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About The monitor. (Omaha, Neb.) 1915-1928 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 29, 1924)
The Monitor a A NATIONAL WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OP COLORED AMERICANS *'• THE REV. JOHN ALBERt WILLIAMS, Editor - ■ • ■ ' ■- " " '■ ™"~n" $2.00 a Year. 5c a Copy ^a. OMAHA, NEBRASKA, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1924 Whole Number 451 Vol. IX—No. 35 - X. _ - f SENTIMENT FOR RELEASE OF MILITARY PRISONERS ___ _ i _ IS ABMITTEB TO BE VALUABLE ASSET TO A COMMUNITY <<e«rge Capitalist Declares Prosperity of Sooth Depends and Is Linked With Well-Being of the Negro NORTHWARD TREND A PART Migration of Negro Has Beneficent Reaction—Spirit of Friendliness Shown Negro Business Enterprises Atlanta, tla., Feb. 29.—Remarks by Mr. George J. Baldwin, president of the Savannah (Georgia) Board of Trade, in an address before the At lanta Chamber of Commerce at its recent annual banquet Indicated that the migration of the Negro front the South is having a beneficent reaction on that section. A more favorable at titude is being developed In many sec tions. Trained Leaders Needed Declaring that the greatest need of Georgia today is “trained leaders”, Mr. Baldwin said: "The highest need of our state is trained leaders, of men of courage, it is not In our fields, our mines and our forests, which make a state prosperous and happy, it is not in our power companies, our rail ways, our steamships, our farms and our factories that will make Georgia great. These are the mere tools men use in building their communities and their homes. The true factories of our prosperity are our homes in which mothers and fathers are building the character of our future citizens.” Keep the Negro Here Mr. Baldwin declared that the pros perity of Georgia and the South de pends upon keeping the Negro here. It is either to hold the Negro in the South or to replace him by immigra tion from Europe, “which brings with it the bolshevist and anarchist,” he said. “This economic question will settle itself,” Mr. Baldwin declares. “We can afford to pay the Negro as good wages as in any other section of the country, measured by the quality of the services he renders. When this is known the question will be settled.” Mr. Baldwin is chairman of the board of directors of the Savannah Electric and Power Company. During the world war he was president of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, and has held many other exceedingly res ponsible positions. The Atlanta Chamberof Commerce l is composed of 1,500 members and comprises within its membership practically every Important business establishment in the city of Atlanta. In emphasizing the place which the Negro must occupy in the prosperity of the state before this important and influential group of leading Atlanta citizens, Mr. Baldwin showed rare courage and frankness. Chamber of Commerce Meets With Negro Bosineim Men Co-Incident with this banquet was a meeting of a number of leaders of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce with officer* of the Standard Life, Citizens Trust, Service Company, tri angular group of business enterprises operated by colored men in Atlanta, at which meeting there was a fui! dis cussion looking to a closer unde*1 standing of the relations between white and colored citizens of Georgia in the matter 6t co-operation In the Induetrial and civic problems of the state of Georgia. Herman E. Perry, who heads this group of business enterprises operated by Colored men In Atlanta, In speak ing of the meeting, stated that a spirit of co-operation and friendliness was exhibited by each and every member of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce present, and that in his opinion It is the dawn of a new day when the dom inant business Interests of the south indicate a willingness to co-operate in Improving the economic welfare of the I* Colored people through the business ^ agencies set in motion by the Colored people themselves. VIRGIN ISLANDS A DANGER SPOT Washington, Feb. 29.—In the event of a war with a foreign power, Rear Admiral McKean told the Naval Affairs Committee that the vicinity of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, seemed the likely scene of an initial engagement. MEXICAN COLONY FAILS Dallas, Texas, Feb. 39.