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About The monitor. (Omaha, Neb.) 1915-1928 | View Entire Issue (June 8, 1928)
to 1 ——— LI F Til LIFT UO =r— I« to <sJ o The monitor NEBRASKA’S WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF COLORED AMERICANS THE REV. JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS, Editor. GROWING — THANK YOU ^,ii-——————— $2.00 a Year—S Cents a Copy Omaha, Nebraska, Friday, June 8, 1928 Vol. XIII—No. 9 Whole Number 670 Knights of Columbus Draw Color Line SENATOR HEFLIN IS QUITE AMUSING TO THINKING NEGROES Holding Hi* Senatorial Seat bjr Virtue of Flagrant Nullification Prac tices in Alabama, He Berates Smith Washington, D. C.—Colored citi zens were greatly amused by a recent speech made by “their friend,” Sen ator James Thomas Heflin of Ala bama, in which he termed Governor A1 Smith of New York a “Constitu tional nullifier.” It was recalled that when Senator Heflin was elected to the United States senate, he received only 164,t 664 votes, although there are 441,000 Negro males and females of voting age in the state of Alabama, who, because of the nullification laws are not permitted to exercise their con stitutional rights as citizens. Because of its intended effect throughout the country many colored voters believe that the senator slipped a cog by his reference to nullification, of which he is a conspicuous beneficiary; or else he is trying to weave a political spider web for the leading democratic candi date for the presidency. But while colored citizens are more amused than disturbed or offended by the regularity and prodigality of the senator’s mental gymnastics they pity him and condole with his constit uency. The loss of Senator Heflin, how ever, would be most unfortunate be cause every time he makes a speech on one of his two subjects, Negro citizen* gain friends. While he “slams,” they are going on with theif work, delivering the goods and mak ing progress. NEGROES OWN HORSES AT AK-SAR-BEN TRACK Some Interesting Dope From the Race Track by an Old Time Jockey They’re off at Ak-Sar-Ben! Every thing looks spic and span. When the trumpeter blew “boots and saddles’’ and the host in the grand stand had followed the sport of kings and met the parade all was well. They met a new Ak-Sar-Ben. New stands. Re gardless of the fine building which is in erection, nothing mars the service, and untiring energy of Mr. James J. Ronin. A race meeting would look incom plete without the sons of Ham. We are introducing to you Mr. J. G. Giv ens and Mr. H. H. Brown, who have two stables which have gone from the Goddess of Liberty to the Barbary coast. They include J. Mack, Fred Winn, Muriel H., Eagle’s Home, Sap adilla, Love Charm and Rural Gossip. Mr. Givens hails from Los Angeles where he is a prominent and influ ential citizen. He carries himself so well and youthfully that none would suspect that he has been nearly 60 years “in the straw." He trained and rode for the Mulcheys, Corri gans, Dan Honig, “Umbrella Bill” Mugin, the Dwyer brothers. Green Morris, A. H. Patton, Lucky Baldwin and the Mackays. He is one of the most astute and expert men on pedi grees in America and none can beat him. He can recite from one to ten generations without a book, Givens knows horses and I don’t mean maybe, Mr. Brown hails from “old Kain tuck” and you know what that means. Every real Kentuckian knows good horseflesh, and if these were not Vol stead days, I might add—a beverage for which that state was once famous. Mr. Brown’s jockey is Fred Matts, and he is not afraid to come through. Yes suh, the sor.« of Ham are at the Ak-Sar-Ben meet. W. E. ALEXANDER. DELEGATE FOR VIGIN ISLANDS St. Paul, Minn.—Olander J. Smith, secretary of the National Bar associ ation, has been appointed delegate from St. Thomas, Virgin isles, to the national republican convention which meets in Jansas City, June 12. ATLANTA TEACHERS FORM SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZATION Atlanta, Ga.—A new departure among educators was evidenced in Atlanta when a group of science teachers founded the Atlanta Associ ation for the Advancement of Sci ence. The membership is composed of the science faculties of Booker T. Washington High school, Clark uni versity, Morehouse college, Morris Brown university, Spellman college, and Atlanta university. The associa tion seeks to heighten the tone of science teaching in the colleges, to gather and distribute facts concern ing the teaching of science, to co relate high school science with that of the college and to encourage and serve as an outlet for individual re search of its members. Application for membership in one of the national scientific organizations is to be made as early as possible. LIEUTENANT JULIAN LEAPS 3,000 FEET FROM PLANE Detroit, Mich.