i
I
LARGEST ACCREDITED NEGRO NEWSPAPER WEST OF CHICAGO AND NORTH OF K ANSAS CITY —MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATED NEGRO PRESS
Eunedr,erdActSofCMicha8? iS-Busines" phoned we. maha’ Nebraska Saturday, Dec. 26, 1942 Our 15th Year, No. 46 City Edition, 5c Copy
60Day Stay Granted Wellman
Negro Leaders Offer Racial
Plan To levelope The South
ASK REFORM TO CHECK WARC
SHARPENED ‘‘FEARS AND
AGGRESSION”
JOHNSON GROUP FROM FISK
U. URGES END OF POLL TAX
AND AN OPEN DOOR TO IN
DUSTRY AND UNIONS
Atlanta. Ga., (Calvin’s News Ser
vice).... Our leading Southern Ne
groes in a group offered .Monday
“a basis for interracial cooperation
and development in the south” at
a time when "war has sharpened
the issue of Negro-white relations
in the Unit.d States, particularly in
the South.”
They isseed a statement, prepar
ed by a committee named at the
Durham conference 0f Southern Ne
groes in October, asserting that
them were ‘ increased racial tens
ions. fears and aggressions, and an
opening up of the basic questions
of racial segregation and discr.n,
ination. Nsgro-minority rights nr.'
democratic freedem."
"These issues are acute uni
threaten to become even more ser
ious as they increasingly block,
through the deeper fears aroused,
common sense consideration for ev
en elementary improvements in Ne
gro status and the welfare of the
country as a whole," the stateni; r.t
said.
‘‘FIRST LOYALTY” FOR WAR
The document of the group com
mittee .headed by Dr. Charles S.
Johnson of Fisk University, set
forth at the outset the necessity of
victory in the war, “both in arms
an dideals'’, and said the war de
mands our first loyalty.” But this
loyalty, he added, “does not pre
clude consideration now of prjb
lems and situations that handicap
the working of internal improve
ments in race relations essential
to our full continuation to the wai'
effort.”
Negroes, accounting for one third
of the South's 25.000,000 inhabitants
recognize ‘‘the strength and age”
of the legal and customary patterns
of race relations, the group said.
The statement deplored the fact
that “simple efforts” to correct ob
vious social and economic justices
continue to be interpreted as the
predatory ambition of irresponsible
Negroes to invade the privacy of
family life.”
‘‘We have the courage and faith,
to believe .however,” it continued,
"that it is possible to evolve in the
South a way of life, consistent with
the principles for which we as a
nation are fighting throughout the
world, that will free us all, white
and Negroes alike, from want and
from throttling fears.”
LEGISLATIVE REMEDIES
ASKED
If the question of segregation is
a matter for evolution rather than
legislation, there are many other
phases of racial discrimination
which are remediable by law, ac
cording to the group. The state
ment urges “abolition of the poll
tax as a pre-requisite to voting, not
merely to voting in Federal elect
ions; abolition of the white prim
ary and all forms of discriminate! y
practices, evasions of the law, and
intimidations of citizens seeking to
exercise their right of franehse."
In the field of education, equal
ization of salaries of white ;Uid Ne
gro teachers is asked, and approp
riation of Federal funds is suggest
ed "to overcome -the differentials
between white and Negro facilities,
and between Southern and National
standards.”
Concerning industry and labor,
the group said that members of
their race were entitled to be in
cluded with the same pay for the
same work, in unskilled, semi-skill
ed and skilled branches qf work in
the industries or occupations of the
(Continued on page 7)
- . ' - -4 - -v -V-> -
Newly Acquired Home of the Legionnaires_
c ■ ---
The property at 34th and Parker
Streets, recently acquired by the
American Legion Post No. 30. at
a cost of $7,500.00. The building
which has store buildings on the
ground floor will house the head
Ameican Legion Post No.:
30 Buys Property at 24th j
and Parker Streets.
At A Cost of $7,500.00
Roosevelt Post No. 30 American
Legion held a most interesting meet
ing Tuesday .Dec. 15 at which time
15 memberships were renewed.
Commander Carey is having the
most successful year in its historv.
In making of a monthly report to
the Nebraska Dept- of American
Legion some of the high points of
the Month ending Nov. 30th—
Some of the following items were
renumprated: one of the First Posts
in the state to obtain its member
ship quota—was cited as most out
standing in welfare work—carried
forward a committee asking for a
change in National American Le
gion Charter permitting the grant
ing of Charters to Posts in those
southern states which do not per
mit the organization of Posts for
Negroes—Distributed Thanksgiving
Baskets to indigents—Purchased
Building to house the Post Head
quarters at the Cost Of $7,500.00 —
Donated to numerous worthy char
itit'S—Purchased War Bonds. —
Sponsored Two 1st Aid Classes and
one Class in Auxiliary Police Duty
—Secured Jobs for 46 Ex-Service
men.