—The at tempt to colonize Colored people in a locality in northwestern Mexico is said to have failed. The “brethren” did not relish the sporadic revolutions of the Mexicans. ENTHUSIASTIC MASS MEETING HELD BT N. A. A. C. P. AT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH Contribution* Totalling Approximately $175 In Cash and Pledge* Made To Antl-Lynchlng Fund. A mas* meeting under the auspices of the Omaha Branch of N. A. A. C. P. was held at Zion Baptist Church last Sunday afternoon. It was in charge of the Anti-Lynching Fund Campaign committee and In the interest of the drive for that fund. The meeting was called to order by Mr. Asa C. Oglesby, a member of the special committee. Prayer was offered by the Rev. W. F. Botts, pastor of the church. Attorney John Adams made an excellent master of ceremonies. There were musical numbers bp the choir, H. L. Preston, and the B Sharp Circle Quartette. There were brief remarks by the pres ident, Rev. John Albert Williams, and soul-stirring addressee by Isaac Konecky, former editor of the Jewish Bulletin and, deputy sheriff, and Judge A. L. Sutton, after which a strong appeal for contributions to help rid America of the menace of lynch ing bv the passage of the Dyer Anti Lynching Bill was made by Mr. Adams, Judge Sutton opened the fund with ^ contribution of ten dollars. A few others, whose names will be subse i nuently published, followed with like amounts. Others contributed five and lesser sums. The sum of $98.99 was contributed In cash and pledges total ing $75.00 were received. C. C. Gal loway, chairman of the committee of five on the Drive, urged the people present to acquaint their neighbors with the necessity of contributing to the fund. ’ Next Sunday will be the regular meeting of the Branch, which will be turned into a mast meeting. It will be held at Pilgrim Baptist Church. Mayor Dahlman and others will speak. WOMEN’S BUSINESS LEAGUE (Lincoln News Service.) Washington, Feb. 29.—A number of prominent local women have organized what is to be known as “The Women’s National Business League.” The plan of the organization is to create and se cure positions for our women and girls; back up and boost our own en terprises; help our business enter prises to advertise; encourage worthy talent, whether through art or busi ness, by giving scholarships or finan cial support; encourage young men and women who are industrially in clined, to continue their studies in iearnin how to manufacture cloth, shoes, buttons, matches, etc.; to en courage thrift through the savings de partmenes of our “own" banks, and to have some one from our group study business etiquette, window decorat ing, etc., in order to aid our enter prises along these lines. Officers of the organization are: Miss Virginia L. Williams, president, and Mrs. Julia ,H. Hayes, secretary. WHITELAW HOTEL SAVED Washington, Feb. 29.—The Whitelaw Hotel, famous hostelry of Washlrston, D. C., walked right on the auction block and then walked right off again —without being “knocked down.” The sale was postponed pending ap plication for a loan to pay interest on $70,000 In mortgages now past due. Total indebtedness of the famous hos telry is fixed at $150,000. SUCCESSFUL WOMEN FARMERS (Lincoln News Service.) Jefferson City, Mo., Feb. 29.—The <114 Colored women farm owners and operators in this state will be Inter ested In the report ot the Miesouri Bureau of l^ibor Statistics, which claims that the 8,789 farms In the state that are farmed or supervised by women are more profitable than are the average farms controlled by men. HAS EIGHTEEN FARM AGENTS Raleigh, N. C., Feb. 29.—State De partment of Agriculture has eighteen Colored farm agents at work advising farmers of the State. I ELLSWORTH W. PRYOR Who leaves the Omaha Chamber of Commerce today after nineteen years of continuous service as steward. BURCH BALL CLUB HOW IH SPRIHG TRAIHIHG IH SOUTH President Burch and Manager Griggs Leave with Squad of Regulars and Rookies for Camp in Shreveport, La. - < fc ' ' NEW MHMEI llt-LEMIEI Nearly All Candidates are Reporting to Southern Camps. Catcher Geo. Hale is a Hold-out. Cullop Agrees to Terms Barney (Feagin J.) Burch, owner of the Omaha Western league team and his new manager, Art Griggs, with nearly all candidates for this year's team are in spring training at Shreveport, La. Burch and a few players left Omaha the first of the week and Griggs left for camp from Los Angeles the same day. The first exhibition game will be played March 8 or 10. The signing of Art Griggs as man ager of the club was real news to the baseball squirrels. Burch paid 4 thousand dollars to the Los Angeles club of the Pacific Coast league for Griggs, who has played first for that club for several seasons. During 1923 he made but fifteen errors in 163 games, standing fourth in the fielding averages of the en tire