'sax The Monitor h
V
\ NEBRASKA’S WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF COLORED AMERICANS
THE REV. JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS, Editor.
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$2.00 a Year—S Cent, a CopyOMAHA, NEBRASKA, FRIDAY, MAY 6, 1927 Vol. XII—No. 4S Whole Number 61S
RACE VOTE SAVES “SQUARE SEVEN”
ADMINISTRATION
HEARTILY ENDORSED
BY OMAHA VOTERS
Six of Former Commissioners Are
Returned to Office by Safe
Majorities. Hummel
High Man.
RACE VOTE DECISIVE FACTOR
“Square Seven” candidates, with
one exception, won in Tuesday’s elec
tion of city commissioners, returning
Mayor Dahlman to office for the
seventh term. He has served Omaha
as mayor for 18 years.
John T. Marcell, seventh man on
the “Square Seven” slate, was de
feated. Arthur A. Westergard, Civic
Alliance candidate, winning sixth
place, crowding Joseph Koutsky into
seventh place and defeating the vet
eran Dan B. Butler, who headed the
Civic Alliance slate.
Hummel High Man
Joseph B. Hummel, popular park
commissioner, was again the high
man, polling 33,807 votes; with Dean
Noyes, who has made good as street
commissioner, second with 30,606
votes; and Mayor Dahlman, third,
with 29,079. The standing of the
others were John Hopkins, fourth,
28,261; Henry W. Dunn, fifth,
27,496; Arthur A. Westergard, sixth,
27,087; and Joseph Koutsky, seventh,
26,216.
Heavy Vote Cast
The total vote cast was a little in
excess of 54,000, being within 400
of the heaviest vote ever cast here
in a city election—that of 64,566 in
1921, when Mayor Dahlman return
ed to office after an absence of
three years, during which time Oma
has’s disgraceful riot had occurred.
Race Vote Decisive
Among outstanding features of the
Tuesday election was the heavy and
united vote of our people for the
“Square Seven,” which in the case
of several of the candidates was the
decisive factor. Known Klan wards
gave a heavy vote for the Civic Al
liance ticket.
* Voters adopted the proposition for
street improvement bonds by a vote
of 21,402 to 19,905, but rejected the
viaduct damage proposal by a vote
of 21,143 to 20,961.
The Hon. JAMES C. DAHLMAN,
■who having served Omaha as mayor
for eighteen years, was re-elected
Tuesday for the seventh time, which
is believed to be a record unequalled
by the chief executive of any other
American city.
DUBOIS PLAYERS REHEARSING
The Dubois Players club, the tal
ented and popular company of local
people, who have successfully pre
sented several plays in the past, are
rehearsing “The Flame” which will
be given some time in June. This
will be the first appearance of the
Dubois players in two years and it
is needless to say that they will be
given a large audience.
RESERVE OFFICER ORDERED
TO LINCOLN UNIVERSITY
Lieut. Ray L. Williams, of the
Infantry Reserves, has been ordered
to report at Lincoln University, Jef
ferson City, Mo., for a period of ac
tive duty, and will leave May 16.
-y ■ ... -- .- ■ ' 1
ROLAND HAYES TO BEGIN
MEMORIAL SCHOOL IN
TRIBUTE TO HIS MOTHER
The Celebrated Tenor Purchases 606
Acres of Land for Site of School
To Commemorate Virtues of
His Deceased Mother.
Boston, Mass.—Six hundred acres
! of land near Calhoun, Ga., has been
purchased by Roland Hayes, celebrat
ed tenor, and will be used as a site
of a memorial school in tribute to
i his mother. Mr. Hayes was born in
Calhoun. When he came to Boston
to study his mother came with him.
In the struggles incident to his earlier
vocal training, Mrs. Hayes fortified
him with rare devotion and under
standing and provided him with that
background of sereiyty and peace
necessary to the intensive study he
! set himself.
And since Mrs. Hayes passed on
several years ago, it has been Mr.
Hayes’ conclusion that no more suit
able expression of his gratitude could
be made than the foundation of a
school which would become a center
where inspiration and talent and am
I bition in his own people, as well as
| any of the white race which chose to
come to it, might be guided and fos
: tered and ultimately provided with a
^ means of giving back to the world
i service in the arts.
“I do not aim at impressiveness in
. the building or equipment,” said Mr.
| Hayes to an interviewer, “all that
. must be secondary to the standard of
: instruction provided. Nothing will
be done in a hurry. I have a great
j ideal, one worthy of the woman
whose beautiful character has con
[stantly inspired me in my own work
and now bids me pass along to others
something of its beauty and the op
portunity it envisioned. But I think
the ideal must find expression slowly.
