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About The Omaha guide. (Omaha, Neb.) 1927-19?? | View Entire Issue (Sept. 19, 1936)
i.EDnORIALSJ WhB^ir^rF^iF^n^iaijgii^^iugTignjgrii^^^iij^uEiif^irgiu^tJgiygoJ^c 3fjpnfa nib nib nl5 nfa rifa nlbi i] jbnlbiTEnlbnlb^nfeT!enEiu3nEnEiuanl2iTlc!j. TUX OMAHA GUIDE Published Every Saturday at 2418-20 Grant Street, ! Omaha, Nebraska Phones: WEbster 1517 or 1518 Entered es Second Clrss Matter March 15, 1927, at the Postoffice at Omaha. Neb., underAct of Congress of March 3, 1879. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION $2.00 PER YEAR Race prejudice must go. The Fatherhood of (,od and the Brother hood of Man must prevail. These are the only principles which will stand the acid test of good. All News Oapy of Churches and all Organizations must be in our office not later than 5i00 p. m. Monday for current issue. All Adver tfeing Copy or Paid Articles not later than Wednesday noon, prececd ing date of issue, to insure publication. As Living Costs Rise Electricity Drops During the past two years, the eost of living has steadily increased. The prices of clothes, rent, food and similar necessities have advanced from 10 to 40 per cent. Hut the average cost of electric power is a fraction cheap er today than rt was in 1934 or 1935. But that is not remarkable—it squares 100 per cent with the past history of the light and power industry. Bver since the industry's inception, rates have declined. They have de-1 elined in good times and in had. They have declined when costs in general were rising as well as when costs were dropping. They have <1 dined in the face of higher wages for the industy’s employes, higher prices for the materials the industry uses— and tremendous increases in both the regular and “special” taxes levied against th,> utilities. Two factors have been primarily responsible for this re cord. First, no industry has done more to promote technical, progress, to the end that costs of producing and distributing electricity may he reduced. The holding company has been a great element in this achievement. Second, by lowering rates the industry has greatly in- | creased its business and that in turn tends to lower rates again. For obvious reasons, the unit cost of serving a customer who uses 2<H) kilowatt-hours a month is less than the cost of serving one who uses 50 kilowatt-hours. It is forecast that the most of living will continue to climb for the next few years at least. And it is also forecast that | electric rates will continue to decline. And this is the industry that has been subjected to more political attack, more misrepresentation, and more unfair and inequitable legislation than any other! The historians of the future are going to do a lot of head-serathing in seeking to explain why an industry that served the American people sup erlatively well was the target of vote-seeking politicians. Catholics and the Anti-Lynching Bill T In our leading editorial in the duly issue of the Interracial Review we cited the first revelations of the infamous activities of the Hlaek Legion and pointed out that lynching and other mob outrages must be eradicated from American life. Last month we cited the killing of Charles Poole, the Catholic, by the same organization and pointed out that this crime had its origin in the horrible example of the lynching of Negroes with impunity. In both editorials we emphasized that all minority groups. Catholics, Negroes and Jews should he foremost in the fight to eradicate mob violence of every description. Comes now additional evidence to substantiate our previous contention. Last week the entire nation was shocked by the spectacle of 15,000 people gathered from many miles to witness the public hanging of a Negro murderer in Owensboro, Ken tuck. Here, the banging of a human being took on all the color of a public sports event amidst the clamor of hot-dog and soda pop vendors. This spectacle was of the same stuff that moti vates mob murder and lynching. How far removed are the impluses that prompted the gathering of this vast cadaverous crowd, from those which drew thousands to witness the spec tacle of early Christians being thrown to the lions in pagan Rome, it is not difficult to estimate. Certain it is that the stimulus and example of unpunished lynching is responsible for all the grim happenings of the last few months. Tn regard to the Catholic contribution to the solution of these problems, we have been immeasurably encouraged by the which we reprint in this issue, as well as by the increasing sup port of the Catholic press in general. The interest of the Cath olic press is most gratifying in view of the sentiments express ed on another page by "Walter White to the effect that herein is a distinct opportunity for public service on thtf part of the Catholics of America. . The Interracial Review can sum up its present position in no better way than by calling upon the Catholic leaders of America to redouble tlieir efforts in arousing popular Catholic sentiment in support of the enactment of an adequate Federal anti-lynching "bill by the next Congress. Again the Catholic Press has pointed the way ami there is now every reason why Catholic organizations and Catholic leaders should accept this new mandate whole-heartedly. You’ll Pay Tn the waiter of debate over legislation concerning the merchandising