circuit. He batted .329, making twenty-one home runs, twelve three-baggers and thirty-five double base blows. Ha scored eighty-eight runs and batted in 101. He’ll play first for Omaha. Mc Carthy, purchased from Syracuse last fall to play the initial sack, will be shiftjed to outfield, IBurchi said last night. “McCarthy,” according to Burch, “is an excellent outfielder, having had as much experience in the outer defense as he has had at first." Means What He Says “Griggs is known for his clean habits, his well-balanced directing and his few words. When he talks he has something to say. He’s going to be manager of the club with all the meaning that the dictionary credits that word.” Griggs used to play second for the St. Louis Browns; later he was sold to Cleveland, where he served until he was sent to the coast. He has been in baseball almost twenty years, much of the time in the big leagues, and is about 36 years old. Among the other 30 or more players who are working for a berth on the Omaha Club are several rookies whose records we have be«pi unable to ob tain, but a short summary of some of the better known men follows: McCarthy comes frem the Syracuse, N. Y., International Club. For him Burch paid 6 thousand dollars cash. He is said to be a wizard. A big fellow, he hits on both sides, round about .300, but throws right handed. He is fast, clean and clever. Experts who watched him at both Syracuse and Columbus rate him high and pre dict a great future for him. Chick Thompson, the St. Louis boy, bought from the Grand Island State league club, looked great the short' time he defended second here last fall, md while he still lacks experience, looks like a fixture on the keystone. He is unostentatious in his work, but speedy in getting over the ground. He hit above .350 in forty-two games in the State league. That he can and will go is the belief of Manager Burch. At short, there are no strings at tached to Jim O’Neil of Minooka, Pa., who comes to Omaha via the Wash ington American league club deal for Byron Speece. Burch predicts that he will be recognized as the Western league ace. At Washington he hit .321 in twenty games. Griffith bought him in 1919 of Scranton for 65 hun dred dollars, a fortune for an infielder at that time. He is a right-handed slammer and a terror, looks like Dick O’Connor, and covers as much ground as any young fielder in the game. Loud, noisy and a hustler—a crowd pleaser. No special encomium is necessary for Jimmy Wilcox, the Oakdale, Pa., wonder. He has had four years ex perience now, and showed better every year. A fine reliable all round play er, who will be among the big ones in 1925. Dick O'Connor will be found in right. He has spent the winter here and reports that he has thoroughly recovered from all his aches and pains and is once more sound as a dollar. Joe Bonowitz of ColumbuB, O., in middle field, has no superior in any league. The one reason why he is not in any of the big leagues is his erratic hitting, and his ineffective ness on bases. Henri La Vallie is a new one, but reputed a star. He lives in Wooster, Mass., and comes to Omaha from the New York Yankees. The Parisian had no chance against Ruth, Meusel and Witt. La Vallie was a marvel at both Wooster and Pittsfield and had there been an opening in the Yankee lineup he would have doubt less shone as brilliantly there. Wilder is at his home in Maynard, Mass., but writes he has kept in fettle all winter. SENATE TURNS DOWN COHEN’S APPOINTMENT This Is the Second Time He Has Fail ed For U. S. Collector of Cus toms at New Orleans. Washington, D. C., Feb. 29.—The United States Senate last week failed to confirm the appointment of Walter L. Cohen as Collector of Port at New Orleans, La. This is the second time that Cohen’s appontment has been turned down by ehe Senate after h1s appointment by the President. It will be remembered that President Harding appointed Cohen twice during his life and that President Coolidge re appointed him after he took office. The vote last week was 36 to 37 against Cohen. His appointment was bitterly fougbt by Southern Senators. COLORED WOMAN APPOINTED ON SCHOOL BOARD (Lincoln News Service.) New York, Feb. 29.—Mrs. Bessie J. Bearden has been appointed to the School Board of the Fifteenth School District, Borough of Manhattan, for a term of two years by Borough Presi dent Miller. Mrs. Bearden is the only Negro board member. She has been chosen Secretary of the Board. LEWIS SUCCEEDS BROWN Chicago, Feb. 29.