The Monitor
NEBRASKA’S WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF COLORED AMERICANS
THE REV. JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS, Editor
'* $2.W a Year—6c a Copy OMAHA, NEBRASKA, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1925 Whole Number 536 Vol. XI—No. 16
WlLL,: INVEST $100,000,000 IN LIBERIA
——————- —■ - - ---
I n ■ -
Costly Chicago Church, Owned by Negroes, Is Wrecked by Bomb
LIBERIAN REPUBLIC
TO BE OEVELOPEO
BY AMERICAN CASH
Firestone Tire Company Invests Mil
lions in African Lands for
the Production of
Rubber
POSSIBILITIES ARE UNLIMITED
New Field of Opportunity Will Un
doubtedly Be Developed for
Qualified Negroes from
America
New York City.—(Staff corres
pondence for the Associated Negro
Press.)—There is an old adage that
“All thjngs come to those who wait”.
Some one added, “But you must hustle
while you wait”. Liberia waited, and
hustled, and now is coming into her
own. Blocked by democrats and re
publicans in their effort to borrow
$5,000,000 for internal improvements
and to tide them over a distressing
period, they have come back with] a
private realization twenty times as
large, and which, under the plan of
action, will be twenty times as valu
able in the prosperity and general de
velopment of the western coast repub
lic.
It further goes to show that the
American business man will go any
where to get what he wishes, and he
will meet on a high business plane
any one who will furnish him with the
things he wishes. The Firestones of
Akron, Ohio, want rubber. For quite
some time they have been investigat
ing and negotiating with Liberia on
a program of rubber development.
They have found, to their own satis
faction, that Liberia affords the most
advantageous place in the world for
the production of rubber, and so they
are going after the job in a big way.
This tremendous deal, negotiated
between a white man, H. S. Firestone,
representing rubber industries, and a
black man, Edwin Barclay, secretary
of state for the Liberian republic, is
undoubtedly the most gigantic busi
ness transaction ever enacted between
the two races. It affords an entirely
new outlook and a real inspiration for
those who have been skeptical about
racial futures.
This new field will afford a real
outlet for those who have qualifica
tions, and who have adventurous
ideas. A new harbor is being con
structed at Monrovia, the Liberian
capitol, and there are to be twenty
separate communities developed sim
ultaneously. It has been further an
nounced that skilled artisans, mech
anics, physicians, bookkeepers, stenog
raphers and others will be taken from
this and other countries into Liberia
for the promotion of the necessary de
tailed work. This will mean that other
business will follow—stores of various
descriptions. There will be additional
schools, churches and building opera
tions for, it is understood, the people
will have to have places to live, and
it is known that housing facilities are
altogether inadequate at present. Be
cause of climatic conditions, the types
of houses are somewhat different
from those to which Americans are
, accustomed, and hence will not re
quire as long to construct.
With American skill in handling
sanitary projects on a large scale, it
is believed that Liberia will be made
one of the most healthful places in
the world to live. African fever has
been the most dreaded disease, and
even the Liberians have found a way
to reduce the dangers of this infec
tion. It is, to say the least, romantic,
to consider what may be the probable
outcome of a new “door of opportun
ity” where thousands of Negro Amer
icans may be induced to return to the
land of their fathers, and become a
definite part of a new economic de
velopment, free from American prej
udice and handicaps.
It is remarked in passing that Haiti,
for the present under an American
protectorate, affords another unusual
opportunity for commercial develop
ment on a large scale.
G M. E. OFFICIAL DIES
St Louis, Mo.—Dr. R. S. Stout who for
twenty years has been the general secre
tary of the Church Extension Department
of the G M. E. church, died in St. Louis
at Barnes hospital recently. Dr. Stout baa
been one of the moat prominent ministers
of our group for many years and hot a
long and successful record as a high
.churchman.
LINCOLN CONFERENCE
METHODIST EPISCOPAL
CHURCH CLOSES SESSION
Rev. J. H. Ellin In Assigned to Grove
for Another Conference Year—
Delegates Are Pleased with
Hospitality
The twenty-fourth session of the Lin
coln annual conference of the Methodist
Episcopal church. Bishop Keeney pre
siding, closed Sunday night at Grove M.