The popularity of the Post is rid
ing the crest of the waves- The A
merican Legion will hospitalize you
when you are ill, feed you when
you are hungry and bury you when
you die. It’s the most profitable
$3.00 you can invest. JOIN NOW!
WAAC JIM CROW
TRAVEL POLICY
NAACP TARGET
New York, N. Y.If there is no
segregation in traveling, training
barracks and mess hall at the Worn
en's Army Auxiliary Corps, at Fort
DesMoines why is it necessary to
achieve a given quota before any
of the newly recruited Negro WA
ACS can leave for camp, the NA
ACP asked this week in a letter to
Mrs. Oveta Culp Hobby, WAAC di
rector.
The attention of the NAACP was
recently brought to the predica
ment of Negro women inductees
who after having passed all tests
more than a month ago have been,
told that they must wait until the
^ Negro quota has been reached and
quarters and lounge rooms of the
Post on the second floor, which as
soon as it has been remodeled will
be opened to the members and their
friends.. GOOD LUCK AND A
HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW
I YEAR TO YOU—AMERICAN EE
IGION POST NO. 30. J. C. Carey
veteran of the last world war, is the
Post Commander.
Old Timer Passes
miiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiui^
all Negro recruits can make the
trip to Camp together.
RICHMOND CITIZENS
AGAIN HIT JIM-CROW
RATIONING BOARD
Richmond, Va.,—Clearly stating
that ‘‘No Negro favors the exten
sion of Jim-Crowism in America. .”
Dr. J. M. Tinsley, member of tho
Board of Directors of the National
Association for the Advancement
of Colored People and chairman of
the “Committee opposed to the ex
tension of Jim CrOwism” answered
this week a claim made by Co!.
Charles M. Piper of the Office of
Price Administration that Negroes
^of Richmond appear to be pleased,
with the Jim Crow rationing Board
[recently established in this city.
In a letter to Leon Henderson.
Dr. Tinsley said:
“This is to inform you the above
is not a true statment of fact. The
local branch of the NAACP, with a
membership of 1,800. the Richmond
Baptist Churches of Richmond and
vicinity, the Interdenominational
Ministerial Alliance composed of
the pastors of the Protestant church
es of Richmond have all gone on
record as opposing this Jim Crp.v
bpard. Representatives ef fifty
five organjzatipns in meeting as
sembled also voted to oppose the
Jim Crow board. These organiz
•I Mr. Robert (Bud) Samuels of 1836
North 21st Street, was found dead
in bed at his home Monday, Dec.
21, 1942. Mr. Samuels has been in
fl[ health for the past Seven weeks
He has lived in Omaha for more
than 40 years- He worked at A.
Hospe and Co., for 22 years and
for the Northside Transfer Co. for
seven. He leaves to mourn his
loss, a Son Mr. Robert Samuels and
two grandsons. Funeral was held
from the Myers Funeral Home at
2 p. m. Thursday.
... .—...•..
NAVAL OFFICER DENIES
INSULTING TEACHERS
New York..Denial that he had
used such words as “nigger” and!
“buck nigger” came this week from
Lt. Commander William McGovern
who was charged with making an
insulting speech before a mixed
group of teachers attending a lec
ture at a fall meeting of the Madi
ations represent fully 85 percent of
the Negroes of Richmond, who give
any thought to the social problem
involved.
“Under date of November 2, 1942
a committee forwarded to your of
fice a letter setting forth their
grounds of complaint, to which we
ask you to refer and reply.”
AAA AA tsA. aaaa a-a.
son County Teachers Institute at
Alton. Illinois.
Lt. Commander P. B. Brennan V.
*• Navy Reserve director of Pul),
lie Relations informed the XAACP
who had protested against McGov
ern's speech that McGovern had
been 'misunderstood ' by the XA
ACP correspondent.
The persons who heard McGovern
included Xegro teachers, doctors,
an dothers who have the advantage
Of education and an understanding
of the English language, the XA
ACP answered.
No Change in FEPC
SaidF.D. Roosevelt
New York —In answer to a res
olution passed by tre November
meeting of the National Associa
tion for the Advancement of Color
ed People which urged that the
Fair Employment Practice Commit
tee be restored to its full independ
ent status as an organization sep
arate from the War Man Power
Commission, the NAACP received
from the White house the following
statement:
‘‘The action of the President in
issuing the Executive order 8802
was taken after long deliberation
and thorough study. In the light
of developments since issuance of
this Order, under the free and un
ham]>ered operation of the Comm
ittee on Fair Employment Practice 1
the President feels that there is
little basis for a request for a
change
“However, he asked me to bring
to your attention two facts: one.
that in the final analysis the Com
mittee is still under direct control
of the Chief Executive, and the
(Continued 0n page 8)
) Washington, D. C.—A sixty day
reprieve has been granted to Wil
liam Wellman who was convicted
of the rape of a 67 year old white
woman at Statesville, N. C., and
Sentenced to die December 18, it
was learned this week from Charl
es H .Houston, here, counsel for the
NAACP, who appealed the case.
