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NEBRASKA’S WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF COLORED AMERICANS
_ THE REV. JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS, Editor.
$2.00 a Year—5 Cents a Copy Omaha, Nebraska, Friday, September 21, 1928 Vol. XIV—No. 12 Whole Number 685
PROMINENT “DEMO”
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
TALKS TO LEADERS
Dr. William J. Tompkins Spends Sun
day in Omaha, Confers With Lo
cal Leaders and Arranges for
Active State, City Canvass.
Dr. William J. Tompkins of Kansas
City, Mo., regional director of the
colored division of the democratic na
tional committee spent Sunday in the
city holding a conference with local
democratic leaders and the national
committeeman. At night he deliver
ed an address on “Leadership” at the
Salem Baptist church, leaving at mid
night for Kansas City.
In his conference with the demo
cratic leaders at the Castle hotel, it
is said that he was very frank and
outspoken and made a most favorable
impression. He asked what the dem
ocratic party had ever done for the
Negro race and what could be ex
pected now. The time has come
when the Negro is not the sole and
safe property of either party. He is
demanding something tangible in re
turn for his support just like other
groups in the American electorate.
He is demanding opportunity for self
expression and self - development,
justice in the courts, and a fair pro
portion of patronage. The party that
will honestly meet these reasonable
demands may count upon the Negro
for support. If the democratic party
is willing and ready, despite its past
attitude, to give him a square deal,
it can win him to its standards. Thou
sands, disgusted with republican hyp
ocrisy and insincerity, are ready to
make a change of party allegiance.
Dr. Tompkins’ district includes the
states of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Ken
tucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Kansas,
Iowa, and Nebraska. He has just re
turned from Tennessee and Kentucky
where he claims that 90,000 Negroes
will support the democratic presiden
tial nominee.
Arrangements have been made to
open headquarters here in charge of
the race and to effect a state organ
ization.
Dr. Tompkins, who has been an ac
tive democrat for several years, ex
pects to return to Omaha for a speech
during the campaign.
MEMBERS OF AL SMITH-FOR
PRESIDENT CLUB MEET “AL"
Among those who met and welcom
ed Governor Alfred E. Smith, demo
cratic nominee for the presidency, to
Omaha, Tuesday, were the following
members o' the Negro A1 Smith-for
President club: A. Stuart, Dr. W. W.
Peebles, Harry Leland, John Wood,
and Gray. They met the gov
ernor at the station, had a nautomo
bile in the parade, and shook hands
with the distinguished visitor at the
Fontenelle hotel. The following mem
bers occupied seats on the platform
at the auditorium when the nominee
delivered his opening address of the
campaign: Dr. W. W. Peebles, Harry
Leland and Mesdames Stuart, Leland
and Wheeler. In the press row at
this meeting were H. J. Pinkett, “cov
ering” the address for the Omaha
Bee-News symposium; C. C. Gallo
way of the Omaha Guide, and Rev.
John Albert Williams, editor of The
Monitor.
HILLSIDE WHIST CLUB
_ *
The Hillside Whist club met at the
residence of Mr. C. E. Reese, 2858
Corby street, Tuesday evening, Sep
tember 18. The Hillside Whist club
wishes to challenge any club that will
accept its invitation and co-operate
with it in a game of prise whist. For
further information call Web. 3637
between the 1st of October and ask
for the club reporter. Prises will be
worth your effort.
OLD SOLDIERS ATTENDING
ENCAMPMENT
P. W. Waddles and Judah Miles,
members of the Old Guard Post, G.
A. R., left Sunday morning to attend
the national grand encampment at
Denver, Colo. These two comrades
who wore the Union blue have al
ways made it a point to attend the
annual encampment. J. C. Moore of
Hennessey, Okla., father of Mrs.
Waddles of Omaha, goes as a repre
sentative of his post.
Hear Florence Cole-Talbert sing on
Monday night at the Strand theater.
—Adv.
