_LARGEST ACCREDITED NEGRO NEWSPAPER WEST OF CHICAGO AND NORTH OF KANSAS CITY _MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATED NEGRO PRESS EuS Ac/rfltoSirS WE.^' N',b”‘l“ Saturday, August 28, 1943 OUR 16th YEAR-Ko. 29 City Edition, 5c Cqpy * President Roosevelt May Break His Silence Shriners Close Grand Session May Setup Inter-Racial Committees (by ERNEST E. JOHNSON) WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 (ANP)— Private sources have lent increa.5 ed weight to the report that Presi dent Roosevelt, in his next fire side chat to the nation, will give voice to his sentiments in connect ion with the now subsided wave of racial outbreaks which have grip ped the nation. Immediately after the Detroit riot individuals and organizations throughout the country began a stream of petitions on their way to the White House asking the Chief Executive to speak out a gainst “distinifying forces*’ which seek to foment racial strife. It is now generally known too that his Attorney General. Francis Biddle, had advised him to lay off making a full dress speech on the sub.i ct. but that he might devote a few passages to it in his never over-all review of the domestic picture. This was revealed in the famous “Biddle letter” of July la. When Vice President Henry A. Wallace addressed himself to a De troit audience last month, using the strong language that he did. he spake with the nod from the Presi dent, so it said reliably. Current information is that as soon as the present conferences with Prime Minister Winston Churchill are out of the way. Presi dent Roosevelt will give the speech he himself announced when he last spoke to the nation and outlined his plans for the rehabilitation of veterans of World War II. It is understood that about i'OO words have been drafted for inclu sion in this address, which are de signed to answer the pleas of pro testing organizations. If this be true, it will be the longest state ment the President will have made on a subject that so specifically and directly affects 12,000,000 Negroes. However, it is said that a very real problem confronts the Chi-f Executive as to a specific recomm endation wiiich he should like to make. The Congress for Industrial Or ganization last month at its exe cutive Committee meeting here, a dopted a strong resolution in which among other tiungs, it called for the establishment of interracial committees in the various comm unities which would Concern itself about tensions and their relaxation. It is learned too that this phase of the resolution has since been pass ed on to the President. The problem, however, is how best these committees might be es tablished and under whose juris diction might they function. Two methods have been proposed: #ne would follow the pattern in Chic ago where Mayor Kelly appointed a committee, gave it a budget and a paid secretary, and told them to go to work. The other idea is to let the Office of Civilian Defense establish the committees. Local observors here lean to the Chicago method. They point out that the localities can furnish funds for such committees whereas the OCD. itself being kicked about the lot, is actually short on cash. Fur ther. OCD sponsorship might have undesirable repercussions in a re bellious Congress if the prece.ss days are any indication of attitude. Insofar as the policies of the thing goes, it’s six in one hand and a half dozen in the other. Comm ittee appointed by mayors would be subject to local influences, b-- they Republican or Democrat, depend ing on the community. On the oth er hand, OCD -*ugh tfind it pre ponderance of Democratic influ ence. Crystal B^d Fauset. cert ainly no babe in the poltical woods is now racial adviser to James Landis at OCD. Last report had it that she was in the Democratic column, which means that she might get a big finger into these Committees if that agency took sponsorship. If political influence is inevit able, it is pointed out. mayorat committees appear to be more de sirable in that no mayor is going to appoint a committee that is go ing to embarrass him or interfere with his own political fortunes. Hence he might be inclined to give it money and support. If, however. OCD runh the show, a Democratic wheelhorse would be called upon to do a job, let us say a Republican community, and be confronted with “opposition from an element that would like to take the credit itself for establishing racial harmony. ETHEL WATERS NAMES SECRETARY IN THEFT Hollywood. Calif.,—Ethel Waters, musical comedy and film star last Monday filed charges against her secretary accusing him of stealing 10 thousand dolars she had tossed into a trunk and $13,400 worth of jewels. The secretary, Archie Sav age, 29, was booked in county jail on suspicion of burglary. DOORS CLOSED AS NEGROES SEEK ADMISSION TO WAVES Legion To Hold Installation of Officers’ GIRLS ASKED TO LEAVE BY REAR ALLEY EXIT Washington, August 22—Four Negro girls who applied for admis sion to the Waves at the recruiting office lii-c Friday caused such consternation that officials in charge closed the doors four and one half hours ahead of the usual time, according to the Alpha !