E. church, with the reading of appoint
ments, the Rev. J. H. Ellis being reas
signed to Grove for another conference
year. Gratification was expressed for the
manner in which the conference was cared
for by local citizens.
The conference was a markely success
ful one from every point of view. There
were all told 160 delegates, ministerial and
lay, present and the reports presented
showed substantial and encouraging
growth. Among the outstanding general
officers in attendance were the Rev. Dr.
L. H. King, of Cincinnati, Ohio, editor of
the Southwestern Christian Advocate; the
Rev. Dr. E. M. Jones, of New Orleans, La.
secretary of the Pension and Relief Fund;
and the Rev. J. W. Golden of Philadelphia,
representative of the Evangelistic depart
ment.
At the service Sunday afternoon Mrs.
Peachic Ecton was ordained as a deacon.
DR. MOTON PAYS TRIBUTE
TO EPISCOPAL CHURCH
New Orleans, La.—(By the Asso
ciated Negro Press.)—Dr. Robert R.
Moton, principal of Tuskegee Insti
tute, in a speech at Jerusalem Tem
ple under the auspices of the National
Council of the Episcopal Church, in
session In this city, said that he
"would rather be a black man in the
United States than any human chat
walks”, because he would rather have
the chance to work with his people
than to be any other human being.
Dr. Moton paid high tribute to the
Episcopal Church for its assistance
in helping the Negro to better condi
tions and pointed out that this church
did not split over the civil war and its
problems regarding the Negro.
Continuing, he said: “The Negro is
putting more and more trust in the
white man every day; we don't want
i to be white—all we ask is for you
! to help us fit ourselves to help our
| selves, and you are doing it. We do
want decent coaches to ride in; de
cent living conditions in a decent part
of the towns and an equal chance to
make good.”
The history of the church institute
j was reviewed by the Rev. Robert Pat
ron, D. D., white, director of the in-1
. stitute. He said the institute origin- I
I ated twenty years ago with a board!
i composed equally of northern and i
| southern men. Progress for the first!
few years was slow, the Episcopal j
i church aiding but two schools to care
for 10,000,000 Negroes. Today it has;
ten on its list.
The aim of the church is to put one i
j school in every southern state and
these schools are to be devoted to the j
selection and training of Negro lead- |
[ ers.
_
RESCUES BOY CLIMBER
I _
New York, N. Y.—(By the Asso
ciated Negro Press.)—A soven-year
! old boy, who escaped without giving
his name, Was rescued by Sidney Fish
er, colored building superintendent,
who reached the roof of the building
j just in time to grab the boy who
was hanging from the cornice.
—
Indianapolis, Ind.—(By the Asso
ciated Negro Press.)—A new indict
ment charging conspiracy to commit
a felony has been returned by
the grand jury against D. C. Stephen
son, former grand dragon of the Ku
Klux Klan in Indiana.
CLARENCE DARROW
TO READ SWEET’S
DEFENSE; DETROIT
National Advancement Association
Retains Famous Chicago Lawyer
As Chief Counsel in Im
portant Case
STRONG LEGAL STAFF SECURED
New York.—The National Associa
tion for the Advancement of Colored
People has announced that the cele
brated lawyer, Clarence Darrow, who
was chief counsel in the Tennessee
evolution case, has been retained to
head the defense of Dr. O. H. Sweet
and ten other Negroes charged with
murder for defending Dr. Sweet's
home from a mob in Detroit.
Arrangements were concluded with
Mr. Darrow recently and he left Chi
cago to go to Detroit and prepare the
case for earl trial. Associated with
Mr. Darrow will be Arthur Garfield
Hayes of New York, counsel for the
American Civil Liberties Union.
The staff of counsel retained for
the case, who will work under the lead
ership of Mr. Darrow includes a well
known white Detroit attorney together
withthe colored counsel who have been
associated with the case from the be
ginning.
In making the announcement of Mr.
Harrow’s association with the case as
chief counsel, James Weldon John
son, secretary of the National Asso
ciation for the Advancement of Col
ored People, said:
“The Detroit case involves the
third and most dangerous phase of
segregation. The N. A. A. C. P. has
fought and won a victory in the Unit
ed States Supreme Court, in the mat
ter of segregation by ordinance or
law. We shall very soon argue in the
supreme court the question of segre
gation by private agreement among
whites property owners. We are now
facing in Detroit, segregation by mob
violence.