RACE ORGANIZATION
FORMED TO WORK FOR
REPUBLICAN VICTORY
Committee Named To Conduct An
Active Campaign for the Election
of Ticket Headed By
Herbert Hoover
Presenting a united front and de
claring themselves traditionally, nat
urally and eternally behind Herbert
Hoover in his stand for the 18th
amendment, the Douglas County Col
ored Republican Central Committee
Monday endorsed Hoover and the re
publican ticket and elected officers
for the campaign. The organizing
committee consists of:
Mrs. Ada Hill Smith, Rev. Z. E.
McGee, E. W. Killingsworth, David
McQueen, George W. Hibbler, John
A. Smith and James G. Jewell.
Officers elected were:
George W. Hibbler, chairman; Da
vid McQueen, vice chairman; Mrs.
Ada Hill Smith, secretary; E. W. Kil
lingsworth, treasurer.
At the meeting at republican head
quarters at the Rome hotel Monday,
Rev. Z. E. McGee outlined plans for
the campaign. George W. Hibbler
and David McQueen also spoke. It
was decided to open headquarters for
the colored division.
The organization presented by the
colored committee was received by
Harry O. Palmer, chairman of the
Douglas county republican central
committee, who asked that a plan for
the campaign be submitted. Cam
paig nplans will be decided upon by
the colored committee at a meeting
Tuesday.
ENTERTAINS AT DINNER
FOR FLORIDA GUESTS
Mrs. Albert Johnson and daugh
ters, Mercedes and Albertine, were
the hostesses at a delightful dinner
party at their home, 2709 Douglas
street, on Monday evening, honoring
Mrs. Johnson’s sister, Mrs. Bama
Suher, and a friend, Mrs. Rebecca
Hamilton, both visitors from Florida.
Other guests included Mrs. Emma
Louis of St. Paul, Minn., Mrs. B. A.
Howell, Mrs. John Archy, Mrs. Eva
Peoples, Mrs. William McAllister,
Mrs. W. C. Ricks, Mrs. Warren
Brooks, Mrs. Charles Justice, Mrs.
Robert Gray, Mrs. Anna Burton, and
Mrs. John Goodman of Omaha. Mrs.
Hamilton left Wednesday for St.
Louis, where she will spend a week
visiting friends. From there she will
return to Florida.
ST. PHILIP'S FIRST
RUMMAGE SALE SUCCESS.
COMMITTEE GRATEFUL
The women of St. Philip’s Episco
pal church, who under the chairman
ship of Mrs. Alire M. Smith, conduct
ed a successful rummage sale at
Twenty-fourth and Hamilton streets,
desire to express their appreciation
to members, friends and patrons who
contributed to the success of the sale.
The store was donated by Joe Mar
gules, the owner; the proprietor of
the Dutch Market, adjoining the
store, was most courteous and help
ful. Mrs. Hattie Brewer, generously
served lunch for the committee at her
home, 2405 Hamilton street. The fol
lowing women served on the commit
tee: Mesdames Charles T. Smith, C.
H. Spriggs, Herbert Wiggins, W. J.
Johnson, Dumas James. Ella Grim
stead, George Watson, Augustus
Hicks, Addie Moore, J. F. Smith,
Bessie Patterson and Jennie Williams.
ELECTED VICE-PRESIDENT
Mrs. Martha Taylor Smith return
ed Friday night from a three weeks’
visit to Chicago where she attended
the annual meeting of the National
Hairdressers’ and Cosmeticians’
league, held September 4 to 7 inclu
sive. Mrs. Smith was elected vice
president of the organization. The
next meeting of the league will be
held in St. Louis.
FORMER OMAHA PASTOR
VISITING OLD FRIENDS
The Rev. W. F. Botts, now pastor
of St. Paul’s Baptist church, Los An
geles, Cal., formerly pastor of Zion
Baptist church of this city for 17
years, is visiting old friends and par
ishioners here. He is en route home
at Louisville, Ky. Mrs. Botts accom
panies him.
Mrs. J. C. Brewer attended the
conference of the A. M. E. church in
Leavenworth, Kansas, last week.
Florence Cole-Talbert
Florence Cole-Talbert, who for the
past two years has been abroad ap
pearing with great success in grand
opera, will be heard in song recital,
accompanied by Edna Rosalyn Heard,
pianist, at the Strand theater, Mon
day night, under the management of
a committee of women of which Mrs.
