Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The Omaha guide. (Omaha, Neb.) 1927-19?? | View Entire Issue (Feb. 25, 1939)
'I* Cents | City Per Edition Pcny The leather C'vJJj w Weather outlook for the| EVERYWHERE period February 20 to 25/ —-- ■ —- ■ ^ Upper Miss, and lower Mo.1 WORLD WIDE Valleys and Northern and' urii/O CCRVIPF ~ Central Great Plains, ra-1 l«Cffu OCnilUL — - - tiher frequent precipitation k"w£ Z-njapauMT —=&.srtr' MATTER - ..—M ~~*m**r | «tVM Stnendljr balow flash PHOTO ~ , jjH ^ _ 4_LARGEST ACCREDITED NEGRO NEWSPAPER WEST OF CHICAGO AND NORTH OF KANSAS CITY l» ■■ - | Entered •« Seoood-Cla*« Matter at Ptwirffle*, Omaha, Dninlin Nphr SatMrdAV Fph 95 IQ^Q „ VVU AS «. Nebraska, under Act of March 8, IBM. Uniana, INeDr., odlMiuay, reD., 60, I»oy Number 4fl. j| Secretary Wallace Lauds Prof. George W. Carver Hits Fascist Race Theories .... NEW YORK, Feb. 23 (CNA)—Secretary of • Agriculture Henry A. Wallace paid a glowing trib ute to the scientific achievements of Professor George Carver of Tuskegee Institute in a Lincoln Day speech in which the New Dealer ridiculed Nazi theor ies of “Aryan” superiority as “pure scientific faking” The Cabinet member’s speech was delivered at a meeting of scientists and educators at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, under the auspices of the “Lincoln’s Birthday Committee for Democracy and Intellectual Freedom.” Composed of 28 eminent scientists, the commit tee under the chairmanship of Professor Franz Boas, ononsored a series of meetings all over the nation in defense of democracy and in opposition to facism. “Wallace, figuratively taking his gloves off, smashed with bare knuckles at the racial doctrines of the Nazi and of Fascist-minded circles in this country. “Superior ability is not the exclusive possession of any one race cr any one class,” he declared. From studies in live stock breeding it is known that complex characteristics are apart from super ficial characteristics as kin, hair ojr eye color, the Secretary pointed out. Hits “Superiority” Idea ‘“The color of a cow’s hair for example, has nothing to do with her ability to produce milk, and therefore there is no reason to think that the color of a man’s hair has anything to do with his ability to produce ideas.” ~ The hard-hitting New Deal official took the oc casion to blast at “racial” theorists in this country as well as those abroad, when he said: “It is the fashion in certain quarters to sneer at those so-called ‘poor wdiites,’ who suffer from poor education and bad diet, and who live in tumbledown cabins without mattresses. And yet I wonder if any scientist would care to claim that 100,000 children taken at birth from these families would rank any lower in inborn ability than 100,000 children taken at birth from the wealthiest one per cent of the parents of the United States. “If both groups were given the same food, hous ing, education and cultural traditions, would they not turn out to have about equal mental and moral traits on the average? “If 100,000 German babies were raised under the same conditions as 100,000 Hindu babies or 100, 000 Jewish babies, would there be any particular dif ference? No such experiments have been made or are likely to be made and 80 no absolutely scientific answer can be given. But when I raise such a ques tion, I mean to imply that every race, every nation and people from every economic group of society are a great genetic mixture. There is far greater varia bility between the heredity of individuals within the groups than between the groups.” Praises Negro Scientist “When I was a small boy,” he said, “George Car ver, a Negro who is now a chemist at Tuskegee In stitute, was a good friend of my father’s at the Iowa State College. Carver at that time was specializing in botany, and he would take me along on some of his botanizing trips. It was he who first introduced me to the mysteries of botany and plant fertilization. Later on I was to have an intimate acquaintance with plants myself, because I spent a good many years breeding corn. Perhaps that was partly because this scientist, who belonged to another race* had deepened my appreciation of plants in a way I could never forget. “Carver was born in slavery, and to this day he does not definitely know his own age. In his work ? as a chemist in the South, he correctly