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About The Omaha guide. (Omaha, Neb.) 1927-19?? | View Entire Issue (Oct. 3, 1948)
Why I Am Supporting The Dewey-Warren Ticket By Z. ALEXANDER LOOBY , As an American citizen believing in the fundamental principles of American Democracy, I am support ing the Dewey Warren ticket in the next Presidential election be cause I believe that the interest of the entire country will be best served by the election of this ticket. There have been critical times in American history when the life of our country was at stake. Today the future of civili zation hangs in the balance. The mantle of world leadership has fallen on our shoulder. We are liv ing in an atomic age when the science of mass destruction has been developed to an unbelievable degree. Preparation is now being made for World War III and the world is still officially engaged in World War II. The World needs prepared, experienced and consecrated lead ership. Domestic Problems Acute On the domestic front problems as important and pressing confront the nation. The high cost of living, inflation with all of its possible consequences, class strife, racial antagonism and numerous other problems are all demanding imme diate solution. While all of these and other do mestic problems are pressing for solution the youth of our country are being required to register for military service—three years after we were led to believe that the war was over. The United States of America needs prepared, experienced and consecrated leadership. Civil Rights At Stake In arriving at my decision -to support the Republican ticket I was not unmindful of the condi tions confronting my race in the enjoyment of our rights as citizens. I have resided and practiced law in a Southern State for the last twenty years. I have served as counsel in the Columbia (Tenn.) race riot trials and several other cases involving the rights of Ne groes in the South. As Chairman of the Tennessee State Conference and Nashville Branch, NAACP, I have led the local fights against the exclusion of Negroes from jury service., adoption of Meharry Medical Col lege as a Southern Regional Insti tution and matters of a similar nature. I am, therefore, thoroughly familiar with the denial of and the fight for civil rights. I am, however, unequivocally committed to the proposition that the welfare of the entire nation is the welfare of the Negro, that he has no rights that conflict with the rights of other American citizens and that civil rights for all citizens is an essential part of what I re ferred to in my first paragraph as “Fundamental principles of Ameri can Democracy.” Third Party A Threat Unlike in previous Presidential years, the campaign is not limited to the two old parties. The Pro gressive party, led by Henry A. Wallace, presents a serious threat to the two-party system and serves as an effective medium through which many Negroes, dissatisfied with unperformed promises and broken pledges, will register their disapproval. • With many of the things for which Mr. Wallace stands I am in full accord. His courage and sin cerity I do not question. His in ability to put over any of the measures he advocates is very questionable. I, therefore, dismiss him with respect and admiration. Truman’s Position The reports of President Tru man’s Committees on Civil Rights and on Education, and the reaction of the Southern Democrats have focused the attention of the coun try and of the world on the urgent necessity to remove second-class citizenship from our people. As a result of this position taken by Mr. Truman he is threatened with the loss of some Southern electoral votes. It is, therefore, insisted by certain politicians that the Negro is morally obligated to vote for the candidates on the Democratic ticket. The Federal Security Adminis tration has gone so far as to state that any Negro who does not vote for Mr. Truman is a traitor to his race. Of course, it is obvious that such a statement is as unwise as it is untrue. Record Questionable That credit is due Mr. Truman for his stand no one will deny. Likewise, that an examination of his record is in order no one should deny. Let us, therefore, examine the record. Prior to his inauguration as Vice-President of the United States, Mr. Truman served as Uiyted States Senator from Missouri from January, 1935, to January, 1945. During these ten years I am un able to find one single instance in which Mr. Truman said one word in favor of legislation favorable to Negroes. It is true that he never spoke against such legislation so that his attitude may be said to have been one of passive neutrality. Technical Votes Only Unfortunately, with a single ex ception, the Senate’s votes on anti lynching and anti-poll tax legisla tion were on procedural matters left’s the blouse you'll mar (roe desk te date for that sweet-to-be-iear leek, lire’s tbe blouse with oore flatteries features tbaa you’d fiad aaywbere at double this price. Raid* paiated, full-bloeoiag. leaf sprayed roses splashed below a softly-shirred jewel •eckliae. Expeasive pearl buttoas aarchiag dowa the back. Trioly-stitched cuffs m pert shirt sleeves. Beau tifully tailored ia glanorous rayoa. Launders beautifully. Colors: White or Black. Sizes: 32-34-36-31 41 • 42 • 44 • 46. 098 9.h Sim NO MONEY! 90 MY FREE ‘MAI! METRO FASHIONS, 361 Broadway, Dept. 134 Now York 13, N.V. Mease rush "American Beauty" an approval. M net delighted, I may return blouse within 10 days tor refund of purchase price. D I enclose $2.98 you pay postage. □ Send C.O.D., I'll pay $2.98 plus postage. Size...• Quantity ..Color.... NAME essittsteiesssseesssissssMcisssatietle I ADDRESS sttsetesesessssseessys . |f - r , , T - ,,,,,, I CITY........ZONE..STATE. and not on the merits of the ques tion. On such votes Senator Tru man, more often than not, was on the side favorable to us. However, in the only case in which a vote on anti-poll tax was taken—an act to exonerate all per sons in the armed forces from the requirement of payment of a poll tax as a prerequisite for voting in Federal elections — Senators Tru man and Barkley voted “Nay.” On the other hand, two years later, J-5enator Truman favored an appropriation for F. E. P. C. when Southern Democrats opposed it. Real Views Exposed On the editorial page of the Washington Times-Herald of Sep tember 14, 1948, there appeared what I consider as confirmation of certain persistent rumors which have never been denied. The article is a report of an interview of Sen ator Truman by'Morris and Grace Milgram and reads, in part: “During our interview Truman spoke frankly *about Negroes. In dependence, Mo., is practically a Southern town, and as the Senator talked his attitude seemed no wqjse and probably much better than the attitude of most white men in this section. “He told us: ‘I don’t believe in social equality. I believe in equal ity of opportunity. There never will be social equality.’ Approves Jim Crow “He informed us that Negroes ‘are not and never will be’ served in the restaurants and soda foun tains of Independence. “He never has and ‘never will’ invite a Negro to his home for dinner. ‘I reserve the right to choose my guests,’ he said. ‘There are lots of whites, too, I’ve never had to dinner and never would in vite to my home.’ “He supports the segregated schools required by law in Missouri . . . He stated that the educational requirement for voting in Southern States—actually used to prevent Negroes from voting—‘was reason able.’ ” , Prospects Doubtful If, in the face of this unsavory record, we are to believe that,-upon being elevated to the Presidency on the passing of the late Presi dent, Mr. Truman has seen the light and is now ready to repent, believe and be converted, I am still unsatisfied that Mr. Truman can or will be able to transform his civil rights program into legisla tion. If Mr. Truman, as commander in-chief of the armed forces, will not abolish segregation in the armed forces; if Mr. Truman, as President of the United States and titular head of his party that was in control of the 79th Congress, could not ge any of his program enacted; if, as President Truman now insists, the Republican 80th Congress failed to enact the legis lation requested so that he cannot get the necessary cooperation from either a Democratic or Republican Congress, is it not obvious, that the election of Mr. Truman will only serve to make chaos more chaotic and confusion more confounded? Dewey’s Record I am supporting Gov. Thomas E. Dewey on his record. I am sup porting Governor Dewey because he is intelligent, he is courageous, he is honest and he knows how to work with people. In the State of New York, Dem ocrats as well as Republicans, friends and foes alike, all agree that Governor Dewey’s administra tion has been. one of if not the most constructive in any State gov ernment within recent years. There is not a man, woman or child in the State whose lot and chances in. life have not been benefited by his policies. Averted Rent Crisis In the interim between the ex piration of the last Federal Rent Control Act and the enactment of the present act, New York State, on account of the foresight of its ——— — i wmm i i MR LOOBY Governor, was the only State with a local rent control act. The conditions which would have existed in New York City in the absence of such statutory provi is of such that even the thouglit is repulsive. In the accomplishment of what he knew to be right, GqV* mor Dewey has never sacrifice^ prin ciple on the altar of political ex pediency. We are all familiar with his refusal to use for political pur poses the information showing ad ministrative blunders that could have prevented Pearl Harbor. Assured Job Fairness In 1945, after the most1 ex haus tive investigation, Governor 'Dewey sought and obtained the p:*ssage of the Law Against Discrimination in Employment, which declares that the right of employment can not be abridged by discrimination because of race, creed, 'color or national origin. The opposition to it was strong and bitter but the Governor's only though was that the law. was nec essary for the preservation of American principles and to effec tuate a declaration already in the Constitution of the Statejf The law has worked quietly to the satisfaction of all. If is a nota ble example of progress in humn relations. It was done without bo«m and fanfare. By their deeds, no4 by their words, ye shall know the at Believes I4 Merit When, in obedience to public de mand, Mr. Dewey was appointed special prosecutor his first act was to select a staff that could do the job. In making his selection he ignored questions of sex and race, and one of his first appointees was Mrs. Eunice H. Carter. Since that time Governor Dewey has consistently recognized the citizens of his State without regard to race by appointing them to high public office. Today more than thirty members of the Negro race hold top positions in the State of New York, and hundreds of /thers are holding positions in e/ery de partment of the State. Fairness Evident . •** Governor Dewrey hasjiairtOhstrat ed his belief in eqtffility of oppor tunity fpr regardless of racial <*e-«8fional origin, not only by the appointments that he has made but also by his relationship with all of the many groups in his State. As United States Attorney, as a special prosecutor appointed by a Democratic Governor in response to public demand, as District At torney and as Governor of the most populous and most wealthy State in the Union, Governor Dewey has demonstrated his abil ity to get results. This has been true because Mr. Dewey does not believe that he knows it all. He does not believe that he can do it all. He selects the best person for the job with out regard to sex, race, religion or national origin and, having made his selection, he delegates the authority. For these reasons I am support ing and will vote for Thomas E. Dewey for President of the United States of America. “What did the audience do when you said you never paid a dollar for a vote?” “Some of them cheered, but of them got up and left.” ' *nr . ■■■■ “ “Why did you leave him 10 cents more than I told you to?” Husband — What’s wrong, dar ling? Why the bandage on your eye? Wife—Don’t try to be funny—as if you couldn’t tell this is my new hat.” First Brother—What’s the idea of wearing my raincoat? Second Brother — It’s raining. You wouldn’t want me to get your new suit wet, would you? —Ivy Leaf. —~—— i WORD PUZZLE TO INCREASE YOUR WORD KNOWLEDGE Use correet word in blank opposite meaning given. 1. (a) expend (b) expound (c) express = to make clear.. 2. (a) missal (b) missile (c) missive = a thing thrown. 3. (a) expatiate (b) expatriate (c) expectorate = to enlarge in statement.... 4. (a) anemia (b) amnesty (c) amnesia = a blood deficiency. 5. (a) sedate (b) sedentary (c) sedative — remaining in place.. 6. (a) vocal (b) vociferous (c) vocative = noisy . 7. (a) precept (b) precedent (c) precinc? = going before . 8. (a) volitive (b) volatile (e) vocal = having the ~power of.. 97 (a) WTeathe (b) writhe (c) wreak = to twist with violence. 10. (a) asinine (b) ascetic (c) askew = a hermit or recluse. (Answers on Page 9)