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“Help Make A Place in An Unbridled, —
the Sun for Your Boys Outstanding^
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The Omaha Guide for Your Community
A Stronger Factor “The Omaha Guide
In Your Community Is your Paper”
VOL. VII.— Omaha, Nebraska, Saturday, July 22,1933 Number Twenty-Two.
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“li.^NG OUR OWN JOBS” Mitchell ..
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Every Week from this Column
By CLIFFORD C. MITCHELL 1
A WHITE MAN SPEAKS
Sine* I have vowed to turn this i
column over to a digest of conditions •
that will help the Negro in Business
the responses and suggestions arriv
ing n the mail give me greater cour
age and inspiration to try to accom
plish something most needy and to
use my protest in a manner to best
help ourselves not particularly caring
whether it meets the approval or dis
approval of those who think of pro
tests in the form of nation-wide cam
paigns to collect money to be used in
making bigger and greater protests.
One of the most encouraging mis
sives—and quite lengthy—arrives
from a white man in Atlanta, Geor
gia, and while it is encouraging to
me because it justifies my position
in the use of this column—ye*, it is
a very great blot on the race and in a
community where we boast of many
of the leading schools and churches
of the country. I am unable to quote
his entire letter but I will offer many
quotations from it which, without any
comment from me, tells the whole
story.
“1 have jus* read your “HELPING
THE NEGRO IN BUSINESS” and
I have gone over it very carefully and
an taking this opportunity to make
plain a few facts.’'
“I am a southern born and bred
white man, but have a sincere desire
to help the colored man.”
“At various times I have attempted
to help the colored man to help him
self. not by giving him charity, but
by trying to make him self-support
ing. Never yet have I undertaken
such a task as it seems to be to get
this started. I have contacted the
leaders of the race here and without
exception they are enthusiastic and
heartily endorse and approve what I
suggest doing but they hesitate to get
busy on the job. They want to get
in on it and ride for the pecuniary
gain there is in it and not for the
good that it will and can do for the
T•C*"
“Sever have I heard so many con
flicting statement* made, nor such
a wide difference of opinions among
a group of men who should have a
■ingle purpose. Some of the crowd
say, “Do not see such and such a
person” for they are not with us and
belong to a different set. Another
wiibsay “By all means see such and
•ach a person" and it will be diametr.
ically opposite what the former will
eay. It is no wonder to me now that
some wrongs go along with out ef
fort being made for redress since
there is no unity among them. In
stead of presenting a solid phalanx
to the front, there are little scatter
ed bunches or cliques to whom no
body pays any attention.
“I tell you that if every Negro dol
Ur deposited in Atlanta banks wa.
deposited in the Negro bank, that in
stitution would over night take the
place with the three big white insti- j
tutioas in AtUnta and instead of At- j
lama having three big ones there
w >uld be four. There are millions of
dollars in cash deposited in the banks
here that belong to Negro depositors
and lees than 2 percent of H is in
the Negro hank. If the assets of the
bank were increased they would be
in better shape to lend money to Ne
gro rr.reriuints and other enterprises
conducted by the colored population.”
I could fill up twice this amount of
space in quoting from the letter just
received from the prominent white
Atlantan but enough has been writ
ten to indicate what “thinkers” think
of the pitiable plight of the Negro
not being willing to help himself.
And the condition in Atlanta is but
typical ha practically every common.
tty in the ui—try that has an apprec
table colored population
13 Lynchings for *33
i " ■ ■ — - ---
NEW YORK — Thirteen lynchings
recorded in the first six months of
1933 are reported in a survey made
public by the Inremational Labor De.
fense today. Eleven of the victims
were Negroes, and two white.
The list drawn up by the I. L. D.
lays no claim to being complete, it
wak pointed out, but contains only
those lynchings which have been pub.
licly reported. It does not take into
account the increasing number of po
lice killings of Negroes, which are
becoming more popular as substitutes
for the old-fashioned lynchings for
which mobs of hundreds were often
organized; nor does it count legal
lynchings which have also become
more popular with the white ruling
class as it becomes more difficult ev
en in tbe South to draw white work
ers into lynch gangs, or to stem the
tide of mass protest from Negro and
white workers following such mob
lynchings.
Many lynchigs, it was also pointed
(Continued on Page Two)
EIGHT MILLION FUND FOR
PALESTINE ASKED
Chicago, 111, July—The Jews of A
merica today were called upon to
raise a fund of eight million dollars
in a “four year plan” of colonization
in Palestine, to afford a haven for
persecuted Jews and to appeal to the
several governments and the League
r.f Nations to put th plan in effect.
