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About The monitor. (Omaha, Neb.) 1915-1928 | View Entire Issue (June 30, 1921)
i (iRowmo, nruji- i\/i {\tvt i * uft,n° i thanktow 1 HL iviwrNi 1 vJxv _™_ A NATIONAL WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF COLORED AMERICANS THE REV. JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS, Editor [A =■--= -- —. -===-- —. ■■■ ■ S2.00 a Year 5c a Copy OMAHA. NEURASKA, THURSDAY, June 30. 1921. Vol. VII. No. 1. Whole No. 313. I GRAND JURY INDICTS 76 COLORED AND 12 WHITE MEN [ GROWING POLL ICAL DISCONTENT EVIDENT The Reaction From Recent Developments And Trend of Policy Has Created Cnusual Stir Among Voters and Citizens (Jener ally Throughoo* Country. Tulsa’s Massacre, the I^ibor Situ ation ;uid OtI ^ Problems Have Disquieting Effect. I COLORED AMERisWS ARE DIVIDED ON POLICY Two Distinct Opinions Are^v ng Advanced, One to The Effect1 That The Republican Pk% Has Failed to Function on Our Behalf; The Other That it ■' Wise to Await Developments. Strong Independent Sentime.it is Being Voiced Throughout North Which Is (Jiving Politicians Some Concern. 1 (By the Associated Negro Press) WASHINGTON, D. C.. June, 30 President Hauling has given assur ance to visitors who have discussed I the matter of his attitude on racial matters, that he will not “fail” the Colored people of America. The reaction from recent develop-1 nients and trends of policy, has creat ed a stir among voters and citizens generally that is almost equal to an election. The dying embers of Tulsa’s mas fsacre, together with the labor situa tion and the gloomy news of justice, have placed the people in a sori*y t frame of mind. It is well that the Executive head of the government, comes forward with a note of encouragement. The question,' however, is on the definition of the term "fail”. President Harding may seriously be of the opinion that he has not failed, provided he makes a eertuin line of appointments, and pursues the policy of experimenting with the traditions of the South on the Negro question. ), The Colored Americans of all sect ions are inclined in two directions: First, there is a growing minority that feels that the Republican party has once more, to use the expression of one, 'used Colored people for a good thing”; Second, there is a group that desires to let the people who think they are right, try their hand, until ( they succeed or fail, ami they add, “So far as the South is concerned, we know in advance they will fail.” PKumhlitiKB ot Action Rumblings of action are being heard / in all directions. It is being declared that Charles W. Anderson is to be given the position of Collector of In ternal Revenue, as the outstanding slice of Afro-citizenship recognition. The President is formulating his policy, it is declared, and even he has not fully decided just what his course will tie, except in one particular, and that Is that he will be just. It is, however, being maintained that the renumeration policy recently given, was the latest thing up to that date, and if there has been a change, it has been due to the pressure brought to bear because of the wide I publicity given to the facts, and the j pressure of Senators, Congressmen, and political voters in northern states who have a keen eye on developments in matters leading up to November, j 1922. The big question with the colored citizens is this: ON WHOM MAY WE DEPEND TO BE OUK AD VOCATEfci IN MATTERS OF PRINCIPLE AND JUSTICE? Back of that very serious and vital question is the right to live at peace with neighbors, to have homes protecUyl, to educate children, to advance in agriculture, business 'and political lines acording to merit. 'That, say the people everywhere, is the crux. W'hal is Really Happening? How is this unrest and uncertainty | crystalizing ? In all of the so-called “voting states,” there are insurgent movements on. In Pennsylvania, it is headed by R. L. Vann, editor of The Pittsburgh Courier, and they had a statewide meeting in Harrisburg re- j icently, where they resolved and de-j dared they would henceforth stand j only for such persons as were known ; to lx- loyal. They did considerable de- ■ nouncing, including Senator Penrose, j all because of the failure to pass the Civil Rights bill. In New Jersey, Isaac H. Nutter, in his statement of the Republican Na tional Committee action, has received hundreds of endorsements on his ex ' pression of independence. In New j | York, Indiana, Ohio and Illinois, par ! ticularly Chicago, there are feelings of ( unrest, and expresisons of dissatisfac tion. It is too early to predict to what ex- | tent this discontent wil go. In Mary land, Virginia, North Carolina; in j Missouri and In Tennessee, there are ! 