_ . . _
f v THE MONITOR
\ A NATIONAL WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF COLORED AMERICANS
THE REV. JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS, Editor
^ $2.00 a Year. 5c a Copy OMAHA, NEBRASKA, FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 1923 Whole Number 404 VoL VIII—No. 40
DEATH OF WHITE BOY
STIRS CRUSADE TO
END PEONAGE EVIL
North Dakota Demands Abolition of
Vicious System After One of
Her Sons Dies in Convict
Labor Camp
I -
EXPOSE SOUTHERN SLAVERY
Claim Itoy Held in Practical Slavery
Was Heaton to Death by the
Overseers—Many Negro
Lads Suffer Same Fate
(Crusader Service)
Langdon, N. I)., April 6.—Out of
the death in a Southern convict camp
of a white farmer boy who started
out to “see the world,” has arisen the
extraordinary situation of North Da
kota, as a state, protesting to Flor
ida, as a state, against the conditions
which made the tragedy possible.
Out of this protest in turn has
sprung the probability not only that
the law will avenge the boy’s death,
hut that Florida will bring to an end
the "peonage” system that has in
volved thousands of Negro workers
and hundreds of wayfarers in that
state through many years. Gov.
Hardee has, indeed, declared his pur
pose of demanding this action at the
session of the Florida legislature,
which begins next week.
The farmer hoy who was the first
| cause of this unusual series of events
A involving the first renl protest by
whites against the system which has
for so long victimized the Negro pop
ulation: of the South, was Martin
Tabert, of a well known family of
Munich, Cavalier county. He died on
February 1. 1922, in a lumber camp
in Leon county, Florida. For six
months his death meant nothing to
anybody hut Tlis family. Then was
begun an investigation which brought
about these results:
The state of North Dakota solemn
ly charged that Tabert came to his
end as a result of the forced convict
labor system legalized in Florida.
North Dakota solemnly charged
that he died as the result of “abuse
and torture inflicted upon him while
ho was unjustly held in a state of
practical slavery.” Tahert’s friends
hero say he was beaten to death by
a heavy whip in the hands of the
convict lalior ‘whipping boss.’ ”
North Dakota solemnly demanded
of Florida that it shall make impos
sible the commission of such abuses
in the future; in other words, that
Florida repeal its convict lal>or laws
iat once.
in the fall of 1921 Martin Tabert,
twenty-two year old son of Mr. ami
Mrs. Hen Tabert of Munich, decided
he would spend the remainder of the
season in the central states and the
winter in the south. Up to that time
V nearly all of his life had been spent
on the farm a few miles from Mun
ich, a small town in the southwestern
part of Cavalier county.
All went well with him until he
reached Florida and there found a
labor condition different from any
thing known to him, and he shortly
“went broke.” He was then a strang
er in a strange land with no one to
appeal to for help or advice. Instead
or turning back and working his way
home, or writing for help, he evident
ly decided to go on. In doing that
he made the fatal mistake of riding
on a train in Florida without a ticket.
Sentenced to Ninety Days
On December 15, 1921, he was ar
rested by a deputy sheriff in Leon
county, Fla., for stealing a ride on a
railroad train. He was then taken
before an official who fined him $25,
or in lieu of payment sentenced him
to serve ninety days. He was un
able to pay the Tine and wired his
brother. The telegram sent is as fol
lows:
“Tallahassee, Fla.,—John Tabert,
Munich, N. D.,—In trouble and need
i $50 to pay fine for vagrancy. Flease
wire money in care of Sheriff.—Mar
\ tin Tabert.”
I Upon receipt of the telegram, John
*. ^ Tabert took it to the parents and it
’ was decided to write, send him more
money than he called for, and urge
him to come home. On December 21,
1921 a letter was sent to him, regis
| tered, and in care of Sheriff Jones.
I The letter contained a draft on the
| First National Bank of Munich for
' $76.00. According to the postmark
on the letter it was received by the
L sheriff at Tallahassee, Fla., on Dec.