“If in the Detroit case the Negro
is not upheld in the right to defend
his home against eviction by a riotous
mob, no decent Negro home anywhere
in the United States will be secure.
In the Detroit case where the colored
people are being tried on the charge of
murder in the first degree, because
they did exercise the right of defend
ing their home, the Advancement As
sociation has secured the best legal
talent that the United States affords.
“JHie N. A. A. C. P. will spare no
effort and, so far as our resources go,
will spare no money. The amount of
work the association can do on this
case, the case now pending in the su
preme court and other cases, will de
pend on the financial support the col
ored people of the country will give.
“The N. A. A. C. P. wants money
to fight these cases. These two segre
gation cases, together with the vitally
important Texas disfranchisement
case, which has now also reached the
supreme court, obligate the N. A. A.
U. P. in the sum of approximately
$20,000. Will the colored people of
the country furnish the ammunition
for this fight upon which one of their
most fundamental rights depends ? We
want contributions of from $100 to
one dollar. Send checks to J. E.
Spingarn, treasurer of the N. A. A.
C. P., 60 Fifth avenue, New York
City.”
ONE MAN HOLDS MOB AT BAY I
Birmingham, Ala.—(By the Asso
ciated Negro Press.)—After having
been cornered by a mob of more than
500 whites, John Asbury, with an ax
in his hand, held the crowd at bay
until police officers arrived. He sur
rendered to them without a struggle.
FINANCE COMMITTED
RENDERS ACCOUNT OF
RECEIPTS AND EXPENSES
Complete Report of All Money Re
ceived by Citizeng’ Committee
Appointed to Cooperate with
Roogevelt Post
The finance committee of the citizens’
committee appointed to co-operate with
Roosevelt Post No. 30 of the American
Legion to raise funds for the entertainment
of the Legionnaires respectfully submits
and makes public its report of all money
received and expended, receipts and vouch
ers being available for inspection.
The finance committee was composed of
M. F. Singleton, chairman; R. L. Williams,
R. C. Price and Allen Jones.
The total receipts were $250.29 and the
total expenditures $145.00, leaving a bal
ance of $105.29 which has been turned
over to Roosevelt Post. Receipts and ex
penditures are itemized below.
The committee desires to acknowledge
receipt of and thank the following con
tributois for the sum set after each name:
M. F. Singleton, $5.00; H. L. Preston.
$3.00; E. W. Killingsworth, $10.00; Dr.
J A. Singleton, $5.00; T. T. McNeil, $2.00;
William Davis, $5.00; Dr. W. W. Peebles,
$5.00; James R. Bell, $5.00; Cunningham
Wilson, $3.00; John A. Gardner, $3-00;
Charles Saunders, $2.00; James A. Clarke,
$2.50; J. H. Hutten, $5.00; James G. Jew
ell, $5.00; Dr. L. E Britt, $5.00; M.
Lynch, $5.00; W. G. Haynes, $5.00; R. C.
Long, $5.00; P. M. Hgrris. $5.00; J. Dill
ard Crawford, $5.00; Metz Manion. $5.00;
H. J. Pinkett, $5.00; W. B. Bryant, $2.00;
T. P. Mahammitt. $5.00; John A. Smith,
$1.00; Douglas Redden, $3.00; Edward
Nicholson, $5.00; Nat Hunter, $2.00; Orlo
South, $2.00; Tommy' Wilson, $2.00; A.
F. Peoples, $5.00; Robert Coleman, $5.00;
Olie Jackson, $5.00; Earl A. Wheeler,
$2.00; James, Bel)..?"/ ;. A« L. Anderson,
$1.00; J. S. Turner, $1.00; Mr. Rich, $5.00;
Policeman Burch, $5.00; St. John’s A. M.
E. Church, $31.29; John Fawcett, $.3.00;
Bud Trent, $1.00; Joseph Thomas, $5.00;
J. Bernstein, $2.00; George Watson, $2.00;
Reid Duffy Pharmacy, $10.00; Leroy C.
