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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.