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The monitor
NEBRASKA’S WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF COLORED AMERICANS
THE REV. JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS, Editor.
GROWING —
THANK YOU
$2.00 a Yet 5 Cents a Copy_ Omaha, Nebraska, Friday, May 4, 1928 Vol. XIII—No. 44 Whole Number 665.
4 'i —^---- - --—
FEDERAL RIGHTS OF
AMERICAN CITIZENS
ARE ENDANGERED
Senator Norris Has Introduced Bill
Which Practically Destroys
Usefulness of District
Courts
SCOTT POINTS OUT DANGER
National Legislation Should Be Care
fully Checked, Advises How
ard University
Official
Washington, D. C.—Dr. Emmet J.
Scott, member of the advisory com
mittee of the republican national
committee, calls attention to the need
of a bureau or organization of some
character here in Washington to
point out, when necessity arises, the
character of proposed legislation af
fecting the interest of the twelve mil
lion colored people of the United
States.
Many an innocent appearing bill,
he says, is introduced from time to
time, in the house of representatives
and in the senate of the United
States, having as a legal possibility
the setting aside of some basic priv
ileges or immunity designed for the
benefit of a particular group or clas*
of people. It is said that there are
nearly 300 national organizations
maintained at Washington for the
purpose of detecting the introduction
of such legislation affecting such
groups.
Recently a bill was introduced in
congress which would have removed
practically every colored employee
from the office of the recorder of
deeds if Dr. Scott had not aroused
the colored newspapers of the coun
try and influential individuals and or
ganizations, pointing out to them the
result of such legislation, if passed.
It was only because of the fact that
prompt word was sent to the colored
newspapers of the country and to the
officers of the leading organizations
of one kind and another that the ef
fort was thwarted.
It now happens that there was in
troduced in the senate of the United
States on February 13, a bill, S. 3151
(Report No. 62fi), “to limit the juris
diction of district courts of the
United States.” While the bill pri
marily appears to be designed to re
lieve the heavy dockets of federal
courts, it is true, nevertheless, as has
been pointed out, that this bill would
seriously affect the rights of the col
ored people of the United tSates. If
such rights should be in any way in
fringed and colored Americans should
bring suit to enjoin action against
city or state legislation or against in
dividuals enforcing such legislation
when such legislation violates the
federal constitution as it affects col
ored people, jurisdiction will be lim
ited under the terms of this bill an(J
such eases will be referred to state
courts for adjudication.
If a right under the federal consti
tution should be lost or violated in
any of the states after this legislation
has been passed, colored Americans
will have to go into the state courts
for the adjudication of such rights.
Peonage, for instance, could not be
interfered with at all by the federal
courts if this legislation should pass>
the litigant being forced to seek re
dress before a tribunal and in a com
munity where the offense was actual
ly condoned. The passage of this bill
would mean the breaking down of the
present legal bulwark of the colored
American.
Every step possible should be taken
at once to prevent such legislation.
Recent supreme court decisions, such
as the Louisville segregation casej
the Oklahoma Grandfather Clause
case, the Texas primary litigation
and the Alabama peonage decisions,
would all have been decided by state
courts if this bill had been in effect.
As similar legislation arises in the
future it would be limited by the
Norris bill to decision by state courts.
The bill has already been reported
by the judiciary committee of the
United States senate. The republi
can members of this committee are
as follows: George W. Norris of Ne
braska; William E. Borah of Idaho;
Charles S. Deneen of Illinois; Fred
erick H. Gillett of Massachusetts;
Guy D. Goff of West Virginia; Arthur
K. Robinsoi: of Indiana; John J.
Blaine of Wisconsin; Frederick
Steiwer of Oregon, and Charles W.
Waterman of Colorado.
*
COLORED BOY STARS
Los Angeles, Cal.—By the Associ
ated Negro Press)—In spite of great1
work done by the race track and field
men on Jefferson High after a long
seven years of failure, L. A. High
took the city league track and field
meet at the Coliseum recently.
E. Robinson, colored hurdler of
Jefferson, added additional laurels to
his crown by leading the field in the
120 yard hurdles. L. A. High’s score
was 501-1- points; Manual came next
with 25.
ROBERT BAGNALL WILL
SPEAK HERE REXT WEEK
Branch Director of National Associa
tion of Advancement of Colored
People to Visit City Tuesday
and Wednesday
_
Robert W. Bagnall, director of
1 branches, National Association for
the Advancement of Colored People,
and nationally known as a lecturer,
clergyman and man of letters, will
arrive in Omaha next Tuesday, to
spend two days here in the interest
of the N. A. A. C. P. He will hold
conferences and address student bod
ies Tuesday and Wednesday, and
Wednesday night at 8 o’clock he will
deliver an address at Pilgrim Baptist
church, Twenty-fifth and Hamilton
streets.