1 murmurings, to say nothing of Ken-j tucky, where the Louisville News,1 William Warley, editor, proposes to the people that an independent party ! be established. Practical politicans among the j white Republicans, as well as the smaller growing number of patriots do not like the turn of events, bui they are “hoping against hope." SENSATIONAL DIVORCE CASE COMPROMISED North Carolina “Triangle” Involving Prominent Individuals of Both Races Settled Out of Court. Alleged That Mrs. Varner Has Been Given Satisfactory Settlement. Damage Suit Against McRary Dropped. GREENSBORO, N. C. June 30- The entire book dealing with the sensa tional Varner litigation, save the chap ter concerning a divorce between H. B. Varner and his wife, Mrs Florence C. Varner, was settled Thursday after noon, June 23, to the satisfaction of all concerned, when the attorneys re ed, namely, H. B Vainer, Mrs Varner presenting the three patties interest and Baxter McRary, wealthy colored man, agreed upon the conditions of the compromises, and signed the necess ary papeis to make the agreements binding. Proceedings Kepi Secret The suit of Varner against McRary for $100,000 is withdrawn, Mrs. Flo rence C. Varner gets a sum of money, ■aid to be about $20,000, the suit of Fritts vs. Walser is settled, Mrs. Var ner Is to go to her home in Utah, and it is understood, she will enter suit ■ there for a divorce, which suit it is : ■aid, will not be opposed. The exact provision of the settlement of the case | are not known, the lawyers agreeing among themselves to keep the terms a secret. Ab to the innocence or guilt of Mrs. Varner, the courts have not yet said, and rather than go through the ordeal of another trial and rather than air the nauseating case again before the public, all parties concerned desired to effect a compromise. i country, have the people of both races j been so thoroughly aroused concern ing litigation as they were during the ! time and immediately following the trial of the case in federal court in February. The trial lasted for ten days i and in it over 100 witnesses testified. Clandestine meetings, secret auto ndes, love notes, telephone conversa tions and many other features disclos ing the intimate private ilfe of Mrs. Varner and McKary were aired and : contested. According to evidence presented, McKary was found in the home of Mrs. Varner, one night last August Mr. Varner was out of town at the time. Immediately upon information regarding the alleged intimate rela tions of his wife and Me Itary, Varner brought suit against McKary for '$100,000 damages for alleged aliena toi'n of his wife’s affections. In a counter charge, Mrs. Varner sued her husband for $5,000 a year for rcason j able subsistence. NOTICE | To insure your news appearing In the curent issue be sure to have it l reach us not later than Tuesday night of each week. If your news is late we cannot get it in. Our forms are locked up for press Wednesday morning. We want the news. Please see that it I reaches us on time. PROMINENT EDUCATOR OBSERVES ANNIVERSARY _ PROF. CHAS. H. BOYER, dean of St. Augustine's School, Raleigh, N. C. who celebrated his 25th anniversary during the school’s com mencement, May 22-25 of this year. The faculty and teachers presented him with many valuable gifts as expressions of their |appreciation for his long services at that institution. Among the presents was a substantial purse. The school gave him a trip to I Europe recently as a mark of their appreciation. A PROSPEROUS OKLAHOMA TOWN Monitor Scribe Visits Kufaulu Where He Kinds Many Home-Owners and Successful Business Professional Men and Farmers. Eufaula, Oklahoma, June 12.— This is a beautiful little town of about 2000, and about 125 colored !families, most of whom own theii* own homes. There are fifteen or six teen business places among our folks and all are doing a good business, among those of importance are: D. I.. Floyd, gunsmith, who has all of the work of this kind in the tovm and the county* being the best there [is. Mrs. Floyd operates a grocery i store in her own building and has a I fresh line of groceries of all kinds, I they carry a small line of drugs, and ,e succeeded in getting them to carry a full line of Kaffir Chemical t Laboratories • .,ducts. J. E. Price has a grocery store al most across from the Katy station land has a fine line of best brands of goods there are on the market. The pride of the town is the Meat Market owned by Mr. W. T. Barn* ! arm. Mr. liumarm has the best meat : market in this part of the state, and | raises and kills his own fine hogs and cattle. Mr. L. W. Jordan is one of the , leading blacksmiths in the city, and I has a wagon shop in connection with his shop. Mr. S. W. Wright is the auto machanic and enjoys all the work that he can do. A motion picture house is owned by Messrs Trammel & Goodman and shows every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights, Mr. D. L. Floyd operates the machine. Henderson md Tumplin have a nice four table pool hall. There are two rooming houses in the city, one run by Hunter and Tramplin and the other by Henry Black. Mr. Bob Cook has a modern