tana. TTistorical
incoln, Nebr.
■1 PfcK
H COPY
VOLUME 12 OMAHA, NEBRASKA, SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 1936 NUMBER FORTY-TWO
NEW DEFENSE GROUP
FORMED FOR DEFENSE
OF SCOTTSBORO BOYS
American Scottsboro
Committee Disbands
National Urban League Joins
Scottsboro Committee As
Sponsoring Organization
New York, Jan. 4—The Am
erican Scottsboro Committee,
formed in the fall of 1934 to
aid in the defense of the nine
Negro boys chargd with attack
ing two w’hite women on a
freight train in Alabama in
1931, has voted to disband. This
action was taken upon the for
mation last week of the Scotts
boro Defense Committee, which
will henceforth have exclusive
charge of the cases.
In a statement made public
today, which was signed by the
members of the Executive Com
mittee, the American Scotts
boro Committee made the fol
lowing statement/
“The American Scottsboro
Committee was organized to
raise funds for the defense and
to set forth the truth about the
boys in the Scottsboro cases so
as to create public opinion in
their favor separated from any
propaganda for radical or other
movements and to secure their
freedom as speedily as possible.
The committee is made up of
individual justice-loving Am
erican citizens, white and Negro
resident in many communities,
and has successfully supported
the counsel chosen by the de
fendants during the past fif
teen months.
“There has now been organ
ized a joint Scottsboro Defense
Committee made up of repre
sentatives of four or five perm
“Is He Negro Or Is
He White” They Ask
--
Birmingham, Ala., — (CNA)
-—A homeless infant puzzled
the attendants of the jim crow
Hillman Hospital here. He was
found lying on the railroad
track last Friday.
James Gilmore, a Negro
worker, carried the baby to the
county hospital. The question
of which race he belonged to
was then raised. Because the
child’s skin is white, he was
thought to belong in the white
nursery. But because he had
been found along a railroad
track, some of the hospital of
ficials thought he should be jim
crowed “just to be sure.”
Doctor George S. Graham,
county pathologist, stated that
there were no blood test which
would determine the infant’s
racial status.
The deserted baby meanwhile
lay in the Negro side of the
hospital so that the possible
Negro blood in his veins might
be kept “where it belongs.”
The statement of Doctor Gra
ham gives the lie to one of the
popular Southern falacies
about the Negro people. The
ruling class of the South long
ago popularized the anti-Negro
superstition that Negro blood
is different from the blood of
whites, that physiologically the
Negro is inferior.
anent organizations, which com
mittee has undertaken the re
sponsibility of raising the net
essary funds. Mr. Samuel S.
Leibowitz, the cousel chosen by
the defendants, has accepted
the support of this united un
dertaking.
“Now that the responsibility
of raising funds which the Am
erican Scottsboro Committee
has carried, has been taken over
by this new and larger group,
the Committee’believcs it should
wind up its affairs. In ceasing
activity as an organization the
American Scottsboro Commit
tee wishes to thank those who
have given their normal and fi
nancial support, and hopes they
will continue their interest in
the vindication of those inno
cent lads. Proper accounting of
all of our contributions will be
made as soon as audit and state
ments can be prepared.’’
The statement was signed by
the following members of the
Executive Committee: L. H.
King, Chairman; Dr. James H.
Dillard, Chairman General Corn
mittee; George E. Haynes, Vice
Chairman ; George K. Hunton,
Geneva M. Morgan, Ruth A.
Handy, Fred L. Brownlee,
Louise M. Hickman, W. C.
Brown, Janies B. Adams, J. W.
Brown, Frances K. Chalmers,
George H. Sims, Fred R. Moore.
National Urban League Be
comes Sponsoring Organization
It was also announced today
that the National U’ban League
at a special meeting of its Steer
ing Committee held on Decem
ber 26 at the offices of L. llol
linp: worth Wotd 501 F;*'lh
Avenue, who is President of
the newly formed Scottsboro
Defense Committee. The reso
lution passed by the Steering
Committee reads:
“The National Urban League
feels that the Scottsobro ease
has become so conspicuous a
symbol of interracial malad
justment that it desires to give
public expression to its concern
and interest in the work under
taken b ytlie Defence Commit
te and to register the National
Urban League among its spon
sors, although the National Ur
ban League cannot become an
active member of the Defense
Committee without a serious
change of policy and program.’'