At the thirty-sixth annual oonven
tion of the Zionist Organization of
America, a resolution to that effect
was adopted.
WOMAN STABBED WITH ICE
PICK SEVERAL TIMES
Florence Herman, North
23rd St., was stabbed several times
in the left arm and back with an ice
pick in the hands of Nona Smith,
Fame address, during a quarrel Fri
day. Both are Negroes. They are
held on a charge of disturbance.
S. C. GOVERNOR TERMS LYNCH.
ING PLAN MURDER TO WHITE
WASH STATE
COLUMBIA, S. C. — The lynching
of Norris Bendy, at Clinton, Laurins
County, July 5 was termed “murder”
by Governor Blackwood, in an effort
to whitewash the state, noted for
murder and lynching of Negroes, as
well as for legal lynchings. “It’s not 1
a lynching, it’s a murder,” Governor I
Blackwood said. To back up his state. |
ment, he ordered an investigation,
somethin*: not ordinarily considered
necessary in South Carolina in the
case of a lynching.
MINISTERS IN BLOWS AT
CHURCH MEETING
NEW YORK CITY—(CNA)—Pand.
emonium broke loose last Friday
night at the membership meeting of
the Metropolitan Baptist Church, 129
Street and Seventh Avenue, when
Rev, Abner Brown, its pastor, struck
and TSrced his assistant, Rev. Davis
Licorice, in a heated argument.
Excitement reached such a high
pitch that several members were
forced to leave the meeting. The
Pastor’s yife fainted.
The fisticuffs followed a quarrel
between the two ministers. Rev. Lic
orice had accused Rev. Brown of be_
ing drunk at the recent New England
Baptist Conference and a blow in the
mouth followed. Almost in the same
breath, Rev. Brown ordered his assist
ants pay for Sunday preaching cut
from $10 to $5 and to discontinue con
ducting the morning services.
A resolution will be offered by the
Board of Deacons, asking for trial
date to hear charges against the Pas_;
tor for “conduct unbecoming a min
ister.”
Mrs. Lovetta Busch Makes Statement
On 7,Cause of Divorce”
Mrs. Busch says it pays our worn, j
en to think these days before they j
act. The acting Editor was asking
Mrs. Busch what she thought was the
trouble that so many of our group
are in the divorce court here of late.
Mrs. Busch, who is an authority on
family relationships, and who has
made a close study of the economic
conditions of the family, especially in
South Omaha, made the following
statement in response to our inquiry:
Our women act too speedily in things
that confront them about their hus
bands in these days.
You know, Mr. Galloway, that men
between 48 and 56 years old are some
what peculiar, and hard to get along
with. Some, at that age began to pay
some attention to the younger worn,
en, and of course, that is as a rule, a
short duration of time, for the* men
soon find out that the younger set is
not concerned about their health,
happiness, nor ^jjeir future, and only
gives their attention to them so far
as the monetary consideration is con
cerned. It would pay our women, of
course to bear with their husbands if
possible, and be cool and calm and
never let their husbands know that
they are aware of the existing condi
tions, and at the same time put forth
every effort to beat the young miss
in the things that she is not doing for
men at this age. This is a consideraj
tion that women should give their
husbands for the women have a
similiar period in life that the hus
bands will have to put the their think
ing cap on in order to keep the family
together. I think men and women of
this age. especially where there are
children should do every thing in their
power to prevent evil thoughts from
entering their minds about each oth_
er. In order to do this, <rf course, they
will have to not pay any attention to
what they hear or what people say.
I am in hopes that the many links
that are attempting to be broken now
will be reconsidered for the sake of
their future home life for benefit of
their children.
‘Neero and Union
Labor
BY J. HARVEY KERNS
Executive Secy Omaha Urban League
The recent distribution of the
Unionist in the Negro Community
and t#ie recent interest manifested in
the Ritz Theatre where efforts are
being made to place two Negro mo
tion picture operators, may be offer,
ed as a partial excuse for this article.
The employment of Negroes in the
Ritz Theatre Patrons versus Movie
Operators. In other words, should a
group comprising 99 percent of the
patrons be permitted to have two of
their number who are qualified do the
operating—or shall a closed organ
ization with no special interest in the
community save the few theatre jobs
available dictate who shall be employ,
ed.
The National Federation of Labor
early recognized the necessity of Ne.
groes 8nd whites working in harmony
for the protection of the organization.
The first of these delegate bodies to
(Continued on Page Two)
LEADING SOUTHSIDE BUSINESS
MAN SUES WIFE FOR DIVORCE
Mr. J. C. Harris, owner of the
largest grocery store at 30th and R
Streets, South side, filed suit for
divorce against his wife, Bertha. He
alleges cruelty and asked for custody
of the minor children. Lester 19, Kis
lee. 17, Perry 13, and Clarence 8.