and distributing of necessities, in the interest of the consumer must never be lost to view. The consumer wants merchandising to be fair to all con eerned. He doesn’t want abuses to be permitted. And neithei does he want the law to outlaw legitimate practices that eui middleman costs, and lessen the spread, between the price pait the producer and the price charged the ultimate buyer. Tn recent months, we have seen how questionable or de batable practices can be corrected. A short time ago a meeting was held between representatives of the nation s principal chain stores and representatives of agricultural cooperative selling groups. The chains pledged themselves to eliminate practices farmers believed inimical trt their interest. Thus, in the most amicable and satisfactory manner, honest differences were settled, and noteworthy progress was made. The hist congress passed a law regulating large-scale merchandising, the effects of which are not yet evident. It would seem, however, that the law is stringent enough—many unprejudiced experts regard it as being too stringent, and feel that it will unnecessarily and artificially inflate the cost of liv ing. Even so, strong pressure is being brought to bear in many states either to pass additional laws, or to levy punitive taxes against big merchandising systems. If that agitation is successful, it is obvious who is going to pay the bill—the consumer. The whole problem requires a reasoned approach, with out bitterness on either side, if it is to be soundly solved. Ex treme measures can do no real good—and they can do infinite harm to the 125,000,000 American consumers. Where Credit Is Due This year through the cooperative efforts of the railroads, the grain elevators and the flour and feed mills, the railroads have handled the heaviest crop of wheat from the South western states for any year since 1931, without car shortage, ,T. J. Pelley, President of the Association of American Railroads, recently announced. 'Phis was accomplished in the face of the fact that during the same time movement of other commodities throughout the country was greater than at any time in five years. 'Phe American people take first-class railroad service for granted with little thought given to the amazingly efficient and progressive organization that makes such service possible. The railroads have had a lean financial experience during most of the past fifteen years—yet they have practically eliminated car shortages, have speeded up both freight and passenger train schedules, have further improved their exceptionally fine ac cident record, have kept rates at low levels, and have bettered service to the public in almost every particular. It may sound sentimental to say that the pioneer spirit has never left the railroads—but that is a fact. The lines are tire less in their efforts to lower the cost of operation and to better service. They carry on exhaustive research work dealing with problems ranging all the way from smoother road-beds to stronger freight cars. America enjoys the best railroad service in the world—and railroad managements are zealous in main taining their lead over the railroads of other countries. There isn’t a person in the nation who doesn’t benefit in I Nothing Dared is Nothing Gained By R. A. Adams (For the Literary Service Bureau) Know ye who boast ambition’s fire, Who unto lofty heights aspire, That aways has the fact remained, J That “Nothing dared is nothing' gained.” Treasured that everywhere abound By effort diligent are found, And only thus can be obtained; For “Nothing dared is nothing gained.” This warning to the timid soul Pining to reach some cherished goal; By Destiny it was ordained That “Nothing dared is nothing gained.” s Being undubiously so, ‘Twere well all who aspire should know This truth unvarnished and un feigned, That “Nothing dared is nothing gained.” What A Cook She Turned Out To Be I one way or another from a progressive railroad industry. And there isn’t a person who wouldn't suffer to some extent if the rails were lethragic and backward. It’s right and proper to expect the railroads to give us fine service—but credit should be given where credit is due. The Common Good Sage counsel for farmers recently came from Dean H. W. Mumford, College of Agriculture, University of Illinois. He , said: “Whether or not farmers intend to improve their standard of living and financial security, or slide into a limbo of eco- | riomie uncertainty, depends upon their ability and determin ation to more universally recognize the value of cooperation . and become organized for it. “On the other hand, agricultural cooperatives and other forms of farm organizations cannot serve agriculture in a large way unless they have as one of their definite objectives the promotion of the common good. Farmers are justified in co operating for the purpose of securing economic justice. But they will destroy their organizations if they use them to pro mote social or economic aggression.’’ Wise cooperative managements will stick to the business of selling their members’ produce—and not follow will o’ the wisps that can lead eventually to ruin. A. & I. State Opens Sept. 28 Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 12—(C)— The twenty-fifth academic year of A. -and I. State college begins Sept. 28. Over 1,000 students are expected. Dr. Harris Returns New York, Sept. 12— (C)—Dr. Abram L. Harris of Howard uni versity, returned to America last week from several months of study abroad on a Guggenheim fellow ship. Dr. Harris spent about three months in London, then some time in Poland, Moscow and Paris. Repulse New Addis Ababa Attack Addis Ababa, Sept. 12—(C)— A new attack on Addiis Ababa by 12,000 Ethiopians was reported blacked, with loss of 200 Ethiopians and 15 Italian native soldiers. HowTo Manage Our Political Lives BY Col. Arthur W. Little O 1936 > To the Colored Group of America, Greetings: i In Parts One and Two of these communications we have discussed some recent history, and some history I not so recent. We have considered the fatuousness of the Republican Party and the contemptuous insults of all prejudiced parties as illus trated by the "Pork Chop” incident. We have hastily reviewed conditions facing the country today. We have visioned a hope for the colored group and its progress during the next half century. In this communication, let us see if a plan at once practical and feasible can be developed through which to accomplish the degree of progress that is so earnestly to be desired. Let us start by repeating—the Re publican Party came into being as the champion of human rights. It estab lished the great principles upon which, as a basis, we took our position as a Nation. It proclaimed and defended the doctrine of defense for all citizens in the right to work und to enjoy the fruits of their labors by:— (a) Protection of American In dustries by means of Import Tariffs. (b) Anti-Monopolistic Laws. (c) Exception from the effect of auti-monopolistic laws in fa vor of laboring men and womeu. (d) And many other laws repre senting principles making for the right to “Life, Lib erty and the Pursuit of Hap piness” for the citizens of a Republic. Whatever failures may have been registered in the administration of these laws established by the Repub lican Party yet the institutions and principles were, and are, sound—and “tor the grentest good cf the greatest number.” Of the present day fantastic pro posals of economic departures in the field of humanitarian ism almost all I are the outgrowths of the principles i of the Republican Party under which the Nation took its place in worldly I estate with the highest standards of living ever known—anywhere. | American institutions under which * our Nation grew to greatness, however, called for INDUSTRY, THRIFT, NEIGHRORLINESS, PATIENCE, PERSEVERANCE. HONESTY, CHARITABLENESS and MORAL i DECENCY. There was no place in their program for Class Hatred, Com munism, Contempt for Thrift, Dig nity of Mendicancy, and Bureaucra cies of Government of such tyrannies as shame the injustices of 1776:— instituted by a Tammanyized govern ment bent upon the most extraordi nary program of pillage ever known in history. Faced with the necessity of making a decision of how we are to vote, let us recognize that we—the humble people—have the bnlnnce of power and determine to make the best use of it. Let us now consider just what bal ance of power is. Balance of power, to true Ameri cans. means RESPONSIBILITY. It embodies the spirit of guardianship. It means self-denial. It means con science. It means solemn obedience to the obligation of that oath taken by every member of our beloved Fif teenth Infantry :—“'To preserve, pro tect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Balance of power does not mean the right and opportunity for retribu tion, plundering, or tyranny of any kind. Tlie past few years have indicated but lit.ic tiuiess for being entrusted with such responsibility on the part of those wiio now exercise that bal ance of power. On tiie other hand my experience in civic as well ns military effort throughout many years of association with Hie colored group, lias enlisted my be.i"f t..at y i me wormy of the Adulation, under the leadership of Senator E. D. Smith, of South Caro lina. So much the better! The Colored Group of America is now morally free actually to exercise its Balance of Bower in the seventy years of political development next to come, as it was after the close of the Civil War free to exercise its newly found human rights of freedom in in dividual progress. But you’ve got to mnke your ad vances on your own efforts! Nobody is going to do it for you. Nobody made Frederic Douglas a present of his greatness—nor Booker T. Washington—nor Charles Young. They triumphed through their own staggering efforts. And their efforts were efforts to serve and to ho p od.ierB! Let that be your program and your watchword 1 In a sense, the Colored Group of An: idea is the most completely or rauith J group of any unofficial groups | or pariics in the vtorb'. To begin with, you have the mark ings of your birth—tiie dignity of the bronze uniforms of nature standing out above and b.jond the uniform; of the cloth of Mue or cf gray or of | khaki or of olive drab. The uniform l of nature that has never been marked A Practical and Feasible Plan United You Have the Balance of Power Exercise It for Progress—Not As Politicians THE THIRD OF FOUR LETTERS You can address and obtain re sponses from at least six million adults with the cost of less than five thousand letters. Your political organizations and clubs or committees might well be dis banded. So long as they are main tained, they must be maintained upon a