[’ 24. It wax returned to Mrs. Hen Ta
ll was stamped “Returned to the writer
unclaimed from Tallahassee, Fla.”
\ There was also written on the envel
ope “Returned by request of sheriff.
' Party gone.”
Letter Tells of Death
The return of the letter thus post
marked caused the Tabert family at
Munich to believe that Martin had
found some way of securing a re
lease. They wrote for further infor
mation and received the following re
plies:
Clara, Fla., February 15, 1923.
Atty. Norris Nelson, Munich, N. I).
Dear Sir: Replying to yours of the
9th, with reference to the death of
Martin Tabert. Beg to advise that
we have all able-bodied men prisoners
form I.eon county leased for a term
of one year. We, of course, have to
clothe, feed and house these prison
ers. About once a month the state
prison inspector ^'oes through our
camp and makes careful inspection.
We also furnish a doctor. When Mar
tin was taken sick the doctor advised
that he would not take his medicine
regularly. He first had malaria fever
which terminated in pneumonia. He
was sick but a short time and one of
the prisoners was taken off the work
to wait on him. Martin Tabert was
sentenced in Tallahassee on December
ldth to serve a term of three months.
We do not understand why the sher
if of Icon county should have told
the people he had gone and did not
accept the money for his release.
This you will have to take up with
him.
Trusting w» have given you the in
formation you desire, we are
Yours very truly,
PUTNAM LUMBER CO.
Tallahassee, Fla., Feb. 17, 1923.
Hon. Norris H. Nelson, Munich, N. D.
Dear Sir: Your letter of February
9, 1922, received, and beg to say that
Martin Tabert was arrested here on
December 16, 1921, for beating his
way on a railroad train, which is a
violation of the state law. He was
fined $26 and costs or three months.
All able-bodied prisoners that fail
to pay their fines are leased to the
Putnuin Lumber Co., at Clara, Fla.,
which is sixty miles from this place,
and are sent there if they stand a
physical examination, which he did,
by Dr. I!. J Bend of this city, if they
fail to pay their fine and costs within
two days’ time, so you can see he
was in good health when he left here
for the camp at Clara, Fla.
He was never brought back here
after he was delivered to the I’utnam
Lumber Co.
There was some money wired to
him after he was gone, but I could
not get it, as it was registered and
sent in his name. 1 therefore re
turned it.
Respectfully,
J. R. JONES,
Sheriff, Leon county, Fla.
The letters explained how he came
to get to the hands of the Putnam
I,umber company. It was not en
tirely unreasonable to suppose that
he might have been sick, died and
was buried, just as stated. The Ta
berts had never experienced anything
but honorable treatment from public
officials or from such corporations,
and the letters sent so thouroughly
convinced them that there was noth
ing iregular in the affair that, noth
ing further was done for five months.
* .
ASSISTANT SECRETARY
N. A. A. C. I*. IN DM All \
Walter F. White, of New York
City, assistant secretary of the Na
tional Association for the Advance
ment of Colore<l People arrived in
Omaha Sunday morning and was met
) hy Henry W. Black, president of the
j local branch, who took him to the
home of Mr. and Mrs. Jasper E.
I Brown, near neighbors of John Redd
and Wade Green. Can you beat this
for a harmonious color scheme?
Mr. White, who is visiting the
branches in several cities, held a con
ference with the Executive Board of
the Omaha Branch Monday night
and with a group of citizens at St.
Paul’s Presbyterian church Tuesday
night. He also spoke at the Y. M. C.
A. Tuesday afternoon. He left Tues
j day for Lincoln where a large meet
; ing had been arranged for him in the
City Auditorium. Thence he will vis
it Denver, Pueblo, and other Colorado
points returning to Omaha to address
|a mass meeting at Grove M. E.
I church Sunday afternoon, April IB.
Mr. White is an effective speaker and
.standing room is generally at a prem
ium wherever he speaks.
UNITED STATES
SUPREME COURT
REVERSES ITSELF
Prominent New iork Lawyer De
clares Victory Won hy N. A. A. ('.
I*, in Arkansas Cases Nets
Precedent.