200 Prepare For
“Show Boat”
Universal City, Cal., Jan. 4,
(ANP)—Two hundred singers are
rehearsing daily for the forthcom
ing production of Ziegfeld's fam
ous stage show “Show Boat” un
der supervision of Victor Bara
valle, and 75 Negro and white
dancers are in action daily for the
leveo scenes. Paul Robeson will
be starred in this production un
der Carl Laemmle, Jr., which will
take about 10 weeks barring the
customary unforeseen difficulties.
The Philippine Bureau of For
estry has succeeded in raising
cinchone trees from the bark of
which a high percentage of quin
ine has been obtained.
GEORGIA TO
APPEAL IN
ILD CASE
Herndon Appeal
Scheduled For
Next Month
Georgfia Officials Claim “Insur
rection” Law Constitutional
I.L.D. Urg-es Freedom
Atlanta, Ga.,— (CNA) —It is
expected that the appeal filed
by the state of Georgia against
the recent Angelo Herndon de
cision will be heard late In Jan.
Herndon will be represented
by Attorney Whitney North
Seymour, constitutional auth
ority, associated with W. A.
Sutherland, leading Southern
attorney.
The now famous ruling of
Judge Hugh M. Dorsey, of the
Superior Court, held that the
Georgia ‘insurrection’ law was
unconstitutional. The ruling
was based upon a writ of hab
eas corpus brought by attor
neys retained by the Interna
tional Labor Defense. The writ
declared that Herndon was be
ing illegally under a law that
was unconstitutional.
The effect of Judge Dorsey’s
decision was to set Herndon
conditionally free upon a bail
of $8,000, pending the appeal
of the state of Georgia within
twenty days.
The state immediately filed
an appeal to the Georgia Su
preme Court, the last court of
resort in the State.
The I. L. D. which is in full
charge of the defense of Hern
don announced that it would
continue the fight “for Hern
don’s absolute and uncondition
al freedom’’. It asked that the
petition campaign demanding
Herndon’s release and the abol
ition of the slave insurrection
law, be continued until two
million signatures are obtained.
Over one million signatures
have already been affixed to
the petition.
“Funds to carry on the fight
for the Herndon defence should
immediately be sent to the 1.
L. D., 80 East 11th Street, New
York City’’ stated Anna Da
mon, acting National secretary
of the Internatoinal Labor De
fense.
Fellowship Church
Attended By Youth
Of Both Races
Philadelphia, Pa., Jan. 4—
(ANT')—A group of white and
Negro young people of this city
have launched a significant pro
ject known as “The Fellow
ship Church,’’ a joint service of
these young folk which will be
held each third Sunday of
every month during the winter.
The first meeting held in Oc
tober was addressed by Dr.
Nordencai Johnson, Negro ed
ucator, president Howard uni
versity, Washington, D. C. A
white pastor presided. The ush
ers were of both races. Music
was furnished by a choir of
white and Negro members.
There was a capacity audience,
about twenty per cent of whom
were white.
Violin’s “Dark Angel”
EDDIE SOUTH
O -/us of the riolin who now
i his O' d < rehestra .. Has
1 w'm many of the
> r u U1 o commercial
- w. .j.
Woodson Center
Holds Its Ninth
Annual Meeting
Friends and patrons of
Woodson Center are invited to
attend its ninth annual meet
ing, Friday evening, Jan. 3rd,
at the Center.
Miss Mary E. McDowell, for
40 years Head Resident of Un
iversity Settlement, Chicago, a
staunch friend of the race, in
ternationally known as a friend
of the people, a strong advocate
of better housing for a number
of years both in this country
and in Germany, where she
made a study during the W il
son Administration; will be
guest speaker.
Rev. F. S. Goodlett, pastor
Bethel church will also speak.
House members will furnish a
short program, reports of the
year's work will be made; and
members of the staff will have
charge of the Social Hour, led
by the Recreation Workers.