I want to build something as endur
ing as her great gifts to me.”
DENIED POST IN HOSPITAL;
APPLICANT BRINGS SUIT
■ I '
Say* He Paued Civil Service Exami
nation, But Wat Denied
Position'On Account
of Color.
New York, N. Y.—Claiming that he
has been denied appointment as an
X-ray electrician at Bellevue Hospi
tal because of his color, Neville M.
Atkinson filed mandamus application
in the supreme court Saturday to
compel Mark Fleming, general super
intendent, to appoint him. The case
will be heard by Justice Donohue.
Atkinson said that on March 15,
1926, he and fourteen others took
competitive examination and he was
one of the three who passed, receiv
ing a mark of 77.20, and ranking
third. He said he was certified to
Bellevue Hospital for appointment by
the Civil Service Commission in Jan
uary, but when he applied there Dr.
Fleming refused to appoint him. He
asserts that William Lesser, who did
not pass, is holding the position tem
porarily.
REFUSES CHINAMAN LICENSE
TO MARRY COLORED WOMAN
Clerk Declares Maryland Law Against
Marrage Between White and
Cwlored Persons Bars
Pair.
Baltimore, Md. — The Maryland
Klu Klux Klan bill which prohibits
marriage between Caucasians and
Negroes, was cited in the action of
the clerk of the court of Rockville,
Md., in refusing to grant a marriage
license to a Chinaman to marry a col
ored woman.
Samuel Moy, 31 years old, the
Chinaman, sought a license to marry
Turgtta Budd, 29, after a journey
from Washington, D. C., to Rockville,
Md., where they planned to be mar
ried. The clerk refused the pair a
license, stating that such would be
illegal due to the state law which for
bids marriage of white and colored
persons. The pair left the office,
bound for other destinations where a
license could most likely be obtained.
EDITORIAL
Approximately 54,000 out of 75,000 registered and eligi
ble voters went to the polls Tuesday and declared their choice
for City Commissioners in no unmistakable terms. By decisive
majorities they returned >ix of the men who for the past six
years have served the city well, Dahlman, Dunn, Hopkins,
Hummel, Koutsky and Noyes, “the Square Six,” as they have
been called, and elected as the seventh man, Arthur A. Wester
gard of the opposing slate, who defeated Marcell of the “Square
Seven.”
The Monitor, as our readers well know, enthusiastically
and whole-heartedly supported the “Square Seven” as against
the “Citizens’ ” (Civic Alliance) ticket, and prides itself upon
having had an important part in winning the victory. Of
course, we would have preferred to have had Marcell win,
but inasmuch as Westergard has been chosen, we extend our
congratulations and believe he will render good service. He
displaces Dan B. Butler, who for twenty-one years has been in
public life, and although considered a stormy petrel, merits
commendation for his years of faithful public service.
We are gratified that such a large proportion of voters
realized the importance of going to the polls and casting their
ballots. An unusually large number of our race voted, and
an analysis of the returns from the precincts in which our vote
is heavy, shows conclusively that it was our vote which saved
the day for the “Square Seven" slate. Had the Negro Vote,
which was cast almost solidly for the “Square Seven,” sup
ported the other ticket, the only men who would have been
elected on the “Square Seven” slate are Hummel and Noyes,
and possibly, but only possibly, Dahlman. Hopkins, Dunn and
Koutsky would have been defeated without a doubt. This is
not guess work, but the bare facts as revealed by the published
returns. Here is the vote:
Joseph B. Hummel_ 33,807
Dean Noyes___L_ 30,606
James C. Dahlman_„_ 29,079
John Hopkins _ 28,251
Henry W. Dunn__ 27,496
Arthur A. Westergard_ 27,087
Joseph Koutsky _ 26,125
Dan B. Butler__n. %>«_ 25,796
John A. Bruce_ 25,430
John T. Marcell_ 24,471
W. F. Poff_*_ 20,488
James Corr _ 20,753
Louis H. Cinek__ 20,732
T. P. Reynolds_ 20,083
It shows that there are 3,283 votes between Dahlman and
Butler; 2,066 between Dunn and Bruce and only 1,700 between
Butler and Dunn; 2,455 between Butler and Hopkins; 695 be
tween Bruce and Koutsky; and only 329 between Butler and
Koutsky. Conservatively putting the race vote at 3,000, and
it exceeded this, you can see that this is what elected Hopkins,
Dunn and Koutsky, and without this vote Dahlman’s chances
would have been very slim indeed.