John Albert Williams is chairman.
The proceeds are to be donated to
the North Side Branch of the Y. W.
C. A.
Madame Talbert, who sang here
five years ago at the Brandeis thea
ter, delighted a large audience and
local musical critics. Pleasing as a
vocal artist then she has improved
by her operatic work abroad.
From among the highly compli
mentary comments of the foreign
press the following typical ones are
selected: “The title role of ‘Aida’
was performed in a most distinguish
ed manner by Miss Florence Talbert,
who has a beautiful voice, and is most
effective as an actress.”—Calabria
Fascists, Rome, Italy.
“The greatest success was the sing
ing of Miss Florence Talbert, who has
a magnificent voice, powerful, yet
modulated, and as soft as velvet in
her tone, as wa3 exhibited in her ren
dition of ‘O Patria Mia’ in a manner
that surprised and deeply moved her
audience.”—Giornale d’ltalia, Tivoli,
Italy.
The Chicago Herald says: “Cole
Talbert is mistress of song;” and The
New York Evening World: “Miss Tal
bert’s voice has a body and vibrancy
of the true dramatic type. The tem
peramental attributes that should at
tend that genre are hers. In a pro
gram ranging from Scarlatti to Wolf
and then on to Castlenueve-Tedesco,
no want of versatility was discovered,
nor of admirable diction."
These opinions of discriminating
musical critics at home and abroad
bear testimony to Florence Cole-Tal
bert’s ability as one of our race’s
most outstanding artists of song.
Many of the prominent white citi
zens who heard Mme. Talbert when
she sang here five years ago are an
xious to hear her again and have
bought tickets for the recital as have
also many of the former colored pa
trons.
“Negro Voters In Revolt” says Kelly
Miller of Howard University in Story
Negro voters are bolting and re
volting against traditional party lines
as they have never done before. Ne
gro Smith organizations, north, south,
east, and west, are about as numer
ous as those for his republican op
ponent. According to my personal
observation and the best information
I can secure, about three colored men
out of five, when approached as to
their preference, openly declare for
Smith or remain non-committal. If
the republican contingent is better
organized and co-ordinated than the
democratic rivals, it is by reason of
the fact that the G. O. P. has built
up a more competent staff of pro
fessional politicians who are adepts
at the game. There is but one prac
tical remedy for this restlessness and
dissatisfaction, which the republican
party is not willing to apply. As
long as the G. O. P. ignores the 14th
and 15th amendments, flirts with lily
whites and crucifies the Negro parti
cipants, it cannot expect that self
respecting Negroes will support its
cause with enthusiasm and gladness.
If Charles Sumner and Thaddeus
Stevens had been delegates to the
Kansas City convention they would
have walked out the moment the
party refused to stress the human
rights amendments. Every Negro
delegate would have followed them.
The race is left no positive reason
for supporting the glorious party of
the olden day. Its moral grandure
has departed. Its only appeal to Ne
gro support is comparative and neg
ative.
Whither Will He Co?
If the colored voter bolts the re
publican party, whither will he go?
The democratic rival certainly does
not offer anything better, in some
respects the prospect is decidedly
worse. Shall the Negro, then, remain
forever in the republican party, and
allow himself to be reduced to a poli
tical nullity by his own acquies
cence? Shall he espouse the demo
cratic cause with all of its past rec
ord of political unfriendliness? Or
shall he, acting independently, sup
port this or that party, either or
neither, according to the dictates of
the racial interest and welfare?
Support Moral Principles
There are at least two million qual
ified or qualifiable Negro voters in
the north and in the south. Herein
lies a latent power of incalculable po
tentiality. How can this potential
power be translated into dynamic en
ergy? Certainly not by slavishly fol
lowing the fortune of the republican
party which is gradually reducing the
race to a political cipher. Certainly
not by falling uninvited into the arms
of the democratic party before it has
even expressed penitence for its past
sins. Where then is political wisdom
to be found? To me the answer is
plain and simple. Let the Negro vot
er support sound moral principles,
on whichever side of the political
line they may fall. I supported
John W. Davis in the last election
because he openly declared his op
position to the Ku Klux Klan, and
stated with convincing candor, that,
if elected, he would use the best
of his ability to enforce the con
stitution of the United States. When
asked of he intended to include
the 14th and 16th amendments, he
answered in the emphatic affirmative.