clean ing and pressing establishment with ope Jioofman Steam pressing mach ine. N. F. Neal is the silver smith and jeweler and has a good business. L. E. Earnest has a fine selection of second hand goods in his store. John Wilson has a two chair bar ber shop. P. T. Patton enjoys the distinction of being the best boot and shot mok er in the town, ard has ail of the modem machinery for repair work. Mr. Patton is a graduate of Tuske gec. The school house is one of the best in the state and has four large well equipped rooms. Prof. C. C. Monroe is the principal and has three able assistants. _ There are four nice churches. I)r. C. L. Cooper is the physician and enjoys a good practice among both races. Dr. R. H. Taylor is the dentist, and has a very modern equipped office. Attorney John Epps looks after the legal interests of his people with the assistance of Attorney W. H. Twine of Muskogee. Among some of the most prosper ous farmers are: Messers E. L. Campbell, Noah Gregory, \V. H. Middlebrooks, J. J. Smith, N. C. Chile, G. W. Walker, J. Basset and D. G. Garner. All of these farmers own their own farms, and have a good prospect for a good crop year. (OMMKRITAI, aril ENTERTAINS MEMBERS AND FRIENDS The Colored Commercial Club held a goodfellowship meeting last Thurs day night at the V. W. C. A. An ex cellent program was rendered, re freshments served and a pleasant so-' clal time was enjoyed by all present. | The commisloner, Mrs, Crane M. Hutten, announced the program j which consisted of the following j numbers: Plano solo, Miss Dorothy | I Storms; selection by Taylor male 'quartette, consisting of the ltev. Rus- j sell Taylor and his three sons, Rus-! sell, Jr., William and Elbert; solo, | Miss Dolores Johnson; address Rev \V. C. Williams; humorous reading, Mrs. Reilly; solo, Leroy Kelly and an address by Mr. S. S. Caldwell of the Omaha Chamber of Commerce who was largely responsible for the organization of the Colored Commer cial Club. Mr. Caldwell was Intro duced by Mr. Alfred Jones, vice-pres ident. Mr, Caldwell presented many practical ideas and his address was highly appreciated and well received. ENJOY DANCING PARTY A delightful dancing party was giv en Monday night for the members of the Church of St. Philip the Deacon at Hanscom Park pavillion. The affair ' was in charge of Mis. George Watson land Miss I.Utie M. Bryant. Members of the congregation and their friends spent a delightful evening. The young ; people were present in good numbers. jThe music was furnished by Green's orchestra. — SUBSCRIBERS, PLEASE NOTICE If the little pink label on your paper reads 7-1-21 it means that your sub scription is now due. Many subscrip tions fall due with this issue. The Monitor needs the money, badly. Please pay your subscription prompt ly WILBEKFORCK HOLDS COMM ENCEJI ENT President Gregg Is Inaugurated And 127 Deceive Diplomas From Vari ous Departments. WILBERFORCE, O., June 18.—At the commencement of Wilberforce University, which is said to be the greatest in the history of the institu tion, Dr. John A. Gregg, was naitgur-' ated president, there were 127 grad uates from the various departments, and Prof. Aaron E. Malone, among others received the honorary degree of master of Arts. The exercises which lasted one week were all high class, one feature being the meeting of the Trustees of the University in annual session last ing only one day, closing at noon, the j first time In the history. Fully three | thousand people were present on . commencement day. Dr. Gregg was inaugurated under j the Alumni Association, Dr. Reverdy j C. Ransom, the president presided, and Bishop II. F. Gee, senior Bishop of the A. M. 10. church, made the prayer. Dr. Ransom, delivered an able address, which was followed by music. Dr Thomas H. Jackson, one of the first graduates of the university, de llvered an address, which was thoughtful and practical. Dr. W. S. Scarborough, ex-president spoke ex- , tending greetings to his successor, and wishing him success. It was fit ting that he should deliver an ad- , dress. The keys, charter, and seal of Wil berforce University were presented to the new president by Bishop G. J. Coppin, and a committee consisting of Presidents, G. A. Edwards of Kit trell college; J. H. l^ewis, Morris j Brown University; S- G. Green, Short-;, er college; and E. W. Williams, Paul Quinn college. In accepting the emblems of au thority, Dr. John A. Gregg delivered his inaugural address, which was frieghted with good common sense | outlining the policy for the future which means a greater Wilberforce. At 10 o’clock last Thursday morn ing the commencement day exercises j Were pulled off, and it will live for i many years to come. Several, thous and people were unable to get inside the building. Dr. E. H. Glndley, Chancellor of the University of Kan sas, Gawrence, delivered the com mencement address. It was wonder ful address. “New Present Day Pi oneers." was the theme discussed. He [dead for an equal opportunity in the walks of life for all Americans. It was a heart to heart talk from man ! to man. The old and the new were the types of pioneers brought face to face, the man who lived for others and not selfish represented the high er life, the life of service. TULSA CHIEF-OF POLICE HAS BEEN INDICTED Grand Jury Probing Race Riot Re turns True Bills Against Members of Police Force. TULSA, Okla., June 25.