They were married in Toledo, Okla.
homa in 1906. There are several child,
ren who are grown up.
Statement from Mr. Harris to the
Omaha Guide: “I am undecided just
yet as to what I will do. My mind is
not just clear yet.” When asked if hp
•thought there would be any recon
ciliation, he said, “I do not know.”
We made further efforts to contact
his wife, Mrs. Bertha Harris, but
were unable to locate her.
CAUGHT IN THE NET
C. C. Dudley who has been on the
Police force some 17 years, and Rob
ert L. Turner who was replaced about
two or three years ago, were caught
in the net of the sweeping reduction
of the Police department in an effort
to budget the financial troubles.
There were 49 Policemen laid off for
an indefinite time. Special officers
will be selected from this group.
ALFRED JONES CONFINED TO
HOSPITAL
Alfred Jones, prominent Caterer
and club man, disappeared for three
days, last week, and was found in the
Jones Shining Parlor on 24th near
Parker Street. He was confined to a
local hospital for alcoholic treatment.
In an attempt to verify reported
rumors questioning Mr. Jones’ condi
tion. The Omaha Guide called his re
sidence and the following statement
was made: “It is not true that Mr.
Jones was found intoxicated and no
report could be authenic unless it
came from his physician, who is Dr.
Wiggins, and I am sure he has not
given out any such report. What you
have i3 just street gossip.” The Clerk
of the District Court’s office made
the following statement, “it is not
true tMt Mr. Jones has been declared
insane, but is in the hospital for
drunkeness.” His condition at the
hospital was reported fairly good.
EXTRA!
There was a collisio between a Joe
Lewis Funeral Car and a car driven
by . Mrs.' Cheyney, Thursday after,
noon about 2:30. Mother Benson, who
was in the car with Mrs. Cheyney
was not seriously hurt. Mrs. Cheyney
was taken to a local hospital in an
ambulance for first aid.
NEW DRIVE AGAINST TALLA.
POOSA SHARECROPPERS
DADEVFLLE, Ala.—In a renewed
drive against the share-croppers of
Tallapoosa county, gangs under the
leadership of the sheriffs of this and
of ILee and Marion counties are scour,
ing the countryside arresting those
under indictment in connection with
the defense of the croppers against
attack at Reeltown last December.
Simmie Simpson and Will Anderson,
two of the Reeltown croppers have
been arrested and are in jail here
now.
JAMES McRAE KILLED BY TRAIN
EXPLOSION
Two terrific explosions in quick
succession, a blinding blast, a deafen,
ing roar, and steel messengers of
death flying through the air. Over
the Burlington tracks is a fog of
flame and smoke. As it gsadually
clears away, people, who were knock
ed flat by the concussion of thte
tremendous blast, are seen jumping
up and hurrying to safety.
Tuesday evening about 8:30 the
Aksarben. crack Burlington train,
which had just arrived from Lincoln,
exploded, killing 3, and injuring 17.
Besdes the Engineer -and firemen,
who were killed outright. James Mc
Rae, age 28, 2628 Decatur, a Negro
Redcap, was struck by a flying mis
sile, and mortally wounded, as he
waited alongside the tracks, for the
train to pull to a stop. He had been
laid off for several weeks, and had
only been recalled about 3 weeks be
fore the accident. He was rushed to
the St. Catherine Hospital where he
died at 11:05.
McRae has been an employee at the
Burlington station as a red cap for
the past seven years. He was married
to Miss Beatrice Beck seven years ago
this coming August, and is the father
of two children Velma, age 11 months)
j and Jean 4 years. He is also survived
by his father, William McRae, Omaha
and two brothers, George, of this city,
and Charles of Detroit, Michigan;
four sisters Charlotte Reeves, Sadie
McCrae, Helen Key, all of Omaha, and
Flora Mitchell, of Topeka, Kansas.
McRae was born J id educated in
Omaha and was a popular athlete in
Technical High School. He was one
of the founders and organizers of the
Swastika Golf Club, and served a*
secretary and chairman of the mem
bership committee, and was very
popular among the Golfers of the
middle-west. His body is at the Myers
Funeral Home. Funeral arrangemeids
have not been completed as yet.
HOUSE BURNS
The home of Mr. Sam Turner, 252R
Blondo, caught fire Sunday about;
11:15, and burned the entire rear.
Not much damage was done to the
front part of the house. No cause of
the fire could be ascertained.
