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§. 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—! T its a Copy Omaha, Nebraska, Friday, August 10, 1928 Vol. XIV—No. 6 Whole Number 679
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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.”
