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About The monitor. (Omaha, Neb.) 1915-1928 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 10, 1928)
“fS The monitor m % §. NEBRASKA’S WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF COLORED AMERICANS £. THE REV. JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS, Editor. . - - — m : — . ■■■■?■ ■ -■ . ., , ■ . , , ■ . ,, . $2.00 a Year—! T its a Copy Omaha, Nebraska, Friday, August 10, 1928 Vol. XIV—No. 6 Whole Number 679 ■— ■■■■ —— —————————————— Negro Runners Place In Olympic Games CAMPAIGN COMMIT TEE TO CORRAL COL ORED CONSTITUENCY Strong and Representative Body of Men and Women Appointed To Work for Election of Re publican Ticket DR. HAWKINS IS CHAIRMAN Efficient Methodist General Officer, Seconder Hoover's Nomination, Heads Special Committee— Omaha Man Member Washington, I). C. — Announce ment was made Wednesday night by Chairman Hubert Work of the ap pointment of colored voters division of the republican national committee to direct the Hoover-Curtis presiden tial campaign among Negroes of the United States. According to this announcement, Dr. John R. Hawkins, who seconded the nomination of Secretary Hoover at Kansas City, and president of the Prudential bank of this city, was se lected as chairman of the executive committee, with Albion L. Holsey, secretary of the Tuskegee Institute and the National Negro Business League, named as secretary of the committee. The other members of the commit tee are: Walter Foster of Boston; Robert R. Church, Memphis; State Senator Adalbert Roberts, Chicago; John E. Nail, New York City; Mrs. Myrtle Foster Cook, Kansas City; Mrs. A. L. Hunton, New York City, and Dr. Emmett J. Scott, former special assistant to the secretary of war and now seefetary-treasurer of Howard University. L “We are gratifed," said Chairman % Work in making the announcement V which has been looked forward to ' with much interest, “that there has been such a fine voluntary response and pledge of support from the col ored people. This committee is com posed of leaders of thought and opin ion, representing their business, pro fessional, religious and educational life. In my opinion, the election of Herbert Hoover will herald a new i day of hope and opportunity for the ■ group they represent. Headquarters office of the colored voters’ division will be in the Barr building, from which the national campaign is being conducted, and branch headquarters will be opened in Chicago and possi bly also in New York City. Hawkins Makes Statement ' When apprised of his appointment, Dr. Hawkins, who is also secretary of the finance department of the Af rican Methodist Episcopal Church, made the following statement: “A spirited campaign in which bus iness, professional, and religious leaders of our group will have a prominent and active part, is to be launched immediately. This program will give an effective voice to the rank and file of the Negro race and will bring anew to every colored American the fact that the republi can party is our party, conceived in liberty and freedom and dedicated to the task of improving our civic and political status and condition. We must do our part in furthering its success as well as adapting its policies to fit the common needs of our race and our country.” Other Committees Appointed Other committees were appointed to direct special activities. These committees were as follows: A publicity committee, with Robert L. Vann, Pittsburgh, chairman; W. T. Andrews, vice chairman, and Claude A. Barnett, Chicago, secre tary. An eastern bureau, headed by Fred R. Moore, with Ernest T. Att well, Philadelphia, general field or ganizer, and Lieut. Colonel West A. Hamilton, District of Columbia, in charge of the organization of colored ex-service men. Other members of this bureau represent practically every city in the section. The organization commitee of he western bureau comprises Cornelius R. Richmond, Indiana, chairman; Homer G. Phillips, St. Louis, general field organizer, and Lieut. George W. Lee, Memphis, in charge of the organization of colored ex-service men. Rev. John Adams of Omaha, Nebraska, is a member of this com mittee. The eastern speakers’ bureau is headed by George W. Harris, New York City, and in the west this phase of the work will be under Roscoe C. Conklin of Chicago. On both eastern and western speakers’ bureau the names of representative and import ant men and women appear. The voters’ committee is headed by Ray mond Pace Alexander, Philadelphia, with Jesse Heslip, Toledo, vice chair mau, and some twenty-five other members. An advisory committee of two hundred was also appointed with Charles W. Anderson, New York City, as chairman, and Judge Scipio A. Jones of Little Rock, Ark., as vice chairman. This committee includes some of the most prominent men and women of the Negro race. Women To Share In Campaign Some of the prominent women of the group who have been selected to take an active part in the campaign are: Mrs. Mary Bethune, Daytona Beach, Fla.; Mrs. Daisy Lampkin, Pittsburgh; Mrs. Sallie Stewart, Ev ansville, Ind.; Mrs. Mary C. Booze, Mound Bayou, Miss.; Miss Nannie H. Burroughs, of Washington; Mrs. Geo. S. Williams, Savannah, Ga.; Miss llallie Q. Brown, Wilberforee, Ohio, and Mrs. Lethia Fleming of Cleve land. OLD FOLKS HOME There will be a musical tea given at the Old Folks Home, August 20, from 4 to 0, for the benefit of the building fund. Chicken salad, ice cream, cake and coffee served, 35 cents. All are cordially invited. Mrs. Henrietta Fox, president. Mrs. Z. E. McGee, secretary. Mrs. E. H. McDonald, chairman of house committee. Mrs. H. Leland, superintendent. EDITORIAL These are unquestionably times for serious thought upon the part of every American voter of color as to his political duty in the present crisis. Many are perplexed and are con scientiously