EFFECT IS FAR REACHING
Kripio A. Jones, a Negro Lawyer, in
Forefront of Victorious Four-year
Battle for Victims of
Peonage.
New York, April 6.—New York
lawyers have been commenting on the
far-reaching results of ttie victory by
the National Association for the Ad
vancement of Colored People in the
Arkansas cases, in which the United
States Supreme Court reversed the
decision of the lower court which had
condemned five colored farmers to
death.
Walter Nelles, a prominent New
York lawyer, writing in the Law and
Freedom Bulletin issued hy the Amer
ican Civil Liberties Union, states that
the Supreme Court not only reversed
a lower court in the Arkansas ease,
but halls the Arkansas decision as the
one of the most far-reaching In regard
to the principle of habeas corpus that
the- Supreme court has ever made.
Contrary to the decision in the Leo
Frank case, the Supreme Court lias
held in the Arkansas cases that de
spite legal forms, if a mob has dom
inated a court room, a fair trial has
not been held. As Mr. Louis Mar
shall, counsel for Loo Frank stated to
the N. A. A. C. P.: “The stone that
the builders rejected has now become
the chief of the corner. — — Due
process of law now means, not merely
a right to be heard before a court,
but that it must, he before a court
that is not paralyzed by mob domina
tion.’’
The case is held especially impor
tant for Negro citizens in that It
makes possible contest of any case
in which it can he shown that a mob
influenced decision.
The N. A. A. C. P. paid tribute to I
j Scipio A. Jonee, the colored lawyer of
Chile Hock, who has had charge and
was in the forefront of the four-year
legal battle culminating in the victory
before the Supreme Court. This case
is regarded by the N. A, A. C. P. as
the most important legal battle fought,
as it was the most costly, nearly
$lf>,000 being expended to obtain the
action before the Supreme Court.
It is now thought probable that the
condemned men will never suffer the
i death sentence which has three times
I been averted.
PILGRIM HAITIST CHURCH
Rev. Wm. Franklin, Pastor
A large congregation was present
at the 11:00 o’clock sendee Sunday.
The pastor preached from the text,
“If Christ be Not Risen Your Faith is
Vain.” Several were added to the
church.
The monthly conference Wednesday
evening was well attended, and in
structive. The Board of Deacons was
increased by four.
The Elite Whist Club met with Mrs.
T. P. Mahamrnett on Monday after
noon. Mrs. A. L. Hawkins won the
prize. An elaborate luncheon was
served by the hostess.
The Dames Club was entertained
at the home of the president, Mrs. M.
E. Overall, 2010 Lake St., Wednes
day afternoon. The first prize was
won by Mrs. Joe Brown and the
booby by Mrs. S. H. Dorsey.
From Nebraska to Arkansas and Back
Experiences and Observations of the Editor on Trip to Southland
Where He Saw Many Things of Interest
_
i “A RADIOGRAM FROM
A CITIZEN OF MARS"
Little Rock is a prosperous looking,
well built city although its sewage
system, almost like bayous, strikes
one as rather archaic. This is true
of certain residence sections. The
actions largely inhabited by colored
folk are very generally unblushingly
■'uiltles of pavement and so far as
the street lighting system is concern
ed one is reminded of that striking
Scriptural passage, “Men love dark
ness rather than light." Far be it
from me to even hint that the city
authorities of Little Rock are men of
evil deeds, but it is certainly true that
they seem to “love darkness rather
han light” in those sections of their!
city where the genial “Children of
the Sun” reside.
The dual system of which 1 have
poken of as ubiquitous or every
where present in the South, with its
strange inconsistencies, is quite ap
parent on the street cars. A helio
graph or a radiogram from a citizen
of the I’lanet Mars, giving his im
pressions of a visit to Little Rock and
other Southern cities would read like
this:
"There seem to be two great races
there altho it is sometimes exceeding
ly ilificult to distinguish the differ
ence between them. There is a race
call* d “white" altho some of them
have quite dark complexions, and an- [
other race called “Negro” or “black;” I
but the puzzling thing to a Martian is
that while I can understand why the t
black people of whom there is a large !
number are called black, I cannot un- 1
'erstand why so many people wdth I
white complexions and even blue eyes
—and there is a largo number of j
these, too—are classed as black. But
s'-ch is the case in that section of the
great country railed the United ;
States.