Mr. Coolidge on the other hand was
silent on the Ku Klux Klan and in
articulate on the human rights
amendments to the constitution. I
never did believe that Mr. Davis could
be elected, but that did not affect
the principles upon which he stood.
The orthodox, patented, stamped and
standardized Negro politicians, then
as now, shouted until they were
hoarse, “Long live Coolidge and the
republican party.” They carried the
day. Verily, verily, they have their
reward.
One Essential Difference
In the present campaign, I car. see
but one essential principle that dis
tinctifies the two parties and the two
candidates—and that is the principle
(Continued on Page Four)
MELLON DENIES BUT
THOMAS MAINTAINS
THERE IS SEGREGATION
—
Washington, D. C.—The recent
denial by Secretary of the Treasury
Andrew W. Mellon that segregation
of Negroes prevails in thirty-odd bu
reaus under the treasury department
was given the lie last week in an
open letter to Mr. Mellon by Prof.
Neval H. Thomas.
In his open letter to Mr. Mellon,
Prof. Thomas, president of the local
branch of the N. A. A. C. P., scath
ingly charged that segregation is
rampant in the treasury department
and cited numerous instances.
COLORED TEACHER WRITES
ARTICLE IN LEADING JOURNAL
St. Louis, Mo.—In the last month
ly issue of the English Journal,
America’s leading publication on
English composition and the official
organ of the National Council of
Teachers of English, appears a valu
able and interesting article by Miss
Hazel B. McDaniel, instructor of
English in Sumner High School of
St. Louis. This most recent compo
sition dealt with the problem of mak
ing old English literature and essays
appear interesting to modem youth.
This she did by a novel method of
joining their reading efforts with
compositions which paralleled their
own experiences with the essays of
the old DeCoverly Papers. She tells
of her experiences with a large num
ber of students in an article that is
both interesting and illuminating,
and which introduces some genuinely
original contributions to the science
of instruction. Miss McDaniel is a
regular contributor to a number of
literary journals and her work is of
that high standard demanded by
Americas’ leading educators.
NATIONAL GUARD UNITS
IN CALIFORNIA COMPOSED
OF NEGROES, NOW MOOTED
San Francisco, Cal.—California
bids fair to set a patriotic preced
ence over Western states as the re
sult of he inauguration of a move
ment to establish Negro National
Guard units in the state. Only two
other states in the country have Ne
gro National Guard regiments, Illi
nois and New York.
Establishment of colored units of
the California Guard wherever found
practicable was urged by the state
officials of the American Legion as
the result of action taken by the
World War Veterans at their recent
state convention.
Numerous race organizations that
served with credit in the military
forces of the United States, includ
ing American Legion posts, have been
persistent in their demands for col
ored national guardsmen in the state.
State Commander N. Belgrano, in an
explanation of the Legion’s stand,
brough it out that some real recog
nition is due the colored military
bodies because of the great service
they rendered their country in the
World War.
OMAHA LOCALS
Mrs. Betty Thompson, 1114 North
Twenty-second street, is visiting her
cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Will Butler,
in Jonesborough, Ark., and other rel
atives in Little Rock, Ark. En route
home she will visit relatives in Kan
sas City, Mo. She will be gone three
weeks.
Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Myers and
daughters left Saturday night by
auto for Nashville, Tenn., where their
daughter, Hazel, will enter Fisk uni
versity. They were accompanied by
Miss Aline Burnett, who will also en
ter Fisk. They expect to visit in Ken
tucky, Ohio and the lake region be
fore returning home.
Miss Grace Adams, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Adams, 2806
North Twenty-sixth street, left Tues
day evening for Atlanta, Ga., to re
enter the university there. She will
visit an aunt in Memphis, Tenn., en
route.
Mrs. Luella Mae McCullough died
at her home, 2430 Patrick avenue,
Monday, Septmber 10, after a long
and painful illness. She was buried
Thursday, September 13, at 2 o’clock
from St. John’s A. M. E. church. In
the absence of the pastor, Rev. J. H.
