Miscellaneous Sunday through Saturday
y. "OFF LIMITS" 10 with
BOQ HOPE MARILYN MAXWELL MICKEY ROONEY JOHNSON'S COLORED TOURIST HOME AND DINETTE
MKBmBMmmt&mmBmmmBwSamM Phone 1408M 13852N On U.S. Highway 301, just off of E Russell Street, g in Orangeburg, S. C. A nice place for nice people £_ to refresh. Clean rest rooms. Hot and cold water m free.
POST CARD
o
CO D a
The last word In accommodations for a night or a 16755N week. If it's hot we have air conditioned rooms, if it's cold we have central heating. It's just a short walk from the Ocean. If salt water baths don't please you, each room at the motel has a private bathtub or shower. We will serve you breakfasaktas t in bed. V POST CARD page two
Young women, before they became eligible for marriage, had to give proof of capability to reproduce. Once this was es tablished, she was given a coming out party, very similar to what we in this country call a debutante's party. Earlier I read John Marshall's "Artie Village", which Is. a study of the Eskimos, their customs, habits, etc. Both books present a aore realistic point of view on certain very natural and logical happenings than we in this country have yet managed to accept and adopt.
PHONES 1070 AND 9123
MABLE'S MOTEL MISS MABLE ROBINSON, OWNER THE SOUTH'S FINEST NEWLY BUILT - LUXURIOUSLY FURNISHED FOR DISCRIMINATING TOURISTS n EACH ROOM WITH PRIVATE BATH ^_ LOCATED ON U. S. HIGHWAY 52, 3 MILES SOUTH OF DARLINGTON, S. C, HWY. 15-A AND 6 MILES FROM 301 PHONES 1070 AND 9123
MABLE'S MOTEL MISS MABLE ROBINSON, OWNER THE SOUTH'S FINEST NEWLY BUILT • LUXURIOUSLY FURNISHED FOR DISCRIMINATING TOURISTS EACH ROOM WITH PRIVATE BATH
LOCATED ON II. S. HIGHWAY 52. 3 MILES SOUTH OF DARLINGTON, S. C, HWY. I5-A AND 6 MILES FROM 301 Rev. Alonzo W. Holman MINISTER OF (Humbetltmb £.£&. g. Ofm-dr
AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA
PHONE MIDWAY 9-4726 111 KERSHAW ST.. SE. GREATEST COLORED COSMETIC a MEDICINE SALESMAN IN THE U. S. A.
JAMES CURTISS BROWN SOLE OWNER OF RITZ CASINO PALM GARDEN. RITZ HOTEL, RITZ BEAUTY PARLOR. RITZ BILLIARD AND LUNCH COUNTER THE VERY FINEST OF WINES AND LIQUORS
PHONES: 4097 NIGHT-DAY 9431 P.O.BOX 822 706 N. DARGAN STREET FLORENCE. S. C. Office Phone r2t)=ft Mail: P. O. Box 31 159 Blvd. N. E. State College
W. NEWTON POUGH Attorney at La\v . ORANGEBURG-. S. C
7/£ Residence Phone Hh-M OLIVER'S CAFE GOOD THINGS TO EAT BEER AND WINE Road Ave. ,S.C. *J\va-i/ltettanaUfan Lluu'
XniXts'iiaiiXoXnuiX'
Ult&t Llnnuat tJJanca.'
.Jllamluu «iAi!if, iJItatcli fl-.e jou.Nt
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Present Card Semi-formal OFFICERS
Leroy M. Pair President
Andrew L. Ford Vice-President
Moses Hopkins Recording Secretary
Wilbert Ford Corresponding Secretary
P. J. Herrin Treasurer
Nathaniel McNair Business Mgnager MEMBERS.
Preston Johnson Tommy Hair
Jasper Caldwell Joseph Langley
CLUB COLORS Red, White, Blue
. CLUB FLOWER White Carnation
MOTTO: Contribute To Charity . $imr-bt-%\& of |=tarlhta,ttm
inoites yon to aiteno its fattest "Ball iFvftaiJ efeentng, |Noueniher tfaelfiiT at % ;' Wmh MM
(Thmumtsuille Jiighfuatt
Darlington, iSotith Carolina
£$cmi'formal plrOrn 'tit three
aomis&son ho carb nnlo SONG
To the tune of Mam'selle eur - be - IDs
To Fleur-de-Lis, we sing With hearts of love we bring Our treasures from afar To give to you, our guiding star.
Thy light gleams from afar We know how dear you are. You link our hearts with much devotion, Our love as deep as the ocean, Fleur-de-Lis. May all these echoes ring, As we our bounties bring The tokens of our love to thee, Dear Fleur-de-Lis.
MOTTO " 'Tis what we think And what we do ^Barlmgton, j$>outiT Carolina That make us What we are." FLEUR-DE-LIS
OFFICERS AND ROSTER
Rosa B. House- President Joyce J. Thompson—Vice President Reholda G. Norwood—Secretary Lillian H. Brown—Cor. Secretary Klizabeth H. Meetze—Treasurer
James, Billie J. Martin, Zona M. Meadows, Faye R. Norwood, Ruby W. Patterson, Ruth P. Robinson, Nettie W.
Club Colors Club Flower Cream and Green The Iris SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE BOYS' CLUB OF AMERICA PURPOSE To promote the health, social, educational, vocational and character development of boys throughout the United States of America* A CLUB FOR BOYS It satisfies the age-old desire of boys to have a Club of their own. It attracts and can serve large numbers of boys because its facilities are reserved for them. Its leaders are wholly concerned with understanding boys and their problems and giving individual help and guidance. Special activities, such as dances, parties and other social affairs, meet the desires of older boys for asso ciation with girls. NEW HOPE F SUPPO THE HEART THISSIDE FOR ADDRESS^
Mr, John H, McCray 1628 McFadden Street Columbia, South Carolina ALL LINES OF- BEAUTY CULTURE
. REAIMML\|*WFINGERWAVE HAIR CUniNQ^^fPERHANENTWAVE ' Blahley's Beauty Salon
"IF YOU ARE SATISFIED. TELL OTHERS IF NOT, TELL US" 113 N.JACKSON STREET PHONE 5441 KINGSTREE. S. C. Our Ideal — ° To make well and to trade fairly. To profit not alone in dollars, but in the good will of those with whom we deal. To correct our errors. To improve our opportunities and 1 to rear from the daily work a structure which shall be known for all that is best in business. PHONE 527-W
MURRAY'S STUDIO THE BEST IN PICTURE MAKING Your choice of Portraits, Family Reunions, Weddings, Clubs, Pictures of your Homes, Churches, School and*ft,*s.
FRIENDLY SERVICE AND NEAT WORK
226 CHESTNUT ST. DARLINGTON, S. C. 0 Q , if *? »^LVU-^-" 5^— c!*aKM-- , -
c^^> PHONE JE 4-9273
SklHat Eoua s Dinette FRED M. BDYD, OWNER THOUGHTFUL SERVICE GOLDEN BROWN CHICKEN, SIZZLING STEAKS, SEAFOODS IN SEASON OPEN S:OD A.M. TILL 12:3D A.M.
715 E. RUSSELL ST. ORANGEBURG, S. C. y< sift- ~TM>& C&S'T-TV^
f£&A + 1959 MEMBERSHIP CARD
THfVAMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS Richland County Chapter COLUMBIA, S. C. (Affiliated with the League of Red Cross Societies) As a member you are urged to attend your chapter's annual meeting and vote in the election of its board of directors. VMVl.^fW f. Cu^ <4~~~A^ & Chapter Chairman National Chairman
U^lp 1959 UNITED FUND TORCH DRIVE
Name of Contributor
Thank You for your support of 27 vital health and welfare services.
Total Pledge Paid Now Balance Due
ALEXANDER D. GRAHAM 0 STANLEY SMITH UCS President Campaign Chairman This is allowable as an Income Tax Deduction UNITED FUND SERVICES
American Red Cross Boy Scouts B-C Teen Age Canteen Carolina Children's Home RED CROSS SERVICES Carolinas United U. S. 0. SERVICE TO ARMED FORCES S. C. Mental Health Assoc. American Social Hygiene Assoc. BLOOD SERVICE American Hearing Society Nat. Probation and Parole Assoc. Nat. Travelers Aid Assoc. NURSING SERVICE Nat. Recreation Assoc. National Social Welfare Assoc. COMMUNITY SERVICE Florence Crittenton Home Cayce Emergency Relief DISASTER SERVICE , Central Services Columbia Crippled Children's Assoc. Columbia Hearing Society WATER SAFETY SERVICE Fairview Alcoholics Center Family Service Assoc. FIRST AID SERVICE Girl Scouts Memorial Youth Center PRODUCTION SERVICE Orthopedic School School Lunch Program JUNIOR RED CROSS SERVICE Salvation Army Travelers Aid Society Y. W. C. A. Y. W, C. A. (Phyllis Wheatley) TELEPHONE 518-J P.O. BOX 292
DAVID G. PUGH & CO. DEALERS FOR THE: CARL. FISCHER LINE:- "AMERICA'S GREATEST MUSIC HOUSE" DARLINGTON, S. C.
BE FRIENDLY TO YOUR INSTRUMENT, IT MAY MAKE YOU GREAT PHONE 28004 •
HOTEL JAMES J. A WASHINGTON. MGR.
VISIT OUR AZALEA ROOM
238 SPRING STREET CHARLESTON. S. C. ML DINING DANCING CIRCLE INN CLUB "WHERE PARTICULAR PEOPLE MEET" PRIVATE DINERS — EXCELLENT FOOD PROMPT SERVICE :—: SEAFOOD A SPECIALTY (Located .Inst. Off Hiehway 321 - also Winnsborn Road) PHONE 3.4M9 FOR RESERVATIONS
Raymond 0. White. Owner Herbert M. White, Mgr.
SWIMMING FISHING r PHONE 494.R
- j
G. STERLYN SAWYER 108 JEFFERSON STREET
PASTOR v„„ _ _ WESLEY METHODIST CHURCH TORK, a. ^*. L ..Jl > NOTARY PUBLIC
GEO. H. CASLEY, FUNERAL DIRECTOR BUSINESS 9141 - PHONES - RESIDENCE 278-W
SOUTH MAIN ST. DARLINGTON, S. C. The Cats out of the bag! So is the aecret, Why: Grandpa loved Grandma so, Grandma had some, Grandma served some, Psh, GOOD RECIPES. EL RENDEVOUS got some . . . SERVES . . . FINE FOOD TO FINE PEOPLEI SOME OF THE FINEST PEOPLE WE KNOW VISIT EL RENDEVOUS ITS A MUST TO SEE AND.BE SEEN AT CL J\endevou3 SEA SIDE ROAD AT CLUB BRIDGE FROOMORE. SOUTH CAROLINA e.
[/$»/€, A/*+**e*> V/ 7 4^+. S**3j
Dear Friend:
We are in the process of having our land on Lake Hurray surveyed and divided into lots. We t^ill have about one hundred waterfront lots and about fifty back-row lots. In order to com plete this, we would need to be sure that many of our friends will buy these lots.
We consider you the calibre person that w« would like to have a lot in this subdivision. The lots will be fifty (50') feet on the water and about two hundred fifty (250*) feet deep, and you would have first choice to buy an adjoining lot if you desire. We are placing a price of twelve hundred ninety-five (1295) dollars for waterfront lots, and for second-row lots, with the privilege of launching, a price of four hundred ninety-five ($495) dollars. These can be financed for a period of five (5) years with a small down payment. Please indicate on the enclosed card whether you want us to reserve you a waterfront lot or a second-row lot.
We both plan to build in the very near future. Don't watt until Spring} act now, as this is the only property that we know of that is available to our people.
We would appreciate your returning the enclosed card at your earliest convenience. We believe there may be some friend who is being overlooked, so we are enclosing an extra card for you to pass along to them.
R. T. Williams Newberry, South Carolina dsc
Enclosure
ps This subdivision will be called GRAilT-WILLIAMS ADDITION TO LAK" MU RAY. THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS
Dr. J. E. Grant
Dewberry
South Carolina I am interested in the following: (check one)
waterfront lot at ~*BfQ J 2-f$~
Second-row lot at ^SUft- '/yJ
ahen you get the plat completed, get in touch with me. . .
Name Phone
Address £ THISSIDEQFCARD IS FOR ADDRESS )
Dr. J. E. Grant
Uewberry
South Carolina I am interested in the following: (check one)
waterfront lot at $£££6 ' 2 J%
Second-row lot at J^GF I/^ST"
iOien you get the plat completed, get in touch with me.
Name Phone
Address -Jlosi Ptarsljtpful |Irmc£ ^9all (Smith flobge of ^xtt znb ^ktttpttb ffimmxs f urisoidtott of :% jStete of jSouth Carolina
PRINCE RILEY, 33° GRAND MASTER J. E. DICKSON, 33° GRAND SECRETARY 1 P. O. BOX 383 IISS /^ WASHINGTON STREET ROCK HILL, S. C. COLUMBIA, S. C.
S. J. POINSETTE, 32° D. G. M. DR. D. J. DIXON, 33° CHARLESTON, S. C. GRAND TREASURER BARNWELL, S. O.
OFFICE OF REV. J. E. THOMAS, 33°, C. C. F. C. 610 N. COIT STREET
FLORENCE, S. C. I I PALMETTO MEDICS TO ENCOURAGE YOUNGSTERS TOWARD PROFESSION
The Palmetto Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Association met here
last week in its 67th annual session and went on record in favor of an all-out
campaign to encourage talented Negro youngsters toward careers in medicine.
Dr. H.E. Caldwell, Orangeburg dentist and out-going president, and Dr. L.
Palmer Chappelle, Columbia physician and new president, issued a joint call for
the association itself to take the lead in promoting interest among students
throughout South Carolina "to fill the critical shortage of Negro physicians
and other allied medical professions of denistry, oharmacy and nursing."
The two-day session on the Benedict College campus attracted practioners
from every section of the state and featured scientific clinics in each medical
area.
In addition to Dr. Chappelle, other officers for the year are Dr. J.M.
Douglas, Spartanburg physician, president-elect; nr. H.E. Hill, Seneca pharmacist,
executive secretary; Dr. H.J. Hare, Seneca dentist, treasurer; Dr. H.S. Smiley,
Greenville dentist, corresponding and recording secretary; and Dr. L.W. Long,
Union physician, chairman of the executive board.
Meeting concurrently with the Association was its Woman's Auxiliary, of
which Mrs. J.M. Douglas of Spartanburg was out-poing president and Mrs. C.E.
Morean of Columbia the new president. Other officers are Mrs. R. N. Beck of
Florence, president-elect; Mrs. L.P. Chappelle of Columbia, secretary; Mrs. C.
0. Spann 6T Columbia} treasurer; and M^s. M.P. Kennedy of Beaufort, chairman of
the executive board.
Dr. Samuel W. Williams, chairman of the Department of Philosophy at Morehouse
College, Atlanta, Ga., was featured speaker at the public meeting Wednesday
evening, and Dr. Harold West, president of Ferharry Medical College, Nashville,
Tenn., addressed the Association at the annual luncheon Thursday afternoon. Lecturing at the medical and surgical clinic were Dr. James L. Martin, - 2 -
of Philadelphia, Pa.: Dr. Charles W. Simmons of Charleston; Mr. Charles H.
Bynum of New York, N.Y.; Dr. Marvin Shelton of Fort Jackson and Dr. John Timmons
of Columbia.
Addressing the dental clinic were Dr. Frank M. Lapeyrolerie of East Orange,
N.J., and Dr. Raymond E. Christmas of Columbia.
The pharmaceutical clinic featured lectures by Dr. Aaron E. Henry of
Clarksdale, Miss., and a round-table discussion with Dr. B.J. Dion of Hartsville,
Dr. E.E. Oliver of Spartanburg, Dr. R.O. Grant of Florence and Dr. H.H. Gibbs
of Greenville.
Featured speaker for the Woman's Auxiliary was Mrs. J.B. Harris, president
of the National Medical Auxiliary, who spoke on the theme: "Mobilizing Womanpower
for First Class Citizenship."
Referring to the Palmetto Association1s campaign to encourage youngsters
toward the profession, Dr. Chappelle, the new president, said: re "We are losing doctors taster than they are being/placed. Unless immediate action is taken to alleviate the problem, the Negro doctor will be as rare in
the 1970' s as he was at the turn of the century."
Association members agreed that the problem of finding capable students
interested in medical careers will not be an easy one.
It was pointed out that despite numerous scholarships and grants available
to oros^ective medical students too few Negro students apply or seem interested
in them.
"We must get the youngsters interested in medicine during their high school
years," Dr. Chaopelle added, "so that they can prepare adequately for college and
medical school courses."
He admitted, however, that the problem cannot be solved by the medical pro
fession alone.
"It is a problem that will need the help of the high schools, the colleges
and the race," he concluded. - 30 - PUBLIC AFFAIRS PAMPHLET No. 95 THE NEGRO IN AMERICA
BY MAXWELL S. STEWART
OUT OF EVERY 10 AMERICANS t 000000000
A NEGRO THE NEGRO IN AMERICA
By MAXWELL S. STEWART
DISTRIBUTED BY DURING the last few years many Americans have become in SOUTHERN REGIONAL COUNCIL, INC. creasingly uneasy about our treatment of Negroes in this country. 63 AUBURN AVENUE, N. E. The war is largely responsible for this. Hitler's savage persecution ATLANTA 3, GEORGIA of the Jews and other minorities, which we all denounce, has made us wonder about our attitude toward our 13,000,000 Negroes. The unscientific Nazi doctrine of Aryan supremacy seems uncomfortably like the idea that the white race is innately superior to the black. The war also served to bring the unequal treatment of the Negro much more to public attention than in previous years. In many parts of the country, factories were slow to take on Negro workers even though they were desperately short of men. Even today Negroes are plainly handicapped in obtain ing skilled jobs, especially in the technical and white collar field. The Army and Navy still separate white and Negro service men. The Negroes themselves are, of course, most disturbed by all of this. They see a wide gap between our professed belief in race equality, as evidenced by our hostility to the Nazi race ideas,
This pamphlet is a summary of An American Dilemma, a study of the Negro Problem and Modern Democracy, by Gunnar Myrdal, published by Harper & Brothers, New York. Copyright, 1944, by the Public Affairs Committee, Incorporated —A nonprofit, educational organization— 2 THE NEGRO IN AMERICA THE NEGRO IN AMERICA 3 and our practices. For a Negro is rarely allowed to forget that An American Dilemma, and four other volumes prepared by he is "different." He seldom talks with a white man, and still noted scholars associated with him. less to a white woman, without having it called to his mind. Even in a group of white and Negro friends, the Negro "prob NATURE OF THE PROBLEM lem" constantly looms in the background. It colors the jokes and allusions where it is not actually a matter of discussion. DR. MYRDAL discovered a striking difference between what A Negro is not often permitted to be an American first many Americans say about the Negroes and what they really and a Negro second. He is looked on as primarily a Negro. think. As he traveled over the country he found that many Many Negroes have become prominent, or even famous, but Americans indignantly deny that there is a "Negro problem" in usually as representatives of their race. A Negro economist is always expected to specialize in Negro problems; a Negro lawyer is expected to handle Negro cases; a Negro soloist is supposed OUT OF EVERY 10 AMERICANS to sing Negro songs; and a Negro trade union leader usually represents Negro workers. Most of the Negroes holding high ft. 11111J)11 0 government posts serve as advisers on Negro affairs. There are no Negro Senators, no Negroes in the Cabinet, no Negro presi dents of any but Negro universities, and no Negro state governors. Negroes in the more humble walks of life are just as handi capped.. They are not allowed to forget their color. Many of the better-paid occupations and professions are practically closed to them. In some states they find it impossible to carry out their A NEGRO duties as American citizens. A Negro who commits a crime is rarely referred to in the newspapers as John Jones but as a Negro by the name of John Jones. PICTOGRAPH CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS COAMtlTTEE, INC,
An American Dilemma America. They insist that if there ever was one it has been solved Recognizing the importance of the Negro problem in American to the satisfaction of both parties. This view is heard most fre life, the Carnegie Corporation several years ago determined to quently in the Deep South. It is usually accompanied by a state bring the resources of the social sciences to bear on the problem. ment that the Negroes are all right in their place, but they must In order to avoid all danger of bias or partisanship in this study, be kept there or they will cause trouble. it decided to bring a scholar from abroad "who could approach his task with a fresh mind." It was felt that it was important Denial of Problem Symptom of Tension that such a scholar should be chosen from a country with no But Dr. Myrdal is doubtful whether those who most fervently background or traditions of imperialism which might lessen con insist that the problem has been solved actually believe it. For fidence in the impartiality of the study. These considerations led the white South seems to be "obsessed by the Negro problem." to the selection of Dr. Gunnar Myrdal, a distinguished social The very vigor with which people deny that it exists reflects the economist from the University of Stockholm and economic ad intensity of the race tension. This may easily be seen if one sug viser to the Swedish government, to undertake the task. The gests the possibility of a Negro uprising. Many Southerners im following pages represent a brief summary of his four years of mediately show alarm. And the persons who are most cocksure intensive study as contained in his two-volume report entitled in insisting that there is no Negro problem and that the Negroes 4 THE NEGRO IN AMERICA THE NEGRO IN AMERICA 5 are content with present conditions often display the greatest Ignorance about the Negro Is Widespread fear. Without seemingly being aware of a contradiction, the same In his travels throughout the country, Dr. Myrdal was as person may in one sentence defend the suppression of the Negroes tonished at the lack of correct information about Negroes which on the ground that they are satisfied with things as they are and he found in all walks of life. He found physicians who held in the next explain that the Negroes must be kept down because absurd ideas about the amount of disease among Negroes; edu they are always wanting to be like white people. cators who knew nothing of the results of modern intelligence Statements that no problem exists are not limited to the South research; lawyers who believed that lynchings are practically all or even to white people. Negroes often declare that there is caused by rape; and ministers who knew practically nothing no difficulty between the races in their part of the country. Such about Negro churches in their own town. statements are made by some Negro college presidents, princi "The ignorance about the Negro is the more striking," Dr. pals, and teachers of Negro schools whose jobs are dependent Myrdal writes, "as the Southerner himself is convinced that he on white boards of directors. They seem to be expected of Negro 'knows the Negro,' while the Yankee is supposedly ignorant on leaders at all public interracial affairs. They are, however, usually the subject." In insisting that they have reliable and intimate different from the similar statements made by white persons. knowledge about the Negro problem, the Southern whites are They are nearly always limited to the local community and are only fooling themselves. "The average Southerner 'knows' the qualified by mention of some particular situation which might Negro and the interracial problem as the patient 'knows' the be improved. And they are rarely, if ever, made by Negroes toothache—in the sense that he feels a concern—not as a diag when talking "off the record" or among friends. As with similar nosing dentist knows his own or his patient's trouble. He further statements by white persons, the assertion that there is "no 'knows' the Negro in the sense that he is brought up to use a Negro problem" is an indication of the unhealthiness of the social technique in dealing with Negroes" by which he is able to situation. Actually, the problem not only exists but is of great lord it over them. "The technique is simple: I have often observed importance in many parts of the United States. that merely speaking the Southern dialect works the trick." In the South the Negro is almost never discussed formally. In the North the Negro problem is not nearly so important He is almost never referred to in schools or in the church. as in the South. Northern whites believe that they treat Negroes, Southern newspapers, with remarkable exceptions, ignore Negroes on the whole, much better than Southerners do. Do they not except for their crimes. For a long time there was an unwritten allow the Negro to vote, and to attend the same schools as white rule that a picture of a Negro should never appear in print; children? Having thus consoled himself, the average Northerner and even now it is rare. Yet the extent to which the Negro wants to forget about the whole matter. The result is an astonish dominates people's thinking may be seen in a story reported by ing ignorance about the Negro. Many educated Northerners are Ray Stannard Baker a generation ago, and which still crops far better informed about foreign problems than about Negro up in the South. conditions in their own city. A Negro boy went as a sort of butler's assistant in the home of a prominent family in Atlanta. His people were naturally Conflict with the American Creed curious about what went on in the white man's house. One day Dr. Myrdal declares that he has no doubt, following his ex they asked him: haustive study in all parts of the country, that a great majority "What do they talk about when they are eating?" of white people in America would give the Negro a much better The boy thought a moment; then he said: "Mostly they dis deal if they knew the facts. But they find it easier and much more cusses us cullud folks." comfortable to know as little about him as possible. Mr. Baker adds that Negroes display the same consuming in Dr. Myrdal suggests that ignorance about conditions under terest in white people and the race question. which Negroes live probably explains in part the gap between 6 THE NEGRO IN AMERICA THE NEGRO IN AMERICA 7 America's professed belief in equality and democracy and its because of biological heredity or color of skin.* Neither have manifestly unequal treatment of members of the black race. He they been able to prove that no differences exist. They have, is profoundly impressed with what he calls the American Creed. however, found that such things as lack of sufficient food, bad He finds that every American believes in the principles set down housing, and poor schooling have great effect on intelligence, in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. character, and physical health. Less easy to measure—and difficult Americans believe that "all men are created equal," in freedom for the average person to understand—is the effect on a people of speech, freedom of religion, and racial tolerance; they be of being treated as inferiors. Although it is hard to measure lieve that America is the "cradle of freedom," the "land of op exactly what happens to a Negro child's mind when he is brought portunity," and the "home of democracy." In principle, most up as an inferior, scientists have found that when Negro children Americans, in the North at least, concede that the Negro has are treated more nearly as equals they show up increasingly well the same right to freedom and justice as other citizens. But, in in intelligence tests. practice, Negroes have not shared many of these rights. This gap between our profession and our actions constitutes, accord ing to Dr. Myrdal, "the Negro problem." DISADVANTAGES OF BEING A NEGRO
Is the Negro Inferior? Most Negroes Are Poor There is probably no aspect of the Negro problem on which Most Negroes are desperately poor. This is true in the North there is so much misunderstanding as on the supposed biological as well as the South. Most-Negroes own little property; what inferiority of Negroes. This idea seems to have developed gradu furniture and household goods they have are badly dilapidated. ally. At first slavery was defended chiefly by Biblical and political They not only are poorly paid when they work but they are arguments. It was said that the Negro was a heathen, a bar much more frequently unemployed than whites. They are forced barian, a descendant of Noah's son Ham, doomed to be a servant to live from day to day with little chance to plan for the future. forever on account of an ancient sin. It was not, of course, hard In the South the Negro's poverty is connected with the decline to recast this view into biological terms. But this was not done of King Cotton and the overcrowding of Southern farm lands. until within comparatively recent years. More than half of America's 30,000,000 farm population is in Why some white people regard the Negro as biologically in the South. But the South has only a little more than one-third ferior is not hard to see. They believe it because they want to, of the country's farm land. In value, the proportion is even less and because it seems to make sense. To the uninformed white —28 per cent of the total. person it appears obvious from everyday experience that the The Decline of King Cotton Negro is inferior. And inferior he is. This shows up in scientific study. His body is more often deformed than that of a white The backwardness of the South agriculturally is largely the person. He is more often sick; his death rate is higher; he shows result of too much dependence on cotton. Little change has been up badly in intelligence tests. He is less likely to be a skilled made in the methods for growing cotton since the days of slavery. worker, or to attain distinction in professional fields. Most of it is still cultivated by old-fashioned methods. A large part of the work is done by children. This encourages large Inferiority and Race families and cuts down schooling. It is one thing, however, to say that the Negro is inferior, Cotton growing in the Southeastern states became less and less and quite another to trace his inferiority to race. After careful profitable in the period between World War I and World War II. investigation, scientists have found no basis for the belief that •For details, see The Races of Mankind, Public Affairs Pamphlet No. the Negro and white races differ in intelligence or character 85. 1943- 8 THE NEGRO IN AMERICA WHITE AND NEGRO FARMERS Prices were driven down by competition with cheap labor in IN THE SOUTH, 1940 Brazil, India, China, and other countries. Cotton was more seriously affected by the depression than other crops and recov ered less afterwards. The AAA helped the South in many ways, but the Negroes did not get their share of these gains. More Negro tenants than whites were driven from the land by its crop- SIZE reduction program. Most of these were reduced to wage laborers. OF FARMS (AVERAGE) Erosion Furthermore, cotton growing is extremely wasteful of the soil. It robs the soil of its fertility and causes widespread erosion. The Southeast pays more than half of the nation's bill for commercial fertilizers. One of the effects of erosion in the Southeast has been to encourage the development of cotton growing in Texas and other parts of the Southwest. This has resulted in still lower prices for cotton. Although both whites and Negroes suffer from the traditional dependence on King Cotton, the Negroes have been more de pendent than the white farmers. Negroes produce one-third of the total cotton crop. As long ago as 1929 it was estimated that three Negro farmers out of every four received at least 40 per cent of their incomes from cotton. There are 4,500,000 Negroes who live on the land.