“In the section of that country
raled the South, these “Black" peo
ple, who run through a large variaty
of colors from black to w'hite with in
termediary shades and reminds one of
n variegated pansy bed, are found in
large numbers. They seem to be a
good-natured, good-hearted sort of
people. They seem to find it neces
sary, however, to keep their eyes on
the “whites.” This is most noticeable
on what they call “street cars” which
are very generally used by the people
in all these great cities. The whites
and blacks all enter by the same door
into these cars. This door is a back
door or at the end of the conveyance;
hut while all these people enter by
the same door the white people are
compelled to sit in the front seats,
here the black people can keep their
eye on them. And when it comes to
getting off of these cars the white
people must go out the front door as
they are not permitted to make their
exit through the back door. The
“black” people seem to reserve this
exit for themselves showing com
mendable consistency in their ent
rance and exit.
“Another thing that puzzled me
was why some “white” people were
allowed to occupy the seats with the
“black” people and talked pleasantly
with them and seemed to be very
happy with them while other "white”
people were compeled to sit in front.
I could not understand this at all, nor
do I yet but I was told that altho the
“white” people looked white, they
were in reality “black.” I concluded
that the atmosphereof the Planet
Karth had impaired my vision or had
wrought an optical delusion. There
were many other things that Im
pressed me as queer for in other parts
of the same big country customs gov
erning these two groups of people
seem quite different.”
Readers will bear in mind that this
is ‘An Impresion of An Inhabitant
of Mars Upon His Visit to Little
Rock And Other Southern Cities” by
Radiogram.
I admit that his impressions upon
this point are very much like my own.
Hut it is the custom of the South and
they think it wise. They stem to see
no inconsistency in trying to “avoid
all physical contact betwen the
races” in having a white pasenger,
for example, crowd his or her way
with difficulty through a numl>er of
colored passengers to get to the front
of a crowded car, when there would
be less “contact” or even “friction”
by standing quietly near the door of
the entrance, and alighting therefrom
after a few blocks ride. Hut no, that
would violate slavish traditions and
do violence to the prerogatives of a
fanciful race superiority, while for
getting that superiority does not de
pend upon race or color but upon
character ability and personal worth.
They only are superior who do su
perior things and manifest superior
character.
In Little Rock hundreds of Negroes
are doing superior things. They are
sucessfully conducting large business
enterprises, with capital running into
the millions, and employing scores of
our youth, male and female; carrying
on institutions of learning of high
character and standing; ocupying and
owning beautiful homes where chil
dren are being brought up in the nur
ture and admonition of the lxml;
worshipping God in stately temples;
administering to the sick with skill
ful physicians, surgeons and nurses
in well equipped modern hospitals.
In tnese and other ways the race is
moving upward and in many instanc
es receiving encouragement from
broad-minded, Christian white men
and women of that section.
Of some of these institutions and
individuals I will tell you later. Are
you wondering what my subject will
be next week ? Of course you are. I
am glad these articles are giving
j pleasure to so many readers.
(Continued next week.)
TRUCULENT TATTLING
TYPE OF MALE SPECIES
Norfolk, Va., April 6.—(Crusader
Service.)—More than 6,000 persons
of both races jammed their way into
the City Hall Armory here March 23,
at the initial program of the Norfolk
Lyceum association. Several thou-1
sands were turned away as early as j
8:30 for lack of even standing room, j
Charles Satchell Morris, Ja., deliv
ered the principal address of the oc-1
casion on the “Bright Side of a Dark j
Subject”. Having just returned from
a notable trip through the far south,
he recounted his experiences in that
section of the country, declaring that
“The worst enemy that the race has
is the cringing, subservient Negro,
who knows no secrets and can keep
none. ‘His ways are dark and his
tricks vain.' Our people must rise
superior to him and crush him by en
lightened public sentiment that
teaches the essential manhood of the
man.” He was accorded an ent
husiastic reception. The noted orator
will depart for a two weeks’ tour
through the east.