sensed the coming interest in the industrial use of the products of the farm—a field of research which our govern ment is now pushing. “I mention Carver simply because he is one example of a truth of which we who meet here today are deeply convinced. Superior ability is not the ex clusive possession of any race' or any class. It may arise anywhere, provided men are given the right opportunities.” “The government official warned that demo cracy’s chief danger lies in selfish economic practices which produce vast wealth for the few on one hand | and abysmal poverty for large sections of the popu lation. Deeds alone, he asserted, are what democracy will be judged by: “Democracy—and that term includes free science,” he said, “must apply itself to meeting the material need of men for work, for income, for goods, for health, for security, and to meeting their spiri-( tual need for dignity, for knowledge,for self-expres sion, for adventure, and for lvverenc. And it must succeed. “The danger that is will be overthrown in favor of some other system is in direct proportion to its failure to meet these needs. We may talk all we like about the beauties of democracy, the ideals of demo cracy, the rightness of democracy. In the long run, democracy or any other political system will be measured by its needs, not its words.” COMPOSER HARRY T BURLEIGH Composer of hundredg of origin al songs, member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, whose best known works are spirituals adn folk songs. He taught gome of his songs to Dvorak, the great composer, and their influence is seen in the “New j World Symphony.” Born in Erie' Pa., Mr. Burleigh sang in Erie Churches, won a New Ytfrk scho larship and studied voice, and this year is scheduled to sing the ‘ Palms” at St. Gfeorge’s P. E. Church in New York, where he is baritone soloist, for the 46th time. Mr. Burleigh also sang for 26 years in the choir of Temple Emanu-El in New York, during a concert tour he sang before King Edward VII on two occasions. Mr. Burleigh’s own compositions, more than two hundred in number, include “Deep River.” “Jean,” and “Little Moth er of Mine.” His spiritual arrange ments include “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot!,” “Go Down Moses,” and “Heaven, Heaven.” He won the Spingham *'edal in 1917 and the Harmon Aw trd in 1928. He receiv ed honorary M. A. and Mus. D. de grees from Atlanta and Howard universities. NO NEGROES ON JURY; CONDEMNED RAPIST FREED Austin, Tex., Feb., 23 (ANP)— J. D. Johnson, sentenced to die for raping a white woman on April 9. 1938 was ordered freed last week by the state court of criminal ap peals because, among other rea sons, no Negroes had served on a grand jury in the county where the trial was held for more than 30 years although a number were qualified. In their appeal, Johnson's at torneys pointed to the supreme court decision in the Scottsboyo case and said no Negro served on the jury which convicted him. The appeals court, highest tribunal in the state in crimanal case, also found other trial procedure errors in the case. ILLINOIS U. AROUSED BY SHOOTING CASE Champaign, III., Feb. 23 (ANP) —Another attempt to “clean up the town” was under way this- week following the shooting of William Spurrier, 20 and white, Bopbmore at the University of Illinois, by Mm. Margaret Storthers, 50, ho tel owner, when Spurrier and a group of white companies broke a window after being refused ad mittance to the hostelry. Police said Spurrier, together with five freshmen student, rode to the hotel in a taxi around 1:30 Thursday morning after an evening of beer drinking. They demanded admittance to the hotel, described as a disorderly house, and Mrs. Storthers, told them they came too late. Angered at not getting in, one of Spurrier's companion threw a beer bottle through the window. The owner, who said she was show ered by the glass, seized a .32 pistol and fired several shots out the window, one striking Spurrier, and passing through the lower part of his body, piercing his liver. Three girls who were in the house with Mrs. Strothers were later questioned and released. The owner is being held. ASPIRES | j Rev. C. C. Gibbs, presiding chair man of the AME church, Jackson ville, Fla., is an aspirant for the biahopr c at the next general con ference. Dr. Gibbs, treasurer of Edward Waters' College