Tenancy A large part of these—more than half of the total—are tenants or sharecroppers. The South has long been cursed by tenancy. Almost three-fourths of the cotton farms are operated by tenants or croppers. The economic position of this group, white and black, has been peculiarly difficult because of its association with a credit system carrying extremely high interest rates. This credit system, in turn, has increased the pressure for a cash crop—which in the South usually means cotton. This completes the circle. The South grows cotton because it needs cash. Cotton growing is traditionally carried on by tenants and sharecroppers. This system not only robs the soil and inter feres with the education of the next generation, thus preventing agricultural progress, but it requires the assistance of money lenders. And the Negro, being poorer and more dependent on cotton than the white farmer, is the chief victim of this circle. WHITE NEGRO WHITE NEGRO WHITE NEGRO PICTOGRAPH CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE. INC. 10 THE NEGRO IN AMERICA THE NEGRO IN AMERICA 11
Negro Landowners white. Yet two out of five Negroes who work the land are wage Some Negro farmers do, it is true, own their land. But the laborers. Since they work only part of the year, these wage number is not greater than one out of every seven and has de laborers are even worse off than tenants or sharecroppers. clined in the past twenty years. Only in Florida and Virginia do a majority of Negro farmers own land, and in Virginia the Other Opportunities for Negroes number has declined drastically since 1910. Outside of farming, the Southern Negro has also had to com Moreover, the Negro's farm is usually small. As is shown in pete more and more with whites for what used to be regarded the chart on page 9, the farms owned by Negroes average as purely Negro jobs. This is shown in great detail in Dr. Myrdal's less than half the size of farms owned by whites. In crop value study. In many of the cities of the old South there are still a the Negro-owned farms show up even less favorably. This may number of Negro carpenters, masons, and painters, but not be explained both by the fact that the land owned by Negroes nearly as many as there were formerly. In other cities there are tends, on the average, to be less valuable and by the fact that only Negro helpers. And in some places they are not even per the Negroes have less farm equipment at their disposal. The mitted to be helpers. In a few cities along the Atlantic Coast, average Negro farm owner has to get along with only $90 worth the old Negro barber may still be found. Negro waiters are still of implements and machinery, while the typical white owner has common everywhere, but white waitresses are rapidly taking their nearly four times as much. place. The entry of white women into industry has caused even There are several reasons why so few Negroes own their farms. more headaches, since white women and Negroes are not allowed Starting as slaves, they were never encouraged to do much for to work together in the South on an equal plane. themselves. Instead, they were taught to look to the white man White pressure is particularly strong in Southern industry. for everything. And of course they had no capital with which From 1890 to 1910 the number of male white workers more than to buy land. In many parts of the South the whites have banded doubled. The number of male Negro workers rose by only two- together to prevent Negroes from obtaining land in white neigh thirds during the same period. Such increase as did occur was borhoods. Most Negro-owned farms are on back roads or in due mainly to the growth of certain industries which are tradi areas which the whites do not think good enough for farming. tionally reserved for Negroes, such as coal mining, work in lum ber mills, and railway maintenance-of-way work. From 1910 to Plantation Tenants and Wage Laborers 1940 there was a much slower increase in the number of Negro Although the plantation system is breaking up in many parts jobs. In the last ten years of that period the Negro population of the South, some hundreds of thousands of Negroes still work of the cities increased by 20 per cent as Negroes were forced out as plantation tenants. These are really ordinary laborers. Their of agriculture. But the number of male Negro workers increased work is usually supervised by the landlord or foremen. They often only 12 per cent. Comparatively few Negroes obtained factory work by the clock in gangs. But unlike laborers, they are not jobs before the war. Although the textile industry has grown paid regular wages. Like sharecroppers, they receive a certain tremendously in recent years, only 26,000 out of its 635,000 proportion of the crop. They share the risk of bad weather, the Southern workers in 1940 were Negroes. Only in domestic service boll weevil, and low cotton prices. In fact, they often assume has the Negro retained a practical monopoly in the South. more than their share of the risk. For in nine cotton states the landlord has the legal right to sell any and all property the tenant In the North may have to recover rent or any money that may have been Contrary to the views held by most Southern whites, the Negro advanced by the landlord. has had a much better chance for a good job in the North. For At one time the wage laborers on Southern farms were mostly one thing, Negroes hold many more different kinds of jobs. Even Negro. But at present somewhat more than half of them are before the war, many more were employed in skilled factory 13 12 THE NEGRO IN AMERICA THE NEGRO IN AMERICA work. Tremendous gains were made during World War I and in the 1920's. Between 1910 and 1930, the number of male Negro CHANCES FOR WHITES AND NEGROES workers in the North outside of farming rose by 480,000. This IN THE WHITE COLLAR FIELD was a much better showing than the South made, despite the fact that the South had many more Negroes. 000000000000000 But even in the North the Negro has been kept out of many of the more desirable kinds of work. He has had little chance of getting a skilled job, for instance, in textile factories, sawmills, shoe factories, bakeries, or furniture factories. Few Negroes were employed by the railroads or utilities except as porters and similar 6 out of 15 white workers* have entered the white collar field work. And during the depression of the 1930's, the Negroes were first to lose their jobs. As Negroes continued to move from the South to the North during the depression, the unemployment situation among Negroes in Northern cities became extremely serious—much more serious than in the South. Strangely enough, young Negroes usually were able to find jobs about as easily as white youths, but middle-aged Negroes, particularly those listed Only 1 out of 15 Negro workers* is a white collar employee as skilled workers, suffered much more from unemployment than whites of similar experience. This seeming good luck on the part •NOT INCLUDING FARMERS of the young Negroes is probably due to their willingness to accept PICTOGRAPH CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, INC. almost any kind of unskilled work. White young people are more likely to hold out for better jobs. out of five. Nor does the situation seem to be improving. The White Collar Opportunities Negro's share in white collar and professional jobs declined in With all of these handicaps, a Negro wage-earner has a much the twenty years between 1910 and 1930. easier time finding a place for himself than a Negro white collar employee or professional man. Dr. Myrdal has gathered together TEACHING a mass of material substantiating this fact. Most Negro workers School teaching is the chief Negro profession. It is confined work for white people. But the Negro professional or business chiefly to Negro schools, or schools in which most of the students man is usually limited to the Negro community. Since the Negro are Negro. Actually, Negroes are not more than half as well community is extremely poor, this means that the Negro profes represented in the teaching profession as they are in the popula sional is badly paid as compared with white persons in the same tion. And although the teaching load of Negro teachers is much field. It means also that while there are many Negro ministers, heavier than that of white teachers, their salaries, particularly in teachers, and storekeepers, there are very few openings for Negro the South, are much lower than those of white teachers with engineers, architects, or industrial managers. And few Negroes similar qualifications.* The average salary in Southern Negro are engaged in clerical work. elementary schools was only $510 in 1935-36; in Southern white In 1930 only 254,000 Negroes were listed in the census as schools it was $833. white collar employees, business or professional men. Only one out of every fifteen Negro workers, not including farmers, had •North Carolina has recently taken action to provide equal salaries entered the white collar field. Among whites the ratio was two for white and Negro teachers. 14 THE NEGRO IN AMERICA THE NEGRO IN AMERICA 15 MINISTRY swarmed northward as they The profession with a large proportion of Negroes is the did in World War I. Many ministry. This may be because Negroes are more regular church Negroes have, however, ob goers than are the whites and because they tend to divide up tained skilled jobs in factories into more small sects. Most Negro ministers are poorly paid. Al that previously barred them c••••••~ _QiOiUlUL though a few Negro ministers in the cities receive reasonably high from such occupations. And feloVc salaries, most of them have to be content with a few hundred the federal government has dollars. A large number of Negro clergymen have other jobs on made an effort through the $0 the side. Or, more frequently, the ministry is a side line for men Fair Employment Practices who follow other occupations during the week. Committee to overcome dis crimination. By the time the MEDICINE war ends the Negro should In contrast to teaching and the ministry, the medical profes find that he has gained some sion has been almost closed to Negroes. In 1940 there were only "strategic" footholds in pre 4,000 Negro physicians and surgeons in all of the United States. viously all-white occupations. Negroes find great difficulty in gaining entrance to white medical They may not be many or schools. Only a few hospitals admit Negro and white doctors large, and he will have to on a basis of complete equality. Negroes are likewise barred from fight to hold them after the specialized work. This accounts for the widespread but unfounded war. But they will at least belief that Negro physicians are ill trained. Since most Negro help break down the idea that physicians draw their patients entirely from the Negro community, the Negro cannot do skilled their incomes are far below those of white physicians of similar work. training and ability. The same applies to dentists and nurses. Educational Handicaps LAW Negro lawyers have even harder sledding. While there would Although Negroes have seem to be a great need for Negro lawyers to fight for the rights shown themselves capable of of their race in the courts, most Negroes have found that a "re skilled work of all kinds, they spectable" white lawyer could help them more before a white have much greater difficulty court than the best of Negro lawyers. As a result there were only than whites in getting the 1,200 Negro lawyers in the entire country in 1930. About two- education and training neces thirds of these lived outside of the South. Out of 600 lawyers in sary for better jobs. Alabama, for example, only six were Negroes. Negro artists, musi Their difficulties start in the cians, and actors fare somewhat better. But competition is severe grade school. In seventeen The Negro's education is inferior. and their opportunities are much narrower than those of whites. states and the District of Co- lumbia, Negro children are compelled by law to attend separate The War Boom schools. Elsewhere, local communities often have separate schools The war has, of course, opened many jobs for Negroes. But for Negroes. In most instances the Negro schools are inferior it is doubtful whether the Negro workers have done as well, in to white ones. The buildings are old; the equipment out-of-date; proportion to their numbers, as white workers. Negroes have not and the teachers are poorly trained and poorly paid. In parts THE NEGRO IN THE U.S. A. FAMILY INCOME $1720 WHITE AND NEGRO OUR NEGRO POPULATION HAS RISEN FROM 800,000 TO 13,000,000 IN 150 YEARS 1935-36
BUT THE PROPORTION OF NEGROES IN THE TOTAL POPULATION IS SMALLER TODAY $1095 snoo Qljif^r^f® onrvimfxiry ALMOST HALF OF AIL NEGROES JstJctws? oooo NOW LIVE IN THE CITY... $480
11 I32% OF U. S. 36% OF U.S. 21% OF NORTH CENTRAmL CITIES mSOUTHER Nm RURAL POPULATION CHILD NATIONAL OF 100,000 AND OVER COMMUNITIES 1790 If 1940 LlW POPULATION INCOME 20% NEGROES 10% NEGROES FARM OWNERSHIP EDUCATIONAL EXPENDITURES ALMOST 4 OUT OF 5 STILL LIVE IN URBAN-48.6% THE SOUTH RURAL-51.4% PER PUPIL, 1936 BUT +41.8% $80.26 THE NEGRO INCREASE NORTH AND WEST IS MUCH $49.30 MORE RAPID +15.8%
SOUTH NORTH WEST
50.9% OF WHITE FARMERS 0NLV 20.8% OF NEGRO U. S. AS A 10 SOUTHERN NEGRO STATES OWN THEIR FARMS FARMERS OWN WHOLE WHITE CHILDREN NEGRO CHILDREN THEIR FARMS THE NEGRO'S LIFE AVERAGES 10 YEARS LIFE AND DEATH Note that for both Whites and Negroes death LESS THAN THE WHITE'S INFANT DEATH RATES, 1940 rates are highest in the Southern sample. WHITE NEGRO WHITE. 90 10 20 30 U 60 6 64.4 80 NEGRO. J» 20 30 40 50 52 £•40 WHITE NEGRO ll.3 PER 1,000 33.0 PER 1,000
MATERNAL DEATH RATE IS THREE TIMES THAT OF WHITE YET NEGRO DEATH RATE IS GOING DOWN | GEORGIA MISSISSIPPI TEXAS • NORTH WEST- SOUTH
PICTOCRAPH CORPORATION FOR SURVEY GRAPHIC 18 THE NEGRO IN AMERICA THE NEGRO IN AMERICA 19
of the South, the Negro schools are not open during the plant Negro voting in the Southern states. One of the most effective ing and harvest seasons. has been the rule that Negroes could not participate in the Although many more Negroes are in school today than were Democratic primary. This action has been enforced on the theory twenty or thirty years ago, today's Negroes reflect the lack of that the Democratic party is a voluntary organization entitled educational opportunities of a generation ago. The typical Negro to determine its own membership. Since the Democratic party of more than 25 years of age has only 5.7 years' schooling as is the only party that counts in the South, its primary really compared with an average of 8.8 years for the typical native determines who is to be elected. In view of this, the Supreme white person. Court recently held that it was illegal to deprive the Negro of When it comes to higher education, the Negro is still worse his right to vote in the primary. Nevertheless, several of the off. Only a few have money enough to attend college, and they Southern states continued to bar them in the 1944 primaries. have difficulty getting good training. Negroes are not admitted Another device commonly used to prevent Negroes from vot to the state universities or private white colleges in any of the ing is the poll tax. At present, seven states require that voters Southern states. Several of these states support small Negro col pay a small fee before they can register to vote. Although whites leges; but none of them have as high standards as the average as well as Negroes may be compelled to pay the fee, election Southern state university. No Northern state university excludes officials enforce the ruling much more strictly with Negroes. Negroes, but they are often treated rather badly once they are Moreover, since Negroes are poorer as a group, fewer of them enrolled. Several great private universities, such as Harvard, are willing or able to pay the tax. Similar to the poll tax in that Chicago, and Columbia, admit Negroes on an equal basis with they restrict Negroes because they are poor, are property, educa whites. Most of the smaller colleges, however, either bar Negroes tional, and "character" requirements for voting. These are seldom or restrict their number. Only a limited number of Negroes are applied to whites but almost always to Negroes. And they may admitted each year to the better white medical or law schools. be applied most unfairly, as in the instance of an intelligent The Negro has also had a tough time getting vocational train Negro woman in North Carolina who was not permitted to ing for skilled work even in wartime. Although they were in register because she mispronounced the words "contingency" and greater need of training than any other group, Negroes consti "constitutionality" in reading the state constitution. tuted less than 5 per cent of the persons accepted in the pre- Despite these restrictions, some Negroes do vote in the South, employment or "refresher" courses offered by the U. S. Office especially in the border states. Just how many vote is not known of Education and Employment Service up to May, 1942. In since election statistics are not divided according to race. But some of the Southern states, where most of the Negroes live, in most of the states of the Deep South, where Negroes are most Negroes were kept out of the war training program altogether. numerous, the number is extremely small. This means that in the South the Negro has not been able to look to the ballot as Citizenship Rights a means of improving his position. In the North Negroes vote in large numbers. In fact, in some Parallel to the economic limitations imposed on the Negro cities more Negroes vote in proportion to their numbers than are severe political restrictions, particularly in the South. Al whites. But despite the large number of Negroes who vote, they though the Constitution declares specifically that "the right of get much less proportionately for their vote in the country as citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or a whole, than the whites. For example, Negroes cast about the abridged ... on account of race, color, or previous condition same number of votes throughout the United States as the whites of servitude," Southern tradition is strongly opposed to permit cast in the seven states of the Deep South. Yet Southern whites ting Negroes to vote, except when their voting serves the white get incomparably more benefits from politics than do Negroes. man's purpose. Various means are used to restrict or prohibit The Deep South has 52 members of the House of Representatives 20 THE NEGRO IN AMERICA THE NEGRO IN AMERICA 21 and 14 members of the Senate, while Negroes have but one mem worse conditions. Many find that even after paying rents which ber of the House and no Senators. In recent years, however, most whites would consider out of reason they still cannot get Negroes have increased their political influence by abandoning decent housing. their traditional Republican allegiance and becoming "fluid," This segregation has not been achieved by housing laws. ready to support the party that offers them the greatest benefits. Several attempts have been made to enforce segregation by means And in some cities, Negroes are coming to exercise important of zoning ordinances, but the Supreme Court has ruled that all political influence in local affairs. such ordinances are unconstitutional. Segregation has usually been maintained by informal social pressure or property agree ments which the courts have upheld. Few white property owners THE NEGRO AND COMMUNITY LIFE in white neighborhoods will even consider selling or renting to Negroes. Neighborhood associations often devote their energies IN addition to being poor and being denied a fair chance at an to keeping the Negroes out of white communities. Threats and education or in political life, Negroes suffer from many other violence are sometimes used if the more peaceful methods fail. handicaps. Although they have lived in this country since its The federal government has strengthened these segregation prac founding, they have been kept outside the main currents of Amer tices by its housing policies. The Federal Housing Administration ican life. They are Americans by birth, by citizenship, and in the extends credit to Negroes only if they build or buy in Negro social habits—more American than millions of white people of neighborhoods. Although the United States Housing Authority recent European origin. Yet most of them live apart from other has provided a considerable amount of low-cost housing to Americans; they attend their own churches; patronize their own Negroes, it has usually built separate projects for whites and stores; attend their own schools; have their own social and cul Negroes. Even where mixed projects were undertaken, they tural organizations; and, in many places, work at "Negro jobs." were forced by public opinion, except in one or two instances, to keep the Negroes at one end of the project and the whites Segregation at the other. This practice was later modified. Negroes and whites are kept apart from each other by a series of restrictions and taboos, some formal and legal but mostly Jim Crow and Other Practices informal and traditional. For example, the two rarely mingle Outside of housing, there is considerable difference between in the same part of town. This is true in the North as well as the South and the North in the extent to which Negroes are kept in the South. Since the Negroes have few social contacts with from mixing with whites. In the South, the race line is sharply whites, it seems almost natural for the Negroes to have their marked. Negroes, for example, are not permitted in most parks, own schools, churches, hospitals, stores, and playgrounds. And playgrounds, or libraries. Some Southern cities have special fa since the Negroes are poorer, on the average, than white people, cilities for Negroes but they are never quite so good as those pro it seems almost natural that they should live in a more dilapidated vided for whites. South of the Mason-Dixon line, Negroes are part of town, with fewer paved streets and fewer hospitals, schools, expected to travel in special Jim Crow railway coaches. Separate and playgrounds. waiting rooms are provided in the stations. In most of the South On top of this, the Negro sections of town are always over ern states, Negroes are also kept apart in street cars and busses. crowded. In the North, particularly, the Negro population has Negroes are ordinarily barred from white hotels, restaurants, grown much more rapidly than the areas in which they are places of amusement, and cemeteries. Some hospitals admit Negro encouraged to live. Because so few houses are available for them, patients, but they are kept in separate wards. And although there Negroes nearly always are compelled to pay much more than are Negro Baptists and Methodists, there is no mixing of the white families for a decent place to live, or else put up with much races in the Southern churches. 22 THE NEGRO IN AMERICA THE NEGRO IN AMERICA 23 Although there are no Jim Crow laws in the North, Negroes Actually, of course, the question is an idle one. Marriages are often barred from schools, parks, playgrounds, and other between Negro men and white women occur but rarely in the places of amusement by social pressure. Many stores, hotels, and United States. Mixed marriages are prohibited by law in all of restaurants refuse to serve Negroes unless someone threatens to the Southern states and all but five of the non-Southern states call in the police. In some cities the better-class stores are more west of the Mississippi. And there are few such marriages even likely to turn away Negroes than the cheaper ones. Churches in where they are allowed. It is true that many American "Negroes" the North do not prohibit Negroes or even keep them separate, are actually largely of white descent. But the mixing of the races but Negroes rarely feel welcome enough to wish to attend. The has been due almost entirely to white men taking an advantage Y.M.CA.'s ordinarily segregate Negroes even in the North, the of Negro women. Such relations have rarely involved marriage, reason usually given being that they are equipped with swimming and appear to be decreasing. Illicit sex relations between Negro pools. The Y.W.C.A. is somewhat more tolerant. men and white women are uncommon. Nevertheless, the Southerner's fear of intermarriage is a very Differences Bewildering to Negroes real thing. It accounts for many of the social restrictions placed Curious differences in the rules of segregation exist not only against Negroes. Negroes and whites practically never dance between the North and the South, but between cities both in the together, for example, in the South. Even in the North, Negro North and South. Many of these differences make no sense whatso students are usually expected to stay away from high school or ever and are bewildering to visiting Negroes. In some office college dances, or, if they attend, they dance with each other. buildings in Atlanta, for example, all Negroes must ride up in In many parts of the country Negroes are prohibited from using special Negro elevators, but they may come down in any of the public swimming pools or beaches when whites are present. Even cars. A federal office building in Nashville has separate rest rooms the shaking of hands is ruled out in the South, except for a for white and Negro employees, but the public rest rooms are servant's greeting his master. Eating together is also frowned on open to both races. The border states have harsher rules on some in many places. In the South it seems to be regarded as almost things than the South, while on others they are more lenient. as bad as intermarriage. Like the other barriers, this has broken In Washington, D. C, for example, theaters for whites are com down only to a slight extent. A Southern writer explains that pletely closed to Negroes, but libraries, public buildings, and parks "the table, simple though its fare may be, possesses the sanctity are open. The department stores in Baltimore or Washington are of an intimate social institution. To break bread together involves, much stricter about keeping Negroes out than those of the Deep or may involve, everything." South. In the North, Negroes are never quite sure how they will Even conversation between the races is, in the South, heavily be treated in a restaurant until they have tried it out. In Balti restricted by custom. Serious discussion is ruled out except as it more they are served in the restaurant at one railroad station; concerns business affairs. The only Negro men whom the ordinary in the other "they never try." Southern white woman is likely to have occasion to talk to are her servants—although she may interest herself in a certain amount Social Taboos of polite welfare work among the Negroes. The form of the The strongest forces keeping Negroes and whites apart, how conversation is of great importance. A Negro is expected to ad ever, are social. In the South the most powerful of all are those dress a white person by the title of "Mr.," "Mrs.," or "Miss." separating white women from Negro men. The desire to "protect" White men may be called "Boss," "Cap," or "Cap'n." But a white women from Negro men amounts to an obsession in the white person is expected to address a Negro by his first name, South. A discussion of the justice of "keeping the Negro in his or by such terms as "boy," "uncle," or "aunty." "Mr." and place" almost invariably ends by a Southerner asking heatedly: "Mrs." are practically never used by a white person in referring "Would you want your daughter to marry a nigger?" to a Negro unless it be by a salesman anxious to gain customers. THE NEGRO IN AMERICA 24 THE NEGRO IN AMERICA 25 A Negro is expected to beat about the bush and never to con In athletics, too, Negroes have won their full share of fame. tradict a white man or mention a delicate subject directly. Every sport fan is familiar with the names of Joe Louis and These restrictions on conversation are important because they Jack Johnson as heavyweight champions of the world. At the impose a very real barrier between the races. They keep each 1936 Olympic Games Jesse Owens won outstanding individual from knowing what the other is really thinking about. This honors. In his undergraduate days, Paul Robeson ranked among obviously has a bearing on the Southerners' idea that they "know" the football "greats" of the period. Negroes have been barred their Negroes. The North has no restriction on conversation, but from major league baseball, but many critics believe that some since the two races ordinarily live apart, they rarely have a of the Negro players could easily become stars. chance to get to know one another. Although we may search in vain for Negro Senators, Cabinet members, or state governors, this does not mean that the Negroes are lacking in statesmanlike qualities. It merely means that pro ARE NEGROES DIFFERENT? fessional politics is largely a white domain. For outstanding Negro statesmen we shall have to turn to the field of race leadership. If THE result of all this is that many white people think of the we include this field with politics, we may say that some of the Negro as "different." He is thought to be good only for unskilled most capable statesmen in the United States have been Negroes. work and wholly unfitted for leadership. Also many whites say This is certainly true of such men as Frederick Douglass, Booker that Negroes are not to be trusted, citing their high crime rates T. Washington, W. E. B. DuBois, and James Weldon Johnson. as evidence of supposed criminal tendencies. Careful examination Many of the younger Negro leaders of today are displaying shows both of these ideas to be wholly false. similar qualities of statesmanship.
