I r::T^ The monitor NEBRASKA’S 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, MARCH 13, 1925 Whole Number 505 Vol. X—No. 36 X " .. II! I I —II. II I II ——— FI6HT RESIDERTHL SESBE6ATI0N EVIL - *•«? _ '______ CHICAGO EDITOR OEUVERS ADDRESS TO DIG AUDIENCE Robert S. Abbott, Founder and Owner | of Chicago Defender, Speaker at Third Anniversary of Bethel Church BISHOP CARRY ALSO PRESENT Methodist Prelate Makes Strong Plea for Funds to Pay Debt and Introduces the Speaker Standing room was at a premium in St. John’s A. M. R. church Monday night where Robert S. Abbott, editor of the Chicago Defender, spoke under the auspices of Bethel A. M. F„ Church, which celebrated the third an niversary of its founding. The major object of the celebration was to raise funds to meet the mortgage on Bethel, threatened with foreclosure. The pastor of St. John’s, the Rev. C. A. Williams, had graciously placed his large church at the disposal of tne daughter church for this occasion, and an expectant and appreciative audi ence filled it to overflowing. Bishop r rev of Chicago, in charge of this district, also came to lend his influ ence, at great personal inconvenience. I* was Mr. Abbott's first visit to Omaha and the audience was anxious to see and hear the man who had suc cessfully built up such a large and in fluential newspaper as The Chicago Defender, with its $100,000 plant and 126 employees, unquestionably is. Those who expected to find in Mr. Abbott a great orator were disap pointed. While he drove home many plain truths which need to be ns neatedly emphasized and said many good things, there was a crudity and hesitancy which betraved an untruined speaker. The too frequent use of the first personal pronoun was also an un conscious fault of the speaker. Mr. Abbott was placed at a great disadvantage, too, from the fact that "Ithough he was scheduled to deliver the principal address, other features of the program, some of them un necessary and tiresome, postponed his address until nearly 11 o’clock. This ■ as a great injustice to him and also to the patient audience who had come to hear him. Mr, Abbott was introduced by Bishop Carey. He expressed his de light at his reception in our city and thp favorable impression it had made upon him. The keynote of his speech was ‘‘Selling American Citizenship to Ourselves". He stressed the impor tance of being living and dying Amer ican citizens. “The Negro,” said Mr. Abbott, “has not received American citizenship. The Constitution gives it to him, but he is loath to take it. He discounts himself. He permits foreigners to come here and be admitted to the privilege of citizenship which he de clines to grasp. He is sleeping on his rights, and needs to be awakened. So long as he discounts himself and acts us though he were not an American citizen, with all that term implies, he will lie ‘aken at the value which he (Continued on Page Two) essay contest on race RELATIONS AROUSES GREAT INTEREST AT KNOXVILLE College Students Are Being Encour aged to Give Conscientious Study to Important Question (Preston News Service.) Knoxville, Tenn., March 13.—Great interest is being shown by the stu dents of Knoxville College in the prize for the best essay on Race Re lations recently established by Rev. I. M. McQuilkin, D.D., of Pittsburgh, Pa. The general subject is "The Re sponsibilities of Each Race for Better Race Relations.’ The contest is open to all the members of the junior and senior classes, and the majority of the r,'eml>ers of both classes have signi fied their intention to eompete for 'he prizes. Hr. McQuilkin intimated that the winning essay would be pub lished in one of the leading re ligious periodicals. This effort to stimulate a deeper interest in and study of race relations is highly com mendable, declared a member of the college faculty, and it is hoped that, many other such prizes will be estab lished in this and other institutions throughout the country. The students of both races should be encouraged to give this <|uestion serious and con scientious study. INDUSTRIAL RACE COMMISSION BILL EXPIRES WITH CONGRESS. (Columbian Press Bureau.) Washington, March 13, 1925.—The Foster Bill, creating a Federal Negro Industrial Commission, carried for ward into the Senate by Senator Cummins, of Iowa, automatically ex pired with the closing of Congress on March 4th. This proposed legislation, which has been pending for nearly two years, and which was merely a new edition of the measure introduced some time ago by Senator Spencer, of Missouri, thus dies, and there ean be no Negro Industrial Commission until new legislation has been intro duced, which must run the usual course of Committee hearings, debate, passage, and signed approval by the President. Such a commission was originally conceived by the late Col. Giles B. Jackson, of Virginia, who secured substantial support from Ex-Con gressman Layton of Delaware. Dr. Jesse Lawson, an eminent Negro so ciologist of Washington, and other proponents, both