was a faithful lieutenant of the late Bishop It. A. Grant and is widely known throughout the connection. (ANP) -0O0— (RICH AGO PRIMARY RATTLE CALLED HOTTTSTIN YEARS Chicago, Feb. 23 (ANP)—With Chicago’s hectic Primary Election set for next Tuesday (Feb. 28) in terest among colored voters in the closing days of the campaign cen tered about the eleven 2nd and .3rd ward aldermanic candidates, all of whom are colored and front whose number two will be chosen to re present the bulk of Chicago's 250, 000 Negro citizens in City Council. Among the mayoralty candidates Mayor Edward J. Kelly is conced ed by many observers to have the edge on his Democratic opponent. States Attorney Thomas J. Court ney, and in a daily poll of voters being made by a local daily news paper, the mayor has maintainced a consistent lead over Courtney. On the Republican side of the arena, Dwight H. Green. Chicago’s counter-part of Thomas E. Dewey, New York’s gang busters, and who as a special prosecutor for the government obtained conviction of A1 Capone for income tax evasion, has exploded the old William Hale Thompson bubble and throughout the city is an overwhelming favor ite over former Mayor Thompson. Candidate Green leads Thompson almost three to one in the daily poll being conducted, and even in the colored sections where Thomp son was formerly an overwhelming favorite, the Negro voters are ap parently weaned away from the idea that their fortunes rise or fall with “Big Bill" Thompson. In the Second Ward Aldermamc contest, the hottest Chicago has seen in years, republican interest is divided between present Aider man William L Dawson and Wil liam E. King, and rivalry between these candidates increases daily as the election day “zer» hour' ap’ . proaches. Dawson has been aider man since 1933, and although a Republican, is supposed, under the non-partisan arrangement at City hall, to have been friendly with the Democratic administration. King, 2nd Ward committeeman and former state senator opposing Dawson, says the latter is half Republican, half-Democrat, and as such should be replaced. The Re publican primary winner—conced edly either King or Dawson—must run against Democratic candidate —concededly Earl B. Dickerson, as sistant attorney general of the state, who skillful maneuvering is running under the Roosevelt Kelly banner. At the April election, unless all GOP factions in the 2nd Ward get together, that dis trict for the first time in history may he presented by a Democra tic alderman. Irt the 3rd ward, main GOP con tenders are present Alderman Ro bert R. Jackson and former Con gressman Oscar DePriost and for the Democrats, Deputy Coroner j Benjamin Gran, endorsed by Mayor j Kelly and Committeeman Mike Sneed. DePriost is 3rd Ward Com mitteeman and many voteres be lieve that his reaching for the al dermanic post may split the Re publican vote at the April elec tion with the result that the 3rd ward will have a Democratic al derman. also for the first time in Chicago’s history. Conservative observers of the political scene give Republicans in the 2dn ward an even chance at the April election, but declare it i free-for-all in the 3rd, with any thing likely to happen. -o_ 10,000 HARLEM ADULTS COMPLETE WYA COURSES New York, Feb. 23 (CNA)—Ap | proximately 10,000 adult students, an increase fo 10 per cent over last year’s registration, completed the last semester of the WPA Adult Education Program in Har lem with a series of exhibits in tho various centers in area this week, One of the largest and most in teresting exhibits, from the point of variety and scope of subjects covered, was held at the New York Vocational High School, 21 West 138th Street. Dr Lorenzo King, pastor of St. Marks ME church, ami a guest speaker lauded the work the Adult E lueational Pro gram is doing in Harlem and of the students fpr their foresight. Other exhibits were shown at Abyssinian Baptist Church. 