Negro Achievements Crime and Negroes Despite the many restrictions placed upon them, Negroes have At the other end of the social scale, much emphasis has been achieved outstanding success in many fields. These achievements placed on the large number of Negro criminals. Many Ameri are naturally the greatest in the fields where Negroes have suf cans firmly believe that the Negro is a born criminal. They read fered the fewest handicaps, and the least in fields where they in their newspapers almost every day of crimes that were com have found little or no opportunity. For example, no Negro has mitted by Negroes. In fact, a large part, perhaps most, of the achieved fame in national, state, or local politics. Few have been news about Negroes in the papers, in both North and South, is outstanding in business. In both fields they suffer from tre about crime. This is partly due to the way that the papers handle mendous handicaps. In the field of entertainment, on the other news. When a Catholic, a German, or a Swede commits a crime, hand, many Negroes have made outstanding contributions. his religion or nationality is rarely mentioned. But when a Negro Among the ten highest paid concert artists in 1941, three were commits a crime, his race is usually stated in the headlines. Negroes—Marian Anderson, Dorothy Maynor, and Paul Robeson. Statistics can be quoted to "prove" that Negroes are much On the stage such famous actors and actresses as Todd Duncan, more likely to commit crime than whites. For example, there Paul Robeson, and Ethel Waters are Negroes. Many Negroes are more than three times as many Negroes in prisons and have achieved success as jazz band leaders and as dancers. Several reformatories, in proportion to the population, as there are native Negroes are well known as composers of light music, and at least whites. But what do these figures mean? Scientists have been one Negro has enjoyed success as a symphony orchestra con trying to find out for years, and as yet no one really knows. ductor. A number of Negroes have been highly successful in all Obviously, there are no statistics which reveal the amount of fields of literature. Among those best known to white readers are crime committed by the two races; what we have are figures on Langston Hughes and Richard Wright. arrests, convictions, and imprisonment—which are much smaller 26 THE NEGRO IN AMERICA THE NEGRO IN AMERICA 27 than the number of crimes committed. It would seem that Ne Gradually, however, a change has taken place. Although all groes are more likely to be arrested for crimes than whites. This Negro leaders must work with whites, the Negro leaders of today is particularly true in the South, where a crime committed by a have been more aggressive in fighting for full equality. Their Negro against a white person seldom goes unpunished, while protest has been gaining in strength since the early 1900's and crimes by whites against Negroes are likely to be overlooked. reached a climax in World War II. Some of the Negro "crimes" in the South are merely violations of Organizations segregation laws or "disorderly conduct," a term used to cover such things as failing to treat white persons with proper respect. The Negro's struggle has been led in recent years by three In the North, white criminals are more likely than Negroes to interracial organizations. Oldest of these is the National Associa have political "pull" protecting them from arrest and conviction. tion for the Advancement of Colored People, founded in 1909. And, finally, Negro criminals are arrested more frequently and It operates primarily in the field of civil liberties, being concerned sent to jail for longer terms, thus warping the crime statistics. with getting a vote for Negroes, protecting them against lynch Although no one can say so positively, it is quite possible ing, and safeguarding their legal rights. In this struggle it has won that Negroes do commit more crimes, proportionately, than many notable victories. It has been in the forefront of the battle whites. This would be expected from a sociological point of view. against the poll tax. Although often attacked by militant Negroes, Slavery brought about a low regard for human life. Assault and particularly in recent years, as being too cautious and conserva murder, although rarely premeditated, are more common among tive in its tactics, its achievements are undeniable. Negroes than among whites. Because of poverty and weak family The Urban League was founded in 1911 as a result of a bonds, prostitution seems to be more common among Negro merger of three older organizations. Its main aim has been to get women than among white women. Poverty and slum conditions, equal job opportunities, with equal pay for equal work, and an under which most city Negroes live, encourage the formation of equal chance for advancement. In this struggle the League has criminal gangs. In fact, white criminals often operate in the concerned itself with such things as the problems of education, Negro areas because slum areas are rarely well policed. Negro home and neighborhood, problems of youth, recreation, voca children brought up under such conditions have two strikes against tional guidance, housing, and welfare work. Local branches of the them before they come of age. Negroes are no more likely to League maintain employment agencies, day nurseries, child place be born criminals than whites, but their social handicaps are so ment agencies, clubs for boys and girls, neighborhood groups, great that it is a wonder that their crime record is as low as it parent-teacher associations, and study groups in trade unionism. appears to be. In many cities the League has worked closely with the trade unions in efforts to improve conditions for Negro workers. Al though it too has been criticized by extremists for being too THE NEGRO PROTEST timid, the League has rendered real service within its field. Operating solely within the South, the Commission on Inter FOR years most Negroes accepted the severe handicaps forced racial Cooperation has been concerned with breaking down the upon them because there seemed nothing else to do. In the South, barriers between the races and solving race problems so far as particularly, Negro leaders were largely men who "knew how possible from within. Its emphasis has been largely on research, to get along with whites." For years Uncle Tom was regarded as education, and publicity. But it has undertaken legal activities in the symbol of a good Negro who knew his place. Most Negroes, its fight against lynching and on behalf of the Negro's civil rights. desiring to avoid serious trouble, have been humble and sub And it made interracial work socially respectable in the South. servient in the presence of whites—regardless of how they may This organization has been replaced by the Southern Regional have felt. Council, which has a somewhat broader scope of activities. 29 28 THE NEGRO IN AMERICA THE NEGRO IN AMERICA pressure and perhaps even more because it was one of the few THE NEGRO AND WORLD WAR II ways of overcoming the desperate manpower shortage. Although the Negroes have supported the war to the fullest AMERICA'S entry into World War II greatly speeded up the of their ability and made a brilliant record on the battlefield, Negro's demand for equality and justice. This was largely be there has been a good deal of bitterness against the whites for cause of the nature of the war. Our enemies, both in Germany continued bars in industry and discrimination in the services. and Japan, gloried in a doctrine of racial superiority not unlike the old American doctrine of white supremacy. Both shocked Tension in the South the world by the persecution and oppression of what they con This growing militancy on the part of the Negro has alarmed sidered "inferior" peoples. In opposition, America and the other the South. The ordinary conservative white Southerner may feel United Nations have taken a stand for racial tolerance and uneasy about the treatment accorded the Negro, but he is far equality. from ready for a drastic change in his way of life. He is frightened The Negro was quick to see the inconsistency between what to find that the North is becoming interested in such things as we said we believed and our treatment of our own racial minori the poll tax, the all-white primary, and other injustices against ties. And Negro leaders were wise enough to see that this incon the Negro which he guards behind the doctrine of "states' rights." sistency could be used to advance their cause. The advocates of What is he supposed to do? he asks belligerently. Give up Jim racial superiority were placed on the defensive. The findings of Crow; allow a Negro to marry his daughter; build good schools science make it impossible for them to maintain, as they have for Negroes, though the schools are none too good for his own for years, that the Negro is a different species of man, meant children; punish the white violators of Negro rights, though they by the Creator to be a servant forever. They can no longer justify may otherwise be good citizens; relinquish white supremacy? Is logically the kind of treatment the Negro had been receiving. The he supposed to retreat from all "Southern traditions"? Wherever Negro also gained new bargaining power because he was needed he turns, he sees outside aggression. as never before in industry and the armed services. To make the situation worse, he can no longer seriously main tain that he alone "knows" the Negro. Recent studies made among The Fight for Job Equality young Negroes in the South show that close personal, friendly At first most employers kept their unwritten rules against the relations between whites and Negroes hardly ever exist. Jim use of Negroes as skilled workers in the war factories. But Negro Crow laws and the practices of segregation, much more enforced leaders began to demand that all bars be lowered and Negroes be than they were forty or fifty years ago, have raised barriers that granted the same rights as other Americans. One of them, are rarely crossed. Many Southern whites have shown signs of A. Philip Randolph, organized thousands of Negroes for a threat unbelievable panic, apparently believing that the Negro is about ened march on Washington if the right to job equality was not to rise in revolution. recognized. The President issued an Executive Order on Septem Their panic is aggravated by the knowledge that whites in the ber 3, 1941, forbidding discrimination in defense industries or North are moving in the opposite direction. As an individual, the the agencies of the federal government. A short time later he set Northerner still shows considerable prejudice against the Negro, up a Committee on Fair Employment Practice to "investigate especially when he is looking for a job or a home to live in. But complaints of discrimination in violation of the provisions of this as a citizen, the white Northerner is becoming prepared to give order and [to] take appropriate steps to redress grievances." Al the Negro a square deal, even to the extent of job equality. In though the committee never had sufficient funds or power to carry contrast to the South, almost everyone in the North is opposed out this directive, many firms have opened their doors to skilled to discrimination in general; at the same time, almost every Negro workers during the war—partly as a result of government Northerner practices discrimination in his own personal affairs. 30 THE NEGRO IN AMERICA THE NEGRO IN AMERICA 31
But the North will accept a change; the South insists that it will almost exactly the reverse order. They are interested, first of all, not. And the North has much more political power than the in equality of jobs and pay, and second, in their rights as Ameri South, for the South is itself a minority. can citizens. Contrary to the white belief, few, if any, Negroes are The impact of the war on the Negro has thus had the effect concerned about intermarriage, and the question of civil courte of increasing the tension between the North and the South. This NEGROES fact in itself would seem to make it essential for us to find a sies is of much less importance «"VA"TO^ REAR national rather than a sectional solution to the racial issues. than such things as decent schools, "WHITES I CAR Fortunately, the white South is not united in opposition to giving playgrounds, and housing. Seg the Negro a better chance in life. The South is changing rapidly. regation is not as burning an Southern liberalism is gaining, while the conservative Southerner issue as equality. is finding it increasingly difficult to square his belief in individual In view of the fact that the freedom and democracy with his treatment of the Negroes. Negro places the greatest store on those rights which the South Grounds for Hope ern white says he considers least If the white population shows a reasonable amount of good important, it would seem that .. .WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR All" will, there are solid grounds for believing that solution of the some basis of understanding , Negro-white problem can be reached. Much of the difficulty is could be achieved once the white man recognizes the need for it. due to misunderstanding arising out of the fact that the two groups rarely have an opportunity of talking matters out around America's Opportunity the table. When asked to rank, in order of importance, the types Behind its two protecting oceans, America has never bothered of discrimination they consider important, white Southerners much about its international reputation. Perhaps no other people usually list them in the following order: have cared less about what other people thought of them. So long as the United States was a second-rate power, it did not matter i. The ban on intermarriage and sex relations involving much. But now most Americans realize that our days of isola white women and colored men; tion are over. America is not only a part of the world, but it must, 2. The established etiquette governing personal relations be in view of its tremendous power, accept world leadership if peace tween individuals of the two races; is to be preserved. Our reputation is now of great importance. A 3. Segregation in the schools and churches; leader must have moral as well as commercial prestige if it is to 4. Segregation in hotels, restaurants, and theaters; have decisive influence. And none is watched so suspiciously as 5. Segregation in trains, street cars, and busses; the one that is rising to leadership. 6. Discrimination in public service; The treatment of the Negro is the greatest barrier to America's 7. Inequality in political rights; 8. Inequality before the law; moral leadership. It has been tremendously publicized. This is 9. Inequality in jobs and relief. particularly true in Asia where Japan has used our shortcomings as one of the main themes in its anti-American propaganda. But Thus, while white Southerners are completely opposed to inter it is also true in Europe, particularly in Soviet Russia. For its marriage, and strongly opposed to calling Negroes "Mr." and international prestige, power, and future security, America must "Mrs." or mixing with them socially, they say they do not object demonstrate to the world that its Negroes can be made part of so strongly to seeing them obtain job equality, or even their rights its democracy. as citizens of the United States. In a way, then, the Negro problem is not only America's This is hopeful because Negroes would rank their demands in greatest failure, but also its greatest opportunity. America has 32 THE NEGRO IN AMERICA ACTS are needed by thoughtful citizens in a democracy. a great moral tradition. It has always stood for equality, freedom, F But how is one to get at the facts? Here is a suggestion. and liberty. It has a great national experience in uniting racial Get the habit of reading Public Affairs Pamphlets. Nearly and cultural diversities. If it can show that justice, equality, and six million copies have been bought by people seeking facts. cooperation are possible between the white and black races, Dr. Have these summaries of millions of dollars worth of research Myrdal declares that "America's prestige and power would rise studies at your elbow on less than one foot of your book shelves! tremendously. . . . The century-old dream of American patriots, Special Offer that America should give the entire world its own freedoms and For $5 you can get all the Public Affairs Pamphlets in print its own faith, would come true. . . . And America would have (see back cover) and new ones as they appear each month, a spiritual power many times stronger than all her financial and to a total of 70. If you already have some of these pamphlets, military resources—the power of the trust and support of all good check the ones you want, and we'll extend your subscription people on earth." accordingly to the total of 70. Mail your order today. Simply write: "I want the Public Affairs Pamphlet Library" and mail us your check for $5. (Single pamphlets, 10c); FOR FURTHER READING The publication of the Public Affairs Pamphlets is ©ne of The Negro in American Life Series (prepared under the general the activities of the Public Affairs Committee, Inc., whose pur pose as expressed in its Constitution is "to make available in sum direction of Dr. Gunnar Myrdal, published by Harpers, mary and inexpensive form the results of research on economic New York, and sponsored by The Carnegie Corporation): and social problems to aid in the understanding and develop ment of American policy. The sole purpose of the Committee Herskovits, Melville J. The Myth of the Negro Past. 1941. $4 is educational. It has no economic or social program of its own Johnson, Charles S. Patterns of Negro Segregation. 1942. to promote." The members serve in a personal capacity and not as representatives of their respective organizations. Publi $3-50 cation of a pamphlet does not necessarily imply the Com Klineberg, Otto. Characteristics of the American Negro. mittee's approval of the statements or views contained in it. 1944. $4 THE COMMITTEE Myrdal, Gunnar. An American Dilemma. The Negro Prob Ordway Tead, Chairman Robert P. Lane lem and Modern Democracy. 1944. 2 vols. $7.50 Harry D. Gideonse, Vice Chairman. Francis P. Miller S. M. Keeny, Secretary Frieda S. Miller Sterner, Richard. The Negro's Share. 1943. $4-50 Beulah Amidon, Treasurer Felix Morley Earl Brown Thomas D. Rishworth Raymond Leslie Buell Walter R. Sharp Benedict, Ruth, and Weltfish, Gene. The Races of Mankind. William Trufont Foster Donald Slesinger Luther Gulicle George Souls Public Affairs Pamphlet No. 85. 1943. 10^ Erling M. Hunt Mark Starr Brown, Earl. Why Race Riots? Public Affairs Pamphlet No. 87. F. Ernest Johnson William T. Stone William H. Wells 1944. 10^ Harry W. Laidler Maxwell S. Stewart, Editor of the Pamphlet Series Brown, Earl, and Leighton, George R. The Negro and the War. Violet Edwards, Education and Promotion Public Affairs Pamphlet No. 71. 1942. 10^ Embree, Edwin R. Brown Americans. New York, Viking Press. All rights reserved. No part ot this pamphlet may be reproduced without per mission, except short passages of no more than 500 words in length which may 1943. $2.75 be quoted by a reviewer or commentator, with full credit io the Committee. For permission to use longer excerpts, write to the Public Affairs Committee, McWilliams, Carey. Brothers Under the Skin. New York, Little, Incorporated, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York 20, N. Y. Brown. 1943. $2.50 Northrup, Herbert. Organized Labor and the Negro. New York, First Edition, August, 1944 Harpers. $3.50
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For quantity rates and list of new titles write: PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, INC. 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York 20, N. Y. 35th ANNUAL REPORT of the NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE COPYRIGHT 1946 NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE
"What the Urban League means to the Negro com munity can best be understood by observing the dire need of its activity in cities where there is no local branch. The League fills such an unquestionable and eminently useful community need that—were it not for the peculiar American danger of corruption and undue influence when something becomes 'political'—it is obvious that the activity should be financed, and financed much more generously, from the public purse: by the city, the state and the federal government. . , . World Brotherhood — Urban League Representative Carries Stars and Stripes at "There are few informed persons in America, among either an International Youth Conference, London, England. whites or Negroes, who do not appreciate the social service work done by the League. . . ." was the thirty-fifth year of the National Urban League's existence. During that period, the . . . AN AMERICAN DILEMMA: League has participated in two World Wars. The Negro Problem and Modern Democracy 1945 It has experienced the most serious depression by Gunnar Myrdal in modern history. It has witnessed a spectacular and disastrous post 1944 war boom, and now stands on the threshold of tomorrow's world. Thirty-five years have seen a steady migration of the Negro popula tion from rural areas into industrial centers, and from southern into northern and western regions. Recurrent periods of acute racial tension have been noted; racial conflict has flared up and died away; racial hostility has been manifested in sporadic and formally organized Quotations used throughout this report are from a movements among both white and Negro citizens; prophets of despair 1945 publication of the National Urban League: and hope have sounded alternately ominous and inspiring messages on ... 7*o the Unfinished Struggle. the subject of race relations. And during all of this, in the midst of Photographs in this report were contributed to the social ferment and economic change, the status of Negroes as American National Urban League. Reproduction by special citizens has steadily improved. permission: page 3, Krongold, London, reprinted from SEVENTEEN Magazine; page 20, official The League's working formula is so simple that its real significance U. S. Navy photograph; page 22, Scurlock, Wash and effectiveness are often overlooked. That formula consists in arous ington, D. C. ing the active interest of people in social problems which grow out of racial contacts and differences; exploring and analyzing the underlying facts and devising means of using them; developing cooperative team work among interracial leaders and thus contributing to the solution of those social problems and elimination of racial hostility. Always its sights have been raised above the plane of interracial tensions to the best interests of the community, the state and the nation. In applying this formula, the National Urban League has had the benefit of certain definite and peculiar advantages. In the first place, it is a national movement with autonomously operated local affiliates in 54 cities in 27 states. In these cities a total of nearly three million Negroes live, representing 45 percent of the urban Negro population of the country. In the second place, the League is interracially directed, with white and Negro leaders of many interests serving on the boards and committees of the parent organization and each of its 54 local affiliates. In the third place, the agency's social service function and its use of full-time employed professional staff provide information and techniques to make the League's program effective. Thus a broad base is provided for responsible white and Negro citizens to work together toward a common goal in the interest of the whole community. Of course the League has greatly changed during its 35 years of Planning Together for Equal Economic Opportunity. existence. Changing times require modification of methods and ap proaches. While in philosophy and objectives, the Urban League move "Only occasionally does the average American citizen realize ment today remains what it was in 1910, the expression of that how greatly the face of 'our national society has changed philosophy and the approach to those objectives reflect the changing during these exciting war years." times. Thus, board and committee memberships are differently consti tuted and draw strength from wider areas of community interest. Staff THE SITUATION which faced the National Urban League during members, graduates of the nation's outstanding universities and schools 1945 was a continuation and intensification of what had begun to of social work, bring new skills and new social outlook to the move develop in 1941. The war had scattered three-quarters of a million ment. Negro workers with their families far and wide across the country. This report is a story of Urban League effort and accomplishments Uprooted from their old homes, and rootless in their new communities, in 1945. It is also a record of effort and failure in areas of need still these families were frequently without guidance resources. They had unmet. It is a long step from the first Urban League budget of $2,500 no group homogeneity, and no sense of belonging to their new com in 1911, to the present expenditures of more than a million dollars in munities. More than a million Negro young men and women had local and national programs throughout the country. This growth in been called to serve in the armed forces and nearly a half of these voluntary support is in itself an estimate of the value placed by the had been dispatched to battlefronts and supply bases the world over. American public on the services rendered by the League movement. As The shadow of the 1943 race riots still lingered over hundreds of we look toward the year 1946, our failures will cause us to redouble communities, even those in which no actual outbreaks had taken place. our efforts to reach those objectives which remain still unachieved. And Racial rumor factories were busy manufacturing ugly tales and coun- our accomplishments will give us the courage to strive for even greater tertales of plots hatched among either the white or the Negro popula things. WILLIAM H. BALDWIN, tion. In spite of active governmental efforts, and sometimes because April 1946. President, of the indifference of government officials, racial discrimination still persisted in wartime programs of industry, housing, and public services. organization. In Portland, San Francisco and Gary, Leagues were Notwithstanding an increase of public concern in the subject, and created under sponsorship of local Community Chests after local sur the organization of numerous "interracial committees" in cities which veys had revealed the need for Urban League programs. In New Bruns had been formerly complacent about the state of race relations, the wick, the Urban League grew out of a Service Council which had been typical American community found itself without adequate knowledge functioning for a little more than a year. In Fort Worth, it was the of racial conditions as they actually were and without a realistic plan driving interest of Negro citizens which enlisted the assistance of for meeting those conditions. white supporters and resulted in the reorganization of a small social In this whole picture, the National Urban League moved with agency into an Urban League affiliate. increased efficiency and activity made possible by an expanded budget and staff. While the total expenditures of the local affiliates for 1944 "There has been an increase of community problems, such as were $897,759.39; and for 1945 were $924,080.36; the expendi population congestion, juvenile delinquency and breakdown tures of the National Office increased from $98,691.40 in 1944 to of essential public services. There have been losses in $149,314.64 in 1945. standards of community life and municipal and state govern ment. Acrimonious relationships have developed between various groups in our national population . . . There has been a breakdown in the services of social agencies in many com "There are signs throughout the country that an increasing munities where tens of thousands of persons sorely in need number of our citizens of all races, creeds and social back of special aid and advice have been thrust one upon the other, grounds are realizing the chance that we have, and our obliga literally bursting the seams of the community's structure." tion to seize the chance, to rebuild inter-group relations The community The Community Relations Project for Interracial Social within this country just as we are planning assiduously to re Relations Project planning, initiated in September 1944, moved into build international relations." for interracia £UJJ 0peratjon jn 1945 as a pioneering activity in race Expansion The National Urban League's thirty-five years of ex- the relations. An initial grant of $35,000 from the Gen °' perience were invested profitably in new areas of great eral Education Board made possible the beginning of this project, Urban League neecj anj -m ^ formuiatlon 0f new techniques in areas which secured the cooperation and participation of fourteen national where the program was already established. Approxi social work agencies.(*) Introduced during the year in New London, mately 100 American cities turned to the League for guidance and Connecticut; Gary, Indiana; Dayton, Ohio; Houston, Texas; Oklahoma assistance through requests from municipal officials, directors of social City and Tulsa, Oklahoma; and St. Petersburg, Florida, the project agencies, and civic groups. In five of these cities new Urban Leagues represents a new and exceptional technique in combining professional were established or negotiations begun in 1944 were completed: Port social work procedures with positive action in race relations. The local land, Oregon; San Francisco, California; Fort Worth, Texas; New Council of Social Agencies in the host city works with the National Brunswick, New Jersey; and Gary, Indiana. In some cities, volunteer Urban League in organizing an advisory and sponsoring committee of Service Councils were set up or aided. In others, scientific social sur white and Negro citizens. Research workers provided by the League, veys and consultant services were made available through the League's with the assistance of this committee, begin the survey and study of Community Relations Project. Communities which did not wish to, local conditions affecting race relations and Negro welfare. or could not avail themselves of these services, profited from field visits by League staff members, or received guidance through corre ( * ) American Public Welfare Association National Federation of Settlements spondence, or otherwise benefited from the League's counsel. Last, American War-Community Services National Health Council Boy Scouts of America National Organization for Public Health but not least, the 54 local Urban Leagues were brought closer together Child Welfare League of America Community Chests and Councils Nursing into a better-coordinated movement. Family Welfare Association of America National Probation Association The establishment of new Urban League affiliates during 1945 Girl Scouts National Tuberculosis Association furnishes an interesting study in contrasting methods of community National Committee on Housing National Committee for Mental Hygiene 7' After the Advisory Committee has studied and adopted the findings of the project's results. The League's Executive Secretary was appointed and recommendations of the study, the city is next visited by a "spe on November 1. He immediately brought together for a series of dis cialist team" provided by the League. Serving as consultants in the cussions the student leaders of both racial factions in the strike situation. fields of employment, housing, public health, social case work and The parents of these students were also brought into conferences in the League offices. At the time when the public was anticipating a recreation and group work, these specialists spend several weeks with • second strike, and when intense agitation was being carried on to this directors of social agencies, municipal officials, heads of civic organiza end by adult as well as youth spokesmen, the Urban League was tions and leaders of labor and industry, advising them on ways in impressing upon these student leaders their responsibility for building which the recommendations of the study can actually be put into effect. citizenship standards in Gary by demonstrating that young people For example, in the city of Gary, Indiana, the study revealed serious could study and play together harmoniously. The outcome, several racial tensions in a large junior high school attended by white and months later, was a pledge by these youth leaders to reconcile their Negro pupils and forecast a racial outbreak of some kind. Steps were differences. suggested to eliminate the sources of these tensions, and forestall such an outbreak. Unfortunately, before these suggestions were carried out, The pledge stated: a strike by white students occurred in mid-September. This strike was "We accept the thinking diat the strike procedure is undesirable and inap highly publicized throughout the nation. The white students demanded plicable ro problems developed in school situations. Strikes encourage ani mosity, friction and unfavorable relations among students, teachers and transfer of Negro pupils from the school. The strike ended the latter citizens. part of October when the Gary Board of Education denied the strikers' "We, therefore, pledge no support of further school strikes. demands, re-instated the principal, and ordered the students back to "We believe a satisfactory solution of all problems at Froebel School can their classrooms. be effected through an organization composed of representative parents, In the meantime, the Gary Urban League was established as one teachers, students and area citizens. We pledge our support of such a group now being formed at Froebel School. Further, we express our confidence in its ability to cope with current questions. "We are firmly convinced the Froebel question is not completely isolated in all aspects, but is also definitely involved in city-wide educational prac tices in Gary. "We strongly urge the Board of Education of the City of Gary to issue a statement of policy providing for the enrollment of all students, regardless of race, creed or color, to attend whatever school is located in the zone of their residence. "Further, we urge that complete facilities, activities, clubs, and programs of all schools be made available to all students. "Finally, to all Gary, we say, begin now to live the American way of life— by deed rather than by word. Signed, STUDENTS' COMMITTEE. "At the offices of the Urban League of Gary, March 2, 1946." In some ways this was the most dramatic result of the project's work in Gary. In addition, the executive boards of eleven locals of the United Steel Workers of America (CIO) adopted a resolution calling for the employment of Negroes as plant supervisors, their acceptance as apprentices for all trades and crafts, and their admission to jobs from which they had previously been barred. Since this union covered the bulk of Negro employment in the city, its action played a great "We Say . . . Live the American Way of Life
a part in protecting and improving postwar job opportunities for Negroes in southern and border states. The National Negro Business League, in the steel industry. the United States Department of Commerce, and twenty outstanding Further, health aspects of the project's study showed not only a Negro colleges and universities cooperated in the study. (*) The final poor health picture for the Negro population, but also a seriously report of the study is now being completed. A preliminary report inadequate public health program for the entire city. On the basis of described the number and size of typical Negro businesses and some of the weaknesses in business management. It revealed the extent this study, the city health department prepared a budget for 1945-46 to which trained leadership is used or available, the fields in which which nearly doubled that for 1944-45. Negro businessmen can hope to engage profitably during the postwar In each of the other cities where the project has been developed, period, and the improvements which should be made in college business a new community determination to eradicate social and economic courses in order to provide capable leadership. The final report will have inequalities has been evident. Results of the project vary from city a helpful effect on the business curricula of Negro colleges and on the to city but they present an over-all pattern of progress which affirms management of business enterprises. It should, therefore, be an aid to the practical and constructive approach of the Urban League program. the new Negro businessman, especially the veteran, during the next few years. "This is a day of social pioneering, and our country needs every hopeful technique, every possible experiment in race relations to help establish the truth of American living in every American community" "Negro young people must prepare themselves at this moment for participation in the struggle for democracy—which will The Department The Department of Research and Community Projects stretch far beyond the war years, for decade after decade into of Research which directs and supervises the Community Relations the future." and community project was responsible also for a series of other study- Fellowships The Executive Board continued the League's thirty-year ro;eets action achievements: (1) a survey of the needs of the practice of providing fellowships for professional study in the field of Negro population in Evanston, Illinois, conducted at the request of social work. Funds were allocated for the second year of study at the the local Council of Social Agencies; (2) a re-evaluation of the New York School of Social Work, Columbia University and at the program of the Brough Community Association, League affiliate in Graduate School of Applied Social Sciences, University of Pittsburgh. Grand Rapids, Michigan, directed also for the local Council of Social The League now has made 103 such awards, the recipients of which Agencies; (3) a review of recreational needs and programs among have made notable contributions to interracial progress and community the Negro population of Tulsa, Oklahoma, to serve as a basis for a welfare. Two new fellowships were awarded during 1945, one for program in the process of being established by the Carver Fund of study at the New York School of Social Work, and one at Teachers that city. College, Columbia University—the latter for work in vocational guid The department furnished answers for 1,011 requests for informa ance and personnel administration, with special reference to veterans. tion on Negro life. This gives some idea of the extensive activities which characterized this particular phase of the National Urban ( * ) Atlanta University Louisville Municipal College League's usefulness. Clark College Morehouse College Dillard University Morgan State College Fisk University Morris Brown College Georgia State College North Carolina College for Negroes The Study of A study of Negro-owned business was conducted Hampton Institute Spelman College Houston College for Negroes Business and Tennessee A. and I. State College jointly by Atlanta University and the National Urban Howard University Virginia State College Business Education League, through a grant from the General Education LeMoyne College Virginia Union University Among Negroes Board. With headquarters in Atlanta and a joint Lincoln University (Mo.) Wilberforce University University-Urban League staff, the study included twelve typical cities
10 11 conferences with management officials in many of these corporations was begun in which wartime experiences with Negro workers were reviewed and postwar employment opportunities were considered. Be tween August and the end of December, 58 such corporations were reached by League staff, these employing 150,000 Negro workers at the peak of war production. Of these 58 corporations, only 6 predicted a substantial decline in the number of Negro workers on their pay rolls; the remaining 52 stated that the displaced workers would be re employed, as needed, when plants returned to normal production. In addition, through the direct activities of local affiliates, the entire League movement was in contact with more than 1,000 industrial plants within two weeks after V-J Day. Another consultative activity of the Industrial Relations Depart ment was carried on with major international unions. Worker seniority was recognized as an important factor in the job tenure of Negroes, and the 17 international unions interviewed indicated that they recog-
"We Worked for Full Production in Wartime.'