Broomfield, $2.00; M. D. Colton, $1.00;
W. B. Nichol, $1.00; U. S. Matthews.
$1.00; Dr. G. B. Lennox, $5.00; Mayo and
Jackson, $5.00; Dr. Craig Morris, $2.00;
Claude C. G. Stockman. $2.00; P. G. Per-j
ty, $2.00; Dr. C. H. Singleton, $5.00; T.
C. Ross, $5.00; Dr. A. A. Foster, $1.00;
Mrs. P. Katzman, $1.00; H. Dolgoff, $1.00;
1). Schwartz, 50 cents; Liberty Drug Co
$1.00; J. Eskelson, $1.00; Carl Franklin.
$5.00; W. C. Saunders, 50 cents; W. O.
Dunn, 50 cents; Sol Lewis, $1.00; total.
$250.29.
The following is a list of the expendi
| tures:
Rufus C. Long, for flags, $50.00; J. G.
Jewell, hall rent and music, $41.00; Harry
W. Long, auto driving, $20.00; Robert
j Herrington, decorations, $15.00; Monitor
| Publishing Co., printing report, $10.00;
New Era Printing Co., printing, $9.00;
total, $145.00.
M. F. Singleton, Chairman.
R. L. Williams,
R. C. Price,
Allen Jones.
Dr. J. II. Hutten,
General Chairman Citizens’ Committee.
IMPORT COTTON PICKERS
Memphis, Tenn.—Plantation owners in
Texas, Mississippi and Tennessee are hop
ing that the acute labor shortage in the
cotton fields will be relieved with the im
portation of Mexicans and colored families
from the North. For sometime there has
been an effort to entice Negro farmers
back to the South, but it has met with so
little success that the cotton magnates feel
it may be easier and cheaper to import the
Mexicans.
MEXICANS SUE U. S. FOR LYNCHING
Pueblo, Colo.—The Mexican government
has filed a claim of $50,000 against the
United States as a result of the lynching
here of Jose Gonzales and Santos Ortez,
September 13, 1919.
PIONEER RACE ED
ITOR SNCCNNIRS TO
PROTRACTED ILLNESS
Cyrus D. Bell Who Had Made His
Home Here for Nearly 60 Years
Passes Away at Residence
of Daughter
FUNERAL SATURDAY P. M.
Cyrus D. Bell, one of Omaha’s pioneer
residents, and first race editor, passed
quietly away Wednesday momiug at 9
o'clock at the residence of his daughter,
Mrs. John Moore, 2629 Seward street.
Mr. Bell, who with his only unmarried
daughter, Miss Bessie, had lived for many
years in their home at Thirty-first and
Maple streets, and who had been in poor
health for the past ten years, was taken
to a local hospital early last week, but ex
pressing a desire to go to Mrs. Moore’s
home, was temoved there Saturday night.
Although very weak he was conscious un
til the last, his three daughters being at
his bedside when he passed away.
Cyrus D. Bell was bom in slavery at
Jackson, Miss., about eighty years ago.
He came to Omaha in 1868, where he had
since resided, with the exception of a few
months spent in Platlsmouth during the
latter part of that year. Being of a stu
dious nature, and a thoroughly self-made
man, he acquired quite a liberal educa
tion, and became a fluent and forceful
writer, his pen being every ready to cham
pion the rights of his race. Being an in
dependent thinker, he did a bold thing
for a Negro in those early days, he es-1
poused the cause of the democratic party,
believing in its principles, and that the
race ought to divide on public issues just
as other elements of the citizenship do.
This position, which he aggressively main
tained. did not make him popular with
his race, who in those days felt them
selves mortgaged to the republican party.
He was a painter and paper-hanger by
trade and many of the fine old residences
of Omaha were painted and decorated by
him. During Cleveland’s first administra
tion he was appointed government store
keeper. It was about this time also that j
he began the publication of Omaha’s first
race newspaper, The Afro-American Sen- |
line), which he successfully edited for
three years. In its early years he was
active in the affairs of St, Philip’s Epis
copal Mission, serving as Sunday School
superintendent, organist and lay reader.
Mrs. Bell, who was Miss Cecelia Scant
lin. died several years ago. Mr. Bell is
survived by six children, Eugene, of Mason
City, Iowa; Miss Bessie, Walter W„ Mrs.
William H. Johnson and Mrs. John Moore
all of Omaha; and Mrs. Gordon Handy of
Chicago.