The Second Ward, which has the largest number of Negro
voters in the city, returned 18,201 for the “Square Seven” as
against 8,683 for the “Citizens’ Ticket,” or a majority of 9,518.
Of course, we are not overlooking the fact that there is a large
percentage of white residents in this ward. There are, how
ever certain precincts in which practically 90 per cent of the
residents are colored. These are the 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th,
with approximately 70 per cent in the 4th, 5th and 6th. In
the four precincts first named, Dahlman received 1,129 votes,
Hopkins 1,131, Dunn 1,112, and Koutsky 1,114. Each of these
received more than the combined vote cast for any SIX candi
dates on the other slate. The race vote in these four precincts
alone, to say nothing of the others, or the vote in other wards,
like the Third, Fifth and Sixth, would have elected either
Bruce or Butler and threatened Dunn. The vote in the 13th
precinct of 332 for Koutsky elected him.
We call attention to these facts to emphasize the potential
power, value and influence of the race vote as a striking ex
ample to our own people of the importance of voting, and to
call the attention of the successful candidates to the indis
putable fact that for our loyal support we are justly entitled
to a larger and better representation in public positions than
we at present enjoy. We are entitled to not only a few janitor
and like jobs, honorable though such jobs are, but something
else, such as clerkships, inspectors, and others of like char
acter that we are qualified to fill. We should have clerks and
other employees in the Public Utilities, which are under the
City government, in the Public Library and in the Public
schools. While we know that the Board of Education is not
directly under th«^ City Government, we know that the Com
missioners can bring influence upon that body to make them
do the fair thing.
The Monitor confidently believes that the Negro voters
who stood so solidly and unitedly behind the “Square Seven”
will have no reason to regret it, either from the standpoint of
a well-governed city or in fairness to our people in the matter
of employment.
HELP GENEROUSLY
The most terrible flood disaster in the history of the United
States is devastating thousands of acres of land, making many
homeless and destitute and taking a heavy toll of life in several
Southern states. Thousands of these flood victims are mem
bers of our own race, but even though they were not, we would
not be insensible to their needs. Wherever there is human need
and suffering our people are eager to help. The million dollars
is asked by the Red Cross, the loving mother who cares for all
in distress. Omaha has been given a quota of this sum to raise
and raise quickly. Give as generously as you can to help the
flood sufferers. While you are enjoying a movie or a dance,
some child is starving, some family is adrift on a raft or hous'
top crying for food jwid threatened with drowning. Give, fo
God’s sake, give something to relieve the suffering of perhap:
your own flesh and blood in Arkansas, Louisiana or Mlasiasipt
Send your gifts to the Red Cross.
DELAY IN MALONE CASE
DEPLORED DY ST. LOUISIANS
St. Louis, Mo.—Is Negro business,
which grows to large proportions in
the South, safe? Persons who have
watched the slow and uncertain but
dramatic progress of the Poro case
through the courts here are asking
themselves that question. A business
leader of St. Louis, commenting,
after the latest delay in settling the
case had been announced, on the net
of work, of conspiracy, and entangle
ment which has been woven around
one of the race’s strongest businesses,
said: “One of the axioms accredited
to W. Gomez, late financial wizard of
Durham, was ‘After a Negro business
institution located below the Mason
and Dixon line passes the million dol
lar mark, it is no longer safe. White
men begin to envy its power find in
fluence and plan to cripple it.’ Harry
Pace, President of the Northeastern
Life Insurance Company, talking in
Chicago last week, said he would
never take his organi: ation into
southern territory for much the same
reason—that its possibilities for
growth would be hampered.”
Colored St. Louisians, who are
viewing with growing bitterness the
white receivership at Poro College,
discuss in low and angry tones when
ever you find them, of the situation
from which this successful racial
business is trying to extricate itself
and say openly that only in a town
of southern sentiment and influence
like St. Louis could such a condition
exiat. No one here seems to think
there is any reason for a receiver for
“Poro” save to make fat fees which
he and those responsible for his ap
pointment probably will share. It is
common knowledge that "Poro” ia
not only entirely solvent and pros
perous, but that it is so finely or
ganized and so wisely conducted by
Mrs. Malone, that it is a huge money
maker.
Therefore, the colored populace is
impatient that Paeben, the white re
ceiver, should be kept in charge, wav
ing theoretically at least a big stick
of vengeance over a Negro institu
tion. Mrs. Malone, they contend, can
furnish as large a bond as necessary.
Why not free her hands, and if a re
ceiver is necessary, make ljer the re
ceiver under bond?