—Morris Lewis has been appointed assistant Commission er of Conciliation in the Department of Labor to fill the unexpired term of Phil H. Brown, deceased. The appoint ment was made by Secretary of Labor Davis, and was sponsored by Senator Medill McCormick of Illinois. MT. MORIAH BAPTIST CHURCH Rev. E. H. McDonald, D.D., Pastor. Decided progress is being made and noted in all church activities. Sunday morning the Rev. T. J. Brown of Sa vannah, Ga., was the preacher. In his sermon he stressed God’s hatred of 8In. At night the Rev. J. T. Thomas of Pleasant Green Baptist preached. Good congregations were present throughout the day, many strangers being among the worshippers. BETHEL A. M. E. CHURCH Rev. Frederick Divers, Pastor. The services were all well attended Sunday, and there was considerable Interest shown by all departments of the Church. During the coming week, March 3-7, Bethel will observe her Second Anniversary. The program will be participated in by all the churches in Omaha regardless of de nomintion. The program each night will be in charge of one of the auxil iaries of the Church and one or more visiting churches. There will be preaching each evening followed by a social hour. Come to see us during the week. THE CITY LEAGUE The City League composed of the Negro Methodist Churches of the city, which was organized a few Sundays ago, has prepared a splendid program which will be rendered at their next meeting to be held with the A. C. E. League of Allen Chapel, 25th and R streets, South Omaha, Sunday, March 9th, at 1:30 p. m. All young people interested in League work are invited to be present. TEACHERS WANT EQUAL PAY Newark, N. J., Feb. 29.—School teachers of the race have inaugurated a campaign to secure equal pay for all teachers in the State. At present Colored teachers are receiving $200 '.ess than whites. YAST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CONDITIONS IN NORTH AND SOUTH The Rev. W. C. Williams, Pastor of St John’s A. M. E., Who Recently Returned From Southern Trip Gives Impressions. The Rev. W. C. Williams, pastor of St. John’s A. M. E. Church, recently returned from a pleasant trip to At lanta, Ga., Birmingham, Tuskegee, New Orleans, and other Southern points. It was his first extensive trip there since childhood. Speaking of conditions as he observed them, he said: “In the larger cities like At lanta and Birmingham, while there are a few outstanding individuals (who have acquired wealth and influence, the vast majority show lamentable evidence of the repressing conditions under which they live. In the rural districts the condition of our people is pitiable; school privileges are poor and as a result there is a large amount of illiteracy; housing conditions are bad, crowded cabins and shacks being the rule rather than the exception. Another thing that disgusted me was the fact that in the larger cities in the sections where the Negroes live, they don’t pretend to pave or take any care whatever of the streets. Say what they will they are way behind the times. There is no comparison between the advantages our people en joy up here and down there. There’s a big difference. Dissatisfaction as to their condition and the things they have to put up with is rapidly grow ing among our race in the South as I learned from observation and conver sation.” OMAHA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MAKES DECIDED CHANGES Women’s Division Takes Over the Management of Dining Room Which Affects Several of Our Group. PRYOR QUITS AS STEWARD The Omaha Chamber of Commerce has been running behind in its oper ating expenses during the past three years. Difficulty has been found in increasing the membership and conse quently the revenue. For some months there have been rumors of a consol idation of the Chamber of Commerce with the Athletic Club. That such a merger was contemplated was denied. There has been newspaper publicity as to reorganization, retrenchment and other suggestions as to meeting the situation. Commissioner Larsen, whose salary was $12,000 a year has been cut to $6,000, and his resignation ac cepted. It is an open secret that the financial situation of the organization was by no means satisfactory. It is alleged that the dining room, which has been under the capable and effi cient management of E. W. Pryor as steward for nineteen years, and which had been made to pay through his successful management previously,last i year, ran behind to the amount of $6,000. The opening of dining rooms in other clubB and cafes was no doubt : in part responsible for this. As a part of its retrenchment plan, the Chamber of Commerce has turned over the management of the dining room to the Women’s division of the organiza