"A great stride forward has been taken in the matter of employment. For the first time in the history of the nation, free Negro American workers are employed at a great spread of skills throughout almost the whole of American industry, and a demonstration has been made that the ability of the worker bears no relationship to his race." The Prior to the end of hostilities in the Pacific in August, Industrial the League's industrial relations program centered around Relations Department the adjustment of Negro workers in war industries. V-J Day shifted that center to the placement of Negro wage- earners in postwar industry and their protection during the period of reconversion. Immediately after the official announcement of V-J Day, the Industrial Relations Department made public a report on the number of Negro workers displaced in war industries in 49 strategic industrial centers. A complete file was prepared of large multi-plant corporations which had been engaged in war production. A series of . . . and Our Skills are Ready for Peacetime Production."
12 13 nized the problem and were prepared to deal with it in such fashion themselves and Negro civic organizations. He served as discussion as to protect the interests of their Negro members. In some cases, League leader in conferences on postwar employment for Negro war workers staff members acted as spokesmen for groups of Negro workers who and veterans sponsored separately by Morehouse College in Atlanta, had grievances against union leadership, and in other cases assisted Georgia, Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana, and North unions in explaining to Negro workers issues on which these members Carolina College for Negroes at Durham. He made recommendations were inadequately informed regarding union rules and policies. to these institutions for curricula changes—adjustments which would Urban League representatives served as discussion leaders at a provide veterans with a wider range of choice in selecting training number of labor education conferences, such as those held in Detroit, for their future careers. Vocational schools and the trade departments Michigan; Newark and Trenton, New Jersey; Philadelphia, Pennsyl of colleges were urged to reorganize their courses and to renovate and vania; Akron and Cleveland, Ohio; Albany, New York; and New York modernize their equipment in light of new employment trends. City. In each of these conferences the union's responsibility was clearly The first two issues of the League's Industrial Relations News Letter outlined for safeguarding the Negro worker's postwar job opportunities. were issued. The first—Absenteeism and the Negro Worker—was pre Special attention was given to the programs of the Veterans' Admin pared early in the year, and 6,000 copies were distributed among key istration and the Veterans' Employment Service. Frequent conferences personnel officers in war plants, labor leaders, Negro organizations, and were held by the Director of Industrial Relations with key federal government officials. The second—How Not to Discriminate Against officials such as the Administrator of the Veterans' Administration, the Workers Because of Race, Color, Religion or National Origin—ap• Director of the Veterans' Employment Service, and the Executive peared after V-J Day and was widely acclaimed as one of the most Director of the United States Employment Service. In none of these comprehensive publications on the subject. This news letter was re instances were the results of the discussion satisfactory to the League printed by the Dartnell Industrial Relations Service, a commercial or adequate to protect the interests of Negro veterans. management agency in Chicago, for distribution among its subscribers. The United States Employment Service, in formulating postwar New industrial departments were created in several local Leagues, programs for minority group job seekers, made use of a memorandum and in others additional staff added to existing departments. In all, prepared by the Industrial Relations Department. A similar document fourteen new industrial posts were thereby created. This development was prepared at the request of the Veterans' Administration for use in in itself is an indication of a healthy growth in the Urban League move meeting the needs of Negro veterans. However, the lack of effective ment, especially in this important League function. The fruits of this controls over local United States Employment Service offices by the expansion are to be noted in the service which the League performs as federal government, and the lack of understanding and an intelligent an effective instrument for the promotion of industrial peace; as an policy in the Veterans' Administration on the question of Negro vet interpreter of the Negro worker's needs and attitudes to labor and man erans, made it quite clear that the Urban League and every other inter agement; and as a supporter of wise leadership- in both fields affecting ested agency must continue to face for some time to come, the problems the interests of Negro employees. More and more, local and national resulting from the unmet needs of Negro veterans. The League pro League industrial staff members are being regarded as valuable adjuncts tested strongly against the Veterans' Administration's plan for estab to the councils of community leadership, as economic problems of the lishing segregated veterans' hospitals for Negroes in the deep South. Negro population press more and more heavily for the community's It pointed out the absence of Negroes in any policy-making and plan attention. ning capacity in the Administration. It recounted the lamentable racial record of the past administration of this agency, and registered strong opposition against a tendency to carry over into the new administration the errors of the old. Nor was attention directed solelv toward the responsibilities of O.O management, labor and government. The Director of the Department traveled widely throughout the country consulting with Negro workers
14 15 discharge and counseling of Negro servicemen, another start member
"We Study and Learn Together to Forge the Weapons of Peace." may be in Memphis, Tennessee, discussing with USES officials the absence of Negro staff members in the employment service there. Still "When we speak of the need for protecting our youth of others may be found in Detroit, Michigan, advising with auto union tomorrow, we are inevitably brought face to face with the officials on seniority rights of Negro members; in Louisville, Kentucky, fact that they are the youth of our so-called minority groups talking with local leadership about the need for increased League staff, who have the least protection in today's chaotic situation and who are most apt to show high incidences of delinquent be or in San Francisco, California, helping to inaugurate a new Urban havior. And so, as we plan for the re-employment of war League program. workers, civilian adjustment of discharged veterans, and a As these calls multiplied in number and complexity, it became fuller life for our youth of today and tomorrow, we are plan necessary to eSect some coordination of the services provided in response ning in behalf of such minority groups" to them. Thus, during the fall of 1945, an office of Field Services was Education For sixteen years the National Urban League has been a established with a director responsible for planning and coordinating services major force in promoting vocational guidance and training field activities to provide greatest efficiency and usefulness. It is this for in-school and out-of-school youth and for young Negro workers. In office which provides guidance for the Service Councils of the National pursuance of this program, the League has sponsored thirteen annual Urban League. These Councils are volunteer groups concerned with Vocational Opportunity Campaigns (VOC) during which the atten problems of race relations, and working in cooperation with the League. tion of the American public has been drawn to the need for providing They are formed in communities not in a position to support, or having better training facilities for Negro youth and encouraging them to take no demonstrated need for a professionally-staffed affiliate. The office advantage of these facilities. In anticipation of the postwar needs of of Field Services also establishes priority of need as competing requests young men and women returning from the services and those still in for services are made, calls attention to unserved areas of need and schools and colleges, the National Urban League established during arranges for these needs to be answered as rapidly as possible. The 1945 an office of Education Services. That office is prepared to direct various staff members of the National Office have made 140 official even more effective Vocational Opportunity Campaigns in the future, field visits to League affiliates and Service Councils during 1945.
16 17 1946 APPEAL NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE FORM OF BEQUEST 1133 Broadway NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE New York 10, New York 1133 Broadway New York 10, New York Date-
Here is my check for $ to support the work of the Date NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE. I hereby give, devise and bequeath to the NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE, a Here is my pledge for $ ..to support the work of the corporation existing and operating under the laws of the State of New York, NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE. Pledge payable... the sum of $ (dates) Name.. Name.. (signature) (please print) Street., Street. City. Zone. State. City.. ..Zone.. ..State... Contributions to the National Urban League are deductible for income tax Contributions to the NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE are deductible to the purposes. I extent provided by law. Please make check payable to: NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE
discharge and counseling of Negro servicemen, another staff member
"We Study and Learn Together to Forge the Weapons of Peace." may be in Memphis, Tennessee, discussing with USES officials the absence of Negro staff members in the employment service there. Still "When we speak of the need for protecting our youth of others may be found in Detroit, Michigan, advising with auto union tomorrow, we are inevitably brought face to face with the officials on seniority rights of Negro members; in Louisville, Kentucky, fact that they are the youth of our so-called minority groups talking with local leadership about the need for increased League staff, who have the least protection in today's chaotic situation and who are most apt to show high incidences of delinquent be or in San Francisco, California, helping to inaugurate a new Urban havior. And so, as we plan for the re-employment of war League program. workers, civilian adjustment of discharged veterans, and a As these calls multiplied in number and complexity, it became fuller life for our youth of today and tomorrow, we are plan necessary to effect some coordination of the services provided in response ning in behalf of such minority groups." to them. Thus, during the fall of 1945, an office of Field Services was Education For sixteen years the National Urban League has been a established with a director responsible for planning and coordinating Services major force in promoting vocational guidance and training field activities to provide greatest efficiency and usefulness. It is this for in-school and out-of-school youth and for young Negro workers. In office which provides guidance for the Service Councils of the National pursuance of this program, the League has sponsored thirteen annual Urban League. These Councils are volunteer groups concerned with Vocational Opportunity Campaigns (VOC) during which the atten problems of race relations, and working in cooperation with the League. tion of the American public has been drawn to the need for providing They are formed in communities not in a position to support, or having better training facilities for Negro youth and encouraging them to take no demonstrated need for a professionally-staffed affiliate. The office advantage of these facilities. In anticipation of the postwar needs of of Field Services also establishes priority of need as competing requests young men and women returning from the services and those still in I for services are made, calls attention to unserved areas of need and schools and colleges, the National Urban League established during arranges for these needs to be answered as rapidly as possible. The 1945 an office of Education Services. That office is prepared to direct various staff members of the National Office have made 140 official even more effective Vocational Opportunity Campaigns in the future, field visits to League affiliates and Service Councils during 1945.
16 17 and also to give year-round service and advice to social and civic organ izations and educational institutions working with Negro youth. Work in this connection was carried on during the fall with schools and col leges throughout the country, and especially Negro institutions in southern states. Cooperative activities have also been undertaken with the National Education Association, the American Teachers' Associa tion, and the American Council on Education.
"Some local groups, desiring leadership or national affilia tion, turn to the National Urban League, with its emphasis on the social welfare of Negroes and social work techniques." Field It is obvious that a great deal of field service is a part of the services Urban League's program. Each local affiliate must be visited as often as possible, and non-League cities seek help frequently. On-the- spot advice must be given on racial problems in cities many hundred miles apart. While one staff member is sitting in conference with Wat- Department officials in Washington on questions connected with the discharge and counseling of Negro servicemen, another staff member
"We Study and Learn Together to Forge the Weapons of Peace." may be in Memphis, Tennessee, discussing with USES officials the absence of Negro staff members in the employment service there. Still "When we speak of the need for protecting our youth of others may be found in Detroit, Michigan, advising with auto union tomorrow, we are inevitably brought face to face with the officials on seniority rights of Negro members; in Louisville, Kentucky, fact that they are the youth of our so-called minority groups talking with local leadership about the need for increased League staff, who have the least protection in today's chaotic situation and who are most apt to show high incidences of delinquent be or in San Francisco, California, helping to inaugurate a new Urban havior. And so, as we plan for the re-employment of war League program. workers, civilian adjustment of discharged veterans, and a As these calls multiplied in number and complexity, it became fuller life for our youth of today and tomorrow, we are plan necessary to effect some coordination of the services provided in response ning in behalf of such minority groups." to them. Thus, during the fall of 1945, an office of Field Services was Education For sixteen years the National Urban League has been a established with a director responsible for planning and coordinating Services major force in promoting vocational guidance and training field activities to provide greatest efficiency and usefulness. It is this for in-school and out-of-school youth and for young Negro workers. In office which provides guidance for the Service Councils of the National pursuance of this program, the League has sponsored thirteen annual Urban League. These Councils are volunteer groups concerned with Vocational Opportunity Campaigns (VOC) during which the atten problems of race relations, and working in cooperation with the League. tion of the American public has been drawn to the need for providing They are formed in communities not in a position to support, or having better training facilities for Negro youth and encouraging them to take no demonstrated need for a professionally-staffed affiliate. The office advantage of these facilities. In anticipation of the postwar needs of of Field Services also establishes priority of need as competing requests young men and women returning from the services and those still in for services are made, calls attention to unserved areas of need and schools and colleges, the National Urban League established during arranges for these needs to be answered as rapidly as possible. The 1945 an office of Education Services. That office is prepared to direct various staff members of the National Office have made 140 official even more effective Vocational Opportunity Campaigns in the future, field visits to League affiliates and Service Councils during 1945.
16 17 The Urban League Movement is Nation-Wide. Urban League affiliates are to be found in 54 cities in 27 states and the District of Columbia as follows: Guest Speaker and Delegates at Urban League Annual Conference. STATES Arizona Kentucky New York Arkansas Louisiana Ohio California Maryland Oregon "The problem of inter-group conflict in America will be well Connecticut Massachusetts Pennsylvania Rhode Island on the way to solution when a sufficient number of individual District of Co lumbia Michigan Tennessee Florida Minnesota Texas citizens and groups of citizens become enough concerned Georgia Missouri Virginia about it to sit down together and find the main conflict points Illinois Nebraska Washington Indiana New Jersey Wisconsin and work honestly and courageously to eliminate them!' CITIES Akron Gary Philadelphia Albany Grand Rapids Phoenix Southern Field Anderson Kansas City Pittsburgh Since 1918, the National Urban League has centralized Atlanta Lincoln Portland Division Baltimore Little Rock Providence its program in the southern states in the office of a Boston Los Angeles Richmond Buffalo Louisville St, Louis Southern Field Division with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. This Canton Marion St. Paul Chicago MassiJlon San Francisco office, with the active assistance of strong local interracial groups, super Cincinnati Memphis Seattle Cleveland Miami Springfield (111.) vises the work of League affiliates in seven states. Since 1943 staff Columbus Milwaukee Springfield (Mass.) Detroit Minneapolis Tampa direction of the southern field office has experienced several changes. Elizabeth New Brunswick Toledo Englewood New Orleans Warren The long-time Director who resigned in 1943 was succeeded by a tem Flint New York Washington Fort Wayne Newark Waterbury porary appointee who left in 1944 to assume supervision of the study Fort Worth Omaha White Plains of Negro business. Later, a new Director was appointed* a fellow of Service Councils are located in: Chester, Pennsylvania Middletown, Ohio the National Urban League and former Executive Secretary of the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Morristown, New Jersey Hartford, Connecticut Pine Bluff, Arkansas Atlanta Urban League. The Southern Field Division, with a greatly In dianapc lis, Indiana Wilmington, Delaware accelerated program, suffered a disastrous setback when illness prompted Surveys have been made by the Community Relations Project in the following cities: Dayton, Ohio Houston, Texas the resignation of the Director during the fall of the year. Gary, Indiana , St. Petersburg, Florida Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Tulsa, Oklahoma During the year, a number of important accomplishments were New London, Connecticut 18 19 credited to this office. One was completion of the organization of the Fort Worth Urban League, the first affiliate in Texas. Another was the stimulation of interest in a number of southern communities in the League's program, and tentative steps toward organization of affiliates. Through this field activity several southern cities were encouraged to act as hosts to the Community Relations Project, and the National Office received requests for various kinds of assistance from other cities. The Southern Field Director attended and led a number of conferences on the subject of race relations, job opportunities, and veteran readjustment. From such cities as Dallas and Houston, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; New Orleans, Louisiana, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, expressions of acknowl edgment were received by the National Office testifying to the wise and inspiring leadership exerted by the Director of the Southern Field Division.
"Democracy, like peace, is something that has to be worked at. Just as we cannot have enduring peace by simply wishing it, so we cannot have a democracy worthy of the name without everlastingly devoting ourselves to improving it." Navy's Highest Civilian Award Bestowed on League's Executive Secretary. Distinguished On several occasions high-ranking federal officials have Awards to given signal recognition of the services which govern- League ment agencies have received from the Urban League. Navy's highest civilian award, the Distinguished Civilian Service Award, The Secretary of the Navy in the spring of 1945 re presented by the Secretary of the Navy, which said in part: quested the League's Executive Board to make its Executive Secretary ". . . Courageous and fair in criticism, honest and temperate in praise, Mr. available to the Navy Department to serve as Special Advisor to the Granger has performed a delicate and important task in a manner deserving Secretary of the Navy to observe, evaluate and recommend improve of the Navy's highest civilian award." ments in the Navy's practices in assignment and command of Negro personnel. The League's Executive Secretary was asked to visit naval The Industrial Relations Director was similarly commended by the installations in continental United States and in the Pacific Ocean area, Selective Service System when he was awarded the Selective Service observing the extent to which the recent policy revisions had become Medal authorized by Congress. The award was made: effective and making recommendations to improve the morale, the ". . . for the significant contribution which you have made to the operation opportunities and performance of Negroes in naval service. of the Selective Service System by making yourself available for continuous The League's executive completed more than 40,000 miles of air consultations regarding occupational and employment matters concerning travel in a series of missions that reached 67 naval activities. He talked Negro veterans, and for the Urban League studies of Negro employment face-to-face with approximately 10,000 Negro enlisted men and their which have helped the Selective Service System to understand the occupa tional and employment problems of Negro veterans . . ." officers and conferred with ranking Navy officials in Washington and the Pacific area. His reports included commendation of progress made, Other federal agencies which have made similar acknowledgment criticism of failures and analysis of weaknesses revealed, and recom of League services were the Office of Price Administration, the National mendations for further adjustments in the Navy's racial practice. Housing Agency, the War Department, the War Manpower Commis Upon completion of this assignment, he was honored with the sion, and the President's Committee on Fair Employment Practice.
20 21 NEGRO SURVEYlUrban League Manages Real Estate IS PRj^NTEDJUllJT^gue New YorkJ^oeriment l (Urbon Leoguigue OfferOtters Fif«/ ^^W/p,"Wie/ln., „. * **>-^^~^=ZZ^.^ . jj^fV, Point Prog•ogroi m to Solv##_ • 0G Of /\T ^^ Problems
A proposed solution to lems of Tulsa's Negroes to the renn-KPnl.ftt.Ivp of th; *>«it NEW YORK Hetalb ^Tribune egro Workers Making Good ian. ague Survey Shows firing and the Si the production te with lUy, April A* *
Working Togcltirr Sh°u/c > Never were Ihe sane coj interracial co-oper; \iv Urban Leagues between Negroi war-production u—.- -. recognition of trft \\V\w gazette. democratic IdealW$^TMMs ft u* -^"^»uo^* ill practices. There Isl . ,&fnl» **° .* * *\^M HOUSIM The Work of Ihe Urban League. The Urban League of Greater LI the demand for ^lUrt>^* ^ **\ e\s "•Fo r Hegroes Utgett J iQr &** - - ,\.f" ie Rock, which is affiliated with tr ,v r1 Jobs. The leagues o^ ft0*e -^kmal Urban League, operates as They work to seci M«?'ffi.*i3< v«/}y .^(^service organization lor N opportunities to earn a *//\ ^^ft^he national body does, bi other citizens. They s ,»<- \f - Hve-ponp €* //» ^L wy for better undr [>>y. ^V^.^^fc>r Inter racial co-oper Ind declaredj *A. *Z&rf^%jroblems which mt h vo/_ v/i-. National Selective Service Award Given to Industrial Relations Director. ieekE(iuitab]el,ta,i5« UAL, :« H2 Chicago Urban Lei RaceRelati<4 »S@d TSSttfiBfive-year n™.., _* J- has begun a UrbanLeagueSaysNegi F education fori Veterans Resent "Security cannot be attained without harmonious understand to,;'Second Clu_ t\V' ing and healthy respect developed between Americans on the ^ [©h* •nd'lhe/futurenj^ n » *_ !S5S sm \> ' EXCEPT BUND. basis of their common citizenship in the world's greatest deuend/upojjj^^ riV «<»"* nation." . aw*0? ' ^ c^ *«*^l£» *• ^t3J~~The Urban League. ,t A • IP ***at,ed. ** ^ti o**^W*8ro veterans who return to o Promotion J&JP&If;*
22 23 basis. That reduction was caused partly by wartime paper shortages and the government's request for magazine publication to be restricted; and partly by the League's decision on use of limited funds and personnel in wartime emergency activities. Board consideration is now being given to the need for re-establishing the journal as a monthly publication. Among the special publications of 1945 was a statement addressed to the President of the United States, entitled Racial Aspects of Recon version. This statement, prepared after V-J Day, called attention to the areas in American life where the interests of the Negro population were seriously threatened as a result of postwar and reconversion de velopments. Five thousand copies were printed and circulated among the President's Cabinet, heads of federal agencies, opinion-makers in the publishing and radio fields, and numerous other leaders in Ameri can life. Racial Aspects of Reconversion has been used by many com mittees and organizations interested in race relations, and by municipal planning bodies and legislative committees. CT^g, The Urban League Story Told by Radio
"But when we consider the tremendous odds with which The oldest and most important of these activities is OPPOR Negro citizens are faced in their quest for full American TUNITY, Journal of Negro Life, the League's official organ. In 1945, opportunity, can we consider these organizational resources OPPORTUNITY completed its twenty-third year of publication and sufficient for the task to which the Urban League movement is committed?" its third year on a wartime quarterly basis. The journal reaches a cross- section of American readers of both races. OPPORTUNITY is placed The United Classed as an interpretative as well as a fund-raising in libraries, both public and private, and in schools and colleges. It urban League activity was the financial campaign carried on by the reaches the desks of government officials and leaders in business, indus Service National Urban League during 1945 to meet the largest try and labor. It goes to the desks of molders of public opinion, and is Fund budget in its history. In New York City, the campaign widely quoted as an authoritative source in the field of race relations. was conducted jointly with the local affiliate, the Urban League of One general and three special issues were published during this Greater New York, through the United Urban League Service Fund year. The first special issue was devoted to The Negro in the Armed under the chairmanship of Elmo Roper. Throughout the rest of the Forces. The second was the annual vocational guidance issue. The third country contributions and memberships were sought directly by the celebrated the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Urban League movement. National Urban League. This two-way financial approach made it pos The armed forces issue was the most complete record to date of the sible for the League to spend $149,314.64 in comparison with $98,- Negro in the armed forces. The War Department ordered 2,000 copies 691.40 in 1944. A significant by-product of the campaign was a deeper for distribution throughout army installations, and particularly in public understanding of the League's program than has ever before Separation Centers. been achieved. Both the metropolitan daily press and the national Important as these issues were, OPPORTUNITY'S effectiveness weekly Negro press were extremely generous in reporting activities in obviously has been limited by its reduction to a quarterly publication connection with this new fund-raising effort.