—Lieut, Hubert Jul ian of New York and parts unknown, demonstrated to the satisfaction of a crowd of 8,000 attending a ball game in Detroit, his claim to supremacy in the air when he leaped from a plane 3,000 feet in the air and landed safe ly in the middle of a street one block from the ball park. The lieutenant said that a change in wind direction caused him to vary the slight margin from his intended destination. He plans a transatlantic flight in July for which trip he is having a plane constructed by the Bellanca Airplane corporation of New York. State Senator Feld is the personal sponsor of Mr. Julian. The Detroit People’s News is spon soring the efforts to raise the Detroit quota to assist in the payment of the plane. A large citizens’ committee, has been formed of which Thoras M. Dent is executive secretary and Beu lah Young is treasurer. MISSISSIPPI JUDGE ORDERS NEW TRIAL IN NEGRO’S DAMAGE SUIT Vicksburg, Miss.—An incident un precedented in federal court occurred when a verdict for $163.33 returned by a jury for Ike Johnson, Negro, in his suit against the Cary Lumber com pany was set aside by Judge Edwin R. Holmes and a new trial ordered be cause the verdict was “grossly in adequate and evinced prejudice and passion on the part of the jurors.” Judge Holmes said: “Although Johnson is a Negro, the jurors were white men and Johnson was repre sented by white men before a white judge it is the solemn duty of the judge to see that he gets a fair trial.” Johnson was suing the com pany for ten thousand dollars dam ages for injuries sustained when a company foreman struck him over the head for refusing to work on Sunday. HARLEM HAS NEW EPISCOPAL CHURCH — New York, N. Y.—Harlem now boasts of another Episcopal church, namely the St. Martin’s church, which was dedicated here recently by Bishop William T. Manning. So large was the crowd at the dedication, it was nec essary to hold the services in the open air, which, according to the present plans, will soon be turned into a playground for children of the dis trict. The new church is located at Lenox avenue and 122nd street and the Rev. John Howard Johnson is vicar. RACE PRODUCES ONLY CULTURE IN AMERICA New York, N. Y.—“The only cul tural influence upon the world at large, so far exerted by America, comes from your Negro population,” recently stated Count Hermann Key serling, eminent German philosopher before sailing for his homeland, after giving a series of lectures in this country. “American culture,” he said, “was too infantile to have any appreciable world influence. A real national consciousness is forming, but it is based upon a set of standards, which for the present, makes life monotonous.” EDITORIAL “Impossible.” “It can’t be true!” These and like expres sions fell from the lips of not only our own people, but some of our broad-minded white friends when they heard about it. These expressions of doubt and incredulity were due to the fact that discrimination from that quarter was so unexpected. It shows, however, why our people are so sensitive and as someone has aptly said, “shell-shocked” because of the preju dice which so frequently manifests itself. One never knows when he is going to run up against it. We are exposing this incident and voicing our condemna tion of the pernicious policy and principle which it portrays in the hope that its public exposure may effect a change. We hope so, at least. Recently, Mr;s. Florentine F. Pinkston, who has just pre sented a delightful group of high school and university stu dents in a pleasing operetta at Brandeis Theatre was seeking a suitable place for its presentation. The auditorium of Tech nical High school not being available until a late date, knowing that the auditorium in the Knights of Columbus building was being used very generally for public entertainments, Mrs. Pinkston in company with two white ladies who had been as sisting her in the training of the cast, interviewed the gentle man in charge of the renting of the hall. He was most courte ous. Yes, the date desired, Monday, June 11, was open, and it would give him pleasure to have them use it at that time. He showed them the splendid equipment of the place and said they were quite anxious to have the building used by the pub lic for such entertainments and named the Tuesday Morning Musical club and like organizations among those that had used it. Mrs. Pinkston is quite fair and the gentleman evidently did not think of her as belonging to the colored race. In order to avoid any embarrassment it was stated that the young people being presented were colored. It is reported that that changed the entire situation. The gentleman was very much confused. He said that he would have to take the matter up and would give his answer the next day. On the day appointed he called Mrs. Pinkston and said he was sorry but there was a provision made that the hall could not be rented to colored people. And this, dear reader, please mark well, from the Knights of Columbus, a strong Roman Catholic organization, which is supposed to be tolerant, fair and catholic-minded! Not in Mis sissippi or Georgia or Alabama, mark you, but in Omaha, Ne braska. “Can such things be and overcome us like a summer’s cloud without our special wonder?” We are reluctant to believe that this represents the policy of the outstanding and influential Roman Catholics of this city, many of whom we count as friends and for whom we have the highest regard. If, however, this incident represents the attitude of the Knights of Columbus towards our people it is well that we know it. It would have been an honor and credit