Fr. Bagnall has successfully put
over several projects by his efforts in
the interest and for the advancement
of colored people. The Michigan civil
rights bill was introduced through his
instrumentality. Many cities have
benefited by his activity in fighting
segregation and upon several occa
sions he has raised a large amount of
the defense fund.
This meeting will be held under the
auspices of the local branch of the
National Association for the Advance
ment of Colored People.
The public is invited.
NEW ANTI-LYNCHING BILL
BEFORE CONGRESS!
_
Washington, D. C.—A new anti-!
lynching bill was introduced in con- j
gress- recently by Representative j
Berger, socialist, Wisconsin. The bill
would make it a felony to take part
in a mob attack, or a statfe officer to
permit a prisoner to be taken from
him. The measure would penalize
the county in which the mob attack j
occurred.
Participation in a mob attack would
be punishable by imprisonment for |
from one to five years or a fine of
$5,000 or both. An officer who fail
ed to protect a prisoner could be pun
ished by imprisonment of from two
to ten years or a fine of not more!
than $10,000, or both.
A county in which a homicide or i
injury was committed as the result of ;
such an attack would be penalized j
$10,000, with the sum to be used by
the family should he be killed in the !
attack.
N. Y. NEGRO DEMS URGE
BLACKS SUPPORT TICKET
Buffalo, N. Y.—(ANP)—The Na
tional Colored Democratic associa
tion, with headquarters here, has
broadcast an appeal for Negroes
throughout the country to support
the democratic ticket in the forth
coming national elections. The call
states that Buffalo has been a shrine
of Negro democrats since 1872, and j
that functioning as a group, Negro |
democrats have put over “big things
politically” in various elections and
administrations.
It is evident from the text of thq
call that the association, which is
seeking a national membership, will
work for the nomination and election
of Governor A1 Smith as president of
the United States.
EDITORIAL
Senator Norris of Nebraska has introduced a bill in the
United States senate which should be vigorously opposed and
ought not be permitted to pass. \Ve sincerely hope that our
readers in this state will write to Senators Norris and Howell
protesting against this bill and that those of other states will!
take like action with their senators.
The measure is known as Senate Bille 3151, entitled “A
Bill to limit the jurisdiction of District Courts of the United
States.” It is a subtle, vicious and dangerous measure. Subtle j
in that while it is ostensibly designed to relieve the heavy dock
ets of Federal courts, it emasculates and practically destroys
the constitutional jurisdiction of the United States District j
Courts which now powerfully safeguard the rights of citizens.
As pointed out by Dr. Emmett J. Scott, “the passage of this
bill would mean the breaking down of the present legal bul
I wark of the colored American.” Peonage, for example, could
; not be interfered with at all by Federal courts if this legisla
! tion should pass. The insistent agitation for a Federal anti
i lynching law, states now being unwilling or unable to throttle
j this octopus, shows the necessity for extending federal juris
I diction rather than curtailing it. The centralization of federal
authority is a growing desideratum for the United States. This
I measure is an insidious attack upon federal jurisdiction. Today
it may only affect, apparently, the rights of the Negro, because
he is one of the minor or weaker groups, but tomorrow the
rights of others may be infringed. It is vicious and dangerous.
The measure should be opposed, therefore, not only upon this
I ground but also upon the larger viewpoint and outlook of its |
nullification of the clearly expressed intention of the constitu
| tion, as interpreted from the foundation of our government
that the federal judicial power shall extend to controversies;
between citizens of the several states. Not less federal juris
diction, but larger is what America needs for the safeguarding
of the legal rights of her humbler, no less than of her most1
powerful citizens.
The Monitor is radically and uncompromisingly opposed to
the Norris Bill.
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
GIRL ELECTED MEMBER OF
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
Margaret Dallas, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. J. W. Dallas, of 119 North
Thirty-seventh street, was one of 42
Central High seniors to be elected to
Beta chapter of the National Honor
society of high school students, as an
nounced at the mass meeting held in
the Riviera theatre last Friday morn
ing. This honor is awarded for out
standing scholarship, character, ini
tiative, leadership and service during
the four year course. The National
Honor society has 600 chapters and
a membership of 20,000 throughout
the United States. Central’s mem
bership in the society is now 347.
Miss Dallas is the first student of our
race to be awarded this honor by
Central High.