24 25 This is a greatly increased budget if one compares it with the 1942 its program. The achievements which are recorded here and which expenditures of $56,566.25. However, it is a small budget when one could be multiplied many times are an occasion for real pride. But with considers the tremendous field of need which must be served. Addi equal humility and in common honesty, it must be admitted that the tional money will provide the equipment and staff for the League to League's failures and errors have been heartbreaking and all too keep pace with these ever-increasing needs. With such expanding facili frequent. ties, the National Urban League can insure a more efficient and adequate The League's program is delicately balanced in a traditional Ameri service to the total American community. can area of heavy public controversy where divergent opinions are sharp and emotional reactions intense. The League considers itself a spokesman in behalf of the basic interests of the American community, "The National Urban League may be considered an important and a supporter of the democratic impulse in American life. Its essen American movement. If its importance is measured by its tial interracial structure causes the organization to be concerned pri objectives and the spirit and energy with which its members marily with the interests of the whole community. While it is true that devote themselves to their organizational responsibility, it is the League seeks to interpret the needs of the Negro population, it is not a small movement." equally true that it seeks continuously to create a common understand Local Affiliates It is obviously impossible in this report to summarize ing between both groups in the community. In playing this role, the of 'he even in brief form the varied and extensive activi- League loses a part of the drama enjoyed by some other organizations Urbon""^ tie ties °^ ^ ^4 local Urban League affiliates. Differing active in the field of interracial relations. Moreover, in its effort to widely among themselves, these affiliates cover an im "remove the racial factor" from employment, housing, health and other pressive range of interests. A summarized account of their 1945 pro activities, the League sometimes will be attacked by the leadership of grams may be had upon application to the National Office. The reports other groups whose interests are limited to the retention of the status of local affiliates give a picture of insistent efforts in 27 states to bring quo. Negro citizens into equal partnership in American life. All over the Admittedly, errors of judgment can be discovered as one checks country League staff and board members met with plant foremen and back on the year's record in certain fields, especially in housing. Eighty supervisors of personnel; sat in committee rooms planning health and percent of the Negro population lived in sub-standard dwellings, and welfare; appealed to their communities for better understanding of the definite trends appear making for increased patterns of racial segrega social needs of the Negro population, and heartened Negroes themselves tion in housing. Government is increasing its activity in providing with an evidence of public support coming from both races directed to housing for low-income and underprivileged groups. In the face of the end of getting a square deal in American life for American citizens these developments, the League could not provide all of the leadership regardless of race. necessary in this very important field. Checks must be placed upon the Two hundred and nineteen professional staff members and more suicidal trend toward racial ghettos observed in the spread of restric than 2,500 members of League Boards and Committees, working in tive property owners' covenants. The introduction of racial segregation employed and volunteer capacities provided a force in American life, in new areas through the establishment of separate public housing the importance of which is incalculable. The mass of informational and projects is a development to be opposed. The deterioration and acceler educational material prepared by Leagues and distributed among both ated obsolescence of existing Negro neighborhoods must be corrected races all over the country constitutes in itself an important American through the enactment and administration of health and sanitation enterprise. The year's outpouring of hundreds of thousands of white codes and through acceptance by neighborhood leadership of its share and colored citizens to discussion groups, conferences and mass meet of responsibility for improving housing conditions. Negro home-owners ings promoted by Urban Leagues comprises an adventure in community must be advised and assisted in purchasing property and in protecting relations which is an inspiring example of the maturing social con neighborhood standards. This is an over-all responsibility which the science of America. League plans to meet more fully during 1946. This report is not intended to produce an impression of the National Not enough attention has been given to guiding the many inex Urban League's omniscience in planning or perfection in execution of perienced and vaguely wandering race relations committees which were
26 27 hastily established in hundreds of cities throughout the country during STAFF the war years, but whose enthusiasm has subsequently waned because ADMINISTRATION of lack of specific objectives and supporting services. These committees Eugene Kinckle Jones General Secretary represent a potential influence for good if properly directed, but have Lester B. Granger - Executive Secretary Philitus W. Joyce Senior Administrative Assistant too often been ineffective or worse because of lack of program. Obvi Ann Tanneyhill Executive Assistant ously, here is another area where the League must provide leadership. Enid D. Baird Secretary to the Executive The program and plans of the National Urban League for 1946 Zoa E. Cooper - Bookkeeper Norma I. Bowler Stenographer have been formulated with the following objectives in view: Doris M. Johnson Receptionist and Switchboard Operator Rudolph Collymore Office Attendant • To increase the prestige and effectiveness of the National Urban League's SOUTHERN FIELD DIVISION program during the period which President Truman has referred to as Nelson C. Jackson Director our year of decision"; Mittinell L. Wheeler Office Secretary • To put a firm financial underpinning beneath the present expanded staff and activities; RESEARCH AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS Warren M. Banner Director • To continue to work toward cooperative relationships between the J. Harvey Kerns Assistant Director .National Urban League and its affiliates; Ruby B. Yearwood Administrative Assistant • To initiate or continue certain special projects which are in line with Lucille P. Chappelle Stenographer the traditional function of the League; such as a continuation of activi Margot B. Eckstein Volunteer Assistant ties in the fields of housing and health; and COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROJECT • To hold the Annual Conference of the National Urban League which William H. Dean Director was suspended during the war period. Iris Eaton Secretary to the Director Ruth Witherspoon Stenographer Consultants: For these reasons, it is essential for the Urban League to attract a Edward F. Boyd Housing larger popular following than the organization now holds. With such a Ethel R. Clark Social Group Work and Recreation Paul R. Comely Health following during the crucial war months, while the driving urge of Richard R. Jefferson Industrial Relations and Employment a "will to victory" impelled the American people, the League could Ewell L. Newman Social Case Work have been more successful in exerting influence upon leadership in Manet Fowler Public Relations government, industry and labor. The autonomous nature of local Urban INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS Julius A. Thomas Director Leagues — the fact that their memberships are not automatically in LeRoy W. Jeffries Assistant Director cluded in the membership of the national parent organization — has Ruth Allen King Secretary to the Director been a retarding factor in gathering a large mass following directly FIELD SERVICES within the membership of the National Urban League. Plans are now Reginald A. Johnson Director being discussed with local League leaders throughout the country for Anne Mather - - Field Services Assistant correction of this condition in the future. Marjorie McDaniel Secretary to the Director EDUCATION SERVICES Membership in, or a contribution to this national program is a Alphonse Heningburg Director sound business investment, and dividends have already been guaran Fannie V. Berryman Secretary to the Director teed by the record of achievement presented in this report. This record OPPORTUNITY: JOURNAL OF NEGRO LIFE has been consistently maintained over the previous thirty-four years of Madeline L. Aldridge Editorial Assistant the League's activity. In truth, the Urban League movement offers to Olive L. Samuel Business Assistant America the services of a national agency which has for thirty-five Hilda Reed _ Stenographer years been performing "the sanest job of its kind in bringing the races PROMOTION AND PUBLICITY Guichard Parris — Director together for community good, and providing Negroes with greater Marjorie E. Greene Publicity Assistant economic opportunity." To this cause the National Urban League sum Manson A. Melton _ Publications Assistant mons the financial and moral support of the great American public. Janet S. Coleman _ Secretary to the Director
28 29 OTHER FUNDS Surplus or NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE, Inc. Income Expenditures Deficit CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURES NEW LAND FOUNDATION AND CHANGES IN SURPLUS Surplus at Beginning of Year $ 900.01 FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1945 Operations During Year $ 900.01 900.01 GENERAL FUND Surplus at December 31, 1945 Surplus or Income Expenditures Deficit GENERAL EDUCATION BOARD SURPLUS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR $ 2,056.16 Surplus at Beginning of Year 11,034.79 • GENERAL PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES $77,443.56 $47,677.14 29,766.42 Operations During Year $35,833.34 41,009.86 176.52 (Not Restricted) Segregation of Fixed Assets— SPECIAL PURPOSE (Deficits Absorbed in 1945 Purchases 495.60 General Fund), as follows:— Surplus at December 31, 1945 $ 5,362.67 1. Industrial Relations 8,404.46 24,189.27 15,784.81 2. Research 743.04 8,076.21 7,333.17 Two FRIENDS AWARD 3. American War Community Service 11,839.73 12,636.08 796.35 Surplus at Beginning of Year 758.55 4. Opportunity Journal 9,958.73 12,095.06 2,136.33 Operations During Year 174.50 622.66 448.16 Total $30,945.96 $56,996.62 Surplus at December 31, 1945 $ 310.39 EXCESS OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURES Total $36,007.84 $42,532.53 IN GENERAL FUND FOR YEAR 3,715.76 Surplus in Other Funds at Close of Surplus Before Adjustment. 1,659.60 Segregation of Fixed Assets—1945 Year $ 5,673.06 Purchases 880.99 SUMMARY OF ALL FUNDS Surplus at December 31, 1945 778.61 Income of All Sources .-. $146,891.36 ENDOWMENTS EXPENDABLE Disbursements—All Funds 149,314.64 Balance at Beginning of Year Plotz 1,248.34 Income Restricted as to Purpose Expenditures for Calendar Year 1945 $ 2,42328 ELLA SACHS PLOTZ FUND 494.00 641.65 147.65 This statement of Income, Expenditures and changes in Surplus is a con Expendable Balance at Close of Year. 1,100.69 densed version of an idential statement contained in the report of our audit of SPECIAL CONTRIBUTIONS the books and records of the National Urban League, Inc. for the calendar year BENEZET FUND (FELLOWSHIP) 1945. Surplus at Beginning of Year 1,243.27 Additional details may be secured at the National Urban League office at Operations During Year 1,200.00 1,200.03 .03 1133 Broadway, New York, N. Y. Surplus at December 31, 1945 1,243.24 LUCAS AND TUCKER MAYNZ FUND ("FELLOWSHIP) Certified Public Accountants Surplus at Beginning of Year (NY.) Operations During Year 800.00 266.67 533.33 Surplus at December 31, 1945 533.33 Total $ 2,000.00 $ 1,466.70 Surplus in Special Contributions at Close of Year $ 1,776.57
30 31 NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE 1133 Broadway, New York 10, New York CHelsea 3-1838
OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD
WILLIAM H. BALDWIN President WILLARD S. TOWNSEND Vice-President SADIE T. M. ALEXANDER Secretary MRS. ALFRED H. SCHOELLKOPF. Treasurer L. HOLLINGSWORTH WOOD Chairman, National Committee
CHARLES W. ANDERSON, JR. JOHN PAUL JONES REGINA M. ANDREWS MRS. WILLIAM S. PALEY MATTHEW W. BULLOCK CHARLES POLETTI BENJAMIN J. BUTTENWIESER MRS. JOSEPH M. PROSKAUER EARL B. DlCKERSON ROGER WILLIAM Rus ALAN L. DINGLE ELMO ROPER SIDNEY HOLLANDER W. R. VALENTINE THOMAS G. YOUNG
NATIONAL COMMITTEE L. HOLLINGSWORTH WOOD, Chairman
W. G. ALEXANDER EDUARD C LINDEMAN W. G. ANDERSON LAWRENCE J. MACGREGOR ROGER N. BALDWIN DOROTHY MAYNOR MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE MRS. JOHN F. MOORS M. O. BOUSFIELD FREDERICK D. PATTERSON CHESTER B. BOWLES ELBRIDGE BANCROFT PIERCE PEARL S. BUCK A. CLAYTON POWELL, SR. CAROLINE B. CHAPIN MRS. ALBERT S. REED JOHN W. DAVIS JULIAN J. REISS ELIZABETH EASTMAN E. P. ROBERTS L. HAMILTON GARNER WINTHROP ROCKEFELLER LLOYD K. GARRISON WILLIAM SCARLETT FRANK P. GRAHAM MRS. GEORGE W. SELIGMAN CHARLES L. HORN MRS. V. G. SIMKHOVITCH ARTHUR B. KING C C SPAULDING MILTON R. KONVITZ NOAH C A. WALTER R. O'HARA LANIER ELIZABETH WALTON MRS. ALBERT D. LASKER CHARLES WHITE HAROLD LATHAM PAUL R. WILLIAMS MRS. DAVID M. LEVY MRS. ROBERT L. VANN P. B. YOUNG
Southern Field Division: 158 Auburn Avenue, N. E., Atlanta, Georgia A MONTHLY SUMMARY OF EVENTS AND TRENDS
IN RACE RELATIONS
MAY 1945
SUMMARY OF THE MONTH OF APRIL
VOLUME 2 NUMBER 10
L A MONTHLY SUMMARY PREPARED FOR THE JULIUS ROSENWALD FUND OF EVENTS AND TRENDS BY THE IN
SOCTAL SCIENCE INSTITUTE . RACE RELATIONS AT VOLUME 2 MAY, 1945 NUMBER 10
FISK UNIVERSITY REVIEW OF THE MONTH 281 INDUSTRIAL FRONT 283 Fair Employment Practice, 283; Employment, 285; Unions, 285; Hate Strike, 285. NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE SOCIAL FRONT 286 Housing, 286; Education, 287; Police Administration, 287; Armed Forces, 288; Politics, 288; Recreation, 289; The National Pastime, 289; General, 289. UNDER THE DIRECTION OF CHARLES S. JOHNSON SURVEY OF THE JEWISH SCENE 290 THE JAPANESE-AMERICANS 293 PROGRAMS OF ACTION ON THE DEMOCRATIC FRONT 295 Mayor's Committee — Cincinnati, 295; Action Notes, 296; SNCEEO, 296; CORE, 297; Intercultural Understanding, 297; Items, 299; Pikeville Sequel, 301; Sec ond Annual Institute on Race Relations, 301. RESEARCH STAFF THE FRONT PAGE 303
CHARLES R. LAWRENCE, JR. OTHER PEOPLE'S MAIL 306 FROM THE PRESS OF THE NATION 307 PEARL L. WALKER SCIENCE AND RACE 309 RACHEL BASSETTE NOEL PERSONALITIES ON THE SPOT 310 ALMA G. FORREST BOOK NOTES 311 MAGAZINE COMMENT 312
REVIEW OF THE MONTH CONTRIBUTORS The European phase of the war ended May 8th. The political structure of Fascism GILES HUBERT was laid as low as Germany. Interest shifted wearily to the Pacific theatre, to San IRA DEA. REID JITSUICHI MASUOKA Francisco and to the political and economic structures in the Allied countries that had WERNER J. CAHNMAN supported victory in Europe. The term "deployment" came into the news, along with ERIC WALROND the first serious threat and actuality of "cut-backs" in the great war plants. War Mobi- lizer Vinson warned that within six months one and a half million men would be un employed and within twelve months, two and a half million. Although the deliberations of the United Nations Conference in San Francisco have been concerned primarily with the future relationship of nations, the character and SYMBOLS trend of the decisions have held important implications for minorities here at home. Two of the major issues pertinent to the security and welfare of the American minori GP—GENERAL PRESS ties were (a) the right to work and to an education, as an aspect of basic human rights; CNI—CHECKED NEWS ITEM NP—NEGRO PRESS and (b) by not too far fetched reasoning, the welfare and future of colonial peoples. ANP—ASSOCIATED NEGRO PRESS FR—FIELD REPORT OWI—OFFICE OF WAR INFORMATION n28i] On these issues, as well as that of the significant test of realistic diplomacy on the admis sion of Argentina, the moral leadership appeared at the end of the sixth week to have been issued recently by Government or military authority. The Navy's progress in dealing with passed to Russia and China. In fact, the conduct of the United States delegation was the American institution of racial segregation and discrimination has been outstanding, in part because at the beginning of the war it had farthest to go of all the major war services, with the such as to prompt a disturbingly large number of observers to characterize their actions possible exception of the air service, which has been left somewhat ridiculously behind. as a series of retreating compromises. The South has taken another step forward in education. Equalization of salaries has been The most disconcerting of these "retreating compromises" was on the question of highlighted again as a means of getting and keeping trained Negro teachers, and the Southern future independence as over against self-government for colonial peoples. The con governors in conference considered the question of regional centers to meet the increasing urgency for special and professional education. Students of forty of the South's most im servative attitude of Great Britain, France and the Union of South Africa on colonies portant universities in conference selected a white and a Negro delegate-observer to the San for exploitation and the eventual independence of the subject peoples could be Francisco Conference, and a Negro president for the inter-collegiate conference. A Texas jour understood as simply a continuation of their well known colonial imperialism. The at nal of some importance broke with tradition by editorializing that Negro graduate students titude of the United States that had won its independence and was in turn now grant might now without friction or class difficulties, study in the same classrooms with white students, ing independence to the Philippines, was less easy to understand. At any rate it caused thus conserving the region's meagre resources for improving the quality of both the white and Negro graduate facilities. Delaware appointed its first Negro to the School Board, the Governor dismay among the quasi-subject peoples at home and deep disappointment in other parts of Kentucky announced that he will appoint a Negro to the State Board of Education and another of the world. to the Attorney-General's office, and North Carolina passed a bill constituting a permanent rec In the nation's capital, three major events claimed attention: (a) the new cabinet reation commission, providing for seven full-time commissioners, one of whom shall be a shifts, which removed at least two moderate liberals and introduced three new names woman and one a Negro. from the West and South with records showing no important test on the issue of the na The difficulty of maintaining fairness in an adventitious racial democracy was illustrated again in the case of the Negro G. I's who, because eighty percent of them have been kept in tion's minorities; (b) the resounding rebuke to two of the high-handed and race-baiting service units, cannot possibly qualify on combat points, in just proportions, for early discharge members of the reactionary Southern bloc in Congress on personal issues which at base from the service. involved the vital question of proper care for war veterans, and the threat of a spoils C.S.J. system in the administration of the TVA; and (c) the completion of the required number of signatures to bring the anti-poll tax bill to the floor of the House. THE INDUSTRIAL FRONT The chances of a Federal Fair Employment Practice bill seemed further threatened FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICE during the month by the defection or weakening of some Congressional support; by the that anti-discrimination legislation is a The bills in Congress for a permanent communist plot. As evidence in support lack of enough signatures to get the bill to the floor of the House; and by the proposals of FEPC, together with the minor epidemic of departmental reorganization, which, if successful could first confuse then quickly nullify of his contention he encloses a 1935 Com FEPC proposals in various state legisla munist Party pamphlet in which it is said the measure. tures reported in the April Monthly Sum In the states, Illinois defeated the bill for a State FEPC, while in Massachusetts that acts of discrimination against Negroes mary have made anti-discrimination legis the Committee on State Administration of the General Court reported out favorably a would be against the law in a communist lation a national issue. The CIO has made state. The tract does not demonstrate how similar bill for the action of the House and Senate. the passage of such state and federal legis With continued indecisiveness on the vital issue of housing, the U. S. Supreme Court refused the communists managed to secure the co to review a case involving restrictive covenants in residential areas, and the alleged violation lation one of its major interests, and a let operation of such non-revolutionaries as of the right of a Negro to hold and use property. Two judges dissented and two did not hear ter from Nathan Cowan, Legislative Direc Governor Dewey, President Truman, and the case. Incidentally, it also ruled in a Georgia case in a 4 to 5 decision that the Federal tor, has gone out to all locals urging sup Governor Lausche. C. C. Gilbert, execu Government could prosecute a State officer who wilfully deprived a citizen of his constitutional port of the Norton-Chavez bill. Liberal tive Secretary to the Southern States In rights. groups of almost every pursuasion are giv In the nation at large, the Southern States won a long sustained fight against sectional dis dustrial Council, has written a letter crimination in the Interstate Commerce Commission's ruling to equalize freight rates. The re ing time and personnel to the task of mo frankly calling for a filibuster in the Senate moval of this discriminatory barrier opens the way for greater industrial development in the bilizing support for national and state fair as "perhaps the only chance to defeat this South, but may require the removal of more internal racial barriers in occupationals and training employment agencies with power to act. bill"—(the Norton-Chavez bill). before this industrial development can actually be achieved. Meanwhile, the Southern States Meanwhile, opposition to such legislation WASHINGTON, D. C. Industrial Council has been carrying on a region wide and bitter campaign against a Federal Fair Employment Practice Committee. The most recent device employed to create unfavorable pub is being aroused. Foremost among the op Chairman Norton of the House Labor Com lic sentiment was to circulate widely a hostile statement by the non-unified and reactionary, but ponents to the various legislative proposals mittee, co-author and leading House sponsor fortunately small, segment of the Methodist denomination that continues to refer to itself as the have been Merwin K. Hart's National Eco of the Norton-Chavez bill for a permanent FEPC, has been working hard to get the mea Methodist Church, South. nomic Council, the Association of State Three labor groups took aggressive action against discrimination involving Japanese-Americans sure reported to the House floor by the power and Negroes; and two others drew public attention by protesting the employment of Negroes. Chambers of Commerce (not to be confused ful Rules Committee. At one point the New One state passed legislation against the use of scurrilous anti-race publications. with the United States Chamber of Com Jersey Congresswoman went before the Com The most significant publication of the past month came out of the Navy Department. Its merce) , and the Southern States Industrial mittee asking that the bill be reported to the Guide to Command of Negro Naval Personnel carries, perhaps, the most forthright and realistic Council. Mr. Hart has recently circulated floor and expressing her belief that the mem bers had acted unfairly in failing to report the statement on segregation, racial theories, promotions and utilization of skills in the service that has a document which is purported to show C282J- bill for debate. In doing so she braved the sharp C283] measure as drawn would cause more trouble tongues of three of the least liberal of the poll- acceptable to the House. Representative of their jobs by the end of July. About 1,000 of than we have now because there were too many tax congressmen, Messrs. Colmer (Mississippi), Wrenn (D-Providence), author of the House- these workers are in-migrant Negroes who have approved bill, reminded his colleagues that the loopholes. It didn't make any distinction Cox (Georgia), and Howard Smith (Virginia), between placing a man to fit an organization come from New York, Virginia and the Caro- and held her own. The Rules Committee's state commission which studied the problem a linas. Recent sample surveys indicate that few years ago had found discrimination and and discrimination against minority groups." Chairman Sabath is in favor of the bill but has (GP) between 60 and 85 per cent of these workers and that the action provided for by the Senate bill found his Committee difficult to handle on this COLUMBUS, OHIO their families plan to remain in Providence matter. Having failed to get the bill reported would be redundant. (FR, GP, NP) permanently. (FR) An area Labor Management Committee of the in more than 60 days, Mrs. Norton has filed a BALTIMORE, MARYLAND HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA War Manpower Commission has held that the discharge petition with the Speaker. Two Southern Ohio Electric Company was within The Fourth United States Circuit Court of hundred eighteen signatures are needed to bring Hopes faded for the passage of the Brown its rights in denying employment to four Appeals, sitting in Richmond, Virginia, has up the bill. (GP, NP) bill providing for a state Fair Employment Negro job applicants. The War Manpower ruled that the Enoch Pratt Free Library is a TRENTON, N. J. Practice Commission following an unsuccess ful effort of its proponents to force it out of the Commission had announced earlier that it in public rather than a private corporation and The New Jersey Assembly has passed a bill House Labor Committee. The Committee chair tended to place sanctions against the Company that the denial to Negroes of admission to its setting up a Division against Discrimination in man, Rep. Adam T. Bower (Rep., Northumber for refusing employment because of race when training school and subsequent employment the State Department of Education. The act land) had contrived not to make a report on the men were referred by the local United constitutes racial discrimination. This reversed sponsored by Assemblyman James O. Hill, the decision of the Maryland Court of Appeals the measure by the simple expedient of refus States Employment Service. An appeal has Negro physician of Newark, provides for a which had ruled against Miss Louise Keer, a ing to call a meeting of his committee. been made to the Regional Labor Management $7,000 per year assistant to the Commissioner Committee by one of the men alleging discri Negro school teacher, and her father who had of Education who is to attempt to eliminate The failure of the bill to pass is a most re mination. The case has also been referred to sought damages and an injunction restraining instances of discrimination brought to his at markable one, considering the overwhelming FEPC. (GP) the library board and city officials from further tention through "conference, conciliation, or sentiment expressed in favor of its passage. discrimination. The Court of Appeals pointed PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA pursuasion." Failing in these methods he may At a public hearing on the bill no one opposed out that the City of Baltimore actually owns Following a long fight on the part of Negro hold hearings and, if the complainant is up it, and the strength of opinion expressed for the and supports the library system as a public and liberal white organizations Pittsburgh has held, order compliance under threat of charg bill sponsored by Rep. Homer Brown (D.— library and has done so since its inception and joined the ranks of cities in which Negroes Pittsburgh) was so great that proponents of that the existence of a self-perpetuating in ing the offender with a misdemeanor punish hold platform jobs on public transit facilities. two weaker measures withdrew their bills in dependent board does not make it a private able by $500 fine. Although they voted for it An agreement has been reached among the favor of the Brown bill. Among the strong corporation. Miss Kerr was represented by most Democrats and a few Republicans criti War Manpower Commission (WMC), FEPC, editorial supporters of the act were some of the Attorneys Charles H. Houston and W. A. C. cized the measure severely as being too weak the Pittsburgh Motor Coach Company, the leading dailies in the State, Republican and Hughes, counsels for the NAACP. The Library and as placing an unrelated duty in the Depart Pittsburgh Railways, and the Street Railway Democratic. A simple poll, conducted by A. J. Board has indicated that the decision will be ment of Education after the Department itself and Motor Coach Operators Union (AFL) Wood and Co., market and research agency, appealed to the U. S. Supreme Court. (FR, had requested that it be placed elsewhere. (GP, whereby all qualified persons referred by WMC showed that 75 percent of those questioned GP, NP) NP) favored such a law; among lower income for employment will be trained and hired as COLUMBUS, OHIO groups, 82 per cent were favorable. operators. The recently established area office UNIONS Considerable hope for the passage of an Ohio of FEPC is said materially to have aided in Governor Martin's position on the bill was WASHINGTON, D. C. state FEPC bill (S.B. 219) has arisen as a securing this agreement. (ANP) perhaps determinative although not unambigu In the face of the California Supreme Court, result of the support of Governor Lausche who the FEPC, and public opinion the Boilermakers ous. The Governor is on record as favoring such EMPLOYMENT has given a statement in support of such legis a measure "in principle." He has contended, Union has announced the transformation of lation. At hearings on the bill, it was strongly CLEVELAND, OHIO its auxiliary unions into subordinate lodges in however, that the administration of the Brown The Jack and Heintz Company, which has recommended by labor, religious, and civic measure would be too expensive; and consis which members will have voting and other groups from most of Ohio's urban centers. (FR) been given wide publicity for its unusual em rights accorded to white members but which tently refused to endorse the bill, even after ployer-employee relationship and excellent SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS will remain Jim Crow. While this is a dis authors of bills favored by him had withdrawn production record, continues to be one of the The Mills bill to set up a Fair Employment their proposals in favor of Brown. Said the tinct advance, it continues the Negro member most flagrant offenders against the govern in a position of actual inferiority and subordi Practice Commission in Illinois received strong Chief Executive after the House had failed to ment's anti-discriminatory policy. Efforts by support from prominent religious, civic, and force the bill out of Committee: nation to the "main" lodge and leaves the way FEPC to secure the employment of Negroes open for double dealing in hiring and in labor groups in the state when hearings were T had hoped that (the proponents) could get to have apparently been of no avail, and workers held on the proposal. The Chicago Senator's gether on something more on the educational side, but seniority. (ANP, NP, GP) I'm afraid this attitude of taking one plan or nothing have been recruited from sources other than measure would have a five-man fulltime board nossibly kills the entire thing for this session." (FR, the United States Employment Service—de HATE STRIKE and assess penalties up to $500 and one year NP, GP) spite War Manpower Commission's directive CINCINNATI, OHIO 1 in jail for non-compliance. (GP) LANSING, MICHIGAN that all war plant hiring be channeled through April saw two important "hate strikes" in PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND A fair employment bill similar to the New this agency. The allegations of intra-plant fair- Cincinnati. The first occurred when two 17- York measure was killed in the State Affairs The Rhode Island State Senate has killed a play and democracy serve to accentuate the year old Negro boys were employed by the Committee of the lower House of the legislature proposal for a state Fair Employment Practice Company's discriminatory racial policies. (FR) Cincinnati plant of Continental Can Company. after the members of the committee had voted Commission for the present session. The bill PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND In this instance, 225 workers stopped work and against it by secret ballot, five to four. Accord was passed in the lower house, but the Senate proceeded to threaten, curse, and hurl tincans rejected it, substituting plans for a study group ing to Maurice E. Post, Republican chairman of It is estimated that 20,000 workers in the the committee, "The majority of us thought the Walsh-Kaiser Shipyard in Providence face loss without power. The Senate measure was not p. 