white and colored. Opposition to the industrial bill wai quite marked, and Mrs. Sadie Mossell Griffin, of Philadelphia, L. O. Walker, of the Washington Tribune, Attorney James I’. Neill, of Washington, and others, were vigorously active in their protests. It is expected that another effort will be made to establish the proposed commission when the new Congress convenes. C ARD OF THANKS Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Costen desire to thank the Priscilla Art Class anil the Charity Circle of which Mrs. Ardena Watson is president for their appre ciated trifts to and congratulations upon the birth of their son. RODS LOOK GOOD IN TRAINING CAMP Kre many weeks roll past Omaha base ball fans will be mulling their way into the vin ton street League Park for the open ing home game of the season. The Omaha West ern leaguers, the Buffaloes, are now in spring training camp in Texas and most of the regu lars and all of the rookies have ar rived and are rapidly being whipped into shape by Manager Griggs, Coach Leldy and Owner Barney. Recent telegraphic word from their camp gives evidence that Omaha fans may expect a crackerjack club this season, for while Mr. Burch sold sev eral of his stars, he has also been busy in the buying market. True, Old Joe Bonowitz, Lou Koup al, Joe Dailey, Nick Cullup and Frisco Thompson will not be back this seas on but we have King and Harris from Shreveport, Johnny Monroe from the same state, anil a couple of pitchers from Pittsburg, besides a host of very promising looking rookies to mould another pennant winner from. There always has been and always will Ire criticism of the magnate who sells his stars after u pennant win ning season. But sometimes this is justified and especially so in such a season as last year when Owner Burch Has an actual loss in gate re ceipts necessary to meet expenses of over $15,000. This season from all predictions of writers all over the country promises to Ire one of the best for years ai^d Omaha fans should rally to the stand ard of their pennant winners rind per haps we will repeat this season. Reports coming from the majors’ training camps tell of the almost cer tain success of Nick Cullop with the Yankees, whom he is with now. In a training game this week Ire tween the regulars and yannigans, Nick won the game for the latter in the 9th inning with a long homer over Whitey Witt’s head in deep center field. Thompson and Koupal, who are with Pittsburg at their camp in Cali fornia both look good but will un doubtedly to farmed out for further experience. Oklahoma City is counting on Thompson being at their keystone sack this year for they expect Pitts burg to send him to them in payment for Don Songer. a negro pioneer (Columbian Press Bureau.) Portland, Oreg., March 18, 1926.— Back in the early eighties, William Bush a Missouri Colored man went to Oregon. He had $10,000 in cash and wanted to buy some Oregon land; but as that State had not co-ordinated with the Federal constitution, Bush did not buy ,but journeyed on to Washington Territory, where he bought a vast acreage which is now called Bush’s prairie. later, Bush was elected to the legislature. It was he who discovered what is known as Cen tennial wheat, and his exhibit look first prize at the Chicago World’s Fan in 1892. The Bush family is and has been well known in the southwest part of the State and has added much to the progress of Washington. Now that the states of West Virginia, Michigan and Wisconsin are making attractive offers to farmers, it would be well for those who know how to farm, especial ly those who are migrating from the southern states, to investigate these opportunity. NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN TO MEET Washington, March 13.—The Nation al Council of Women of the United States will be hostess of the Interna tional Council of Women during the Quinquennial to 1* held in Washing ton during the week beginning May 4th. The International Council is a federation of national councils repre senting thirty-nine different countries, and is organized for the promotion of unity and mutual understanding be tween all associations of women work ing for the common welfare of human ity the world over. The National As socition of Colored Women is the only organization of our group affili ated with the National Council. More than a year ago when the question of preparing the program was considered. Miss Hallie Q. Brown proposeil that Negro spirituals, the only true American music, be included in the musical numbers; and Miss Brown was appointed to prepare this important part of the Quinquennial program. While in Washington at tending the Inauguration of President Coolidge, Miss Brown held several conferences in interest of the Quin quennial musical evening. ALLEN CHAPEL, A. M. E. CHURCH. O. J. BURCKHARDT, Pastor Sunday makes another epoch in the history of Allen. We had a greet Quarterly meeting. Rev. C. A. Wil liams of St. John brought us a great message from