Continue Successful
Guerilla Tactics
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, —
(CNA)—Christmas time was
very sad for the fascist invert
ers of Ethiopia.
Never letting up from the
victorious drive which began
more than three weeks the
Ethiopian defense forces are
still making serious trouble for
their weary enemies.
Guerrilla attacks by day and
by night made it hot for the
Italian army in the Tambien
region and on the border of Er
itrea, Italian colony. The Eth
iopians have adopted a system
of sniping off the black-shirt
officers commanding the Native
Askari troops.
The Critic Club
Holds A Debate
The debate, Resolved, That
Italy’s Invasion of Ethiopia Is
Justified, was staged last Thurs
day evening before a small but
very enthusiastic audience at
Zion Baptist church. The affir
mative side composed of Messrs
Charles Davis and Roy Gordon
won the somewhat disputed dis
cision .Mr. Davis attracted the
undivided attention of the
judges on two somewhat unre
lated, yet specific points, name
ly. Legality of the question at
stake and, The Universal law
of self preservation. Along
with other correlated facts Mr.
Davis took his seat among
thunderous applause. Mr. Gor
(Continued on Page 8)
LESS NEGROES
ARRESTED
IN 1935
Respect For Law And
Administration Is
Responsible
LOW FOR YEARS
By Joe Rosen.bloom
Simultaneously with the be
ginning of the new years comes
in\ entory time and as we peer
over our record for the year
and our prospects for the new,
we are possessed with but a
single thought : To improve up
on the past and to make the
coming year a more eventful
and successful one.
Then we scrutinize our past
record with the hope that,
through the errors which we
have committed in the past, wc
have gained in experience and
that we may benefit by them
in the years to come. Naturally
we point with pride to the ac
complishments of the past, hop
ing that they can be improved
upon, but with a feeling of sat
isfaction that some of our un
dertakings have been success
ful.
After a study of the records
at the county jail at the close
of the year, it is pleasing to
note that although the negro
population of Omaha has in
creased by leaps and bounds
during the last decade, the num
ber of committments have de
creased by about 500 per cent.
At the present time there are
only five negros confined in
the county jail as compared
with thirty-two on January 1,
1935. The average number of
negro confinements since the
court house has been built, has
always remained around thirty.
This, with the beginning of flic
new year 1936, an all-time re
cord has been established. In
cidently, the average as far as
other prisoners are concerned,
has remained practically the
same.
This is a record of accomp
lishment and achievement of
which the entire community
has a right to he proud as it
reflects favorably, not only
upon those wrho arc wont to be
entangled occasionaly in the
meshes of the law, but also on
those who are throughout the
year advocating, preaching and
pointing out the road to the
right.
Mr. Hopkins and his entire
staff of deputies wish to con
gratulate you, Mr. Editor, your
newspaper and all of the other
agencies for good in your com
munity, on this wonderful ex
ample of uplift work, with the
hope that the new year of 193G
will be filled with even greater
accomplishments.
PASSES
Mr. George Gill, 3033 Em
mett, passed away Saturday,
Dee. 28th, at a local hospital,
after a short illness. Funeral
arrangements have not been
made. He leaves to mourn his
loss, a wife, Mrs. Julia Gill, two
sons, Harvey of Des Moines,
Iowa, and George Gill, of Om
aha.
AMSTERDAM NEWS IS
BANKRUPT; WORKERS
WIN LONG BATTLE
Pubication Ceased
Last Week Pending:
Reorganization
BOYCOTT IS USED
New York—(ON A)—For the
first time in American Labor
history, Negro employees have
established a close dshop in a
Negro-owned business.
Tfefc WM the result of a vic
tory won by the ‘Amsterdam
News' unit of the New York
Newspaper Guild, in which ed
itorial employees of Harlem’s
largest weekly were reinstated
with union recognition and a
ten per cent increase in wages.
AIL of the scabs and strike
breakers were immediately dis
charged. These included Romeo
Daugherty, former sports and
theatrical editor; Edgar T.
Rousseau, reporter, Ted Yates,
Columnist and others.