Governor J. M. Broughton of N.
Carolina, in announcing the re
prieve stated that his office had
made an independent investigation
of the case and grave doubts had
arisen as to William Wellman's
guilt because the pay roll record
and time sheet of the Charles H.
Thompkins Company showed that
Wellman was working as a laborer
on a construction job at Fort Bel
voir. Va., February 11, 1941, 330
miles away from the place where
the rape was supposed to have
been committed that same after
noon. The Governor announced
that he is continuing his investiga
tion.
on. uec. 17, waiter unite, exe
cutive secretary of the NAACP
sent Governor Broughton the fol
lowing telegram:
"May I on behalf of National
Association for the Advancement
cf Colored People express appre
ciation to you for granting Wil
liam Mason Wellman Stay ol
Execution. Through the fact that
our North Carolina branch s in
cooperation with National office
have fought for Wellman from
inception of case and supplied
counsel after exhaustive investi
gations conducted by this Assoc
iation clearly established that he
was in Washington and not in
North Carolina at time of com
mission of crime we are able to
assure you of his innocence.”
JOHN BORICAN DIES
GREAT NEGRO MIDDLE
DISTANCE RI’NNER SI C
CIMBS TO ANEMIA
John Borican. record-breaking
Negro middle distance runner, died
Tuesday night at his Bridgeport, N.
J. homp. Borican, 29 years old. had
been ill four months. Dr. .1. Fran
klin Reeves said Borican ‘‘appeared
to have weakened his resistance—
burned himself out—with too much
training during the past few years.
Borican died from Pernicious anem
ia, which is not rare among athlet
es.
EDITORIAL OF THE WEEK
Christmas thisWWs?™^ tcC^ confused world.
The false prophets, w'hoguide^ the ^destinies of dictator
nation^have brought/un :oldx suffering to a sorely
tried humanity." / /[ \\\\ \
Despite the haunting shadows^ of war, the deep,.
abiding'joy of Christmas is| feli^ throughout 'the world.
The Star of BetHleheWshineslas brightly as it did almost
two thousand yeare /ago, | ip rays^ reaching bravely
through the' dread darkness of ignorance and fear.
& / / / | | .1 » \ ) '
In our own community we have felt the hot
breath of war. But Cliristmal, 1*942,Wingjs renewed hope
to thotfe who/hav^ suffered most.\ Since that^greatest
of allddays, when the Virgin Mother brought forth a
son/in the/manger at (Bethlehem^ men^have found
comfort and solace in the 2 nnual miracle of Christmas.
/ Those of us whojlive in |small'towns Vre able\^
see more/clearly/the suffering caused by war.\We have
a friendly, personal interest in| each other. The spirit
of neighborly j\ove and devotion has eased many a
saddened heart; the helping hind has Wen extended
cheerfully when the road ahead seemed impassable.
j This newspaper^ whi :h has recorded community
tidings both/ happy, and sad, wphes for\each of ^ou
a Christmas/of faith and hope —a Christmas rich wph
tne loyalty of friends1 and graced with a full measure
of happiness. \ \
SPIRIT of
\ SANTA CLAUS ?
THERE will be many shadows clouding our Christmas Day this year; But—
Christmas is important! It comes at the close of the old year binding up the
wounds of bitterness, making fast the moorings of friendship, renewing 'he
promise of peace and good will, invoking the magic of memories.
Christmas is the children’s feast: has the Master not said that what we do unto
the least of His little ones we do also unto Him? It is twenty centuries since there
was no room for Him in the inn and many children have neither a bed nor place
of safety these nights. For these, we give our efforts, our bundles, and our prayers.
In America, the children must not lose their faith in Santa Claus. The best
explanation regarding Santa Claus and the Christmas Spirit I have ever been
offered or able to figure out for myself, is the one that was given to me by ray
mother on that fateful day when I accidentally caught a delivery boy entering
the house bearing an ill-concealed rocking horse.
Santa Claus typifies the Christmas Spirit: the mothers and fathers, those be
whiskered gentlemen in the stores (who puzzle lots of boys and girls by being
so numerous), the delivery boys, and all of us who support and participate in the
campaign of spreading cheer, we are the life blood and sustaining power of the
Christmas Spirit
The children of today must have their toys this Christmas; and we must be
extra-careful that no child has occasion to lose his faith in Santa Claus. There
are plenty of sleds and drums, dolls and painted carts and Christmas trees to go
around: but it is up to Santa’s helpers to see that every child in the land is
remembered.
And we grown-ups must have our Christmas, too. For when we out grew our
toys we set this day aside to reunite our families and strengthen the bonds ot
friendship.
" Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight."
i
In wishing you a
Merry Christmas this yCv~. we
would capture for as
much of the old time holiday
spirit as possible. Accept c.
sincere thanks for your gene.
Ous patronage, which he
been a source of real encou.
I agement to us in 1942.