Jno. 3-16, Rev. G. W. Slater, Divers, Metcalf, and Jones and S. E. Grass were present with us. Sun day, Dr. J. D. Barksdale, the editor of the Western Christian Recorder with headquarters at K. C., Kansas, will speak for us at 7:30 p. m. Dr. Barks-j dale is a great man. Don’t fail to come and hear him. He will speak un der the auspices of the Allen’s league. CLUB BOYS WHEEL CHAIR FOR INVALID CHILI) La Viejo Banda Club had a "Dough nut Day,” February 7th at the Jewell Building, to raise funds to purchase a wheel chair for an invalid child, Luelln Beam. Our pj^pose has been ccomplished. Little Luella has the hair which makes it possible for her to leave ^er bed for the first time in three years. The Club wishes to thank all who •'n an'- way helped to make this its first public undertaking a success. We regret that space will not permit us to give the names of all who con tributed toward this end, and name only those who gave the larger cash donations: Mrs. Margariette Woody, Messrs. .James Bell, I,ee Counsellor L 0 Carev. Team work brought opiness to all. I,eona Johnson, Pres. Cleotta Reynolds, Secy. Vinnie Hieronymous, Chr. PEPPER POT CLUB The Pepper Pot Club held its month ly social meeting at the Club Den, last Tuesday pvening, March 10th. The evening was spent in whist playing. Mr Russell Taylor who has been ill returned to the cliib. Miss Maryella Liverpool entertained few friends Saturday evening, Mar. 7th, at the Club Den in honor of her sister’s birthday, Teresa Liverpool. MR. BONOFF OPENS EXQUISITE LADIES’ SHOP Joseph Bonoff, who is well-known •Hid highly esteemed by a large num ber of our people has opened up one of the handsomest ladies' and misses’ clothing shops in the city, on Six v—~—.— .rfv>r ',J'-u~rLrj:.L.""" -- ", _ . ..— M. M M j frrnth near Karnam. It is a littlei gem. It. is known asi “The Shop of I art Modes". A cordial invitation is| exfended to our reailers by Mr. Bo-' noff to visit his exquisite establish-1 ment. "Courteous attention always”1 is Mr. Bonoff’s business motto. THE PRESIDENT’S SECRETARY Washington, March 13.—On March 4, Hon. Everett Sanders, an Indiana Republican, succeeded Hon. C. Bascom Slemp of Virginia as Secretary to President Coolidge. Mr. Sanders, who did not seek renomination or re-elec tion to the next Congress, was born near Coalmont, Clay county, Indiana, March 8, 1882, the son of Rev. James Sanders and Melissa Everal Sanders. He taught school for three years; at tended the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute for two years; entered Indiana University in 1904, and graduated from that institution with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1907.. He was admitted to the In diana Bar in the City of Terre Haute, in June, 1907, and practiced law until he entered Congress in 1917. At the National Convention, held in Cleve land, he was prominently mentioned as a running mate on the ticket with President Cooldge. ABBOTT ADDRESSES BUSINESS MEN AT COMMERCIAL CLUB Editor of The Chicago Defender Gives Some Wholesome Advice to Bus iness and Professional Men. Robert S. Abbott, editor of The Chi cago Defender, spoke before a large number of enterprising business and :■uisiana case with interest. -.... | BLACK BELT FARM LABOR SITUATION DISCUSSED (Preston News Service.) : Montgomery, Ala., March 13.— ! Shortage of productive man power in the eleven Black Belt counties of Ala bama was dwelt upon in a talk before the Montgomery Kiwanis Club Tues day, by Jesse B. Hearin. Mr. Hearin made a number of striking state ments, based upon his investigation ; of economic conditions in the Black ' Belt. Among other things he said: ‘‘There are but 9,000 white men 21 ' years of age and above in the whole of Montgomery county. “There are less than 26,000 white; i men 21 years of age and over in the eleven counties of the Alabama Black | Belt. “Since the beginning of the recent | migration of Negroes from the South, ] twice as many Negroes have left these ! eleven Black Belt counties as there are I white men above 21 years of age in I this section.” Mr. Hearin remarked about the high quality of the citizenship of the i Black Belt, the natural fertility of the I Black Belt soils, and said that in his ! opinion the whole problem revolves about this question of peopling the 1 Black Belt’s fertile lands. He said ! that this must come before the South | can hope to get industries for the cit ies. Once solve the land problem, and industries, I think, will naturally fol low.” Large percentages of Negro chil dren of school age are not enrolled in school in Southern States, according to facts brought out at the Thirty fourth Annual Tuskegee Negro Con ference held in January, 28.6 per cent of the total number of Negro children between the ages of 10 and 14, living in the rural areas of Alabama did not attend school in 1920; in Georgia the corresponding percentage was 32.5; in Louisiana, 40.0; in Mississippi, 26.2. COOLIDGE STANDS FOUR SQUARE FOR THE CONSTITUTION ■ Document Guarantees Equal Rights to All American Citizens Irrespec tive of Race, Creed or Color ANNOUNCES AMERICANISM Given Sufficient Assurance to All Citizens to Press Forward Unafraid Into New Period (Columbian Press Bureau.) Washington, March 13, 1925.