Grant, who was away attending the
conference, Rev. Russel Taylor'of
ficiated.
METHODISTS CHANGE
THREE IMPORTANT
NEBR. PASTORATES
Adam! Removed a* Presiding Elder
and Assigned to Lincoln. Grant
Is Transferred to Kansas
Confernce.
At the annual conference of the
A. M. E. church held at Leavenworth,
Kansas, last week, the Rt. Rev. John
A. Gregg, D. D., presiding, changes
affecting several Nebraska pastorates
were made.
The Rev. John Adams, presiding
elder of the Omaha district, was as
signed to Quinn chapel, Lincoln, suc
ceeding the Rev. M. C. Knight, who
has been transferred to the Colorado
conference. The office of presiding
elder of this district, as well as that
of Kansas City, formerly held by the
Rev. William T. Osborne, has been
left vacant and will be supplied later.
The Rev. John H. Grant, D. D.,
pastor of St. John’s, Omaha, has been
transferred to the Kansas conference,
and the Rev. I. S. Wilson, D. D., pre
siding elder of the Colorado confer
ence, has been appointed his succes
sor.
The Rev. J. C. Brewer, pastor of
Allen chapel, South Omaha; the Rev.
J. W. Garner, pastor of Bethel, and
the Rev. Jesse Glover, pastor of the
Adams Mission chapel, were returned
to their respective pastorates, as was
also Rev. W. S. Metcalfe, in charge
of the church at Fremont.
Among those from Omaha who at
tended the conference were Mes
dames Hiram Greenfield, Gertrude
Shackleford, Anna Burton, J. John
son, J. C. Brewer, M. L. Rhone, John
Adams and Miss Sidney Parks.
NORTH SIDE BRANCH
Y. W. C. A. NOTES
Dr. Edith Hale Swift of the Amer
ican Social Hygiene association of
New York, will address a meeting for
women and girls on Sunday, Septem
ber 30th, at 4 o’clock, at the North
Side Brand, Y. W. C. A. Dr. Hale
Swift’B subject will be “The Value of
Health Hygiene in the Home.” Moth
ers are especially urged to come with
their daughters.
Miss Margie L. Danley, executive
secretary, together with the Misses
Josephine Martin and Ollie Mattison,
two of the High School Girl Reserves,
attended the week-end setting-up con
fernce for high school Reserves at
Camp Brewster. Miss Martin took
part in the ceremonial, Miss Mattison
assisted with the music and Miss Dan
ley read Negro poetry.
The North Side Branch was repre
sented at the board of directors
luncheon by Mrs. J. A. Williams, Miss
Margie L. Danley, Mrs. Z. C. McGee,
Mrs. J. H. Hutten, Mrs. Herbert Wig
gins and Mrs. Minnie Dixon.
The North Side Branch, Y. W. C.
A., is seeking to meet the community
needs and is offering the following
classes: Art class, with Mrs. A. Jef
fers, instructor, beginning Tuesday,
October 9, for eight weeks, at $2.76
for the course; Dressmaking, with
Miss Emily Mercer, instructor, begin
ning Friday, October 12, 7:30 p. m.
to 9:30 p. ai., eight weeks, $2.76 for
the course; Public Speaking, Mr. G.
A. Burrell, instructor, beginning Fri
day, October 12, and continuoing for
two terms of nine weeks each. Five
dollars ($6.00) for two terms, pay
able in advance or $3.00 each term;
Gymnasium class announcements will
be made later. Other classes formed
upon request and sufficient registra
tion. Please register as soon as pos
sible.
The night school will open Monday,
October 8, with Mrs. E. W. Johnson
as principal. Vespers under the di
rection of Mrs. Hiram Greenfield will
open October 14. Further announce
ments will follow.
Miss Lorraine Williams, who has
been the house guest of her sister,
Mrs. Saybert Hanger, left last Fri
day for Pittsburgh, where she was
called by the illness of two sisters
there.
Mrs. Alphonso Wilson returned
Sunday from a pleasant two weeks’
visit in Chicago, 111.
Mrs. J. H. Smith, 2211 Ohio street,
returned Friday morning from a very
pleasant three weeks’ visit in Chicago.