The funeral will be held Saturday after
noon at 2 o’clock, from the Church of St.
Philip the Deacon, Rev. John Albert Wil
liams, officiating. Interment will be at
Forest Lawn.
GRANDMOTHER, OVER 100,
DANCES ON BIRTHDAY
New York, N. Y.—(By the Asso
ciated Negro Press.)—Mrs. Francois
I^evapresto, Staten Island, celebrated
her 105th birthday with a party. She
shows few of the signs of old age,
having just been forced to admit that
she was growing old because she
found it necessary to buy glasses to
read with. She danced with her
guests, said she ljked automobiles and
musical comedies, and went on record
against prohibition, short skirts and
powder puffs.
FISK CELEBRATES JUBILEE
Nashville, Tenn.—(By the Associat
ed Negro Press.)—Appropriate exer
cises were held in the chapel of Fisk
University recently, celebrating jubi
lee day. A number of talks on folk
music were featured.
UNCLE WIGGILY’S TRICKS
♦
Jackie -won't
let Baky Bunty
^et up! ''
i
se® . • .
| |akoixt it 1
■
VICAR OF ST. PHILIPS
PARISH CELEBRATES
34th ANNIVERSARY
Tendered a Very Delightful Party by
Members of His Congregation
and Presented Purse—Old
Friends Present
A large congregation was present last
Sunday morning at the Church of St.
Philip the Deacon when the Rev. John
Albert Williams celebrated the thirty
fourth anniversary of his ordination to the
priesthood. Members of other parishes
who were present at his ordination were
also among the worshippers. The sermon
topic was “Gratitude for God’s Mercies”,
from the text, “I am not worthy of the
least of all Thy mercies, and of all the
truth, which Thou hast showed unto Thy
servant.” Gen. 30; 11-10.
Monday night a pleasant surprise party
in honor of the occasion was tendered the
pastor by parishioners and friends. About
7:30 he was cleverly dispatched by his
wife on an errand which detained him for
about an hour. When he returned home
the rectory had been taken possession of
and decorated by parishioners who crowded
every available space. A short program
was rendered, including a solo by Mrs.
Hattie Brown of Zion Baptist church, after
which Mr. Henry W. Black, in a well
chosen speech, presented Father Williams
with a purse as a token of appreciation,
to which the recipient, visibly touched
responded. He was then presented with a
large beautifully decorated cake, on which
was traced, “Congratulations, 34th Anni
versary”, made by Mrs. Charles T. Smith.
He cut the cake and it formed a part of
the delicious refreshment served. The
surprise was planned Thursday by the Wo
man’s Auxiliary and was enthusiastically
taken up by the congregation.
DISCOVER NEW “RACE”
ON PURA RIVER, RUSSIA
Moscow, Russia.—(By the Associat
ed Negro Press.—Discovery of a new
race is reported by Prof. B. N. Goro
doff, the Russian explorer who re
cently traversed western Siberia.
He found on the river Pura, he
states, five clans containing more
than 600 people, having a language
different from any of the tribes of the
western Siberia jungles, and differ
ing! from the adjacent Samoyede
tribes by their dark hair and com
plexions.
They have little intercourse with
their neighbors, and only a few en
gage in the fall fishing beyond the
borders of their own country. They
call themselves the “forest people”.
DAVIS ELECTED GEORGIA
NATIONAL COMMITTEEMAN
Atlanta, Ga.—(By the Associated
Negro Press)—At a meeting alto
gether free from the race issue and
marked by harmony of the most
wholesome sort, Benjamin J. Davis,
editor and owner of the “Atlanta In
dependent”, was placed in the shoes
of the late Henry Lincoln Johnson, by
being elected, almost unanimously re
publican national committeeman for
the state of Georgia.
The election of the “Independent”
editor brings to the fore another of
Georgia’s fighting leaders. His career
has been marked by a willingness to
mix it with anybody for principle’s
sake and by a sanity and conservatism
that was oftentimes confusing and
maddening to his opponents. He is
said to be one of the wealthiest Ne
groes in Georgia.