City Manager Charles E. Ash-burn
er also spoke at the meeting. He
praised our people for their progress
ive spirit and promised equal dis
tribution of public improvments, as
serting that any mistakes during his
administration would be "of the head
and not the heart”.
A great jubilee chorus of 100 voices
furnished special musical selections
for the ocassion, consisting of old
plantation melodies, spirituals and I
classics.
The vast audience was a record
breaker. It was as much a tribute
to the newly organized Norfolk Ly
ceum association as to the eloquent
young orator.
GAYETY’S SPRING SEASON
Start of Continuous Policy Will Be
At Noon. Sunday
Omaha hasn’t seen a Tom Mix or
any of the Fox I dm Corporation’s
sterling pictures, in months—and
would not were it not for the fact
that the Gayet.v "ill present a new
policy for the Spring months.
Tom Mix is coming back to town
soon. This popular Fox star will ap
pear in “Romance Land” at the Gay
ety theatre for 7 days, starting Sat
urday. The film describes the adven
tures of two people who have an un
shaken belief in the golden age of
romance as it is vividly described in
“Ivanhoe” and the immortal tales of
King Arthur. Naturally, one of these
two is Tom Mix; the other, to quote
from advance notices, is an entranc
ing girl for whom Tom rends heaven
and earth. These reports go on to
say that the photoplay is jammed to
the brim with dynamic action, clear
photography and an alluring love
ti.eme, all interwoven with the bright
skein of wholesome comedy.
From observation of previous
screen creations featuring Tom Mix,
we judge that the coming release
should reach the highest point of film
excelence.
In addition to the picture program
Fred Webster’s "Atta Girl” company
will offer a new musical comedy,
changing every Sunday and Thurs
day.
GREAT SERVICES
EASTER DAY AT
ST. PHILIP’S CHURCH
The impressive services of Holy
Week, including the Passion Service
of Good Friday and the baptismal
services Easter Even culminated in
inspiring services Easter Day, with
record breaking congregations, com
munions, liberal offerings and soul
stirring music. The church was beau
tifully decorated with Easter and
calla lilies, hyacinths, tulips and ros
e The brilliantly lighted Altar with
its incense circling cloud presented a
beautiful sight.
At 6:30 a. m. the church was com
fortably filled and a large number of
communicants received Holy Com
munion. At 11:00 the church was
filled to capacity. The music was
excellent. The special Easter an
them, “Christ , Our Passover” by
Schilling, was beautifully sung, the
soloists being Mrs. Lulu Hicks, so
prano; Mrs. Dana Murphy, alto; and
Dr. John A. Singleton, tenor. The
communion service used was Cobh in
F. The sermon topic was “Witnesses
of the Ressurrection.” Forty-five
persons received the Holy Communion
at this service.
'1’he children’s vesper service was
held at 5:00 o’clock. There were
Easter hymns and brief addresses by
the priest, the Churr hschool super
intendent, George H. W. Bullock, and
Mr. Walter F. White. Cards and
Easter eggs were distributed.
Easter Even, Saturday afternoon
at 5:00 o’clock, the sacrament of Holy
Baptism was administered to four
sons of Mr and Mrs. S. T. Phillips,
and the two sons of the late Algert
Hopkins and wife, now Mrs. Harry
Schwein. The Phillips’ children are
Warren Dale, Gerald Othello, Paul
Irving and John Bivins. The Hop
kins’ children are Gordon Ackers and
Harry Franklin.
j COLORED COMMERCIAL CLUB
The Colored Commercial Club held
an interesting meeting at the Club
Rooms, 2414 Maple street, Thursday
night, with Nate Hunter presiding.
Much business was transacted. The
functions af the executive committee
have been centralized in the body, and
hereafter all business will be trans
acted by the membership in open ses
sion. The Labor Bureau during the
three months of this year has had
252-2 aplications for work and has se
cured employment for 1,058 people.