Margaret graduated from the 8th
grade of Saunders with 9 A’s to her
credit and at that time won the gold
medal for making a perfect score in
the music memory contest staged by
the Omaha schools. She made the
junior honor society last year. She
is a member of The Register staff
and on the O Book committee, and
as announced a few weeks ago in The
Monitor, was elected to membership
in Quill and Scroll, the honor jour
nalistic fraternity, for outstanding
work in journalism during the senior
year. Margaret plans to enter Iowa
State university in September.
N. A. A. C. P. ATTACKS
SEGREGATION IN U.S.
VETERANS’ BUREAU
New York, N. Y.—Barring of two
colored ex-soldiers from hospital
treatment which they urgently need
ed, in Wichita, Kansas, has brought
a sharp letter from James Weldon
Johnson, secretary of the National
Association for the Advancement oi
Colored People, to Winthrop Adams,
acting medical director in Washing
ton, of the U. S. Veterans’ Bureau.
The N. A. A. C. P. letter protesting
and attacking the segregation of Ne
gr< ex-soldiers, is as follows: ,|
“The Wichita, Kansas, branch of
this association has forwarded to this
office a copy of a letter written by
you to Rep. W. A. Ayers on April 17,j
referring to the charge that two col-!
ored war veterans had been denied
urgent and necessary hospital treat- j
ment in Wichita by reason of segre- !
gation of colored from white patients
and the consequent limitation of fa
cilities for the Negro veterans.
“Your letter admits that such seg
regation is practiced by the U. S.
Veterans’ Bureau, and the implica
tion is clear that even though there
may have been ample room in the
white section, these colored veteran^
would still have been denied treat
ment.
“The question of segregation of
colored United States citizens in the !
employ of the United States govern-1
ment is now very much to the fore.
Secretary Hoover has just abolished
it in his department. Secretary
Work has also abolished it. The!
Postmaster General is investigating
complaints of segregation in the Post !
Office department, as is the secretary !
of war.
“The National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People is
prepared to make an issue of the out
rageous discrimination which your
letter plainly admits as having occur
red in the section of the United States
Veterans’ Bureau in Wichita, Kansas,
and unless this policy is discontinued
we shall place the facts in the hands
of such members of congress as may :
be interested in the situation, as well
as in the possession of newspaper edi
tors throughout the country.
“It goes without saying, it seems to
us, that men who risk their lives and
suffer injury and disability for their
country ought not to be subjected to
the small-minded treatment which
your letter openly condones.’
WOMEN’S NATIONAL
HEADQUARTERS
Washington, D. C.—For the first
time since its organization in this city
31 years ago, the National Associa
tion of Colored Women will meet this
year in Washington, during the month
of August. This association redeem
ed and renovated the Frederick Doug
lass home at Cedar Hill, and made it
a national shrine for our group. They
are coming now to dedicate the beau
tiful building purchased for national
headquarters of the association; and
also to open the caretaker’s house at
Cedar Hill, Anacostia, D. C.
PROTECT OUR GIRLS
Washington, D. C.—A girl who
must leave school before she has
reached her maturity, says Miss Mary
Anderson, director of the Women’s
Bureau of the U. S. Department of
Labor, is running the risk of losing
the chance to develop her fullest pos
sibilities. If she is forced to take
employment where hours are long and
work is heavy or monotonous, where
pay is low and working conditions are
bad, both her health and outlook on
life will suffer.
REGRO TOTAL IR NEW
YORK CITT NOW 259,000
Survey Reveals $19.75 As Average
Weekly Income of Average
Family With Rent of
$41.14
New York, N. Y.—The race popu
lation of New York City is now 259,
800, according to estimates contained
in the annual report of the New York
i Urban league, 202-204 West 136th
! street, which has just been made pub
1 lie.
Arthur C. Holden, chairman of the
: executive board, writes in the fore
! word of the report:
“The Urban league rests upon the
foundation that it is to the best in
terests of both races to co-operate for:
the betterment of the Negro,
i Through long restraints imposed up
j on him he stands today handicapped
i and often disheartened. The Urban
I league movement asks white and col
i ored to co-operate intelligently to see
that he gets ‘not alms,’ but oppor
tunity.”
! The annual report points out that
in 1910 the Negro population of New
York City was 1.9 per cent of the
total and today it is more than 4 per
cent, distributed as follows:
MANHATTAN—
Harlem . 170,000
Columbus Hill _ 10,000
West Nineties _,_ 4,000
East Nineties 4,000
Longacre _ 5,000
Kipps Bay ^ . 1,500
Greenwich ' 800
BRONX 8,000
QUEENS .. ..... . 15,000
RICHMOND _ 1,500
BROOKLYN _ 40,000
Intensive block studies made by the
league for the state housing commis-r
sion show, the report says, that foi/
2,700 Harlem tenants the average
weekly income of heads of families
is $19.75 and that the average rental
is $41.14 a month.