tion and the women have accepted it and have planned to take it over March 16. Through this arrangement Mr. Prpor, who has many commendatory letters from officials of the Chamber and from distinguished guests for his | excellent services, is relieved from a position which he has capably filled for nineteen years, and leaves the Chamber March 1. He leaves with the consciousness of havhng rendered faithful service and without a mark against hi» character for integrity, fi delity or efficiency. This change means the loss of po sitions for several of our men who have been employed as waiters. | Remit for your paper now. Raising the Family- IiwIiiri huMiw • otewmawwing Sopimi _ JCOMEHERE l * [THIS MIHHITl j*| “HOUSTON RIOTERS” HAVE EXEMPLARY RECORD IH PRISON Soldiers of Ill-Fated Twenty-fourth Infantry Who Are Serving Time at Leavenworth Entitled to Freedom. SEITIMilT MOWS II FAIOI Chicago Tribune Publishes Pies For Release of Prisoners Row Receiv ing Support From Many Influ ential Quarters. Washington, D. C., Feb. 29.—Backing up the plea for the release of the re maining members of the 24th Infantry incarcerated in the federal prison at Leavenworth, Kansas, being made by various groups throughout the United States, is an article which recently ap peared in The Chicago Tribune head ed “Negro Soldiers at Leavenworth Good Prisoners.” In The Tribune ar ticle the following appears: “Back in April, 1919, some 1,100 prisoners filed Into the Leavenworth federal penitentiary dining room on a certain night for supper. When the guard banged his gavel as a signal to start eating a riot started. The I. W. W.’s were at work again, even behind the bars, for the revolt had been ar ranged by a group of wobblies sent there for seeking to betray their coun try in time of war. “As cups and dishes were hurled at guards one group of prisoners was no ticeably quiet. Their activity lay only in trying to quell the riot. They were fifty-four Negroes, serving sentences for participation in the Houston, Tex., mutiny riot of 1917. Army vs. Prison View. "In army records they are mutineers they are the best behaved and most they ae the best behaved and most docile of the convicts. In at least some civilian quarters many of them are looked on as oversentenced for a riot, Into which at least some were unintentionally dragged. “Two days later another riot was started by the imprisoned I. W. W.’b. Again the Negroes sentenced /or mur der and mutiny sought to restore or der. A guard was knocked down by a wobbly. Other wobblbies started for the prostrate form, when several of the Negroes stepped in and saved the guard’s life. Some weeks before they had fought bravely In putting out two ■ prison fires. “The wobblies who rioted have long since been released. The Houston rioters are still behind the bars^ de spite recommendations from prison of ficials that their sentences be com muted. “In the government records at Washington is a letter from W. I. Bid dle, warden at Leavenworth, stating that these rioters have at all timee shown themselves ready to back up the authorities and that only two have violated prison rules. These two set tled a little argument with fists. He recommended, government officials say, that the life sentences be reduced to fifteen years and the fifteen year sentences of other be dropped to five years. No action has been taken.” It is interesting to note that the plea which Is being made for the re lease of these prisoners is receiving support from so many quarters. CONSTRUCTS FINE UNDER , TAKING ESTABLISHMENT (Lincoln News Service.) Charleston, W. Va., Feb. 23.—Mr. James Cuthbert Campbell, the most successful Colored mortician in the State, has Just completed in this city a tine undertaking estabishment. The building is of colonial design, 75 feet deep and about 26 feet wide, and three stories high, Including the basement. The front is graced by four stalwart columns and a balcony above and be neath. The first floor is given over to offices, reception room, display room and chapel. The building also carries a large garage space ample tor hearse, ambulance and other cars. Mr. Campbell is interested in other business projects and is one of this city’s most prosperous citizens. CHURCH OF ST. PHILIP THE DEACON The services Sunday will be at the usual hours: Holy Communion 7:80 a. in.; Church School, 10;sung Euchar ist with sermon, 11 a. m.; evening praper and Confirmation Instruction at 8 o’clock. Ash Wednesday the services trill bn Holy Communion 7:00 a. m.; morning prayer and litany at 10 a. m>; evening prayer, penitential office and sermon at 8 o’clock.