The Club also endorsed the proposal
to try to secure a representative of
our race on the board of governors
of the Welfare Federation and Com
munity Chest. The next meeting will
be held Thursday, April 26.
RECEPTION FOR
CONFIRMATION CLASS
»
Monday night a reception was held
at St. Philips’ Rectory from 8:30 to
11:00 for the members of the recent
Confirmation class. Despite the rain
there was a good attendance and a
most delightful evening was spent.
HAMPTON INSTITUTE
GLEE CLUB WINS
NEW HONORS
R. Nathaniel Dett, Composer-Pianist,
Conducts Concert in Newport
News With Wonderful
Results.
STUDENT ARTISTS ARE GOOD
Clarence Cameron White, Composer
Violinist, Charms Hampton
Audience With Witchery
of His Bow.
By WM. ANTHONY AERY.
Hampton, Va,, April 6.—-A Urge,
representative and enthusiastic audi- j
ence of white and colored citizens at
tended the concert of the Hampton
Institute Glee Club, which was recent
ly given in the Academy of Music at
Newport News, Va., under the direc
tion of R. Nathaniel Dett, well-known
Negro composer-pianist, who was as
sisted by three of his pupils—'Burke
M. Mathis of Boley, Okla., tenor;
Aubrey W. f’ankey of Pittsburgh, bari
tone, and Gerald B. Wilson of Salem,
Va., pianist. The thirty members of
this glee club and the assisting artists
did yeoman missionary service in
making white and colored men and
women realize the fact that Negroes
can master the intricacies of difficult
musical compositions and can present
a wide-range program with artistic
finish and extraordinary self-control.
The Hampton Institute Glee Club
program, which follows, included reli
gious classics, American Negro folk
songs and their derivatives, and mod
ern compositions, including the work i
of such Negro composers as Cole- j
ridge-Taylor and John W. Work of j
Fisk University:
Religious Classics: Sanctus (Schu
bert), From Thy Throne (Gluck),
and Beside the Manger (Ancient
Carol). Negro Folksongs: ‘Tis Me,
Let. Us Cheer the Weary Traveler,
Balm in Gilead, and Daniel Saw the
Stone. Negro Folksong Derivative:
Babylon’s Falling (Dett). Modern
Compositions: Bedouin Song (Foote),
Silver Lanterns of the Night (Red
ding), With Yon, Dear (Scott), Her
Rose (Combs), Drake’s Drum (Cole
ridge-Taylor), Lullaby (Work), and
On, Hampton (Anonymous).
R. Nathaniel Dett played several
of his own compoistions, including
the Barcarolle and Juba Dance from
"In the Bottoms'’ suite; Song of the
Shrine and Dance of Desire from
"Enchantment” suite, and two en
cores, Mammy from "Magnolia” suite)
and Honey from “la the Bottoms”
suite. He also played several accom
paniments: Canst Thou Believe (Gior
danl), sung by Burke M. Mathis;
Zion Hallelujah (Dett), Poor Me
(Dett), and Dinah Kneading Dough
(Dett), sung by Aubrey W. Pankey.
Gerald H. Wilson played the Gavotte
in B minor (Bach) and an encore,
Arabesque (I^schetiszky. Luther T.
Purvis of Georgetown, S. C., recited
two of Daly’s well-known Italian
dialect poems, “Between Two Loves”
and “I’ve Got Her”.
This was the fifth big concert which
the Hampton Institute Glee Club has
given this season. The others were
given in the Richmond City Audi
I torium, at the University of Rich
mond, at the Virginia Medical College,
and in Ogden Hall, Hampton Institute.
At, Hampton (he assisting artist was
Clarence Cameron White of Oberlin,
O., well-known Negro eomposer-vio
liniest, who made a direct and win
ning appeal to a large audience, with
whom he early established cordial
relations, on acount of the beauty
of his tone in playing Legende(Bohm),
Polonaise (Miynnreki), On the Bayou
(White), Pizzlcatto (Thome), Ber
ceuse (Juon) and Scherzo (Van
Goens).