“The plight of the Negro laborer,”
the report says, “is still one of the
tragedies of our social and economic
system. He is forced to work at un
skilled jobs, irrespective of his train
ing, often at a lower wage, and usual
ly paying more for a place to live and
rear his children.”
The report declares that the study
of income and rents referred to above
has been used as a basis of wage re
adjustments for Negro workers by
two large institutions. Plans are not
yet complete for the readjustment
and hence the names are kept secret.
NEGRO VOTE MORE
INDEPENDENT—SELIGMANN
New York, N. Y.—In an article on
The Negro’s Influence as a Voter,
published in the May number of
Current History, (Times Square)
Herbert J. Seligmann, director of
publicity of the National Association
for the Advancement of Colored Peo
ple, analyses the drift of Negro vot*
ers toward independence of rigid
party allegiance.
The colored machine politicians in
Washington “no longer control the
situation among colored voters as it
was once supposed they did,” says
Mr. Seligmann. “An agitation has
been going on, widespread and insis
tent, among Negroes throughout the
country in favor of a more independ-*
ent ballot. . . . Even republican
congressmen have been advising Ne
groes publicly to watch their repre
sentatives on specific issues affecting
the Negro race and to hold those rep
resentatives, whether republican or
democrat, strictly to account.”
COLORED RACES IN
FREEDOM STUGGLE,
STATES EX-KAISER
Emancipation Fight of Subjugated
People Seen as Restiveness
Spreads Throughout
World
WHITE NATIONS FACE TEST
Necessity Imperative for All Races
to Have Common Respect for
Culture and Contributions
of Others
Doom, Holland. — “The struggle
for emancipation of the colored races
is in full progress. If the ruling na
tions of the white races refuse to rec
ognize this movement perilous for
them, they have only themselves to
blame, for in the future they will be
forced to face terrific conflicts with
the colored nations.
“This,” the former emperor Wil
helm Hohenzollern remarked, his eyes
blazing, “is not a theoretical discus
sion. Turn to any part of the world.”
The emperor fingered a globe stand
ing on his desk. “There is trouble
going on or trouble brewing in every
continent. Look at China, look at
India, look at Africa, or even at the
home of the Malay races, Java and
the Philippine islands.
“The din of strife marks the be
ginning of a gigantic battle. I pre
dieted this struggle many years ago
when I was on the throne. I believed
even then that it was unavoidable.
But had I been listened to it would
have been possible at least to post
pone it and relieve it of its venom.
“In order to prevent a disaster to
civilization, two things were and are
necessary. First, solidarity of the
white races; second, respect on the
part of the white races for the culture
of other races.
White Solidarity No Longer Exists
“The world war has shown that
the solidarity of the white races, to
which I appealed when I made my
sketch urging the nations of Europe
to guard their most sacred posses
sions, no longer exists. This fact in
tensifies the difficulties confronting
the empires possessing colonies.
Sees Injustice of Oppression
“The white race has no right to
suppress the legitimate yearning and
aspirations of the colored races—es
pecially concerning social equalities
in society—merely because of their
superiority in technique and material.
“Every nation must learn to re
spect the innate rights of every other
nation which possesses a culture root
ed in its own soil and which has play
ed a part in the evolution of man
kind. tl is incumbent upon all of us
to respect the autochthonous tradi
tions and institutions of others, so
spoke a man who was at one time the
world’s most powerful ruler.
See» Rigid Teit for Whites
“Each race has the right to bring
its own gift to others. It may be a
benefit to the world to spread white
civilization. It may be the duty of
the white races to communicate that
civilzation to other parts of the world,
but we have no right to force our
own idiosyncrasies upon others. Our
civilizing activity must never be a
camouflage for imperialism and in
dustrial greed, conquest and slavery.
“The present policy of most great
nations is entirely dictated by self
ish and short-sighted motives. As
a result, the world will be subject to
heavy repercussions which will place
the white races under a severe test.
“Racial self-consciousness may well
go hand in hand with respect for the
rights of other races. In fact, racial
self-consciousness, based on the spirit)
of our culture, teaches us to respect
the same consciouness in others.”
GIRL SETS JAVELIN RECORD
Los Angeles, Cal.—(By the Associ
ated Negro Press)—Margaret Jenk
ins, who is the pride of her class
mates, both white and colored, broke
the women’s record for the javelin
throw in the western track and field
championship for girlfe