It is admitted, however, that some
of the high-handed tactics which the
white receiver started in to exercise
at “Poro,” he has been forced to re
treat from, because of the determined
protests of the public and Mrs. Ma
lone’s lawyers. He returned a $500
check which he had drawn to his own
account, ceased his efforts to get her
formula and has not discharged any
more of her employlees during the
past several weeks. One of the rea
sons for this change of attitude, it
is said, is his uncertainty where his
fee will come from. If it is decided,
as Mrs. Malone’s lawyers contend
will be true that no partnership ex
ists, then there will have been no rea
son for the appointment of a receiver
and hence no reason for paying him,
unless it ia taken from the ten thou
sand dollar bond whieh Mr. Malone
posted.
PROMINENT METHODIST
PRELATE SPEAKER IN
POLITICAL CAMPAIGN
—
Bishop Archibald James Carey Spent
Three Strenuous Days in City
Stumping for “Square
Seven”
EXCORIATES KU KLUX KLAN
Bishop A. J. Carey of Chicago,
who was recently appointed chair
man of the Chicago Civil Service
Commission by Mayor Williom Hale
Thompson, at a salary of $7,500,
spent three strenuous days in Omaha1
last week.
Arriving early in the afternoon,
Thursday, the'Methodist prelate was
guest of honor at a dinner tendered
him by 70 business and professional
men at 7 o’clock at Hillside, the at
tractive home and private cafe of
Alfred Jones, the well-known caterer.
The Rev. John H. Grant, pastor of
St. John’s A. M. E. church was toast
master at this social affair. Brief
toasts to “Our City Needs,” “Our
Guest,” and “Our City Government,”
were given by D. W. W. Peebles,
Dr. L. E. Britt, and Rev. John Albert
Williams respectively. Bishop Carey
in a brief, but practical address gave
some most excellent advice on united
action for racial advancement.
At 8:30 before a capacity audience
he addressed a political mass meeting
in St. John’s A. M. E. church, excor
iating the Ku Klux Klan and urging
support of the “Square Seven.”
Friday night Bishop Carey deliver
ed a similar address at a large and
enthusiastic meeting on the South
Side.
Saturday night Dreamland hall was
crowded to its fullest capacity when
he delivered his closing address in the
city campaign. The Rev. John H.
Grant presided at this meeting and
the Rev. John Adams, presiding elder
of the Omaha District introduced the
speaker. Several of the candidates
also spoke at this and the other meet
ings.
Bishop Carey left for Chicago at
midnight.
ST. PHILIP’S MEN’S CLUB
The Men’s Club of St. Philip’s
Episcopal Church will hold its reg
ular meeting next Wednesday night
at the residence of W. G. Hayes, 2859
Corby street. The Rev. E. J. Seeker,
vicar of St. John’s Episcopal Church,
will be the special guest and speakei
WALTER BELL AS AN
ENTERTAINER
_
An Appreciation by Dan Deidunes
In the passing of Walter W. Bell
the amusement world has lost one of
its brightest stars. For the past 18
years 1 employed him whenever I
needed a man in his line. During
that long period he was called upon
to entertain every known kind of an
audience, and it gives me pleasure at
this time to say that he always made
good. He never had to use a make
up, or did he ever ridicule the race
to get a laugh. He was one of the
few performers that I ever saw that
could use his hands properly, they
never seemed to be in his way; they
had a language all their own.
He was not a musician, but he
could coach a quartette to sing in
perfect harmony. He was not a pian
ist, but he could play behind a singer
with an understanding that fooled
knowing people.
He was born to entertain, he was
master of all of the little subtle
touches that characterizes the true
artist. While he was living he help
ed to make the world a more cheer
ful place to live in. No^ that he is
dead it will be well to remember him
as a man of wonderful talent.
Walt—we miss you because you
served us, Oh! so well,
Another might replace you, who
knows? Time alone can tell.
PLAY A SUCCESS
The play, “Price of the White
Way,” which was given at St. John’s
A. M. E. church, Monday night, un
der the direction of Mrs. Margaret
Hester Porter and the management
of Mrs. C. B. Mayo, was a pronounc
ed artistic and financial success.
Each participant fully measured up
to the part taken.
ENTERTAINS AT DINNER
Mrs. Opal Bell Morgan entertained
at dinner Sunday at the hSme of Mrs.
Anna Banks, 924 North Twentieth
street in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Gor
don Handy of Chicago, Mr. Eugene
Bell of Mason City, la., Mr. and link
William Johnson, Mrs. Adeline Moore
and Miss Bessie Bell, sisters and
brother of Walter W. Bell. It was
a pleasant company as all had been
children together. Dr. J. B. Hill was
-.also a guest at the dinner.
i