—Chief-oi Police John A. Gustafson of the Tulsa police department and other member# of the department were indicted to- I day by the grand jury in connection with the recent race riot, and on | charges of permitting vice. Other in dictments in connection with auto thefts were returned against Ray Ward, head of the police automobile recovery department; Roy Meacham, traffic officer; E. F. Waddell, crief of police of Sand Springs, a suberb and F. E. Williams, Sand Springs police man. Gen. S. P. Freeling, who conducted the inquiry, told the court he could not fully concur in the report because it did not include accusations he said he believed should have been made against other officials and alleged ri oters. The jury blamed the armed Negroes who went to the court house on the night of the outbreak for the riot. In the same report the grind jury indicted seven civilians in connection I with the race riots. Previously ap proximately UO indictments had been returned. EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF ST PHILIP, THE DEACON The Church School which meets ev ery Sunday morning at 10 o’clock continues to grow steadily. I^ast j Sunday’s attendance was exceptionally j good. Mrs. Winfred .1. Johnson has 1 been added io the corps of teachers. The services next Sunday will be as follows, holy commuhion, 7:30 a. m.; matins 8:30 a. m.; Church school 10 a. m.; holy communion and ser mon 11 a. m.; evening prayer 8 o’clock. Mrs. Virginia P. Smith has been re ceived from St. Philip's Church, Brooklyn, N. Y. MANY INDICTMENTS RETURNED IN TULSA Grand Jury Has Returned Eighty-Eight Indictments. Seventy Six Colored Persons Are Held For Rioting, An Unbailable Of fense, While Only Twelve Whites Are Indicted For Looting, A Minor Offense. LOOK ASKANCE UPON REKADILITATION PLAN Plans Are Being Rapidly Perfected to Develop Segregated District Two Miles Distant From Former Site In Unhealthful Section. Clever'Scheme to Have Race Throughout Country Lift Bur den of Building From Shoulders of Tulsites. (Special to The Monitor by Stafl TULSA, OKLA., June 20.—The world believes, or strenuous efforts have been made by business and oth er interests here, to make the world l#lieve that Tulsa is truly penitent for her sins and the crime which blackened her character. Happenings here, however, would seem to indi cate that this oil metropolis was “e’en in penance planning sins anew” against her Negro citizens. Two of these events are the indictments by the grand jury and the proposed re construction plan. I fail to see how any unbiased person can consider these events without reaching the conclusion of your correspondent that Tulsa is neither penitent for her past transgressions nor does she propose amendment of life or restitution for her sins. Nor is she sincerely trying to help destitute Negro citizens re habilitate themselves. Her seeming philanthropy has a significant mer cenary and commercial aspect. But! let your readers draw their conclu- j sions from the following facts: Grand Jury Indictments The grand jury had returned up to Saturday June 18 88 indictments. Of these 24 were returned Saturday morning about equally divided be tween blacks and whites. The grand jury returns of Saturday constituted the first formal accusations made against any of the whites. In other words, 76 colored Americans and only 12 white Americans have been in-< dited. The 76 indictments against the colored people are for rioting, an unbailable offense, punishable un der the statutes with death; while the indictments against the twelve white men are for looting, a charge in this state which is bailable, and punishable by fcnprisonment. Th.5^ may be justice, but my opinion is that few broad-minded Americans will so consider it. The grand jury has evidently lost sight of the ident ity of the real rioters, the persons who were responsible for the direct causes ; and conditions leading up to the con-j flict and have refused to seek the master mind that directed the devas tation of the coveted Negro section. \ which was becoming too valuable fori ‘‘occupation by Negroes.” Some in- J quisition should be made into the ac-! tions of the chief of police and the j editor of The Tulsa Tribune and some j other “higher ups" incidently inter- j ested in the zoning of the city. The indictments by the grand jury are not reassuring of any sincere inten tion upon the part of the people of Tulsa, in the judgment of your cor respondent, to see that justice is done. It looks very much like a well planned efort to place the blame on the black people of Tulsa. Eighty eight indictments, 76 against blacks for rioting, an unbailable offense, 12 only against whites for looting, an offense for which bail is accepted! --->.