basis of professed allegiance to one or the other of the officially set up political parties—and, so long ns such a condition rules, your strength is l divided nnd your power and influence negative. | Your watchword and slogan should be a paraphrase of the inspirational siogan of Yale University: ‘‘For God—For Cbunt-y—and For Yale !” (Possibly ‘‘For God—For U • 11 try—and For Negro Justice!” —or some such principle. You should never send delegates to i any convention. responsibility of the Balance o Power. In thfft belief I am pleading witl you to tnke it—and to prove yout selves worthy of holding it—even i the face of such prejudice as we knot is to be met. A political party, to paraphrase th old adage, can succeed if it deserve to succeed—and if it gets soin “breaks,” and will take advantage < such breaks as it gets. The colored group this year has co tainly been presented with the break | Cleveland did little to bring the co ' ored citizen back to the G.O.P. ! But what was done, or not don 1 at Cleveland was ns nothing whe I compared-to the-brutal exhibition i I contempt and insult offered at tf I Democratic Philadelphia Show of S r or even associated with a blemish ol dishonor in the tests of patriotism. 1 ’ Then you have your churches ani - 1 thrir (f~.it memberships. How ofiei i | have I, during the past seventeei v years, drooping with physical fatigui ! and mental nud spiritual discourage p ment, slipped in, unobserved, to on s of your Harlem services—and Ron e forth again an hour or two later—i f 1 man once more of hope, determine | tion, and confidence. •- 1 Next come your Fraternal organ s. I izations. After that the Commun'd I-1 Center Associations of hundreds e i affiliations and derivations. \ The Colored llnln e of Poor n Party of America is ell formed read if to function. Your treasury is alread e t provided—-because your treasury r. If1 niiirenient.1! pm ns nothin". You should never attend any caucus or conference with outside groups or associations. They might be found to have bound you to a support of prin ciples and candidates not your own, or to your own interests. No member of your group should ever accept a nomination for any elec tive office, from any political party t j other than The Colored Balance of ■ , Power Parlti of America. On the other hand, some member - of your gri p should Le tt candidate r i f r every elective rnpresei:tative va f oancy in every legislative tribunal at ' every election—national, state, conntj r or town, where yoilr population v1 amounts to as much ns five rer cent v of the total population. In appointive offices and politiea '<s you should accept all that yot want to accept—and can get—with a clear stipulation and agreement signed by the appointing or hiring agent to the effect that the appointee is en tirely free from any political obliga tion or allegiance. In your district elective candidacies you should not make much of a cam paign for election, or spend much, if any, money. Just let the voters know that you are a colored man or woman ; and of your qualifications. By such a course you will win many more elec tions than you win under the present system. You ought to have about sixty congressmen, right now, upon the basis of pi-oportionate racial rep resentation. If you eliminate the states from which you are practically debarred from voting you ought to have at least 25 congressmen. But, when you have one congressman at a time, now, you all get quite excited about it. It doesn’t make sense. “Well!” I fancy I hear somebody protest. “Well—that is a funny way for Colonel Little to talk, after all the protests he hus registered, through the t years, against the maintenance of class barriers and class distinctions.” It may sound inconsistent but I don't believe it is really inconsistent. When two or more powerful groups get together, to divide a group that could be powerful if it were not divided—with a purpose of exploiting and despoiling the outside group, then I believe that the under-dog group owes it to itself and to its families and to the dignity and welfare of it* race—to unite—not only in defense, but in counter-offence. We are admonished in the Bible:— “Resist not evil. Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Well, your group has been long suf fering. I feel that your supply of cheeks must be over-exhausted. . In “Part Two” of my “Report,” ad dressed to you last week, I advised you to “Suspend Judgment” until about October 20 before making up your minds as to the Presidential election. No party and no candidate has, as yet, offered anything worthy of con sideration as a bid for your Vote. If the men who seek your support are in no hurry—why should you be in a hurry? You have been fooled in the past. Don't permit yourselves to be fooled again. In 1928 the Hoover party promised you well. Ask Messrs. Church, How ard, De Priest, Davis, Moore, Abbott, Scott, Yann, Booze, Jones, Bundy, Henry, Fillmore, Harris, Wibecan and hundreds of other leaders why, V after such promises, the group went against Mr. Hoover in 1932. In 1932 the Roosevelt party prom ised you well. Well, today, leaders of the Roosevelt party "take a walk’* out of the convention when a colored minister has the effrontery to venture to pray to God in their Lily-White | presence. But—to help in the swal ! lowing of the insult—they give you—* 1 ‘Tork Chops.” J