considering what is the wisest course to pursue. They are seriously questioning whether continued loyalty to the Republican party, which loyalty has been illy requitted and esteemed during the last decade or two, will innure to their advantage as a peculiarly conditioned minority group of Ameri cans, for such they are, or a change of allegiance to the other major party, the Democratic, will prove more advantageous. This is the question occupying the serious attention of thou sands of thoughtful men and women of our race in all sections of the country. Let no one be deceived upon this point. Let no one think that there will be a unanimous answer. Division cf sentiment is indicated by the formation of many Negro Dem ocratic clubs throughout the country, south as well as north. I This is a significant movement too important to be under-rated or ig-nored. It shows a troubling of the waters out of which political healing may come to this nation and people. It may herald the day when the American of color will be considered and treated simply as an American citizen and not as a ‘Negro,’ a kind of missing link in the evolutionary process, half human and half beast, a thing apart from the rest of the population. Were he now so regarded all this talk about his being a prob lem, civilly, politically, industrially and ecclesiastically, would cease and he would be considered simply as a man, subject only to “the ills that flesh is heir to.” Placed, however, as he is in this separate category, he can not view political policies and parties, only as they affect the country at large, but in addition to this, and primarily, in re lationship to his group regarded in a real sense as a thing, dis tinct, different, separate and apart from the rest of the popu lation. It is most unfortunate that this is the case. It is in the light of this that the American of color is perturbed as to his present duty and allegiance. What party will be best for the country at large and best for him, situated as he is? In the platforms of the two major parties there is no dif ference. If there is, it is the difference between tweedle-de oum and tweedle-de-dee. It is largely the personalities of the two candidates and the history, traditions, attitude, perform ance and promises of the respective parties which must help one in his decision. Both candidates, according to the testimony of those who know them, are men of attractive personalities. Each has been successful in his chosen field. Hoover is the better trained man and has had wider experience and far more broadening contacts than Smith. Heart qualities may, however, supple ment in Smith whatever advantages Hoover may have over him in head qualities. Both, it is conceded, are men of clean life and good character, dominated by religious ideals. The genesis and traditions of the Republican party have been not only advantageous to the country but such as to win the gratitude and affection of our people. Through it we re ceived the boon of freedom, being transferred from chattel hood to manhood, and by it our liberty and civil status were protected. There is, however, and has been for a long time, the growing conviction that the spirit'and attitude of the party has radically changed and that we are unwelcome members of that political household and that the sentiment therein differs little in its inhospitality to that of the other political household which has undoubtedly treated us with open and avowed hos tility and contempt. The genesis and traditions of the Democratic party are also well known. It was hostile to our emancipation and freedom and has consistently opposed our progress. * Even now in its stronghold it is showing no friendliness. There are those who are wondering if we were in large numbers members of that party, it would wrok to our ad vantage, because party leaders anxious for success would court that support. This has proven true in New York and many are questioning whether it would not also prove true nation ally. This, of course, is a moot question. There are those who are answering it in the affirmative; others who will answer it in the negative. There are those who believe the present cam paign offers the opportunity for such an experiment. Others believe that much more will be gained by continued alignment with the Republican party and fighting within its ranks for a restoral to those ideals which called it into being. That the electorate among us is thinking hard these days and refuses to be mere pawns upon the political chessboard is not without its significance and hopefulness. Father Flanagan’s Band Poses With Pres. Coolidge Father Flanagan’s b o y s’ band posed with President Coolidge at his summer home on the Brule river in Wiscon-, sin. These boys of Omaha are acquainted with the president, having played for him a year ago, when he made the Black Hills the summer White House. The boy on the president’s right is A1 Kerchival, 9, the comedian of the “outfit.” It was he who made Mr. Coolidge laugh last year — yes, and again this year. The second boy to the president’s left is Willie Harrison, the boy who was so frightened last year when the president asked him how he made the drumsticks go so fast. This year he stood up and talked right up to the pres ident. The band is expected to be back September 1, after its 2,200-mile trip. FLEET NEGRO RUNNER WINS SECOND PLACE IN OLYMPIC RACES Wearing Great Britain’s Colors Jack London Placed First In Semi Finals, but Canadian Star Beat Him In Final Heat Amsterdam—Jack London, Great Britain’s great Negro sprinter, placed first in the semi-finals here July 31, coming in ahead of George Lammers, the German dark horse. To top off his work for the afternoon the Negro star came in second in the finals in a very close race with Williams, the Canadian star, who won. It is interesting to note that Jack London kept his