>.ap pa Alpha Sorority’s National Non Partisan Council. Fifteen minutes after two of the girls were asked to leave because the office had "closed”, however, two others returned and found the doors open. The six girls hal de cided to test the qualifications for amission to the WAVES which state that a woman must be a nat ive born American citizen and be tween the ages of £0 and 35. All iret both requirements. They a*-. : Miss Althea Jefferson, high school graduate, of Washington, Pa., who is trained as a typist and stenographer, and who now works at the Bureau of Engraving and Vrlnurg here. Miss Hazel Leo, graduate of the Cevelrrd Secreta. al School .Vow York Coy who is a typist and sten os 'pher and operates all types of business machines. In adli:i>a, Mi-s Lee is c ia»ifi d as a cl! i ai hygi-ir— an l as- i asaed the \m of ''olumbia Medical Be,'d which permits her to practice her profession here. She is employed by the Civil Service Commisson. Miss Bernice Jacobs, 28, has an A. B. from the University of Cali fornia at Berkley, wth a major in HispaniC-american history has been a school teacher and has credits toward an M. A. in history. Miss Cora E. Wrght, 22, A. B. in English from South Carolina State College, credits towards M. A. in English at Howard University and two years of teaching experience. Mss Cleomine B. Lewis, 23, Vir ginia Union University, A. B. in English; stenographer, Burrougns bookkeepng machine operator, I mimeograph machine operator; working now as secretary. Miss Velma Hammond, 28, San Francisco State College, A. B. in biology and economcs. with grad uate credits in bology. Now em ployed by Bureau of Engraving and Printing. First to enter the WAVE re cruiting office at 1320 G Street, were Misses Jefferson and Lee who sent in at 4:15 p. m. They were in terviewed by a WAVE, who receiv ed them pleasantly, albeit with a thick Kentucky accent. When ask ed for application blanks, the Ken tucky Vt AVE states, “Oh, we re pot taking applications just now, but I'll take your names and ad dresses and telephone numbers. As soon as we begin taking them we’ll let you know.” "You mean you’re not taking ap plications from anyone?” question ed Miss Lee. "No, said the WAVE “But we are making some plans for you all.” There was more talk about names and addresses, some literature changed hands, but Miss Jefferson and Miss Lee were net given application blanks. As the first two left, Miss Jac obs and Miss Hammond entered. Received by the same WAVE, they had no sooner sat before the inter viewer’s desk than a sailor, yeo man’s rank, called the WAVE a way saving that “the commanding officer” wanted to see her. The interview was taken over by the yeoman, who the two young wom en said appeared “flustered.” As the sailor began to fill out cards to show the young women s names and addresses, a Navy of ficer walked to the front door, by which they had entered, and Clos ed it saying: “We’re closing un. Smith, it’s too hot.” Miss Jacobs then asked if they could be permitted to finish filling out their cards, and have applica tion blanks. They were given the application blanks along with some ether literature, but the sailor ner vously told them that the office was closed now. Ilt was then 4:45 p m. M'ss .Tac (Continued on pagefjp4) r Wacs Have Charming Visitor —■ - ... Labor Opposes L.B. 204 I NION LEADERS WANT PEOPLE TO VOTE ON POWER COMPANY Martin Nelson, President of the International Brotherhood of Elec trical Workers, issued the follow ng statement presenting the views of the union in connection with tile local power controversy-. The people of Omaha should have no doubt as to the stand of Organized Labor in the present local “Power Controversy." As President of the local union of the International Brotherhood of Elec trcal Workers which has an agree ment with the Nebraska Power Company, I feel that it is my duty to inform the people of the posit ion taken by our local union and the Omaha Central Labor Union. If Organized Labor had been con sulted in the framing of L. B. 204. which is the basis of the local pow er controversy, we would have recommended many changes. And why shouldn't organized labor be invited to voice their opinon on proposed legislation affecting the people of Omaha? Organized La bor represents a goodly portion of these people, and are vitally inter ested in civic affairs. Now that L. B. 204 has become a law certain groups are trying to force it to be put in effect. Or ganized Labor is against this law. not because they were not consult ed in the framing of it. but because it is detrimental to some of its members, and to the people of Om aha as a whole. The Omaha Cen tral Labor Union is interested in Labor’s problems and in civic af fairs as well. They have sent to the City Council a resolution op posing the application of L.B. 204. Organized Labor should now have a voice in determining whether or not the Nebraska Power Company should be acquired by the city. Section 3 of L. B. 204 says: 1 When i* has been determined by the governing body—that an electric light and power plant should be ac quired—the Mayor shall appoint— etc.” We feel that the governing >ody (in this case the City Council) mnot FAIRLY make the determ 'nat:on until they have first