—“Our Constitution guarantees equal rights to all citizens, without discrimination on account of race or color. I have taken my oath to support that Consti tution. It is the source of your rights and my rights; I propose to regard it and administer it as the source of the rights of all the people, whatever their belief or race may be.” Thus wrote President Coolidge, on August 22, 1924, in a letter defending the ambi tion of a Negro citizen to become a candidate for a seat in Congress; and on March 4, 1925, after taking oath of office again as President of the United States. Mr. Coolidge again made direct reference to the U. S. Con stitution in its pronouncement against discrimination as to any citizen or class of citizens. “It would be well,” said President Coolidge, “if we could replace much that is only false and ignorant preju dice with a true and enlightened pride of race. American seeks no earthly empire built on blood and force." Thus are American ideals announced upon an American platform, and it was a happy truth that after taking oath on March 4 to faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and to the best of his ability to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, the President, neither by reference nor otherwise, made any dis tinction as to any citizen or class of citizens in his discussion of the future administration of the affairs of the American Government. Such a desig nation would have been quite unneces sary in view of the guarantees which the President has uttered in such un failing terms since taking offiec. The die is cast, and with an ideal background. Equality for all citizens, without the slightest suggestion of “denying any measure of full political rights to such a great group of our population as the colored people,” for whom, says President Coolidge, he “feels his responsibility for living up to the traditions and maintaining the principles of the Republican Party.” This is quite enough assurance for all citizens, white and colored, to press forward into the new four-year period of progress, unafraid, consoled, and safeguarded, and with the knowledge that government of the people, for the people and by the people exists to day as it did when the Constitution was amended so as to repledge American independence to all who were worthy of its protection, its peace, and its guaranties. “CHRISTIANITY AND RACE PROBLEM” By J. H. Oldham. Published by The George Doran Company, 244 Madison Avenue, New York City. Price $1.76. By mail $1.85. “This book was undertaken at the request of the United Council for Missionary Education and is being published for them by the Student Christian Movement." But let no one think this reads like a missionary pub lication. It is of broad, humanitarian interest and recognizes the fact that race prejudice is rife in Protestantism, and that the Catholic Cathedral and the Moslem Mosque are more demo cratic than the Evangelical church. It is an effort to get at the reason for race prejudice, to describe some thing of its history, and to propose certain practical steps for its diminu tion. “The fundamental issues on racial relations are not ethnological or bio logical but ethical. Our difficulties do not arise primarily from the fact that differences exist. They are creat ed by false ideas in our own minds." This is the keynote of the volume. The chapters are given up largely t< probing these ideas, to see how far they are false and what truth if any, is in them. The author brings out with clear ness the sufferings of men under hu miliating conditions. It is not whether a man is poor but whether he is res pected that is of prime importance. If a man lose half his crop by flood it is hard, but it is not insupportable as it is, when a conqueror takes half his crop from him in taxes, lording it over him in the meanwhile. The un christian, petty insults that the white practices against the black, the author condemns in no uncertin words. He scores such men as Prof. Josey of Dartmouth, whose book I reviewed last summer, who would have the white race deliberately deny the ad vantages of civilization to the color ed. “To settle things by the callous pursuit of material interests, and the use of superior force,” he says, “and to settle them by reasoned appeal to justice and equity are two irreconcil able modes of precedure and the world must make its choice between them. The one leads to an ordered and civi lized society, the other to anarchy and ruin.” Mr. Oldham gives us five practical suggestions: 1. The conversion of our minds. 2. The growth of right knowledge on racial matters. 3. Cooperation between the races. 4. The creation of a right public opinion. 5. The spreading of the Christian (Continued on Page Two)