heels in the faces of Frank Wykoff and Bob McAllister, the two American white hopes. Wy koff has been styled as a sensation of the year and earlier in the year equalled the Olympic mark of 10 3-5 seconds for the 100 meter dash on three occasions, and all in the same afternoon. To date London is the only race representative to show any thing worth while mentioning in the present Olympic games. FATHER FLANAGAN S BOYS’ BAND PLAYS FOR CALVIN COOLIDGE Father Flanagan, who conducts a Home For Boys at Overlook Farm, 11 miles west on the Dodge road, i3 on a tour with his boys’ band. Re cently this band played for the Coo lidges at their summer home in Wis consin and was photographed with the president. The photograph shows three colored boys as members of the band. Boys of various nationalities and creeds are admitted to Father Flanagan’s Home and developed into fine types of manhood. No racial or creedal lines are drawn. It is in a real sense a catholic institution, that is to say, an institution for all, or the whole people, which is really what the word means. This is in si.-iking con trast to the policy of some other in stitutions calling themselves “Chris tian” which draw color and race lines. Dan Desdunes ,the well known bandmaster, has been instructor in band music at Father Flanagan’s Home for Boys, for many years and takes great pride in the progress of his pupils. There are several colored boys, only one or two of whom are Roman Catholics, who are inmates of this home and all boys are accorded the same privileges and advantages. Such a splendid institution deserves the generous and whole-hearted sup port of all our citizens. ARKANSAS HAS NEGRO DEMOCRATIC ORGANIZATION Little Rock, Ark.—A real honest to goodness democratic organization was formed here recently when 250 prom inent citizens, headed by Dr. J. M. Robinson, met at the Mosaic Temp lars temple and organized a local branch of the National Negro Demo cratic league. The officers of the newly organ ized body are Dr. Robinson, presi dent; P. H. Jordan, vice president; J. W. Douglass, secretary; Benjamin Henderson, treasurer, and D. M. Wells, Wash Jordon, and Dr. Joseph Hickman, members of the executive committee. Mr. and Mrs. Bob Hall, known to thousands of radio fans as Bob and Anita Hall, sang and played at the Unity class, Wednesday evening, August 1st. Mr. Hall was former announcer at KOIL, Council Bluffs, la. All who failed to hear them missed a wonderful treat. We hope to have them with us again soon. They both are strong Unity students. Unity class meets every Sunday evening at 6 o’clock, at the home of Attorney A. P. Scruggs, 2310 North 22nd street, and every Wed nesday evening at 8 o’clock at the Y. W. C. A. Mr. G. D. Benson, an employe of the Northwestern Bell Telephone Co., left last week on a two weeks’ vaca tion. Mr. Benson went to Sioux City, la., from here. MARY BETHUNE RE TIRES AS PRESIDENT OF WOMEN’S CLUBS Able Head of National Association Renders Account of Four Years’ Stewardship Marked By Progress URGES EXPANSION OF SCOPE Washington, D. C.—As she laid down her gavel, “with the same dig nity as she picked it up four years ago,” Mrs. Mary McLeod Bethune retiring president of the National As sociation of Colored Women’s Clubs, rendered a report of her stewardship for four years fraught with accom plishments and advancement and • suggested a program which would mean further expansion and more ef fective work of the organization. Pointing out the program which was adopted four years ago at Chica go, and again approved at Los An geles, Mrs. Bethune outlined how that program had been posecuted to the letter and the effect it had had upon the general progress of the as sociation, which celebrated its 32nd birthday here last week, in the city of its birth. Most conspicuous among the many accomplishments, according to Mrs. Bethune’s report, is the establishment of national headquarters. The or ganization authorized the expendi ture of $50,000 for this purpose, but through the business sagacity of those selected by the president to se lect the site, including Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, Mrs. George S. Wil liams and Miss Nannie Burroughs, a suitable site was secured for $25,000. This new acquisition on the part of the association was dedicated as one of the features of the biennial ses sion which has ben in session for a week. Under Mrs. Bethune’s administra tion the membership has been in creased, new departments added, and a scholarship fund initiated. In sug gesting a program for the future, Mrs. Bethune urged that the scholar ship fund be pushed to completion in a systematic manner and “that the fund begin to operate immediately. She further advocated the appoint ment of efficient organizers to visit the various local, state, and regional organizations and perfect the organi zation and that “we express our ap preciation for the publicity that has been given our work through the Ne gro press and that we pledge them our continued and larger support and co-operation.” A financial program was also suggested which would make the national and its various branches more substantial. NEGROES CANNOT VOTE IN TEXAS PRIMARY Houston, Tex.—The efforts of W. A. “Gooseneck Bill” MacDonald to in fluence Negroes to vote the demo cratic ticket in the forthcoming pres idential election received a setback here recently when Negroes were re fused the right to vote in the demo cratic primary. The refusal was upheld by two fed eral judges, one in the western dis trict and one in the southern district. Federal Judge Duval West, in the western district denied the applica tion of R. D. Evans, Waco attorney, who sought to have a ruling that Ne gro democrats could vote in the pri mary, which was held here. The judge did not pass upon the consti tutionality of barring Negroes but based his denial upon “technical grounds.”