heard Organized Labor and have also tak ”1 into consideraton that 55.000 oeople have made it known that ley want to vo’e on this question. _ I BETHl N'E COOKMAN INTER Sl'MMER SESSIONS NEAR EN1) Daytona Beach, Fla.. Aug. 23 (A NPt Teachers and student instruo ors at Bethune Cookman college and nearby schools attending the four week intersummer session on the school campus have almost completed their studies, it was an nounced last week by President James Colston. Classes were conducted in the social studies. Negro history, con sumer economics and health and nutrition. ! Fort Desmoines, Iowa. Miss Jean nette Welch of Washington, D.C.. center, executive director of *the | Xational Council of Xegro Women, recently visited First WAC Train ing Center here as a member of the Advisory Council, Women's In terest Section of the War Depart ment Bureau of Public Relations. She is shown with WAC Officeis at Fort Desmoines, who are mem bers of the Council. The gtoup includes, first row, left to right: Third Officer* (Captain) Charity E. Adams of Columbia, S. C.: Miss Welch: Third Officer Mary A. V rtiUTi rfr ^ m ■ m ^ 4m ^ ~ --— - Moore of Magnolia. N.Y. and Third Officer Alice M. McAlpine of Springfield, Mass.; Second row: Third Officer Katherine J. Hunter of Tougaloo. Miss.: Third Officer Merceedees Jordan of New York City: Second Officer (First Lieut enant) Charlfhe J. May of Falls City, Nebraska: Second Officer (First Lieutenant) Vera G. Camp bell of New York City: Second Of ficer Alice M. Jones of Nacogdoch es. Texas, and Third Officer Ella Gafford of El Dorado. Ark. (Press Photo Service.) Baptist Cpnv. Head Asks for $30,000 WARNS MESSENGERS WHO GRAFT Selma, Ala.. Aug. 24 (ANP) Reco gnizing charges that certain Bapt ist ministers have been guilty of obtaining money through collec tions and then misappropriating those funds. Dr. D. V. Jemison, pre sident of the National Baptist Con vention. Inc., stated last week that he hoped only persons “worthy to assist in kingdom building in mis sions and education” would attend the national convention in Chicago next month. Dr. Jemison said that a goal of $30,000 for an operational fund has been set for the convention sched uled to convene in the 8th Regi ment armory and urged churches and church leaders to spur effort jar. * to help raise this sum That transportation difficulties would be experienced by delegates attending the convention was in dicated by the minister, when he warned that because of wartime conditions the usual railroad facil ities would not be available to the denomination. He asked that ad justments be made in a spirit of cooperation with the government and the war effort. “The railroads are under the di rection of the government,” said Dr. Jemison, “and because of the armed forces being moved from camp to camp, the government will not allow the railroads to make special arrangements for our trans portation as they have heretofore.” Tenn. A&I Pres. Charged With $10,000 Shortage NASHVILLE CITIZENS RALL¥ TO DEFENSE OF DR, VT. J. HALE Nashville. Aug. 22 (ANP) Several prominent leaders called a meet ing last week and held a series of conferences with downtown busin essmen in a rally to the support of Dr. W. J. Hale, president of Tenn essee A&I State College, Dr. Hale has been charged with discrepanc ies of school funds amounting to $10,000 by state auditors. spokesman for the citizens group til of whom declined use of their names sad that “the Negro leaders of Nashville recognize in Dr. Hale a man who has done more for the Negro citizenship of Nashville and of Tennessee, than any other mem ber of our race. •'We realize that he has founded an institution valued af more than $3,500,000 at relatively small cost to the state, and we feel that if the charges against Dr. Hale are charges of mistaken methods of handling accounts or of deficienc ies of his subordinates, the great value of his services should be weighed aganst any responsibility he might have for these practices.” Hale who has been head of Afti for the past 32 years will be given adequate opportunity to present his answers and defense to all ’harges from the audit report said he state board. Part of the $10 - « * 000 discrepancy was charged to R. B. J. Campbell, a former bursar of the institution it was learned. Full and complete charges have been sent to Dr. Hale it was learn d but have not been made public. It was learned, however, that at a recent board session more than 20 questions on the audit were asked Dr. Hale on July 30. The board re ceived his official answers on or about August 2. - i — Peonage Under FBI Fire Washington, Aug. 24 (AXP) The C. S. Department of Justice i3 ’‘giv ing serious consideration" to a complaint by Frank McAllister, secretary of the Southern Workers Defense league, that peonage ex ists in Arkansas said Victor Rot nam, director of the civil liberties division of the department last week. Rotnem said he had been in formed that plantation owners had been promising sharecroppers draft deferment provided they signed a contract to work for them for at CAREY TO BE INSTALLED AS HEAD OF POST No. 30 SESSION OPEN TO PUBLIC Theodore Roosevelt Post No. 30 of The American Legion is to hold its Installation of Officers for 1944 on Thursday Sept. 2, 1943. The Of ficerh are: J. C. Carey, Command er; Webb Alston, 1st Vice Comm ander, Edward Wright. 