Harlem Doctors New Owners
The 11-week old dispute was
settled lust Tuesday, Decem
ber 24th, with the new owners,
Drs. F. M. H. Savory and C. H.
Fowell prominent Harlem phy
sicians. The settlement was
60th Weddinjar
Anniversary Of
Pioneer Citizens
Mr. Solomon Hieronymoim
and his wife Hattie enjoyed
their 60th wedding anniversary
Tuesday, Dec.31st, . The Ilier
onymous came to Omaha from
Glassgo Howard county 50
years ago. To their union were
bom five children, two boys
and three girls, all of whom yet
retain their homes in Omaha.
James and Press are the two
boys, both of these men are
well known for their business
ability. Preston has one of the
largest transfer com panics own
ed by any Negro in the middle
west. The three girls are Jen
nie, Vinnio and T/enora. These
girls have jproven themselves
valuable assets to the moral
status of the womanhood of the
City. Jettmie has just returned
to the city from Buffalo, N. Y.,
where she was taken by one of
the wealthy families of Omaha,
because of her efficiency in
domestic science. Vinnie is the
bookkeeper for her brother
Preston's transfer company.
Lenora on account of the ad
vanced age of her parents
spends the most of her time in
caring for their beautiful home
at 2825 N. 28th Ave. While
father Hieronymous is nearing
90 years, yet he is perfecly nor
mal mentally and in fine shape
physically for a man of his age.
Mother Hieronymous is a mast
er mind, and has largely shap
ed the destiny of the family. In
closing The Omaha Guide wish
es to congratulate the family
upon the record made and wish
that they may live to enjoy
future anniversaries.
The United States imported
Brazil wax, used in show, auto
mobile and furniture polishes and
for other purposes, valued at
more than $1,685,000 in the first
half of this year.
made through a Federal receiv
er, after the creditors of the
paper placed it in involuntary
bankruptcy.
The former owner of the Am
sterdam News, Mrs. Sadie War
ren Davis, was unable to keep
the paper alive because of her
stubborn refusal to re-employ
the fifteen editorial employees
discharged for union activity.
The paper missed the Decem
ber 21st issue.
Pracieally all of Harlem sup
ported the employees and the
Guild. A local boyoett reduced
the circulation more than, fifty
per cent, and Harlem advertis
ers, afraid of a picket line from
Guild supporters, withrdew
their business from the columns
of the paper until the lock out
was settled. Sympathizers with
the Guild withdrew an entire
page of classified advertisments.
Fired for Union Activity
On October 9th, Mrs. Davis
idacharged fifteen editorial
employees because they asked
for an agreement of collective
bargaining. Among those dis
charged were Mrs. Thelma Bcr
lack Boozer, assistant editor
an da trained journalist with
the paper for almost ten years,
Obie McCollum, editor, an em
ployee for seven years; Ted
Poston, city editor, an em
ployee for five years; Mrs.
Marvel Cooke, editorial secre
tary and columnist; Rei Ottley,
columnist; Miss Ida Ryan, ed
itorial secretary; “Bill” Chase,
staff artist; Oliver Harrington,
staff artis.
Mrs. Davis flatly refused to
negotiate with the Guild and
once declared she would rather
see the paper “go down” than
settle.
The New York Newspaper
Guild took up the fight and en
listed aid and support of prom
inent Harlemites as well os the
entire organized labor move
ernnt in New York City.
All of he full-time locked out
employees were restored to
Iheir former positions aud the
part-time employees were plac
ed on the preferential list.
During the dispute, both Ne
gro and white newspaper men
and sympathizers marched on
the picket line for the Guild.
Guild members from t.he ‘New
York Times’, ‘Herald-Tribune’
and other Metropolitan papers
assisted the locked out em
ployees.
Denounces Color-Bar
Heywood Broun, famous col
umnist, is president of the Am
erican Newspaper Guild. Ted
Poston, is a member of the ex
ecutive committee of the New
York Guild. The Guild com
prises both Negro and white
members irrespective of polit
ical or religious beLief.
The statement of Broun that
the Newspaper Guild stands
for the elimination of the color
line among employees on all
newspapers has been hailed as
one of the most progressive
stands ever taken by a white
president of an American labor
union.
