendance was concerned, if any members refused to attend be cause of the presence of the black actor. It was not apparent, for the number on hand was so large it be came necessary to placp twenty addi tional tables In the ball room adjoin ing the main banquet hall where the dinner proper was held. More than 600 members and their friends appeared and Gilpin himself put an end to all speculation as to whether he would he on hand by ap pearing at 7 o'clock, one of the firs! of those honored by the league to ar rive. He was cordially greeted on all sides, and was seated between Lee Simonson, who was honored as a scenir artist for his work In “Heart break House,” and Hilda Varesi, hon ored for her work as an actress and as co author ot "Enter, Madame.” Miss Varesi was one of the stanch est defenders of Mr. Gilpin as an ar tist entitled to receive recognition. She had telegraphed the league dur ing the discussion that she would he proud to sit next to him and deplored doing American art a wrong by ex cluding him. When his turn came to speak he was greeted with a storm of hand-clapping JURY DISAGREES IN McCLURE SUIT Case Tried Before Judge Fitzgerald Who Instructs Jury to Find For Plaintiff and Assess Amount of Damages—Cannot Agree I pon All Persons Who Should Pay Damages Case Will IK- Retried Met LI RES' CH \ It ALTER CLEAR After deliicerating for twenty-seven hours the jury disagreed in the $25,000 damage suit brought by Charles McClure and wife against J Dean Ringer, police commissioner; Marshall Eberstein, chief of police; IT. L. Mossman, former city attorney; Police Officers Olaf Thestrup, John Herdzina and Ed Farrell, Orkin Bros, stores and Julius Orkin, which was tried last week in dis trict court be fore Judge Fitzgerald. The suit was brought by the McClures as the result of a raid on their home in the Kings bury apartments at 2538 Dodge street, May 7, 1919, supposedly for liquor, but in reality for a suit of clothes, al leged to have been lost by Kenneth Trutoc, a delivery boy from Orkin Bros, store. The McClures alleged in their petition that the police officials used illegal proceedings, wrongfully, fraudulently and maliciously to gain access to their home by issuing a "whiskey warrant.” McClure testified that after gaining access to his home or apartments, the police began inspecting articles >f women’s apparel, mens clothing and shoes, and that one officer looked in an empty revolver for booze, and searched shirts, camisoles, ties and hats, being careful to note even the trade marks. Some merriment was created when Officer Herdzina testi fied that in the thoroughness of his search he looked under the bed, when subsequent testimony allowed that it was a Murphy-in-a-door lied. Attorneys Lynch and Murphy, re tained by the McClures, demanded that the search warrant he produced. Attorney H. L. Mossman, after some delay, produced it. Judge Fitzgerald ruled that the warrant was illegal on the fuce of it. Officer Olaf Thestrup testified that the warrant cume from and some cheering which quite 'eclipsed that accorded Dudley Digges, Hilda Varesl, Lionel At will, Margaret Severn and others who preceded him. And the artiste who had spoken first did their best to make his greeting the most hearty. Kenneth McGowan, dramatic critic acted as toastmaster. In Introducing Mr. Gilpin he briefly reviewed the actor’s work and said: ‘T take pleas ure In introducing the greatest actor of his race, Mr. Charles S. Gilpin.” The applause greeting this introduc tlon was enthusiastic and lasted fot fully three minutes. The star of "Km iieor Jones" was visibly affected by such a rousing ovation, and said: “This is one time when I am hardly able to go through with a monologue, and they say J do a pretty good one. There |s a fancy among the Orientals, you know, that the dead must cross a bridge of red-hot Iron, and that is the way I feel. In fat ing an audience of this kind 1 feel as nervous ns a girl. “An artist. I always thought, was something a long, long way off. I never expected to reach that height, but you have called me that. I am so glad, if I have given you an evening of pleasure, and I am happy to be among yon and have you know my work.” Mr. Gilpin concluded his remarks by promising to try to make his work stand out us prominently In the fu ture. When he saf down the applause was even greater than at his Introduction, and he was forced to how several times. „ John Dunn, the then chief of detec tives. Mr. Ringer and Chief Eber stcin also stated that such warrants came from John Dunn. The attorneys | for the plaintiffs called John Dunn- to the stand, who testified that he had never issued the warrant or given any otder for searching McClure's home. Several character witnesses were in troduced for the McClures. Mrs. Mc Clure made a good witness and was complimented for the clearness and directness of her testimony. Judge Fitzgerald instructed the jufy to return a verdict for the plaintiffs, informing them that their only duty was to jix the amount ot damages and i name the defendants against whom the damages should be assessed. The trial was begun Tuesday and the case was given to the jury at 10:30 Friday morning. At noon Saturday the jury was dismissed, being agreed as to the amount of damages, hut being unable to agiee us to the principals against whom the damages should be assessed, i The case, it is stated, will he re tried. SHOOTS SELF TO ESCAPE BURNING (By The Associated Negro Press) BEAUMONT, Texas., March 17.