2nd Vice Commander; Albert Wright. Fin ance Officer, Porter Johnson, Chap lain; James Walker, Sgt. at Arms: Executive Committee: Ray L. Wil liams, Aaron Glass, Ralph Under wood, Hughie Polard, Cl'ffor-J Fos ter. Commander Carey las made rapid and progressive advancement during his past administration and in view of this fine work, he was reelected to another term. With a fine supporting group of subordinate officers, he Is looking forward to another successful ad ministration. least five years. McAllister made the charges in a letter he said from his headquarters at Atlanta. When members of the Southern Tenant Farmers’ union refused to sign many times they were run off the farm and deprived of their crops stated McAllister’s eompiaiut. RIOT NEWS CALLED ‘Manna From Heaven4’ rO AXIS BY SOLDIER [N NORTH AFRICA Cleveland, Ohio—Race riots in America create “a picture of con ditions in our country that is man na from heaven to the Axis” ac cording to a letter from Major My ron Weitz of this city, serving in North Africa. Major Weitz’s sentiments were contained in a letter to McDerm ott’s letter bag of the Cleveland Plaindealer for Monday, August 8. Major Weitz wrote:’ “Last night, for example, I had been reading the recent newspap ers and magazines all about the strikes, the riots in Detroit, the dis harmony in the various government agencies. Naturally, when I went to bed I was a bit deep in thought. The pictures of the rioits in the newspapers and the magazines left me disturbed. It is difficult for me, over here, to understand how these things Can go on today. “I am not so ignorant of fact that I do not realize that certain economic problems, that are and always will be existant, are. in all probability, at the root of the evil Tet, I cannot see why these riots should occur today. Everybody is supposedly interested in one goal, and one goal only, and that is to win this war in the quickest poss ible time and with the least loss of man power. “So what happens? Strikes to tie up industrial production when production is so vital. Riots doing the same thing to production and. in addition, creating a picture of conditions in our country that is manna from heaven to the Axis and its propaganda attempts to creaote the scene that it would like the Axis-controlled countries to be lieve is typical of America and a democracy, to say nothing of he internal minority group dissen ion that it produces. “Both white and black are fight ing this war over here, and they should be fighting it shoulder to shoulder back home. I should not think that these rioters need be re minded that Negroes have been killed, wounded and taken captive on all fronts. They were on those various fronts to protect the peo ple back home from the very things that are occurring.’’ FIVE YOUTH STAND TRIAL FOR DETROIT RIOT MURDER Detroit, Aug. 24 (A.VP) Because they were determined to “help the white people out” during the June 21 race riots here five youths were ordered held for trial last week. Imperial Potentate RAYMOND E. JACKSON • “Black America must awake," said he, “and tell the powers that be tliat we are not satisfied with the treatment our soldiers are receiving in some camps nor with the discrimination in hotels, com mon carriers, workshops and in dustrial plants. However, we must maintain our two centuries j of record of Amtrican loyalty, | and we must approach these problems with a clear vision. It i will not do just to kick about the situation and render lip service. In my opinion, if we watch our discipline in every day life, we will not be so hated by other groups.***0l'R GOOD CONDUCT will carry us a long way toward better conditions.” Prominent [Surgeon Visits Here Dr. T. R. M. Howard, surgeon general of Taborian ohspit&l Mound Bayou, iMss., stopped in Omaha en route to the Mayo clinic at Roch ester. Minn., where he will take a course in abdominal surgery. Mound Bayou is the only cty in the United States inhahited solel by Negroes, Dr. Howard explained. Taborian hospital is a hundred bed institution and is one of the two all Negro hospitals in Mssissippi. Dr. Howard was a guest of Mrs. I Julia Washington, 2037 North 19th j Street. They are charged with the murder of Mose Kiska. 54, who was fired upon from an automobile while waiting to board a street car. The accused are Aldo Trani, 16, whom police said admitted firing the fatal shot; Armando Mastautu ono, 20, Anthony Saraceno, 16; Ralph Tancerdi. 20; and Robert Cattone, 17. Hicks was identified by Robert Hicks, a church elder, who was standing near Kiska when the lat ter was slain. SGT. LOUS TO GIVE LECTURES DI KING ARMY TOUR Wahsington, Aug. 24 (AXP) Ser geant Joe Louis, heavyweight box er of Considerable note, will mount the lecture platform when he be gins his 100-day tour of army camps the first of September giv ing boxing exhibitions and talks on physical fitnehs. iFrst Sgt. George Nicholson, boxing instruc tor at Mitchell Field, New York and Joe's sparring partner will ac company him. NEW SOUTHERN COUNCIL NAMES CO-DIRECTORS Atlanta. Aug. 22