'Se295e. "Mayor's Committee, Cincinnati," this issue, [284] £285] "happy". The reason for the lack of happiness supporting S. B. 144 which would authorize at their new fellow-war workers. The position A motion to kill the original park proposal was of the former is obvious. The governmental local housing authorities to pay ten per cent of management in this instance was such as to defeated 7-2. It was then voted 5-4 to table agencies involved are unhappy about the of shelter rentals to local governments in lieu cast doubt upon whether or not there was a real the measure. The situation now stands as it excessive "happiness" of the management and of taxes. This provision is intended to sur desire to have Negroes employed. At one point was: the Negro residents have not had official have announced that they will continue to mount the impasse presented by the Ohio Su it was claimed by management that the boys approval of city utilities, neither do they face refer persons for employment at Continental preme Court decision holding that public housing had not actually reported to work inasmuch as the immediate prospect of eviction. (FR) Can on a non-discriminatory basis. (FR, GP, authorities must pay taxes. The bill is opposed they had not punched the time clock. (The by the city Real Estate Board whose represen NP) EDUCATION clock was surrounded by white strikers who, tatives have suggested enough amendments to * * » * CHICAGO, ILLINOIS incidentally, were being paid throughout the nullify the intent of the measure. (FR) strike.) Management also claimed that they At the Cincinnati Delco-General Motors plant, Civic, labor, and alumni groups are strongly had it on "good authority" that the boys were 107 white workers walked out when a 27 year- RICHMOND, VIRGINIA , protesting the dismissal of Dr. Edward J. Sparling whose resignation as president of armed with razors, although the latter had been old Negro veteran of World War II was em Eighty years ago, when a few Negro families Chicago YMCA College was accepted before searched by police at the request of the former ployed to operate a burr machine. Fifty settled a few miles outside of Richmond in it was tendered by him. Dr. Sparling has and no weapons found. Finally, the boys were workers on the same shift refused to walk out. what later became known as Westwood, the become well known for his democratic practices ordered to return to work—following the fifth In this strike, the management and the Union "best families" lived near the center of town. at the College and for his consistent crusade or sixth conference held by management with (UAW-CIO) were firm in insisting that the Westwood was then "in the country." As the against racial discrimination within the YMCA the strikers on the fourth day of the strike. veteran was to remain at his bench and that smoke of the city became intolerable (for those itself. Under his administration, Negro stu The Negroes asked if the plant would assure the strike was to be ended. Management in who could afford to be "choosey" and as better dents have come to constitute about 25 per cent them of safety among the people who had re sisted that the worker was a qualified welder transportation facilities were introduced, West- of the student body. Catholics and Jews have cently been threatening them. When informed and therefore eligible for the job. The union's wood became a Negro island in the midst of also been admitted without restrictions. Accord that they would have to return completely at International Executive Board informed the an exclusive suburb and faced two of the city's ing to the ousted president, the college board their own risk the lads declined to go. Howard president of the local that workers fired or most desirable thoroughfares—Monument and of directors had sought to alter his policy with Faul, factory manager then stated that the boys penalized for taking part in the strike would Patterson Avenues. Several years ago, the city respect to minority groups and had interfered had "voluntarily" declined to return to work. not be given union protection. It is reported and county governments arranged to have city with academic freedom. (FR, GP) "Everybody is happy," the manager said. "The utilities extended to the white families in the that excellent work was done during both of * * • strikers, the company, the Negroes and the these strikes by local representatives of the area. In 1942, this section, including Westwood, government are all happy about the whole War Manpower Commission, the United States was annexed by the city of Richmond. At a dinner given by a local service club for thing." It is reported that neither the strike Employment Service, the War Conciliation Ser representatives from Chicago high schools the After two years of patient waiting for the victims nor the government is altogether vice, and FEPC. (FR, NP, GP) seating arrangement was alphabetical by Richmond City Fathers to extend such services schools. The only revision of the plan was that as water, gas, and garbage collection to them, representatives from DuSable, Medill, and Wen THE SOCIAL FRONT Westwood residents petitioned for such ser dell Phillips High Schools,—all largely Negro vices. Meanwhile, an apparently excellent —were seated together. The Negro students been moving. The first Negro families to move HOUSING scheme had been hit upon to get rid of what the walked out as soon as they perceived that they into the section met with such negligible op Federal Housing Administration calls "racially CHICAGO, ILLINOIS were segregated. The Jim Crow set-up is said position that the Cleveland Press, in a report inharmonious" elements. It was proposed that to have been the work of a representative of The Metropolitan Housing Council of which on housing, used it as an example of how a city park be established in an area which in the Board of Education who felt that "they Fred Kramer, influential realtor, is president Negroes and whites can live together in a neigh cluded Westwood in its very center. The peti could be more comfortable (isolated) together." has gone on record as being opposed to re borhood without friction, if given a chance. tion for utilities and the proposal for a park (FR) strictive covenants. In addition to endorsing In recent months, however, there have been came up before the City Council simultaneous large-scale slum clearance projects "open to all intermittent clashes between Negro and white ly. The Council referred the matters to the The high school students in many of the racial groups in the population so that any of adolescent gangs and one or two gangs fights Utilities Committee before which very bitter Negro families living in the Altgeld Housing these groups can expand in the future without of sufficient magnitude to attract city-wide hearings were held. Negroes from all over the encountering opposition of other groups which Project are still attending DuSable and Phillips attention. city, as well as many of Westwood's white neigh High Schools. This necessitates a round trip have interests in adjacent neighborhoods", the A few weeks ago more than a thousand resi bors, joined the racial Island residents in call of 22 miles and an expenditure of fifty cents per Council stated the following: dents of the area met in the Glenville High ing the park proposal an attempt to force day in car fare; meanwhile the pupils pass three 1. "The Council believes that existing covenants based Negroes out of the area. The proposals were on race, creed, or color, which in practice prevent School auditorium and attempted frankly and high schools at which they are not welcome. or interfere with the development of an adequate fully to face their responsibilities and oppor referred to the City Planning Commission which (FR) housing program for the city of Chicago should recommended two sites for the park—neither be abolished. tunities in the present situation. It is reported POLICE ADMINISTRATION 2. "The Council also condemns the creation and ex that the meeting served to clear the air and of them including Westwood. The Utilities tension of such racial restrictive covenants." BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA that neighborhood tensions have been reduced Committee, after receiving the report, asked This is the broadest condemnation of res The fatal beating of a Negro farm woman by perceptibly. (FR) for comments on it. . . . Friends of Westwood trictive covenants made by representatives of a county deputy sheriff and three federal officers CINCINNATI, OHIO felt that the Committee was certain to act real estate interests to come to our attention. favorably on one of the alternative park sites has been reported to the Birmingham NAACP. The Better Housing League of Cincinnati has (ANP) suggested by the planning Commission, so that According to this report, Mrs. Mattie Debardle- recently characterized housing there as critical CLEVELAND, OHIO only a few persons expressed themselves. The ben was washing in her back yard when the and that available to Negroes as desperate. Glenville is a comfortable middle-class neigh Committee then went into executive session. four officers, who had just discovered a "still" Meanwhile, advocates of low-cost housing are borhood into which Negroes have only recently 3% miles away, drove up and asked to buy C286-] L-2873 Constitution as a prerequisite to registering. opportunity to qualified Negroes became a live The registrar counters, "I told her to write out some chickens, and then asked to buy some that racial discrimination is still present in the issue in the final days before the present base the constitution in long hand and learn the whiskey. On receiving negative replies to army. The notice set forth the qualifications ball season began. At West Point, two Negro Bill of Rights before returning to register." both requests they threatened to search the for persons to work with the Armed Forces players were grudgingly given try-outs by On another occasion, the Keeper of the Polls home. The farm woman told them to search, Institute, the organization responsible for co Sunday School-teacher Branch Rickey, presi recalls that he suggested to a group of Negroes, ordinating the vast voluntary educational ex dent of the Brooklyn Dodgers. The trials came assuring them that she had nothing to hide. "This (the mayorality election) is a hot fight tension service available to military personnel. as a result of prodding by Sports writers from At this point, an order to Mrs. Debardleben's between three white men, and you stand to gain After the criteria had been listed, including a several New York dailies and at least two Negro 16-year-old nephew went unheeded and one of nothing by voting for one or the other." He minimum of high school training, the follow weeklies. (There is also the fact of the Ives- the officers attacked the boy. When she pro reports that the Negroes thanked him for his ing sentence appeared: "White enlisted men Quinn bill which does not exempt baseball tested, Mrs. Debardleben was set upon and beat advice and departed. The local (white) paper who meet the above qualifications may be teams from the obligation of fair employment unmercifully and then loaded into the officers condemned Holman's action. After pointing afforded an opportunity to apply for trans practice.) At the end of a prepared statement car and, along with her fifteen year old son, out the inalienable right of Negroes to vote, fer. . . ." (Italics ours.) (ANP) on the ability of Terris McDuffie, a pitcher, who had appeared and sought to aid her, placed the Smithfield Herald commented: GODMAN FIELD, KENTUCKY Rickey said, "I would like to see more of this under arrest. Seven miles from her home the "Racial discrimination is on the way out in America, woman died. A sheriff-appointed physician All but three of the Negro officers arrested and the sooner the people realize that fact the better it pitcher." Rickey also described McDuffie as called it "heart failure". The NAACP has at Freeman Field for refusing to assent to a will be for whites as well as Negroes." (FR) good, but not exceptional—a characterization asked Governor Sparks to make an investi segregation order issued by Col. Selway, their RECREATION that would fit most of the best players in today's gation. (ANP) commanding officer, have been released with MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE draft-depleted major league clubs. WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA out charges. The three remaining under arrest Lloyd T. Binford, Memphis censor, has ruled In Boston, the Red Sox tried out three Negro are charged with "jostling" a superior officer The Wilmington Civil Service Board has dis that Brewster's Millions cannot be shown in players. This came after City Councilman who had attemped to bar them from the "for Memphis cinemas. "The movie has Rochester Isadore H. Y. Muchnick had threatened to in missed charges against Patrolman Looney who white only" officers club. (FR, GP, NP) was charged with brutality toward a returned (of the Jack Benny radio show), Negro come troduce a resolution barring Sunday baseball Negro veteran (Monthly Summary, April, 1945, POLITICS dian, in an important role," stated Mr. Binford. unless the Boston teams showed some signs of "He has too familiar a way about him and the breaking with the unwritten ban on Negro p. 258). The dismissal of charges was on the YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN picture presents too much racial mixture (sic). technicality that the affidavits presented in the Frank Seymour, prominent member and for players in the majors. Neither the Dodgers nor We don't have any trouble down here and hope case could not be considered complaints against mer officer in Bomber Local 50, UAW-CIO, has the Red Sox has signed a Negro player as yet. we won't have any." The censor indicated that the officer. (CNI) been elected an alderman from Ypsilanti's Meanwhile, baseball's new "Czar", Senator Brewster's Millions is inimical to the public predominantly Negro First Ward. This is the "Happy" Chandler of Kentucky, although de welfare in Memphis. According to Variety, ARMED FORCES first time that a Negro has been elected to this claring himself in favor of fair play for Negroes Binford has caused several "objectionable" A poll of 500 returning white soldiers who position in this town. Seymour was very active and claiming that he had developed Kentucky scenes which showed Negroes in other than had served overseas was taken by two enlisted in the CIO-PAC during the 1944 Presidential State into a first-rate college for Negroes, a- stereotypical roles to be cut from pictures. men, Pvt. Elmer L. Clark of Tulsa, Oklahoma campaign and is largely credited with the fact voided committing himself as to whether or not (GP) and Cpl. Norman S. Ellington of Fulton, that an Ypsilanti ward went Democratic for the he will take any direct action toward lifting the Missouri. The question was: Has your foreign second time in history—the first was at the tirne BALTIMORE, MARYLAND barrier to the participation of colored men in service given rise to a greater understanding of Lincoln's second election. (FR, ANP, GP) the greatest democracy's favorite sport. (FR, Negroes living in proximity to Baltimore's GP, NP) and appreciation of the Negro? If typical, the ATLANTA, GEORGIA Pennsylvania Avenue—along with Negroes results are heartening. Eighty-three per cent The Non-Partisan City Executive Committee, living in similar areas throughout the country GENERAL of Northern and 67 percent of Southern soldiers successor to the City Democratic Committee, —have long suffered from a plethora of minor HILLSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA answered in the affirmative. (ANP) has announced that Negroes will be barred from and major vice. Particularly annoying has been WASHINGTON, D. C. the September 5 non-partisan primary at which the unsavory manner in which many of the The following incident indicates three aspects of race relations: (1) the ubiquitous nature of "Postwar Migration of Soldiers", a pamphlet time the mayor, city attorney, two recorders, 47 liquor dispensing establishments within a segregation, (2) the extent to which personal recently issued by the War Department, shows 18 aldermen and councilmen, and six members 16-block area have operated. Civic-minded relationships can transcend the system, and that nine out of every ten white men in the of the board of education are to be elected. The citizens, led by Charles E. Reid, war-worker (3) an instance of protest—however mild— army intend to return to the states in which they substitution of a "non-partisan" primary for and local school board member, have protested made by Negroes against it. Haywood Bowland, lived prior to the war and that one out" of every the Democratic primary in a one-party city is to the Liquor Board and succeeded in having an obvious effort to circumvent the Supreme six of the most offensive places closed and five Negro, had been a highly respected person in three Negro soldiers plans to move to another 2 the Hillsboro community, so highly respected, in state. The following table shows the expected Court decision in the White Primary case. A placed on probation. Individual citizens were special committee of Negroes has been named joined in their protest by the NAACP and the fact, that his funeral was held at the New Hope trend of migration in percentages (taken from (Southern) Presbyterian Church, white. The Army Service Forces charts) : to "explore possibilities and devise means by Urban League. South North South North West West which qualified Negroes may find relief from minister who gave the eulogy and all pall to to to to to to this ruling." (ANP) THE NATIONAL PASTIME bearers were white. Near the end of the ser Race Total North South West West North South Whether or not the National Sport shall offer vices, the white undertaker requested that Negro White 100* 22 17 13 39 6 4 SMITHPIELD, NORTH CAROLINA 100 41 16 11 19 8 5 members of the congregation remain in their Negro The local registrar of voters, Alex Holman, 2In keeping with the usual pattern in Northern urban centers, most of the offending taverns are owned by seats until white people had "viewed the re WASHINGTON, D. C. has refused attempts by about 75 Negroes to white entrepreneurs who have no immediate stake in mains." The Negroes responded to the funeral A notice that recently appeared throughout register during the current campaign for mayor. the peace and order of the Negro community. All six of the taverns whose licenses were suspended are Jim Crow by refusing to "view" when their the European Theatre of Operations indicates One teacher claims that Mr. Holman demanded white-owned; however, two of the five placed on pro bation are owned by Negroes. turn came. (NP, FR) "The chart from which the above figures are taken that she recite the Bill of Rights and write the offers no explanation of the extra one per cent. C289] C288] SURVEY OF THE JEWISH SCENE Palestine of a group of orphaned children, struction would be. by quicker means. As a result, more than under the pretext that the death of their SAN FRANCISCO PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT parents is not yet an established fact. The Many hopes turn to the San Francisco The Jewish people everywhere mourned sixty per cent of all the Jews of Europe (a real reason is that these children shall conference of the United Nations. Zionists, the death of President Roosevelt. It was quota comparable to eighty million Amer serve to replenish the French nation. it is said, were disappointed at the outset more than conventional mourning. The icans) have vanished, in some countries, Czechoslovakia has served notice that she when the State Department invited not Jewish masses considered the late Pres such as Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Yugo regards the internationally guaranteed only the American Jewish Conference, but ident not only as the chosen leader of the slavia, Greece, and Holland, close to ninety minority treaties, which she once signed as also the American Jewish Committee to nation, but above this as a great and in per cent. a condition of her independence, "as dead send an official observer to the Conference. spired humanitarian who had especially To date, not more than 100,000 Jews have as a dodo bird." These words were spoken Such disappointment seems hardly justi espoused the cause of the suffering Jews been found alive in the camps situated on at the same San Francisco Conference in fied. It is true that the American Jewish throughout the world. It is no exaggera German soil. Among the survivors are which an international Bill of Rights is Conference represents the majority of or tion to say that many who had never seen • many well-known men, the former Pre under discussion. If one proceeds toward ganized Jews in this country, but it is him regarded him as if he had been.a close mier of France, Leon Blum, being one of the East, to such countries as Yugoslavia, equally true that the American Jewish personal friend. Whatever the late Pres them. One newspaper correspondent Hungary, Poland, Roumania, murder and Committee represents the most influential ident may have done to disappoint high- called the Dachau Concentration Camp a threats of murder are still the daily accom group of Jews in this country. It should pitched expectations was easily forgiven veritable Who's Who of European celebri paniment of existence. Here is the news- not have been expected that their influence because of his determined stand in these ties. Everybody wishes to see official lists picture which a recently received cable was to be eliminated by mere oratory. At last years against Hitler and the threat of of the survivors. This is especially true gram paints in unsurpassable brevity: any rate, the decision of the State Depart Hitlerism. with regard to the one large camp which, ment forces both groups to make the best at the time these lines are written, has not . . . received authentic reports Polish rem LIBERATION IN EUROPE nant . . . indescribable destitution while of the situation. The American Jewish yet been reached by Allied troops. This V-E Day finds the United States under a fierceness of raging anti-Semitism indicated Committee has presented comprehen new leadership and it finds Europe a seeth camp is Theresienstadt in Czechoslovakia, by fact that few Gentiles whd under Nazis sively written and carefully styled "Rec ing kettle of unrest. Among Jews, satis the majority of whose inmates have been were instrumental saving Jews now begging ommendations" to the delegates while the faction over the bloody Wagnerian sun Jews. There is anxiety to know whether their proteges keep this secret lest they be American Jewish Conference has issued a set of the Nazi Super-Gods is mixed with Rabbi Leo Baeck, formerly of Berlin and exposed public wrath . . . murders surviving tersely worded ten-point program for Jew grief over the millions of slain Jewish men, leader of German Jewry to the bitter end, Jews by Nazified Poles occurring frequent ish reconstruction. The most important women and children whose martyred bod has survived the ordeal. ly .. . Budapest appalling destitution, child point on the program is at the same time mortality . . . Budapest only place where ies and souls no victory celebration will EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVES the most difficult one, namely, the one con Hungarian Jews safe because concentrated, ever revive. The reports and photographs Unfortunately, we are by no means sure cerning the postwar status of Palestine. yet whether the dead will not have died in but stray survivors emerging from hideouts depicting the conditions found in the Ber- in provinces being killed by anti-Semites The Palestinian problem may conceivably gen-Belsen, Buchenwald, Dachau, Oswie- vain and whether the survivors will be broad daylight. . . . come up in connection with the general cim, Maidanek, and other concentration given a chance to live on. Many of them Even Soviet Russia is not free from the problem of mandates and trusteeships for camps have at long last revealed to the will be human wrecks for a long time to same virus. The Russian government has dependent areas. If international trustee American public the horrible truth about come; most of them will have lost their had to slow down the return of Jewish ships are favored, as seems to be the trend the Nazi slaughter-house. To Jews, this is families; few of them will be able to estab refugees to the areas which were occupied within the American delegation, the status only a sorry confirmation of their worst lish themselves again in the countries from by the Germans because a strong wave of of Palestine would be decisively changed. fears. To be sure, the majority of the in whence they came. France, Belgium, anti-Semitism has swept these areas. The However, there are other American voices mates of these camps consisted of non-Jews Italy, and even Roumania have issued fine Russians may well come to the conclusion and the British as well as the Arab dele from many nations including Germans, but laws concerning the restitution of Jewish that they will have to resettle the rem tions are strongly opposed to such change. nants of Ukrainian Jewry in new homes in the number of Jews was disproportionately On which side the oil interests will be is property, but there are few signs that the Central Asia. Whether the Allied Military high (in Buchenwald, for instance, more respective governments are living up to Administration will do similarly seems not yet clear. than twenty per cent) and they were con their declarations. Anti-Jewish demon much less certain, in view of their recent stantly kept on the lowest level of animal ANTI-SEMITIC ACTIVITIES strations continue in France, instigated by decision that the internees liberated from Events at the home front seem rather subsistence in the elaborate hierarchy of those who have profited from the Vichy the German concentration camps be re insignificant in this hour, in comparison the Nazi hell. Many of them were syste stored to health and then "repatriated." laws. On the other hand, the French gov with international developments. Yet, matically starved, others were put to death ernment has prohibited the departure to From the foregoing, everybody may judge by himself how constructive such recon anti-Semitic activities have by no means £290] ceased. To the contrary, the pattern of [2911] "exploiting" the profession. Dr. Thorne, been killed in action recently when he physical violence, coupled with the pattern from a post office box in Hammond, In courageous in the manner of most anti- spearheaded the thrust into the interior of police acquiescence, becomes so wide diana, rented by the Hoosier Patriot. The Semites, afterward explained the article of Germany as commander of the Third spread that one is inclined to agree with name of Earl Southard, secretary of the as merely "hurriedly thrown together to Armored Division. Disregarding personal Prof. Salo W. Baron of Columbia Univer Citizens' U. S. A. Committee of Chicago, serves as a reference. The Rev. Gerald L. K. make a deadline." Several board members safety, he was riding far to the front in a sity in his prediction that after the war, Smith has formed a National Emergency have resigned, but the damage is done. jeep when one of the scattered Nazi tank the center of anti-Semitism will shift from Committee in which the leaders of various JEWISH CONTRIBUTION TO THE WAR forces intercepted them. Secretary of War the European continent to North and South fascist and anti-Semitic organizations par It seems fitting, in conclusion, to contrast Stimson eulogized this son of a ninety- America. We enumerate only a few recent ticipate. Catholic priests, both north and Dr. Thome's behavior with the one of the year-old Rabbi in Denver, Colorado, as "a examples. south, are joining the fray. Father Arthur highest ranking Jewish Officers in the U. S. leader who inspired enthusiasm and confi A Jewish mass meeting in Minneapolis Army, Maj. Gen. Maurice Rose, who has called public attention to the fact that for G. Riley of St. John's Seminary, Brighton, dence." many weeks Jewish children were attacked Mass., has issued a vicious anti-Semitic and in a number of instances severely pamphlet. The pamphlet, which bears the THE JAPANESE-AMERICANS beaten by organized gangs, without police imprimatur of Archbishop Cushing of Bos protection forthcoming. Police Lt. Palm, ton, advocates aloofness of Catholics from Events of the past month, if they could secution" against Nisei seeking to return who was present at the meeting, termed contact with Jews in cultural and intellect be taken as an evidence of a trend, are to their former homes. Ickes reiterated, the gathering "a silly thing." There was pointing toward the victory for the group no reason to get excited about "kid fights." ual matters, deplores their "esoteric" in however, in a letter to C. C. Schneider of The Windows of the Beth Israel Synagogue fluence in society and their "crippling" fi working for fuller and democratic integra Gresham, Oregon, secretary of the Oregon in Waltham, Mass. and the Veterinary nancial control. In another corner of tion of the Japanese into the social and eco Property Owners Protective League School Library of Middlesex University America, Father Arthur W. Terminiello of nomic structure of the West Coast. The (OPOPL), that the War Relocation Au were smashed recently. Middlesex Uni Huntsville, Alabama, has formed the Union reactionary elements opposing resettle thority is encouraging the displaced Nisei versity has a large percentage of Jewish uee of Japanese ancestry at Rohwer Relo ment of the Japanese are losing their population to locate elsewhere than the Pa students. As to the Synagogue, it was the ground while those with a sounder and third assault within one year. Police were cation Center, is on his way to Lodi, Cali cific Coast. Referring to evacuees who still called when the stoning started, but arrived fornia, to again take up residence with the saner outlook toward the problem are own homes and property in the West, only half an hour later and passed off the Chinese friends with whom he lived for gaining ground. Of the West Coast gover Ickes said he believes the Government damage as "run-of-the-mill" juvenile of Christian Crusaders. He exalts Father nors, only Walgren of Washington has op "owes the unmistakable obligation" to aid vandalism. Coughlin and Charles A. Lindbergh and posed resettlement; the others have sup them in becoming reestablished wherever Vandals broke into the home of Rabbi ported the decision of the War Depart Morris S. Goodblatt of the Beth Am Israel defends the men of the Washington sedi they choose to settle. (GP) ment. The mayors of Los Angeles, San Synagogue in Philadelphia while the Rabbi tion trial. Father Terminiello, who seems A report from Sidney, Nebraska, indi was attending a religious ceremony. Furni Francisco and Seattle have taken a definite to have no scruples in cooperating with cates that fifty families of persons of Japa ture, pictures, clothing, were damaged and stand in support of the resettlement pro anti-Catholics, if only they are anti-Sem nese ancestry, most of them Nisei, are help then the apartment was set afire. Fire gram and are committed to assist reloca ites and pro-fascists, acts without the con ing to speed up the final victory by work men managed to put the blaze under con tion. In California, the state American Le trol, but the delinquents escaped. sent of his superior, the Most Rev. Thomas ing at the Sioux Ordnance Depot near Sid gion has condemned Japanese-baiting and The Synagogue of the Hebrew Educational J. Toolen, Bishop of Mobile. ney, Nebraska. Alliance in Brooklyn, N. Y., was broken in asked for cooperation on the return of the to by a juvenile gang who ripped prayer Mention must be made in passing of the evacuees. Numerous public-spirited or At the outset a few persons scorned books and prayer shawls, and damaged the intellectual encouragement which flows ganizations have been successful in mo the idea of fraternizing with persons who pew cushions, the Eternal Light, and the into anti-Semitic activities from our col bilizing a considerable number of sober resembled the enemy in appearance. But Holy Arc. The damage was estimated at the two Army officers had little difficulty $1,000. leges and universities. One instance from and respected leaders around a program Stones were thrown repeatedly against many is the case of the new Journal for for favorable acceptance of the Japanese. in winning over Sidney residents, even the windows of the residence of Rabbi Clinical Psychology. The editor, Dr. Fred (Chicago, 111., ACRR News Letter, March, those who initially were inclined to be un 1 Solomon Teitelbaum, 961 Simpson Street, erick C. Thome, Professor of Psychiatry 1945) friendly to Nisei and Issei. Now it is com Bronx, N. Y., and of other Jewish residents at the University of Vermont Medical Col mon to see men and women of Japanese in the neighborhood. The Bronx police In Washington, D. C, on April 4, Interior lege, proposed in a leading article that ad origin shopping in Sidney, eating in res have shown sovereign indifference. Secretary Harold L. Ickes expressed con mission of a certain "racial group" (later taurants there, and otherwise going about fidence that people of the West Coast will INTELLECTUAL ANTI-SEMITISM identified as Jews) to professional training their affairs. not tolerate for long any campaigns of The fountainheads of such organized de in psychiatry be restricted, in order to pre "Bring the Nisei and Issei to