BABY FOUND IN ASH CANT
NEW YORK CITY — A baby was
found abandoned in an empty ash can
in New York City on July fourth.
The baby was evidently abandoned
by parents desperate through starva_
i tion and the inability to provide fondl
for the infant.
MAKING OUR OWN JOBS
;- -----
Negro Boy Tells of
Lynching of Mother
BOSTON, Mass.—Nws of the
lynching of a Negro woman, near
Birmingham, three weeks ago, was
brought^ here today by the son of the
woman murdered, Alexander Law
rence, who narrowly escaped death at
the hands of the same mob.
About three weeks ago, according
to the story told to the International
Labor Defense by Lawrence, his
mother, Elizabeth Lawrence, living
about five miles from Birmingham,
was walking along a road when a
crowd of young children threw stones
and dirt at her. She scolded them
severely, but did not touch them.
That night, she was murdered and
her home burned down by a mob.
Alexander was away at the time, and
when he returned, he made a report
to the county police. The only result
was the reformation of the same mob,
which threatened to lynch him. He
escaped, and fled north to Boston.
The International Labor Defense
has set machinery in motion for an
investigation of this lynching from
its Birmingham offcie.
Northside “Y” Writes Mayor Towl and
Finance Commissioner Butler
■ ■ 1 1 - - - » - T— - 1 |~ —
Proposed $7,500,000 Project for Negro Housing in Toledo, Ohiof
- - - ____ - l'a
Architect’s drawing of the proposed der the charter of The Toledo Hons, the Execntive Secretary of the Cor. President. :■ \ •
$. ,500,000.00 Housing project for Ne_ ing Corporation which was promoted poration and John D. Hheadeo a *
groes of the city of Toledo, Ohio un- by Attorney Olander J. Smith who is white attorney and church worker is
MISS RACHAEL I. TAYOR
Executive Secretary
The North Side Young Women’s
Christian Association representing in
its membership more than three hun
dred girls and women is vitally con
cerneddn all civic and social matters.
Especially do we approve and sup
port any efforts to secure fair treat
ment for those qualified members of
the Negro group who seek equal op
portunities in the business, education
al and industrial worlds.
We do not ask a favor when we ask
for fairness toward the Negro Movie
Operator. We simply ask that Coun
cil justify the faith of men and wom
en who made it possible for them to
secure administrative power. A be
trayal of this faith, expressed
through one prejudiced act on the
part of Council towards any race will
be a keen disappointment to the
membership of the North Side Young
Women’s Christian Association.
Power such as you possess and such
as you can rightly use or misuse in
the matter of the Negro Movie Oper
ator is a challenge. The North Side
Young Women’s Christian Association
awaits Council’s answer to the call of
duty, to fairness and to civic pride.
Very truly yours,
Mrs. J. A. Williams,
Chairman Committee of Management
Rachel I. Taylor
Executive Secretary
A REAL'LIFE FEATURE
by Clifford C. MitcheR
Since I have been in Chicago many
letters have reached me from old .
correspondents, friends, and from en
tire strangers, in which at some point
or another in the letter, the writer
directly 'asks, hints, or suggests that
I let them know if I hear of a job—
steographer— clerk— or whatnot—
and try to put in a good ward for
them.
After reading several such fetters
in any one mail I usually feel great
ly depressed to think of the many
race boys and girls who have school
ed and trained themselves for certain
specific life work only to be denied aw
opportunity of pursuing sochi at
course.
Snatching a moment from the busy
routine of Mr. Harry H. Pace, presi
dent of the Supreme Liberty Life In
surance Company
I discussed these
conditions with
him—not particu
larly with a view
of getting him to
supply or secure
any particular
jobs but to get
the reaction of a
man of his stand
ing in the busi.
ness and financ
ial world.
Not only did Mr. Pace supply me
with a lot of the past literature of
his company which gives facts and
figures on racial employment by col
ored insurance companies but which
most vividly placed the fingei on the
weak point by showing that £0 col
(Continued on Page Two)
__ "t
GUILD TO PRODUCE SCOTTS
BORO PLAY
“They Shall Not Die," by John Wex_
Jey Scheduled for Broadway Pro
duction in September
NEW YORK—“They Shall Not
Die” is the title of a play by Johra
Wexley announced by the Theatre
Guild for production early in Sept
ember. The play is built around the*
Scottsboro case and the Intemationaa
Labor Defense campaign to save ti>e
lives of the nine innocent Negro hoys-,
John Wexley is the author of two
previous Broadway successes: "The
Last Mile,” of three seasons ago,
“Steel," produced in 1931.
c. HARRY PACK.