to the Knights of Columbus to have had the delightful entertainment given by these young people at Brandeis Theatre and the cultured and representative audience that witnessed it presented in their auditorium. It would have been a much needed revelation to those who seem inclined to class all our people as hoodlums and rough necks. If Brandeis Theatre, which by mere chance happened to be available at this time because of the closing of the stock com pany’s engagement there, and the beautiful auditorium of the Technical High school can be and are rented to colored people, why can not the Knights of Columbus auditorium, which ac cording to the management, is “always pleased to have the ' public use it” be rented to colored people? Why draw the color line? Repeal this rule, if rule it be, or stand condemned for damnable and reactionary hypocrisy. Pleasing Operetta Presented Before Large Audience “The Pennant,” a three act oper etta, presented by a group of high school and college students, under the direction and management of Mrs. Florentine E. Pinkston, at Brandeis theater Wednesday night, was a de lightful and artistic affair highly pleasing to the audience. The stage settings, the costuming, the dramatics and the music left little to bo desired. The choruses and ensembles were es pecially good and while all of the solo parts were intelligently sung, some of the voices were light. There was a poise and naturalness in the acting which showed excellent and thorough dramatic coaching. The scene of the operetta centers around the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Bond, a millionaire with a socially ambitious wife and a beauti ful adopted daughter, in love with Captain Jack of the college football team, whom her mother wants to wed to a titled but impecunious English man; and the campus of Nemaha col lege. The lovers outwit the bargain ers for the fair Doris’ hand by an elopement and all ends happily. Gerald Edwards, as Jack Lawson, captain of the football team, who has an excellent tenor voice, which he uses well, played his role well. Con suela Cross, as “Doris,” was most charming in appearance and voice. Adrian Johnson, as the Englishman, “Lord Woodby Rich,” was at home in this role. John G. Pegg was well chosen as "Jeremiah Bond” and Miss Madeline Shipman made a most dig nified "Mrs. Bond.” Forrester Scott as “Levi Lender,” a Jewish peddler, impersonated the character to perfec tion, and Charles Wilson, as “Verdant Green,” a freshman, was a real fea ture in the cast. Carrie Harrison was good as “Mrs. Reno Grass.” a six times widow, and still husband hunt ing. Dorothy Allen made a very dainty French maid; ThomasDooley, a good butler; and O. C. Winn, an ac ceptable coach. As “Miss Sweet” and “Miss Young,” the Misses Elaine Smith and Virginia Jackson were well chosen. “Joyce,” the mimic, was im personated by Miss Susie Whiteside, and “Katie,” the sweetheart of the coach, by Miss Helen Hunigan. Miss Florence Jones made an excellent matron of the college girls, who were impersonated by the Misses Mae Mar shall, Wave Shaw, Claretta Biddiex, Jean Dorsey, Hazel and Florence My ers, Frances Trusty, Julia and Grace | Brannon, Ordea Maxwell, Margaret Dallas, Aline Burnett, Constance! Singleton and Elizabeth Allen. The college boys were represented by Gordon Hopkins, Burns Scott, Her bert Lewis, Robert Allen, Valvin Whitesides, Bert Fowler, Pelham Rob inson, Thomas Phillips, and Henry Smith. Other features of the program were a Spanish dance by Miss Cross, (Continued on Page 4) [award PRIZES FOR RACE RELATIONS ESSAYS Atlanta, Go.—The commission on interracial co-operation, with head quarters here, recently announced the following awards in its annual southwide competition for themes on race relations: First prize, $100, to Miss Selese Hunter of Baylor university, Waco, Texas, (home address, Minden, La.); second prize, $50, to Miss Martha H. Hall of North Carolina college for women, Greensboro; third prize, $26, to Miss Bland Morrow of Maryville college, Maryville, Tennessee, (homd address, Union, Miss.) The subjects of the prize winning papers were respectively “A Survey of Interracial Conditions in Waco,’; “A Study in Negro Criminality,” and “The Negro and Education.” There were more than eighty entries in th. contest, representing fifty institu tions in fourteen states. ORGANIZE TO PROMOTE INTERRACIAL GOOD WILL Washington, D. C.—The American interracial peace committee, a new or ganization national in scope, is the joint effort of representative Negroes working in close co-operation with the American friends’ service com mittee to develop and enlist active support in the cause of peace, and to promote the spirit of understand ing, good will and co-operation be tween the races in America, “as the basic principle of the Christ way in life.” The committee plans to present to the nation and to the world those talents and accomplishments of the ' race that may serve the cause of peace. It will seek for them the open door of fraternal co-operation with all those agencies, industrial, social, religious and political, devoted to the cause of peace. The committee will also teach the fundamental equality of all races. Among the prominent persons listed as members of the or ganization are Alice Dunbar-Nelson, executive secretary; Eugene Kinekle Jones, Addie W. Hunton, J. Finley Wilson, W. E. B. DuBois, Lawrence A. Oxley, and Leslie Pinckney Hill. Headquarters are maintained at Philadelphia. J. W. JOHNSON HELPS INSTALL BUSTS IN HALL OF FAME New York, N. Y.