Sioux," linquency are in intellectual circles. Quan "economic greed and ruthless racial per vent this group from "dominating" and 'Alien Japanese in the United States. tities of anti-Semitic literature emanate £293:1 C292H commented Lt. Colonel Harold J. Preble, which is composed of ex-servicemen of Filipino in a public meeting. The Remember Pearl ancestry, recently was granted a charter by the the Mayor's Civic Unity Committee of Se "has been a salutory lesson to all of us." Harbor League, an anti-Nisei organization, Legion. (Pacific Citizen, April 7, 1945). met on Beacon Hill to establish the Seattle attle, issued a statement condemning the Merced, California—Within the past six weeks And from Rohwer, Arkansas, comes the chapter of the League. The meeting was activities of the Remember Pearl Harbor report that Jusuke Takemoto, 78, an evac "night-riders" have struck seven times at re turned evacuees of.Japanese ancestry in the thrown into confusion by a surprise visit of League and all other organizations with uee of Japanese ancestry at Rohwer Relo San Joaquin Valley. All attacks have followed 150 students from the University of Wash programs directed against the constitu cation Center, is on his way to Lodi, Cali the same pattern—shots fired from a moving ington distributing pro-Nisei literature tional rights of any citizens regardless of fornia, to again take up residence with the car. FBI operators and the Merced County published by the War Relocation Author Chinese friends with whom he lived for deputy sheriffs have launched an investigation color, race, or creed. (Special report) (Se ity. George H. Greenwood, chairman of thirty-five years before Pearl Harbor. Mr. of this organized terrorism. (Pacific Citizen, attle, Wash., Times, April 6, 1945) April 7, 21, 28, 1945). and Mrs. Joe Yip have forwarded money San Jose, California—The Mercury-Herald, for Mr. Takemoto's trip home. (Pacific April 13, reports that Military Intelligence PROGRAMS OF ACTION ON THE DEMOCRATIC FRONT Citizen, April 17, 1945) officials have launched an investigation into Reports of tension, however, persist. a fire at the property of Tetusiko Okida at 610 MAYOR'S COMMITTEE, CINCINNATI* which, for one reason or another, have not N. Fifth Street. Fire Chief Ogden indicated he Outstanding instances of anti-Japanese Two strikes in Greater Cincinnati within had conferred with Army representatives and used Negro labor in the past. A special feeling are noted below. that the latter also sought information concern a week, both growing out of attempts to committee has been appointed to gather Omaha, Nebraska—International News Service ing the recent smashing of a window in a build use Negroes to alleviate the manpower resource material on "How to Integrate reports that an attempt to force Nisei families ing owned by Toshi Taketa, who returned to shortage, prompted the Mayor's Friendly Negroes into Industry." in Buffalo County, Nebraska, to move is being San Jose recently. (Pacific Citizen, April 21, Relations Committee to adopt a three-point In connection with the incidents, Mayor investigated this week by officials of the WRA. 1945). program of action to encourage the full Two Nisei families, according to INS, reported San Francisco, California—The Chronicle, James G. Stewart and Dr. Courter, com they were given "from three to five days" to April 12, reports in a special article from Sac utilization of all available manpower in mittee chairman issued the following state move from the area. They were employed by ramento, that a state-wide organization of Cincinnati for war production. ment: a construction company, lessee of hundreds of groups opposed to the return of persons of First, the Committee will seek the co In Germany and Italy, on Okinawa, in planes acres of pump-irrigated land. The two families Japanese ancestry to California was organized operation of John M. Baker, War Man battering the enemy and on our ships at sea, came to Nebraska from the Topaz, Utah, re in Sacramento on April 23. The meeting re Cincinnatians of various races, colors and creeds location center, "in response to specific job offers sulted from a "call" sent out by the Anti- power Commissioner and Harold James of are fighting with but one thought—that victory to work for wages only." (Pacific Citizen, Japanese Association composed of groups from the local FEPC office in anticipating such may be won quickly and the evil forces of hate, April 7, 1945) Auburn, Winters, Sacramento and Vacaville. situations by determining in advance which brought this bloodshed, subdued forever. Orose, California—A sign reading, "No Japs The group of twenty-five delegates met in which plants contemplate adopting policies Unfortunately production of some vital war Wanted in This District," was erected sometime the county court-house and laid the ground of complete utilization of manpower. materials, needed by the men who are fighting, during the night of March 30 by unidentified work for the new set-up. The delegates were is lagging in Cincinnati because of manpower persons at the corner of Palm Avenue and El given a general outline of the proposed organ Second, the Committee will offer its serv shortage. It is a shortage which could be solved Monte Way in the center of Orosi. The sign, ization and requested to go back to their local ices to management in industry and to la quickly were prejudices on the home front for twenty inches wide and four-and-a-half feet units and secure, if possible, authority to ap bor unions in the form of educational ma gotten in this all-out effort as they are forgotten tall with black, five-inch high letters on a white prove the plan. (Pacific Citizen, April 21, by men amidst shellfire and death. background was, apparently, the work of an ex 1945). terial, speakers and other media to pre Twice within a week efforts to speed up pert sign painter. C F. Schleicher, Orosi realtor Seattle, Washington—The Times, April 11, pare for more complete integration all production in Cincinnati plants by employ and rancher, who owns the corner, said the reports that the possibility of a series of public workers in industry in Cincinnati. Studies ment of Negroes have resulted in strikes based sign was erected without his knowledge but forums to be sponsored by the University of will be made of methods of plants in which on racial prejudice. In one case workers re that he will not remove it. Washington and dealing with racial questions the problem has been met successfully. fused to permit employment of two Negro In the same district, several weeks ago, two with initial stress on the return of Japanese- youths, both of whom have relatives at the or three shots were fired through the windows Americans to the West Coast was discussed at Third, the Committee will hold a series fighting fronts. The one has an uncle who is of a home in the Orosi district occupied recently an informal gathering of students in Lewis Hall of meetings with management and labor a bombardier. In another case the victim of by returned evacuees of Japanese ancestry. on the campus on April 10. The students are to discuss educational procedures and pro prejudice was a Negro who had served three Before the evacuation in 1942 there were members of the Informal Discussion Group, gram. and a half years in the armed forces. which holds weekly sessions on problems of many farmers of Japanese ancestry in the Orosi The fact-finding sub-committee of the In many other Cincinnati plants production area. (Pacific Citizen, April 7, 1945). racial prejudice. (Pacific Citizen, April 21, could be speeded up and war materials sent to Sacramento, California—J. L. Canseco, com 1945). Mayor's Committee has agreed to visit the the fighting fronts which would save the lives mander of the Magellan post No. 604 of the One of the most significant events of the following three types of plants in the area of our men through a speedier termination of American Legion, recently announced that the month in this area of race relations oc in the order given: (1) those successfully the war. We are sure that those who let preju post had unanimously adopted a resolution op utilizing all available manpower; (2) those dice interfere with production have not thought posing the return of persons of Japanese an curred in Seattle, Washington, where anti- of their actions in this light. cestry to the Pacific Coast. The Magellan post, Nisei forces clashed with pro-Nisei forces recently cited by FEPC; and (3) those •See "The Industrial Front," this issue, p. 283. [294:] [2953 At one machine, in one plant, the effect may united in taking the pledge which follows: possible within the existing patterns." land 4, Ohio, organizational secretary of the na seem trivial. But at thousands of jobs in "Realizing that unity is indivisible—that Officers of the permanent organization are: tional federation, is director of the project. hundreds of plants throughout OUT nation, the man who speaks against one American on Carter W. Wesley, Houston, Texas, president; (Special report) the basis of race, religion, or color, speaks C. A. Scott, Atlanta, Ga., vice president; Mrs. prejudice has become the greatest saboteur of INTERCULTURAL UNDERSTANDING the war and will cost thousands of American against all and helps destroy Democracy—I Lucy Harth Smith, Lexington, Ky., vice presi lives through prolongation of the war. pledge these things: dent; Dr. Reid E. Jackson, Southern Univer Intercultural education as an avenue to peace can no longer occupy a secondary place in edu Among those who die needlessly may be a "That I will not give ear to words of racial or sity, Scotlandville, La., secretary; Dr. Horace cation for democratic living, in action programs brother, husband or son of one of those who religious hate; Mann Bond, Fort Valley State College, Fort in race relations. The five-year-old Springfield thoughtlessly has allowed himself to be used "That I will not be misled by rumors or re Valley, Ga., director of research; and President as a tool of this most deadly of sabateurs. ports and will not spread either about my fel R. B. Atwood, Kentucky State College, Frank Plan is the most notable of the experiments in fort, Kentucky, treasurer. (ANP, April 4, 1945) this field.1 A Summer Workshop on Intercul We are confident that by management, unions, low Americans; CORE and representatives of the community at large "That I will use my voice for whatever tural and Inter-racial Education is scheduled At a convention held in Chicago, Illinois, combining their efforts to bring the true facts be value it may have to challenge openly and to be held at Stanford University from June 21 June 12-13, 1943, the local Committees of Racial 2 fore the workers of our city, we can put an publicly and on the spot any man who speaks to August 2. On Tuesday evening, April 10, Equality formed a national federation known end to this drag on production. in seriousness or in jest, along the lines of 1945, the final session of the Workshop on Race as the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) Pending the employment of a full-time racial or religious hate." Relations of the United Parents Association Dr. Howard L. Bevis, president of Ohio State with James L. Farmer, field representative on (UPA) of the New York City public schools executive secretary, Mrs. J. R. Ong is in University presided over the meeting and Ray race relations for the Fellowship of Reconcilia was held at 105 East Twenty-second Street.* charge of the Committee's office, Room S. Reinert, president of the Council for De tion, as president. The organization is dedi The end of this academic year will bring to a 105, City Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio. (FR, GP) mocracy, presented the "Salute to Columbus" cated to the task of "working to abolish racial close the Saturday afternoon Neighborhood discrimination by direct, non-violent methods." Project of Horace Mann-Lincoln School Neigh ACTION NOTES scroll to the Mayor of the city. (FR) (Colum bus, O., Citizen, April 10, 1945). A special "Summer Non-violent Direct Action borhood Committee, New York City. Accord GEORGIA, ATLANTA MINNESOTA, MINNEAPOLIS Campaign to Help Uproot Jim Crowism in an ing to the committee's chairman, Dr. Camille The Southern Regional Council sponsored a American Community" is now being planned The Governor's Interracial Commission under K. Cayley, educational research looking toward conference on "The South's Post-War Economy" under the joint sponsorship of the Congress of the chairmanship of the Rev. Francis J. Gil- improving the project will continue and the in Atlanta on April 11-12, 1945. Speakers in Racial Equality and the Chicago committee of ligan has completed the first in a series of re neighborhood center will be reopened in the cluded Judge Edgar Watkins, Atlanta; Roger the Congress. The announcement indicates ports to Governor Edward J. Thye on the fall. A representative committee of teachers Stevens, chief of industrial plants division, that the "action campaign" is open to anyone problems of Negroes in Minnesota. The first from the public schools of Wilmington, Dela Smaller War Plants Corporation; A. F. Hin- who wishes to: ricks, acting commissioner of labor statistics, report, "The Negro Worker in Minnesota?', ware, have been studying "The Problem of U. S. Department of Agriculture; Wilford White, pointed out that although Negro citizens could 1. Discover effective means for overcoming Religious and Racial Tolerance in the Schools acting chief, Division of Small Business, U. S. vote without interference, ride public con race discrimination; of Wilmington" during the past year and are Department of Commerce; Dr. August veyances, walk the streets without molestation 2. Enjoy fellowship in study and action with offering specific suggestions to the Board of Maffry, chief of International Trade Unit, U. and send their children to the public schools, a group of like-minded persons of various Education. Progress in the latter two programs S. Department of Commerce; Coleman Wood they encountered discrimination in employ races; is reported below. 4 bury, assistant administrator, National Housing ment opportunities, housing, public eating 3. Accept the discipline of democratic group NEW YORK CITY Agency; M. T. Van Hecke, chairman, Regional places, and sometimes in hospital service. It decisions for all projects in which the in The Horace Mann-Lincoln School Neighbor Labor Board, Atlanta; and Prof. Glenn Rainey, is reported that the Governor has already taken dividual participates; hood Center began on Saturday afternoon, Georgia School of Technology. (ANP, April action on some specific recommendations em 4. Aid a local group in an American com November 11, 1944, when parents were invited 2, 1945). bodied in the report and is considering estab munity to resist effectively the rising tide to send their children, ages eight to sixteen, to ILLINOIS, CHICAGO lishing a permanent state interracial commis of race discrimination by non-violent enroll in a program to give them experience in sion. (ANP, April 11 and April 16, 1945). The Mayor's Committee on Race Relations methods. "democratic living". Three hundred children of S. N. C. E. E. O. has established a series of awards to be made "The project will be a full-time two month all backgrounds—Negro, Chinese, Japanese, for meritorious service toward the improve Southern educators and newspapermen met campaign (June 18 to August 18) ... to chal Irish, Italian, Portuguese, Puerto Rican, Russian, ment of race relations in Chicago. Municipal in early April and created a new organiza lenge race discrimination through the use of English— participate under the supervision of Judge George L. Quilici will head a committee tion, the Southern Negro Conference for the direct action techniques in the spirit of non thirteen white and Negro instructors conducting of twelve city judges who will select the recip Equalization of Educational Opportunities. The violence. Those who volunteer for the sum a variety of "classes", all of a hobby nature. ient from nominations made by community Conference is pledged to work for equality of mer will, as a part of an interracial group, work "A careful representation of all races was organizations. (Chicago, 111., Tribune, April educational opportunity in the southern states in cooperation with the Chicago Committee of planned in choosing the children for the pro 4, 1945). "within the framework of the decision ren Racial Equality and other local agencies in ject: one-third (100) from the Horace-Mann OHIO, COLMUBUS dered by the U. S. Supreme Court in the Gaines Chicago. The volunteers will go through a Lincoln School and two-thirds (200) from the On April 9th in a "Salute to Columbus" mass case." However, the Conference states that in brief training course. . . . The action will con schools, churches and libraries of the immediate meeting celebrating its first anniversary, the the implementation of the decision in the Gaines sist of investigating areas of racial tension, neighborhood." Columbus Council for Democracy commended case, it "does not endorse the principles of negotiating problems discovered with those !See Monthly Summary, Vol. I, No. 6, January, 1944, the people of the city for their "co-operation dual school systems" . . . (but) "until such time who are officially responsible, and taking further action such as distributing leaflets, p. 17; and this issue, p. 300. in furthering racial and religious understand as this policy in the affected states is changed, =Oakland, Calif., Tribune, April 10, 1945. ing." Led by Mayor James A. Rhodes, 1500 those responsible for public education should picketing, etc., if the situation demands this." 3New York Herald-Tribune, April 15, 1945. George M. Houser, 7100 Kinsman Road, Cleve 'Special report. Quotations from New York Times, persons gathered in the State House square effect all. the progress and improvements magazine section, February 11, 1945. [296] [297H The "afternoon begins with an assembly at junior and senior high school levels. and cooperate with other groups in the Conference of Southern Students to discuss which movies and skits are shown, and at which 6. The gross misconceptions and false in promoting better cultural relations. plans for world organization. A permanent often celebrated artists of different cultural formation which some teachers and 3. Study be made by the committee of the organization was established with Charles Proc backgrounds dance, sing and enchant their pupils have regarding minority groups procedures followed in other communi tor, Fisk University, as president; Douglas young audiences into participating with them. such as: ties in dealing with the problem. Hunt, University of North Carolina, as execu a. The superiority of the white race, the inferiority The rest of the five hours is spent in supervised of the colored races. 4. A bibliography on Intercultural Rela tive secretary-treasurer; and an executive com educational activities." The activities include: b. Biologically the white and colored races are very tions be prepared for the use of the mittee of thirteen consisting of one delegate different. (1) arts and crafts; (2) group games in gyms c. The number of Negroes and Jews serving in the teachers. from each of the southern states. The Con armed forces is below the proportion of Negroes and playgrounds; (3) carpentry; (4) contem and Jews in our total population. 5. A few capable teachers interested in the ference elected two delegates to attend the San porary affairs discussion group; (5) drama d. The Jews control the government, business problem of promoting better intercul Francisco World Security Conference as official houses, banks and newspapers of the United group; (6) expressive dancing; (7) group States. tural relations, be released from their observers: Douglas Hunt, University of North e. The people belonging to the ethnic groups from music; (8) painting and drawing; (9) pottery; northern and western Europe are superior to regular work and given time to introduce Carolina, and Sgt. Maurice D. Clifford, Meharry (10) sculpture; and (11) swimming. There those from southern and eastern Europe. into the curriculum through various sub Medical College. The student meeting which are no fees. 7. The prejudices which parents have to jects and at all grade levels, materials culminated in the permanent Conference of The program is financed ($3,500, 1944-45) by ward minority groups and transmit to which will develop understandings, at Southern Students was initiated and under the Neighborhood Committee of, the Parent- their children. titudes and appreciation leading to better written by the Southern Conference for Human Teacher Association of the Teachers College 8. The denial to the Negroes in the com intercultural relations and actions. Welfare. (Special report) munity of the civil rights accorded them Schools and is supervised by Ernest G. Osborne Teachers comprising the investigating com Chicago, III.: Miss Willa Lee, Negro, has re in the Constitution. and Goodwin Watson, professors of education, mittee included: Marguerite Burnett, chair cently been appointed head resident of Phoenix B. Some Suggested Means of Solving These Teachers College, Columbia University. man; Virginia Brown, Ruth Cornell, Bessie De- House, one of the women's dormitories at the WILMINGTON, DELAWARE5 Problems: vine, Sophie J. Edwards, Wilbert Hitchner, University of Chicago. There are only four Despite the Jim Crow laws which segregate 1. Study the various racial stocks, the Mary McCloskey, Luther J. Porter, Daisy L. Negro girls among the occupants of this dormi Negro and white children in Wilmington public ethnic groups and their cultures as a Simms, and Helen Levy. tory. (Special report) . . . The sixth annual schools, the Board of Education is at work on basis of developing tolerance through American Negro Music Festival to be held in a program of intercultural understanding which understanding. ITEMS Chicago, St. Louis, and Detroit, July 20-25, will incorporates' some of the features of the Spring 2. Study the contributions of individuals Atlanta, Ga.: The Atlanta Boys Club has pay tribute to the late president Franklin Delano field Plan. The findings and recommendations of all races, nationalities and creeds to received a gift of $10,000 toward the erection of Roosevelt for his contributions toward the im of a year-long survey were presented to Dr. W. the development of American civiliza a new $100,000 building for Negro boys. The provement of race relations in the United H. Lemmel, Superintendent of Schools, on tion. donor is J. N. McEachren, white, president of States. (ANP, April 25, 1945) ... The Chicago a. Part played in history the Industrial Life and Health Insurance April 11, 1945. The report citing the problems, b. Contributions in the fields of art, science, music NAACP plaque for "the most significant contri suggesting solutions, and recommending proce and literature Company of Atlanta. (ANP, April 25, 1945) . . . bution toward the betterment of race relations One thousand students of Atlanta University dure follows: 3. Provide opportunities for bringing to in Chicago within the past year" was awarded gether members of various cultural and affiliates heard the "Information Please" to the Rev. Douglas Cedarleaf, youthful white A. Some Specific Problems Existing in the groups through class, school and com experts in a guest performance at Atlanta Uni minister at the Erie Chapel Presbyterian Schools munity activities. versity, Sisters Chapel, in early April. (ANP, Church. (ANP, April 2, 1945) . . . Richard 1. The intolerant attitude which some 4. Study effective methods for promoting April 9, 1945) Wright, author of "Native Son" and "Black teachers and principals have and show better inter-cultural relations. Baltimore, Md.: For the first time in the re Boy", has been appointed to the Board of toward minority groups. The unfriendly 5. Study the significance of religious holi corded history of the Southern Presbyterian Director of the American Council on Race Re attitude of pupils toward minority groups days which necessitate pupils being ab Church a Negro minister, the Rev. Dr. John T. lations. (GP) and new pupils entering the school. sent from school. Recognize the absence Colbert, has been elected moderator. Dr. Col Hoboken, N. J.: The Rev. Charles Freeman, 2. The designating of certain unfavorable without comment. bert is now moderator of the Presbytery of D. D., pastor of Lafayette Presbyterian Church, traits of character and actions of pupils 6. Study the problem of coordinating the Baltimore and will work with seventy-three Jersey City, is the first Negro minister to be as being typical of certain minority work of the various community organi Maryland churches. (Baltimore, Md., Evening elected moderator of the Jersey City Presby groups. zations interested in promoting better Sun, April 19, 1945). tery. The group includes 51 Presbyterian 3. The failure of teachers and principals to intercultural relations. Berkeley, Calif.: An Institute on International churches in Hudson, Bergen, and Passaic solve pertinent problems of Jewish C. Some Procedures Which Might Be Fol Understanding and Intercultural Appreciation Counties, and a part of New York State. (Ho pupils in the schools by attributing the lowed in Attacking the Problem in Wil will be held at the University of California from boken, N. J., Jersey Observer, April 19, 1945) cause of the problem to the over-sensi mington: July 2 to August 10 under the leadership of Dr. Iowa City, Iowa: In late March, the Faculty tivity of the Jew. 1. Dr. Lemmel be asked to call a meeting W. Henry Cook, Professor of History, Clare- Quintet of the University of Iowa gave the 4. The derogatory remarks made by some of the principals and supervisors and mont Graduate School. (FR) premier performance of a recent composition of teachers and pupils because of the discuss with them the significance of Cambridge, Mass.: Dr. Mordecai W. Johnson, Dr. M. F. Mells, Negro, head of the Music De absence of Jewish pupils on their holi the problem of intercultural relations president of Howard University was guest partment, Langston University, Oklahoma. The days. in oiir schools and community, and en minister at Appleton Chapel, Harvard Univer Mells quintet for two violins, viola, cello, and list their support in solving the 5. The tendency of many Jewish children sity on April 1, 1945. (ANP, April 4, 1945) clarinet was broadcast over station WSUI. to form groups, to work and associate problem. Chapel Hill, N. C: On April 15, 1945, fifty (ANP, April 2, 1945) only with members of their faith at the 2. The teachers' organizations and student delegates from as many colleges, Negro and Jackson, Mich.: Planned programs with con councils be asked to study the problem BNetu York Post, April 24, 1945, and Special Report. white, from the thirteen southern states met in sultants on interracial understanding are being [298] [299] made available to civic organizations and other on April 8. The Composition was directed by Africa. (New York Times, April 7, 1945) . . . ton, to membership on the Small Business groups interested in interracial and inter-cul Rudolph Ganz, pianist. (ANP, April 9, 1945) For his manuscript, "Democracy Needs the Advisory Committee of the Department of tural problems by the Adult Education Center . . . The work of Richmond Barthe, Negro gifted Negro", Staff Sgt. Spencer Logan of North Commerce. (ANP, April 23, 1945) (OWI, under the direction of Lloyd M. Wolfe, co sculptor, is being shown as a part of the "Por Plainfield, N. J. was awarded the $2,500 non- N-1447) ordinator of Adult education. (Jackson, Mich., traits of Americans by Americans" exhibition fiction prize in the Macmillan Centenary Awards Wilberforce, O.: Lillian Smith, author of Citizen-Patriot, April 15, 1945) being sponsored by the National Association of for the Armed Forces of the United Nations. "Strange Fruit" and editor of South Today was Los Angeles, Calif.: Ralph Vaughn, set-de Portrait Painters at the International Print The fiction prize of $2,500 was won by Sgt. guest speaker at Wilberforce University on signer for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, recently won Society. (ANP, April 11, 1945) . . . Lucky Josiah E. Greene of Washington, Conn., for his Monday, April 16. (ANP, April 9, 1945) first prize in a nationwide competition for the Roberts, 733 St. Nicholas Avenue, Negro novel, "Not in Our Stars". (Elizabeth, N. J. PIKEVILLE SEQUEL "Practical Miracle Postwar Home" sponsored musician, has been invited to membership on Journal, April 23, 1945, and Providence, R. I., Social action groups throughout the state of by Practical Builder, a trade journal published the board of ASCAP, powerful musicians' union. Journal, April 22, 1945) Tennessee have been mobilized in the move in Chicago. Mr. Vaughn, formerly associated (FR) . . . Mrs. William Burroughs, Negro, for Norfolk, Va.: The Rev. Bravid Washington ment for the reform of the State Training and with Paul Williams, famed Negro architect, is 16 years a teacher in the New York Public Harris, for 20 years rector of Grace Episcopal Agricultural School for Negro boys at Pikeville. a graduate of Howard University and the Uni Schools, is now a radio announcer in Moscow. The Pikeville reform movement is an outgrowth versity of Illinois. (ANP, April 18, 1945) Mrs. Burroughs, whose radio name is Omma Church in Norfolk, was recently consecrated of the lynching of James Ellis Scales, 16-year- Memphis, Tenn.: The Warner Brothers' film Percy, went to Moscow in 1935. (ANP, April Bishop of Liberia. At present he is the only old inmate of the institution, on the school on intercultural education in Springfield, Mass., 11, 1945) . . . The Phelps-Stokes Fund, Inc., Negro Bishop in active service in the Episcopal grounds, Noveiriber 23, 1944.1 "It Happened in Springfield", was shown at has prepared and published an "Encyclopedia Church. (Norfolk, Va., Ledger-Dispatch, April Bellevue Junior High School on Saturday of the Negro" which will serve as a predecessor 17, 1945) Governor Jim McCord has appointed a quali morning, April 14, 1945. The showing of the to a more complete study of the relation of the St. Louis, Mo.: On May 1, 1945, Robert S. Cobb, fied and experienced boys worker, C. C. Menz- motion picture was followed by a discussion of Negro to world affairs. The present volume, Negro, took over duties as assistant in the ler, superintendent of the Tennessee Industrial the Springfield Plan as a method to be used in edited by Dr. W. E. B. DuBois and Dr. Guy B. Missouri Workmen's Compensation Commis School, to work on a program for the improve schools to develop better human relations be Johnson, deals with the relation of the peoples sion. (ANP, April 18, 1945) ment of the Pikeville school. A new superin tween races and creeds. The speakers were: of Africa to the future development of civiliza Sunbury, Pa.: The problem of the Negro in tendent, George Little of Pikeville, has been Dr. Fritz Bamberger of Coronet magazine; the tion; the Negro's potentiality and progress; and America is being discussed by the Rev. Donald appointed to head the institution. Rev. Allan P. Farrell, editor of America, a na his changing educational, political and economic G. Jacobs in a series of lectures during April Among the special investigating committees tional Catholic weekly; and Dr. Clarence I. status in the United States. (ANP, April 11, and May at Bucknell University. Mr. Jacobs which have visited the reform school are the Chatto of Springfield, Massachusetts. The pro 1945) . . . The Council on African Affairs, Paul is studying for the degree of Master of Arts in committee from the Department of Christian gram was presented to educational leaders of Robeson, chairman, has submitted a plan to the Sociology at Bucknell. (Sunbury, Pa., Item, Social Service of the Episcopal Church, Dio Memphis under the auspices of the Memphis San Francisco World Security Conference call April 18, 1945) cese of Tennessee, under the Chairmanship of Round Table. (Memphis, Tenn., Press-Scimi ing for the establishment of an inter-national Washington, D. C: On April 3, 1945 at the Bishop E. P. Dandridge; and a joint committee tar, April 14, 1945) (FR) colonial commission charged with the responsi Statler Hotel, Washington, D. C, the Southern of the Pastors' Association and the Interdenom bility for promoting a higher standard of living, Conference for Human Welfare bestowed a New York City: In mid-April Ellis Wilson, inational Ministers' Alliance of Nashville. (FR) self-government and self-determination for all signal honor upon Hugo Black, Associate Jus painter, Negro, was granted his second Guggen colonial peoples. (Interracial Trends, May 1, tice of the United States Supreme Court. For SECOND ANNUAL INSTITUTE OF heim Fellowship Award for creative work in 1945) (NP) . . . The first recipient of the Council the second time, Justice Black is the recipient RACE RELATIONS painting. (ANP, April 25, 1945) . . . Jack and for Fair Play award for outstanding contribu of the Thomas Jefferson Award, given bi- Bert Goldberg, motion picture producers, have Another year of war has intensified some of tion toward the improvement of human re annually to a Southerner who has rendered out announced that their organizaton will produce the current problems in race relations and cre lations and interracial understanding is Dr. standing service to the nation. Justice Black 12 feature length pictures with all-Negro casts ated new ones. After the war there will be William Jay Schieffelin of New York City, received the Conference's first Jefferson Award during the 1945-46 season. The first, "Negro still other problems, all of which are phases chairman of the Board of Trustees of Tuskegee in 1938, for his work in the United States Senate. Boys Town", based on activities in Hill City of the universal