COLLEGE EDUCATION
CAMPAIGN BEING
VIGOROUSLY URGED
Plans Made to Reach Every Section
of the United States—Members of
Alpha Phil Alpha to Conduct
Drive April 23 to May 6
LEADERS ARE CO-OPERATING
Movement Started by the Alpha Phi
Alpha Fraternity For Higher Ed
ucation Is Heartily Endorsed
By Organization
Washington. D. C., April.—Perhaps
the most forward-looking movement
ever inaugurated by a group of col
lege students is the “Go to High
School, Go to College” campaign
which was begun a few years ago by
the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and
which has since been conducted an
nually by that organization. When
the movement was launched in 1920,
a week known as “Go to High School,
Go to College Week” was devoted
by the then twenty-six chapters of
the fraternity to the conduct of a
nation-wide campaign to encourage
Negro youths to continue their educa
tion. In the 1920 campaign, 2,000
members of the Alpha Phi Alpha
located in various sections of the
United States carried the gospel of
“stay in high school, and go to col
lege” to 500 schools, 700 churches
and to over a half million parents
and children.
Leaders of the Nation Co-operate.
Each year since the first campaign
the movement has taken on greater
proportions and evidence of its in
fluence in the educational world is
seen in the attention given it by na
tional leaders, church organizations
and the press. In a letter to Norman
L. McGhee, national secretary of the
fraternity, regarding to the “Go to
High School, Go to College” cam
paign, the president of the United
States wrote: “The need for effec
tive w'ork to reduce illiteracy among
the colored people is very great and
manifestly it can be accomplished
chiefly though the equipment of mem
bers of the colored race to do educa
tional work among their own people.”
In an issue of the Pittsburgh
Courier, Dean Kelly Miller under his
weekly editorial “Lest We Forget”
stated: “This ‘Go to High School, Go
to College’ week is merely suggestive
of the wide field of activity in which
such organizations might well engage.
The Negro man or woman of the fu
ture who falls short of at least a
high school education can hardly hope
to operate on a high level of service.
It should be a reproach to any col
ored youth within reach of school
facilities to be without a high school
diploma.”
Educational Secretaries Adopt
Suggestion.
At a recent meeting of the Euduca
tion Association of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, one of the
outstanding suggestions adopted at
the conference of the secretaries of
the Christian Education Movement
was to “arrange for ‘Go to College
Day’ at a favorable time, preferably
in May or June.”
This year the “Go to High School,
Go to College” campaign will be con
ducted by the now forty-five chap
ters of the Alpha Phi Alpha under
the direction of Simeon S. Booker,
general president of the fraternity;
Raymond P. Alexander, R. W. Can
non, James W. McGregor and Chas.
W. Greene, associate directors; Carl
J. Murphy, director of the speakers’
bureau; Norman L. McGhee, director
of publicity, and Oscar C. Brown, di
rector of the bureau of statistics.
Every chapter of the fraternity will
have a committee of five headed by
its president to have charge of their
local campaign. The plan of the cam
paign calls for the observing of April
29th as Educational Sunday in con
nection with which ministers of all
denominations will be invited to co
operate. April 30, as Conference Day
with principals and teachers of pub
lic schools, clergymen and other
leaders. May 1, as Letter Writing
Day, when communications will be
sent to students and parents. May
2, as Parents’ Day, w'hen visits to
homes will be made by members of
the Fvaicmity. May 3 and 4, as
Grammar Schooi Day and High School
Dav respectively. May 5, as Banquet
Day, when it is hoped to have each
chapter of the fraternity entertain
the members of the senior classes of
their local high schools where ad
dresses will be made to them by local
educational leaders. May 6 as Mass
Meeting Day, when it is expected
that large public meetings will be
held in every city inthe country at
which addresses will be delivered by
oustanding educational leaders.
From all indications the gospel of
“Go to High School, Go to College”
vdll be heard in every state in the
union as thcr eare now chapters or
members ol the Alpha Phi Alpha in
practically every city of importance
in the United States.