— Rather tlian Ire burned to death Mon roe Gilder shot and killed himself. He had barricaded himseif at his home after he hud killed three men in an altercation. Citizens surrounded the home of Gilder And in the effort to capture him filed the house. Finding escape impossible, Gilder shot himself. make preliminary plans BUSINESS LEAGUE MEETING (By The Associated Negro Press) ATLANTA, Ga., March 17.—Reuben Black and Charles A. Shaw have re turned from a visit to Principal Moton at Tuskegee, with whom they prac tically closed the arrangements for the meeting of the National Business League which convenes in this city during the month of August next. Ah industrial exhibit is to be the chief feature of the convention. This ex hibit will include models of Negro in ventions, samples of manufactured goods, agricultural products and live stock. The local committee promises many surprises for the occasion. LIBERTY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY SECURES QUARTERS (By The Associated Negro Press) CHICAGO, 111., March 17.—Presi dent Frank L. Gillespie of the Liberty Life insurance company has an nounced that the company has leased the entire second floor of the mag nificent Roosevelt State Bank that is being erected at the corner of Grand Boulevard and East Thirty-fifth street. This is an unusual departure for “big business” even in Chicago, and when the building is completed Liberty Life will have one of the most beatitiful office locations and equip ment in the entire city. PITTSBURGHERS ARE ENJOYING PROSPERITY (By The Associated Negro Press) PITTSBURGH, Pa., March 17 —The colored people purchased more than $f>00 000 of proper last year and their three banks did a business of over S 1,600,000. There facts were brought to light at a recent meeting of the common council’s committee on pub lic safety by the Rev. J. G. Austin, a colored preacher of this city. DISCHARGED BY JURY (By The Associated Negro i’ress) THOMASVILLE, Ga., March 17.— John Wilson, charged with assaulting a white woman, was discharged by a jury in Judge Thomas' court lust week. The accused man established ;i good alibi and the woman declared that she was not. sure that he was the man who assaulted her. RAISING FUND FOR CLARA JOHNSON (By The Associated Negro Press) WASHINGTON, D. C., March 17. FiVc hundred dollars have been raised to help Clara Johnson, a victim of last year’s race riot, to procure her free dom. Prominent Washingtonians arc interested in the woman’s case. ORGANIZE TRUST COMPANY (By The Associated Negro Press) SPARTANS BURG, S. C., March 17. —Negroes of this cjty have organized the Woodward Trust and Loan com pany with a capital of $10,000. The company was organized by L. H. Woodward and will engage in the handling of real estate. WANT NEW SCHOOL BUILDING (By The Associated Negro Press) WILMINGTON, Del., March 17.— Wilmington colored people have in augurated a movement which seeks to procure new school buildings for col ored children. The city council has been petitioned in the matter and the colored citizens believe they will get the new building at the coming session of the state legislature. ^ PROMINENT EDUCATOR GIVEN RECEPTION (By The Associated Negro Press) NEW ORLEANS, La., March 17.—1 Public school teachers recently ten dered a reception to H. H. Dunn n appreciation of his work as president at the Colored Educational Alliance. Dr. Dunn has accepted a secretary ship in the A. M. A. league. CONFIRMATION AT ST PHILIPS Bishop Shayler svill visit the Church of St .Philip the Deacon Sunday aftei noon at 4:30 to administer the Sacra ment of Confirmation. The other services of Palm Sunday will be the holy eueharist and benediction of palm, at 7:30 a. in.; church school at 10; holy eueharist and “Store of tlie Cro.-s" at 11 a. m. Last Sunday Melba Mary Ellen ami Irma Lucille, daughters of Melvin and Edith DeMadden McCaw were baptized at the 11 o’clock services. The usual daily and Good Friday setvices during Holy Week. ItAPTIST MISSIONARY RETURNS FROM FIELD Rev. M. H. Wilkinson, general mis sionary for the Negro Baptists of Ne braska, returned this week after visit ing several of the fields over which he presides. Ilis last point of activity was at Lincoln, where he preached for Rev. J. P. Staves of the Morning Star and Rev. H. W. Botts of the Mt. Zion churches. He was guest of Rev. Mr. Ilotts, Sunilay a very sumptuous meal was served in his honor at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Clarke, 663 South Twentieth street. Others present were: Rev. H, W. Botts, Mr. and Mrs. P. Williams, MrJ and Mrs G. Wyley The host and host ess covered themselves with glory. DANGER SIGNAL A blue pencil mark on your paper means your subscription is due and must be paid at once or your paper will be stopped. PRESIDENT AND MRS. C. B. KING OF LIBERIA I'his picture was taken in 1010 when the president and his wife arrived in this country on their return from the Peace Conference GUARDS ON WAY TO SPRINGFIELD Policeman Shot a* Threatening Crowd* Gather Atter Eleven-Year-Old Girl is Attacked MACHINE GUNNERS READY Extra Police and Firemen Prepare for Action if Mob Form* BULLETIN iSpecial to the Plain Denier) SPRINGFIELD, 0., March 12 (Sat urday).—Company C of the national guard is en route to Springfield from London this morning following the formation of a crowd of more than 1,000 persons in front of City hall an