—In an echo of trumpetry and a bombing salute the names of five great Americans were given a new touch of immortality re cently. Their busts were unveiled in the New York university hall of fame. The honored were Louis Agassiz, nat uralist; Rufus Choate, lawyer; John Paul Jones, admiral; Samuel Finnerj1 Breese Morse, painter; and John Greenleal Whittier, poet. The setting was colorful indeed. Caps and gowns of learning, gold ' braid and epaulettes of the navy and frock coated men of the bar mingled. Four white robed women added to the occasion. The presence and partici pation of Dr. James Weldon Johnson in the ceremonies of the classic made the occasion a most memorable one. James Weldon Johnson, formei consul to Nicaragua and Venezuela, and a poet and writer of distinction himself, unveiled the John Greenleal Whittier bust after reading a poem written for the occasion by Edwin Markham. CONGRESS COSTS NATION THIRTEEN MILLIONS A YEAR Washington, D. C.—Congress costs the people of the country approxi mately thirteen million dollars a year. A million is required for the salaries and mileage of senators, and $4,500, 000 for the salaries and mileage of the members of the house of repre sentatives. Two and a quarter mil lion is expended for clerical assis tance and $230,000 for the sergeant at-arms and doorkeepers. Half a million dollars is provided for compensation^ of the committee employees. Vice President Dawes re quires $10,000 to run his office, and Speaker Longworth $16,000 for his office. The senate spends $1,520 a year for prayers and the house a flat $1,500. COMMEMORATION OF GREAT HAITIAN LIBERATOR’S BIRTH Fitting Memorial Service* Are Held By American Negro Labor Congre** for Tou»*aint L’Overture. New York, N. Y.—The birthday of the great liberator, Toussaint L’Overture, was commemorated in a fitting manner at a memorial meeting hel Sunday, May 28, under the aus pices of the American Negro Labor congress. The movement was started two years ago, and its growth is signifi cant of the renewed interest taken by outstanding figures in the organiza tion of the movement for the full and complete emancipation of the race not only in America but throughout the world. The speakers at the meeting in cluded Richard B. Moore of the American Negro Labor congress, who acted as chairman; William Pickens, Henry Rosemond, August Bernier, J. J, Adams, Haitian representative at the Geneva conference, and others. Mr. Moore said a little more than a hundred years after Haiti’s trium phant struggle against Napoleon for her complete independence, this is land of the West Indies finds itself under the steel heels of American imperialism; a foreign control far more menacing and crushing and deadening than ever attended the po litical control of one state over an other. Toussaint L’Overture was born a slave in the French colony of Haiti, then known as Santo Domingo, When the revolution came in France at the close of the eighteenth cen tury the revolutionary ideas of Dan ton and Robespierre found ready re cruits among the toiling slaves and iiscontented mulattoes of the oppress ed island. L’Overture was the fore most of the Santo Dominican leaders. He not only overthrew slavery throughout the island but carried on i successful struggle against Napo eon’s Themidoran policy of reaction ind made way for the birth of the re public of Haiti, according to the rec prds contained in Chaplain T. G. Steward’s History of the Republic of Haiti. WORK STARTS ON SERVICE STATION COSTING $40,000 rwelve Attendants to Be Employed at New Structure at Twentieth and Harney Streets One of the most complete master service stations in Omaha is under instruction at Twentieth and Harney streets, adjoining the Riviera theater >n the south. Morris Milder, presi ient of the United States Oil Works, innounced that this station, the 12th :o be owned locally by his company, will be open for business about June 15. The building, with an estimated instruction cost of $40,000, will ex tend for 130 feet on Twentieth street and 57 feet on Harney street. Ma terial will be of red-faced brick, re inforced construction, trimmed in Bedford stone and one story high. The station and service driveways will be under one roof. Viait Other Stations After a trip made by Mr. Milder and Alan McDonald, architect, to va rious midwestern cities, it was de cided to include the best features of the various master service stations visited, in the Omaha station. Prac tically all of the service equipment, including the four pumps, which can service eight autos at once, and the high pressure lubrication system both of chassis and crank case, will be elec trically operated. Th New Era Baptist Association, with a large attendance and a busy program, is in session this week at Salem Baptist church, Twenty-third and Grace streets, Rev. E. M. Hilson, pastor.