132th West 138th Street which, with a registration of 1,690 students, is one of the largest local WPA cen ters, and at the Public Library at 234 West 124th Street. -O DR L. A. HOWELL Of Tampa, Fla. one of the coun try's best known dental practition ers, member of the National Den tal Asociation’s executive board, who was presented wit hthe Tampa Negro Chamber of Commerce an nual award for outstanding citizen ship. The Florida Medical and Dental Society granted him a life jnembership In the Score Club, its honor society, this year . (ANP) MAN, WIFE. ARRESTED AFTER “FINDING LARGE SUM OF MONEY ■ Colorado Springs, Feb., 23 ANP) _Under arrest this week and held in county jail were Robert Debow, 42, and hi* wife Valerie, after Debow admitted according to I. B Bruce, inspector of dectives, that he took a roll of bills dropped Tuesday by Rev. William Young, restaurant owner. The police official said $260 was recovered, wrapped in a hanker chief and placed on top of a coal bin at the DeBow home. Young said there was $360 in the roll lost, but DeBow asserted he had picked up only $300. According to Inspector Bruce, Young drew the money frem a bank, placed it in a small book. Later in the cafe, he took some small bills from the book and the big bills dropped out. DeBow spied the roll, took a seat next to Young then picked up the money. DeBow surrender to police Friday on hear ing a warrant had been issued for his arrest. Elks Plan Universal } Anniversary & Birthday Ball for Easter Mbliday Night • ‘-i Washington, D. C Feb. 23 —. ANP—Headed by J.' Finley, Wil son. grand exalted ruler, and hia staff, the IPOE of W thig week announced plans for a universal Elks’ grand Easter and anniver** •>*ry trail to be held on Easter Monday night, April 10, through out the United States, the isles of the sea and foreign countries where there art are Elks lodges and temples. Officials said the spirit »f Presi dent Roosevelt’s Warm Springs Foundation annual ball has beejs v taught by the colored Elka and they intend using it, not for an in fantile paralysis foundation !but the building of an Old Folks' home and Elks’ shrine and to contribute to the order’s education and civil liberties department. On Easter Monday night Grand Exaluted Ruler Wilson will give tho signal for the music in thou sands °f ballrooms to start sim ultaneously throughout the juris diction of Elkdom. Various cities and tow'n are being placarded and sale of ticklefts is scheduled to open on Feb. 25. A feature of the celebration will be the Cabinet’s prize award to the person selling the largest num ber of tickets to the ball. This prize will give the winner the choice of a. Ford, Chevrolet, or" Plymouth car. The contest is nol (Continued on page five) ___aaH_ _ TO AUCTION BOB CHURCH PROPERTY IN MEMPHIS Memphis, Feb. 23 (ANP)—With delinquent city, county and stata taxes amounting to $89,000 charges against them for the period 1919 1937. 12 valuable pieces of pro property owned by Robert R» Church, nationally known GOP leader, and his sister, Miss An nette Church, will be auctioned publicly about March 15, it was announced this week by K. C. Lar key, delinquent tax attorney. Order to recover the taxes which include interest, penalties and at torney’s fees was issued by Chan cellor Bejach on presentation of a report by W. M. Stanton, Chan cery Clerk and master. Of th® total, the city owed about $57,000 tho county $25,800. the state, $6,* 300. -ooO-— OFFICE OF EDUCATION RE PORTS ON NATIONAL SURVEY; OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND GUIDANCE OF NEGROES The office of Education, United States Department of the Interior, has just reported to Secretary of the Interior Harold L. IcRes, th® first national survey ever made of vocl tonal education and guid ance opportunities for Negroes in the United States. Five hundred “white collar” workers on the re lief rolls participated in the survey ia addition to approximately 4<L professional workers. John W. Stuebaker, Commission* er of Education, today reported some of the significant facts re** vealed by this survey, which w»» conducted in 200 communities of 33 States and the District of Colum bia. In an endeavor to learn the oc cupational interests of Negro high school pupils and factora which in fluenced their occupational choices, the social and economic back grounds of 28,00 pupils were studied. Specific investigations were made to discover how many negroes are participating in Fed erally aided vocational education programs, what they want to study and what they are studying to prepare themselves for employ ment. The survey report indicates that “approximately 55 per cent of the total number of Negroes, 10 years old and over gainfully em ployer are engaged in occupations requiring little or no skill.” It (Continued on page 3)