PARDON BOY TO SEE
HIS DYING MOTHER
New Orleans, La.—(By the Asso
ciated Negro Press.)—In order that
he might see his mother before her
death, a special pardon was granted
to Clay Thompson, a youth of East
Carrol, who is serving a year’s sen
tence in the penitentiary on a charge
of shooting with intent to kill. When
the attorneys representing the ac
cused boy presented a physician’s cer
tificate showing the aged mother was
paralyzed and near death the pardon
board quickly granted the pardon and
ordered his release.
COWBOY BISHOP SAYS
WOMEN “MUST OBEY”
New Orleans, La.—(By the Asso
ciated Negro Press.)—Declaring that
nature means for man to lead women,
the Right Rev. Irving P. Johnson,
known as the “Cowboy Bishop”, as
serted: “When I am shown a cow
moose at the head of a heard, I’ll be
lieve woman is fit to be head of the
family."
%
BAPTIST CHURCH
AGAIH BOMBED AHD
BADLY DAMAGED
Costly Chicago Structure Purchased
and Occupied by Race Shattered
. By Tremendous Blast Heard
Miles Away
INSURANCE WILL COVER LOSS
State Attorney’s Office Has Begun
Rigid Investigation Which
Promises Apprehension
of Bombers
Chicago, 111.—(By the Associated
Negro Press.)—At four o’clock last
Friday morning residents within a
mile radius of Fifty-third street and
Michigan avenue were aroused from
their beds by the detonation from a
bomb which destroyed the mammoth
Bethesda Baptist Church at the con
fluence of the above streets and broke
window panes in houses and stores
for six blocks around. The blast was
the worst ever experienced in Chicago
and carried stars fear into the hearts
of thousands who feared that its thun
derous voice was the herald of an
earthquake.
The Bethesada Baptist Church was
I recently purchased from a Jewish
congregation which had joined with
another group of Jews and erected a
synagogue in another locality. The
purchase price is said to have been
$250,000, which, according to real es
tate men, was much less than the
edifice was actually worth. It stood
majestically in the center of an aris
tocratic settlement of rich Jews and a
white bourgeoisie from the merchant
and commercial classes. Ten months
ago it was bombed and damage done
to the extent of $3,500. At that time
the pastor, backed by his congrega
tion, made the announcement that he
did not intend to move. He is the
Rev. Eli T. Martin.
Several of the richest Chicago Ne
groes are members of the church, in
cluding Anthony Overton, president
of the Overton-Hygienic Company and
of the Douglass National Bank, and
Mrs. Jesse Binga, wife of the presi
dent of the Binga State Bank. Mr.
Overton stated that the church was
insured against bombing for $225,000
and against fire for $200,000. The
damage done to the structure was
estimated to have been $125,000, which
is therefore covered by insurance. An
other $100,000 damage was done in
the immediate neighborhood in the
breaking of windows and the tearing
loose of residence and apartment
house foundations. Hundreds of whites
Wfere forced to leave their homes and
to hire guards to protect their ex
posed personal property.
The state attorney’s office got busy
immediately and began an investiga
tion, aided by the Keystone National
Detective Agency, which rooks more
hopeful than any move yet made to
apprehend the persons guilty of per
pertrating bomb outrages against Ne
groes in the last seven years. A search
was begun for fifteen whites, sup
posed to be ringleaders in certain pro
tective associations which have been
raising funds for the purpose of driv
ing colored buyers from white dis
| tricts. It is reported that informa
Ition was given to the state attor
ney’s office by a colored woman who
has been “passing” and attending
meetings where the plans were dis
cussed. This is expected to prove of
inestimable value in apprehending the
guilty parties.
JAPAN BANS BOBBED
HAIR AND SHORT SKIRTS
New York.—(By the Associated
Negro Press.)—Dispatches from To
kio, Japan, indicate that Japan is not
going to be led by the radical styles
of the Occident. Bobbed hair was
checked by an order issued banning
all styles of occidental headdress and
the women have been forbidden to
wear short skirts by the arbiters of
fashion in the island kingdom.
AGED GRAVEDIGGER SHOT
Rockwood, Tenn.— (By the Asso
ciated Negro Press.)—Aaaron Roddy,
who for nearly half a century has
helped to dig every grave in the Glen
Alice cemetery, died recently from
the effect of birdahot find into Ms
back by an unknown assailant Thun
were eighty-four bullet holes in hie
clothing.