■!»•* ___ f Correspondent.) The Negro was at no time an offend er, but acted only in defense of law and order and later of his home, his business and his life. Will Rebuild in Unhealthy District “Little Africa” is to be rebuilt; but, and please note this significant fact and recall what I said in a former article about unsuccessful efforts to buy out the property owners in this segregated district prior to the riot, not in the seme section, but one two miles to the north and east of the lately occupied district. This district lies in low land, with poor drainage and has no sewage or water conven iences and is ur.healthful and unde sirable. This site has been accepted, largely from duress, after a confer ence between white business men and “leading Negroes” who “approve (?) of the reconstruction plan and sanc tion ( ?) program.” It is alleged that at least two of these “leading Negroes” who have been most enthusiastic in their ap proval of the site belong to the “Yas Sah-Ha-Ha-Me-Too-Boss” type, and against whom it has been frequently .charged that they have sold their race politically. These have succeed ed in associating with them other well-meaning colored men, who are innocent of the tricks of shrewd poli ticians. However, this is the proposed plan: To purchase the land in the dev astated district at a good price and by the help of the bankers to put across a million dollar real estate and building corporation, with shares at $1.00 each, to be sold broadcast to Ne groes throughout the United States, [ the money to be used to build homes ! for Negroes in the new segrega ted j district or “Little Africa” of Tulsa. 'This strikes your correspondent as a very caever scheme, not only to make I the race throughout the country pay for the rehabilitation of “Little Afri ca.’ for which Tulsa should pay, and has promised to pay, but also to make the race throughout the country en dorse the principle of the segregated (district or ghetto, the danger of which and the easy destmction of which has just been so tragically demonstrated in Tulsa. But this, it is alleged, is in j substance, the plan or scheme for re building and rehabilitating the thou sands of law-abiding, prosperous, | self-respecting,.innocent Negroes who lost the accumulation of years of fru gality and industry at the hands of a mob which not only used torches but dropped inflammable bombs from aeroplanes on their dwellings, church es, schools and business places, and which the business men of Tulsa told j the people of the country would lie rebuilt by funds contributed by the white citizens of Tulsa. Tulsa may be penitent and sincere but these two significant events up on which I have dwrelt leaves large latitude for skepticism. RESPITE FOR CONDEMNED MEN IN ARKANSAS The National Association For The Advancement of Colored Peo ple Scores Another Great Victory In Its Legal Fight For Jus tice For Men Convicted in Connection With Elaine Riots Which Were in Fact a Revolt Against Peonage. NEW YORK, June 30—“-The Nation al Association for the Advancement of Colored People, 70 Fifth Avenue, New York, have announced that a respite had ben obtained in the cases of the six colored men sentenced to die on June 10 for their alleged connection with the Arkansas riots. Unsuccessful appeals were made to Governor Thomas C. McRae to grant a stay of execution pending the result of the trials of the other six men in ; the Phillips County Court. Two days before the date set for the I execution of Frank Hicks and five others, attorneys for the N. A. A. C. P. ; applied for a writ in the Pulaski Chan cery Court restraining the state of Arkansas from putting the death sen tence into execution The writ was granted by Chancellor Martfneau and a restraining order was served upon the warden at the penitentiary pre venting the execution pending further action by the court. On June 8, the National Ofice re ceived the following telegram from Little Rock, Arkansas: “Petition for Habeas Corpus filed Chancery Court which stays execution. (Signed Scipio A. Jones.” Meanwhile a writ of prohibition was applied for by the authorities in the Arkansas State Supreme Court, dis solving this last defense of the con demned men. The National Office of the N. A. A. C. P. immediately tele graphed its attorneys suggesting that they apply in the federal court for u writ of habeas corpus to prevent the execution. On June 21 the National Office re ceived the following telegram from Little Rock, signed Scipio A. Jones: “No imminent danger electrocution. Possible writ here from Arkansas Su preme (Court) to Supreme Court (Continued On Page s SLOGAN: “The Monitor In Every Home And I’ll Help Put It There” I.