racial conflict. Institute, one of the founders of the National Other recipients include Dr. Will W. Alexander, (outside Pittsburgh), will go into production The American Missionary Association, Urban League, vice-president of the United Dr. Frank P. Graham, and Mrs. Mary McLeod not later than June 15, 1945. (ANP, April 9, through the Division on Race Relations, is now Negro College Fund, president of the Albanian Bethune. (The Southern Patriot, March, 1945) 1945) . . . During the autumn season Leopold concentrating on its Second Annual Institute American School of Agriculture, and treasurer (GP, ANP) ... Dr. Catherine Deaver Lealtad of Stokowski plans to produce "Troubled Island", of Race Relations where men and women of of the National Committee for a Permanent New York City, first Negro woman to fill a posi an American opera by William Grant Still with FEPC. The presentation was made by Dr. Wal tion with United Nations Relief and Rehabili varying backgrounds and experiences may have libretto by Langston Hughes . . . Ethel Waters ter Damrosch at a concert at the Waldorf- tation Administration's Health Division, has the opportunity to study and discuss the prob and Josh White will be starred in "The Wishing Astoria on Sunday afternoon, April 22, 1945. been appointed medical officer and will soon lems and methods of dealing with racial situa Tree" a new variety show being introduced in (ANP, April 25, 1945) . . . Two awards, to be go abroad to take up work with displaced tions. The program is being planned with a view New York this spring by Irvin Shapiro. Special given annually to men and women who have persons in Central Europe. (OWI, N-1445) to meeting the immediate demands of the pres music for the show, planned as a cavalcade of distinguished themselves in promoting better . . . Guam Hall, the third of the residence halls ent emergency and with some anticipation of the contributions by Negroes to American relations between Africa and America, have for Negro women war workers to be constructed the future needs in a post-war world. entertainment, will be composed by Duke been established by the African Academy of by the Federal Works Agency, was dedicated In addition to an introductory course of study Ellington. (New York City, Daily Worker, April Arts and Research. The awards are named in and opened for inspection on April 5, 1945. of race relations, the following special seminars 2, 1945) . . . The first symphony of 13-year-old honor of the late Wendell L. Willkie and Felix (OWI, N-1433) . . . Secretary of Commerce are being offered: Phillipa Schuyler was played at the Philhar Eboue, the late Governor General of Equatorial Henry A. Wallace recently appointed John R. monic Young People's Concert, Carnegie Hall, ^Monthly Summary, November 1944, p. 100; Decem Pinkett, Negro insurance executive of Washing ber, 1944, pp. 131-32. [300] [301] 1. Federal policies and practices toward racial minor THE FRONT PAGE ities. The problem will be defined in terms of the cial Services, Children's Bureau, U. S. Depart various federal agencies, including the FEPC, (A review of front page news featured in the Negro weekly press. It is based upon an analysis FPHA and Veterans Administration and how these ment of Labor, Washington, D. C; Helen V. agencies operate in regional and local areas. of the Baltimore AFRO-AMERICAN, CHICAGO DEFENDER, Los Angeles CALIFORNIA EAGLE, New York McLean: Psychiatrist, Chicago; James Mad- PEOPLE'S VOICE, JOURNAL AND GUIDE, PITTSBURGH COURIER 2. The problems of racial adjustment and integration Norfolk and for the month of April, in industry and labor organizations. dox: Bureau of Agricultural Economics, U. S. 3. Community relations—problems, programs and Department of Agriculture; George S. Mitchell: techniques of official and citizens committees and The social significance of the Negro press Transcript, while one has the format of a organizations working in the field of race relations. Regional Director, CIO Political Action Com 4. Public and private housing for low-income groups mittee, Atlanta; Ashley Montague: Anthropolo in the United States is partially revealed New York Daily Mirror and the voice of and restrictive covenants. gist, Harvard University; Ruth A. Morton: Di PM. 5. Problems of urban adjustment of the major mi in the fact that it has become the subject nority groups in the United States—health, recre rector, American Missionary Association of a Fortune magazine press analysis. The But, to the month's news. ation, transportation and other problems of gen Schools, New York; Phileo Nash: Office of War eral welfare. current issue of that journal publishes the War and its Negro troops, segregation, 6. The church and race relations: the church will be Information; Arthur Raper: Social Science considered as a social institution with a primary San Francisco, and the death of President function in society of implementing the principle Analyst, Division of Farm Population and Rural appraisal of James S. Twohey, newspaper of a Christian Democracy. Welfare, U. S. Department of Agriculture; Ira analyst, who in December, 1944, surveyed Roosevelt were the headline features of 7. The South, including the rural aspects of race re lations. DeA. Reid: Professor of Sociology, Atlanta the front pages of four issues of the this month in the Negro press. In what 8. The press, radio, cinema and other means of social University; Associate Director, Southern Re trol. twenty-eight Negro newspapers that ac was apparently an effort to offset the un 9. Intercultural and interracial education. gional Council; Malcolm Ross: Chairman, Pres favorable comments on the combat record ident's Committee on Fair Employment Prac counted for more than one-half of the total Lecturers, consultants and discussion leaders tices, Washington; Charlemae Rollins: Chil circulation of 139 general Negro newspa of Negro troops published in March, the include: dren's Library, The Chicago Public Library; pers. To this analyst "the Negro press is news for April was almost linguistic. The W. W. Alexander: formerly Director, Farm Arthur L. Swift, Jr.: Professor, Union Theolog an interest-group press; its chief concern: Civilian Aide to the Secretary of War, just Security Administration; Vice President Julius ical Seminary, New York; Charles H. Thomp Negro progress. Two-thirds of the front accused of racial heresy because of his ad son: Head, Department of Education, Howard Rosenwald Fund; Claude A. Barnett: Associat page stories deal with Negro-white rela versely interpreted remarks on the fight University; Edgar T. Thompson: Professor of ed Negro Press; Horace Mann Bond, President, tions; one-third deals with strictly Negro ing prowess of the "Race's" famed 92nd the Fort Valley State College, Fort Valley, Sociology, Duke University, Durham; Willard S. Townsend: Member, Executive Committee, news. The attitude range: from near-ap Division denounced Army segregation in a Georgia; Arna Bontemps, Librarian and Author, subsequent press conference. Some of the Fisk University; Sterling A. Brown: Professor CIO; International President, U.T.S.E.A.; Rob peasement of whites to proof that whites of English, Howard University; Fred L. Brown- ert C. Weaver: Director, Community Services, are no better than their Negro neighbors." Negro papers continued to press for his lee: General Secretary, American Missionary American Council on Race Relations; Louis resignation. The famed Mustang Fighters Association Division, New York; Tarleton Col Wirth: Professor of Sociology, University of The statistical character of news covered of the 332nd Fighting Group under Col. lier: editorial writer, The Courier-Journal, Chicago; P. B. Young, Jr.: Editor-in-chief, The by papers published in and outside the Journal and Guide, Norfolk. B. O. Davis was reported as bagging Louisville; Allison Davis: Director, Intercultural South is revealed in the following data twenty-five enemy planes in two days in Education Workshop, New York; Rachel Davis The Institute, under the direction of Dr. adapted from the poll: the European war. Negro troops, some of DuBois: Assistant Professor of Education, Uni Charles S. Johnson, will be held at Fisk Uni Type of News Percentage of Front Page Space whom had given up their ratings in serv versity of Chicago; Lawrence Duncan: Chief of versity, Nashville, Tennessee, July 2-21, 1945. Weeklies Minority Services, War Manpower Commission, Southern Published All ice units that they might join combat ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Negro Outside Papers Cleveland, Ohio; James C. Evans: Assistant Ci South Weeklies groups are reported to have said "we got vilian Aide to the Secretary of War, War Depart Exclusively tired of giving sweat, so we went to give ment, Washington, D. C; Edwin R. Embree, 31 32 Negro News 34 some blood." And it was announced that President, Julius Rosenwald Fund; Chairman, Senator Dennis Chavez, (New Mexico) chair Friendly Negro-white 32 35 Negro officers were in command of the Mayor's Committee on Race Relations, Chicago; man of the Senate Committee on Education relations 40 mixed social staff and enlisted personnel Lemuel L. Foster: Race Relations Analyst, Head and Labor: Neutral news on race 10 15 quarters Army Service Forces, Washington, D. relations 13 of the 714th Medical Sanitary Company sta C; Truman K. Gibson, Jr.: Civilian Aide to the "I long ago tired of hearing the empty phrases The Negro weeklies which "pay no at of too many of our patriotic orators, who seem tioned in Manila, P. I. Secretary of War, War Department, Washing tention to any politics except as it bears ton, D. C; S. I. Hayakawa: Associate Professor to lie in ambush for an American holiday in order to parade to the rostrum and in the most on Negro issues" and which "puts empha Two papers had published facsimiles of of English, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chi the propaganda sheets distributed among cago; Frank Home: Racial Relations Adviser honeyed idiom extol the heaven-granted rights sis on Negro rights and Negro self-respect, to the Commissioner, National Housing Agency, of their fellow citizens. Only too often this hoping that thus they can build a structure Negro troops by the Germans. Counter same patriot will advocate separate railroad propaganda was noted in the report that FPHA, Washington, D. C; Charles H. Houston: accommodations for members of a race other in the shadow of which hatred will with Attorney, Member of the President's Commit than his own . . . would not even accept the er," is a diversified press, according to Mr. Rene Maran, famed African author of Ba- tee on Fair Employment Practices; Giles A. Hu application of employment of a man whose Twohey's report. One will look like a toula, had spurned Nazi collaboration. The bert: Head, Depatrment of Economics, Fisk name did not happen to harmonize with his WACs who had been given stiff sentences University, Nashville, Tennessee; S. C. Kinche- Hearst publication, another like one of the provincial notions of nationality. We must for their uprisings at Fort Devens, Massa loe: Professor, The Chicago Theological Semi divest our way of every element of bigotry and Scripps-Howard papers. Yet, another is nary; Frayser T. Lane: Civic Director, Chicago hypocrisy." (New York Times, March 20, almost a counterpart of the late Boston chusetts, were returned to duty after in- Urban League; Vinita Lewis: Consultant in So 1945). [303] [302] vestigation and the officer in charge was month. In the main, the papers' chief in relieved of his command. The hunger terest was in the colonial question and the the Record Facts" were now told: FDR as was Mrs. Roosevelt. Another comment strike of 100 Seabees, for which four of rights of minority peoples, particularly ra wanted Negro commissioned officers in the ed that an "Era Ends for Mrs. R." All of them were allegedly flogged, had a denou- cial minorities. The representation of the Navy; he was unhappy about the "deplor them bemoaned the passing with one who ment in the ousting of their commander. colored nations at this conference was able colonial exploitation;" he sent a Negro might in summary of the comments be ap Yet, the ghost of segregation would not newsworthy; the attendance of African and newspaper commission to see these condi praised as the greatest of the nation's First down. From Freeman Field, Indiana, came West Indian labor delegations was signifi tions on a No. 1 (White House) priority; he Ladies. reports of the arrests of more than one cant; the comments of the Negro press on got a Negro on the White House correspon Fourth, politics. Immediately one paper hundred commissioned Negro airmen, who what would take place there was based dents' staff; he revealed to the Negro press voiced "fear and suspicion of his succes visited an officer's club that was restricted very largely upon their wish as to what ten months before election that he was sor." Another felt that FDR's action or in to whites, there being no comparable fa should take place. Literally no contribu going to run for a fourth term. action with respect to the Vice Presiden tial nomination at Chicago last summer cilities for the colored personnel. The tion to the understanding of colonial ques There was little wailing and gnashing of Negro press cited this case as another in tions was to be found in their stories. The was the only "mean thing" he had ever teeth, nor was there much mourning at the done to Negroes. Another queried "Will the long series of disadvantageous situa reports of colonial problems made by mem bar. As might be expected, a great trib tions in which Negro flying personnel have bers of the Negro newspaper commission GOP-Democratic Alliance Continue?" Yet ute was paid to a humanitarian president, another wired the new President hoping found themselves. The most searching earlier in the year were more trenchant by "The Lamplighter," as the Afro-Amer far than any of the San Francisco blurbs. that he would continue to espouse Roose comment on the whole problem was given ican called him. Four significant as in fact by one commentator saying that In this respect, however, the Negro press velt's liberalism. And when the one Negro pects of his life and death provided Negro airmen are "designing an air cam was certainly no worse than the American White House correspondent asked Presi the main stories. First, the stories of paign ribbon with stars to show service at daily press in displaying its unfamiliarity dent Truman what Negroes might expect the Negro personnel who knew him Selfridge, Tuskegee, Atterbury, Walter- with the techniques and devices of Euro from him, the President unhesitatingly re intimately, his former valet, McDuf boro, Godman, San Angelo and Freeman. pean, American and Asiatic imperialism. plied that he "need only read the Senate fie, and his wife; Prettyman, Mr. Roose They deserve it." "Trusteeship" seemed to be a knock in the record of one Harry S. Truman." velt's valet at his death (who was not so The issues of the Negro weeklies for April was a month of tension-reporting, engine of democracy. Both presses ban died it about as if it were the perfect sol much news copy as was Fala when the two April 14 and 21 are important social docu for the home front was no less tranquil. vent. took a walk at Atlanta's Terminal Station); ments. It is not here possible to synthesize There was peonage reported at Fort Lau Harry McAlpin, who attended his press all of the features. One would not want derdale, Florida, (by no means a new Monumental issues became relatively conferences. These stories had no parallel to omit from an evaluation of Franklin story) and reports of a Ku Klux Klan re unimportant when Franklin D. Roosevelt in the daily press and are valuable human Roosevelt's significance to Negro peoples vival; there was no Jim Crow at famed San died. Even the few-weeks-old proposal documents. the Pittsburgh Courier's double column, that Matriarch Mary McLeod Bethune be Quentin prison, and Alaska had approved front-page editorial "Mr. Roosevelt is added to the late President's advisory Second, the picture of FDR and various anti-race-bias legislation as far back as Dead," or P. B. Young, Jr.'s story "Off the staff was forgotten as the Negro press cov representatives of the colored races told a April 17; a magazine article was quoted Record Facts" in the Journal and Guide. ered the biggest story of its history. The straight story: FDR in a jeep with Presi which advised Negroes to accept segrega Harry McAlpin's syndicated column is Negro weekly was somewhat "put-to" to dent Barclay of Liberia; greeting President tion as one crusading reporter was publish fresh, provides an inside view and contains adequately cover the event one week later, Lescot of Haiti; speaking at Howard Uni ing "Dixie Trains Jam Negro Passengers prophetic advice—"He was not indispen for the President died on the day the na versity; shaking hands with a disabled in Prison Cars." A Negro weekly was cam sable. . . . We must organize if we are to tional editions of Negro papers reached the Negro seaman; greeting the Liberian Con paigning for Negro players in Major keep more than just his memory." High streets. However, they came through hand sul-General in the United States; clutching League baseball and the Southern Elec in the list of well-written, deeply emotional somely in their straight coverage, feature George Washington Carver's hand in both toral Reform League announced a move to prose is J. Saunders Redding's column "A writings, predictions, and pictures. There of his; the Negro soldiers who accompa unseat sixty-eight Congressmen from Ala Second Look" in which he builds a pretty were front-page editorials and double-page nied his funeral cortege in Washington; bama, South Carolina, Texas, Arkansas, piece around "The President is Dead." And picture stories. and Negro women weeping as the body Mississippi, Tennessee and Virginia be was passing by. Over and above the pic here we note that these opinions are the cause of their disfranchising election pro Franklin Roosevelt was the "Best Friend tures which appeared in the daily press, expressions of young men. One other cedures. of Race Since Lincoln and Willkie." He these photographs told the story of FDR should be added, for it symbolizes an as The United Nations' World Security was compared with Moses as a leader of and the Negro. pect of the spirit of the Negro press. We Conference at San Francisco was next to forgotten people. Moses was buried on have previously quoted the Defender fea Third, Mrs. Roosevelt. One paper openly top news for the Negro press during the Mt. Nebro—Roosevelt in Hyde Park. "Off ture "National Grapevine," written under stated that the President was not so loved [304] [305] the pseudonym "Charley Cherokee." This wherever Franklin Roosevelt is with that "Which leads up to the story of three GI's— "Well, those Negro GI's came out of their holes, and tilted the empties into one can. By columnist's final comment on FDR was long cigarette holder tilted in his mouth, white boys—who were caught on the road one night with the gas needle angling toward the the time the 30 cans were wrung dry, there "Buy Another Bond, Mister, but remember he'd like you to KEEP 'EM SQUIRMING." zero mark. was enough gas in the jeep to get to the next "They made several bids for refill without dump. OTHER PEOPLE'S MAIL success — until they pulled into an orchard "Don't mention it," was what the Negro ser where a Negro medic outfit was dug in for the geant said as the GI's pulled out. From a GI stationed East of the Rhine, mingled his blood in death with ours on the night. Piled in a neat stack under a tree were "The decent things Joes do for each other April 3, 1945: immortal shores of Normandy—shares the free about 30 cans—all empty. Empty, that is, ex should be mentioned. They ought to make "Coming into the Army, I was dismayed to dom he died for."—One who believes in the cept for the few drops that always stick inside things a little easier when we go back home." find how universally antagonistic were Army— Four Freedoms. the neck of a GI can. —Stars and Stripes, Sept. 9, 1944. or more correctly 'Infantry' personnel toward "Our outfit is composed of boys from North the Negro. The Army aggravated the situation and South. We have often fought the Civil War FROM THE PRESS OF THE NATION by putting Negroes in rear area positions as over and over again in friendly arguments, but truck drivers, ordnance men, etc. Recently this on one point we are agreed. The Negro soldier "The authorities at San Quentin Prison in the world security conference which opens at has been corrected. A new colored tank outfit in this war is getting more credit than he de California have worked out a stream-lined San Francisco on April 25. worked with our division recently and received serves. solution for the race problem in America—if it "The political organization for world security widespread praise by the doughboys with whom could only be applied on a mass scale. Some which the San Francisco conference seeks to "He is, in the majority of cases, a rear-eche they coordinated an attack and by the higher time ago the authorities came to the sensible form is absolutely necessary for that enormous brass whose expectations they exceeded. They lon cowboy who never saw the front lines. We conclusion that prejudice did not necessarily ly enlarged foreign trade which the United were uniquely aggressive, almost fantastically have been on the front line since shortly after need to be respected inside prison walls. Having States must develop if our economy is to afford so. And by their aggressiveness they saved the D-Day. Never have we seen a colored soldier convinced themselves of the soundness of this full post-war employment for the American lives of many infantry men who knew and were on the front lines. novel proposition, they proceeded to order the workers. And an expanding economy of full grateful. "We, the fighting doughboys, give credit white inmates to eat in the mess hall in which employment provides the only possible basis "Now I see that. Negro platoons are being where it is deserved. Even the medics get their Negro prisoners are served, thereby upsetting a upon which the Negro people can hope to ex placed in all-white infantry companies. Most share of credit. It makes us mad to see a bunch time-honored San Quentin tradition . . . The tend and consolidate their wartime progress of them are volunteers from rear areas. It's of rear-echelon cowboys grabbing credit where authorities at San Quentin are entitled to a toward full democratic rights." (New York easy from the rear to boast about how brave they have done nothing to deserve it."—S/Sgt. large measure of commendation for having City, People's Voice, April 7, 1945) (NP) your performance in combat would be; but to H. A. W., Inf. braved the outraged sensibilities of a thousand criminals. If the example is followed by other have experienced the battle slaughter with bra ("Prejudice knows no state or national boun "Equal rights for all who are willing to work institutions, we may actually succeed in out very is a very different thing. Those who have daries. Uncle Sam's men in the forces serve and is a sound democratic policy, and in fact the only lawing segregation in every prison in America." seen them in battle say that these Negroes are fight where they're told to. democratic policy, for unequal rights for some (The Nation, April 28, 1945) doing a good job. I'm glad. They have a won ("The activity of Negro troops in this war workers to have a chance at making a decent derful opportunity to benefit their race, to gain includes landing with the first U. S. assault living is undemocratic and dangerous to the "The first step toward first-class citizenship for it the respectful tolerance which Americans forces to hit the Normandy beaches on D-Day. health and peace of the community. Unions (for Negroes) is a Federal commission ... by have denied them." Barrage-balloon men, port battalions, Duck cannot function unless we have democracy, so companies and quarter-master truck units were a new civil rights act. . . . that anything which strengthens democracy The following are comments from white GIs in on the landings. "As an earnest of enforcement, the Federal helps the position of organized labor. The Government should be required to eliminate principle of racial discrimination and subjection carried in STARS AND STRIPES, Army newspaper, ("Two of these units were commended by segregation in Federal departments and in the is a Nazi doctrine not an American one, for our October 12, 1944: Gen. Eisenhower. One Negro infantry division, armed services. Declaration of Independence says plainly that "I'm in a hospital in the ETO. . . . There are the 93rd, is at present in action on Bougain "In the case of any area in the South where all men are born free and equal. There is no only three colored boys in this ward and we ville in the South Pacific. The second Negro compliance with the Federal law is difficult, the sense in spending billions of the American get along like humans should. We are treated infantry division to see action in this war, the government should make available sums of treasure and hundreds of thousands of Ameri well regardless of race, creed, or color. That's 92nd, is in there fighting right now in North can lives to win the war inside our heads by the post-war pattern!"—A regular Army GI, money with which families can travel to other Italy. Negro airmen have made a notable rec areas and set themselves up on farms and/or filling us with the idea that some races, whether Franklin Latham, Jr., 1/Sgt. ; ord in Italy (as well as North Africa and S c- in homes provided for a limited period of six Jewish, Negro, or whatever, are necessarily to "'Let's Set the Post-War Pattern' in your ily), where the 99th Pursuit Squadron and Col. months at government expense. . . . be made subject to a master race of white Pro Sept. 9 issue cracked a door that we dared not Benjamin Davis' fighter group have been flying testant Nordics." (From "Trade Union Acci open, lest we face bare facts.1 combat missions with the 15th Air Force."—Ed.) "If it (the Government) cannot protect a citizen where he lives, it should bear the dent Health Association of America" in Flint "Well, fellow Americans, we had the guts to necessary expense to move him into a place Mich., Review, April 6, 1945) face Hitler's 88's at St. Lo, and the courage where it can protect him and give him a rea to cling to every tomorrow at the Anzio beach LET'S SET THE POST-WAR PATTERN sonable start." (Baltimore, Md., Afro-Ameri "Whatever technicalities of military law may head. Let's ignore society and face the Negro "About one soldier in every ten in this man's can, April 3, 1945) (NP) have been cited in justification for the recent problem. Let's make sure that this comrade Army is a Negro. Wherever you go—from the dishonorable discharge and one-year sentence who shared the foxholes with us in France- beaches to the front—you see these lads doing "The long-time future of the Negro and to hard labor of four Negro members of the Women's Army Corps, the vacation of the ver- 'See Let's Set the Post-War Pattern, below. their stuff. colonial peoples will be decisively shaped by [306] [307] diet appears ... to be a wise move. . . . Negroes were barred from the Enoch Pratt old cancer (race prejudice) now has many, all ". . . The incident raised a strong suspicion home. . . . Free Library's training school prompts the "It is high time that serious thinkers of both working toward a common goal. Neither race of military color-line discrimination and had observation that the courts are playing a larger races were applying themselves ... to the wants the idea of so-called "social equality" the sentence stood—regardless of military law part in the elimination of racial segregation problem of the post-war status of the Negro. . ." injected into the present pressing issue which —that suspicion would have bored another than legislatures. (Manchester, Conn., Herald, April 21, 1945) is basically the economic and civil rights of a tunnel into racial relations. As matters have ". . . Legislators give more weight than the large segment of our population. turned out, perhaps the young women's ex courts to public prejudice and bow to what they "High on the list of postwar problems in the perience may aid in eradicating any existing " 'If the white people of the South want to believe to be political expediency. . . . United States of America will undoubtedly be discrimination. Even though the verdict was do the honest thing by all of its citizens, of all the problem of a sound economic position for based on simple military discipline, in the "The gains for non-segregation of Negroes colors, of all races, of all religions and political the American Negro. . . . absence of refutory evidence against the young may come more slowly and be more fragmen faiths, they will join in this fight for common women's testimony, one must conclude that tary by court action than by broad legislation, "Scores of suggestions have been advanced decency. racial discrimination was the true radix of the but obviously appreciable progress is being about the best method of solving the Negro " 'Inherited prejudices of the white people of made." (Baltimore, Md., Eve. Sun, April 19, incident." (Newport News, Va. Daily Press, problem. . . . The middle of the road course and the South are giving way to logic, to decency 1945) April 6, 1945) one that is positive, while not being dogmatic, and to the humanitarian cause of a minority of is that a program of education is essential in our population that too long has been held in ". . . The South's record with respect to the order to improve the status of the Negro in virtual economic peonage, victims of unscrupu "No section or region need be proud of competition with other American citizens. bigotry, hatred or intolerance. But no section Negro is by no means perfect, and we may be lous landlords and money-lenders. too much inclined to defend and explain when Given an educated people, their social status and or region can pretend that it is entirely free economic status will tend to seek inexorably a " 'War's close is going to bring a test of cour of these animosities. If the pretense is we should take more active steps to remedy age to both races. The ignorant, vicious Negro, certain prevailing conditions. But it is true higher stratum." (Kane, Pa., Republican, April abandoned, Americans together can postulate 23, 1945) grown arrogant through suddenly acquired abil some workable theory or program. For prej that the Southern white people generally ity to earn more than ever earned before, and understand and like the Negro and that most udice, being blind, is blind in every direction. " 'Religious and racial bigots lynched Aubrey working far removed from his former sur One prejudice cannot counteract another." intelligent Southerners strive to confer upon roundings in the South, will be difficult to him fair treatment and the benefits of democ Williams. . . . (Asheville, N. C, Citizen, April 7, 1945) handle. The vicious and ignorant white man racy. This they do in accordance with their " 'The refusal of the Senate to confirm Wil on the other hand, who claims only a white own ideas, customs, and traditions which have liams will prove an historical landmark here in skin as evidence of his superiority, will attempt, ". . ...Only through education, admittedly a been established through the decades and are the South and Williams' defeat will hasten the as he has in the past, to abuse and discriminate long, slow process at the national level, can the not readily subject to sudden change. day for the little people whose champion will against the Negro. moral viewpoint of the people be uplifted. "Some of these customs need revision but this come back to the land of his fathers and take Legislative enactments purporting to eliminate must come not with overnight swiftness but in up the fight for better education, better health " 'It is going to take the best efforts of both such discrimination, such as are now proposed the fullness of time when education has done and better living conditions for those who labor races to keep down these elements that would in this and several other States, are but a futile its work." (Winston-Salem, N. O, Journal, in the sweat of their brow.'" (Macon, Ga., destroy both. It is going to take increasing and confusing attempt to cure a disease of April 19, 1945) News, ANP, April 25, 1945). patience, work and study to achieve a unity the body politic without attacking the germs that we must have between the races to advance that cause it." (Hartford, Conn., Courant, the best interests of all of us." (Macon, Ga., April 8, 1945) " 'Georgia, which a few short years ago had "One of the things for which this country no organized agencies to combat this century- News, ANP, April 25, 1945). must be prepared when at last the tumult of "It would be a paradox of historic and tragic battle is over ... is the looming probability of a proportions if the elevation of bigotry in our race problem become more urgent that it ever own country were to follow the successful con has been in the past. . . . summation of a war in which we fought to "The situation of the Negro minority in this SCIENCE AND RACE preserve the rights of the free man and to pro country is highly anomalous. It is that of a "Nationalities Are Not Races"; "The Foods tect him from the consequences of bigotry." people who are held strictly to the responsibili To help with the increasingly important (Springfield, Mass., Union (eve.), April 14, ties of an undiscriminating citizenship while task of education for intercultural and in We Eat Are a Gift from All People." The 1945) only theoretically enjoying the protection and terracial understanding, the Race Relations posters, eighteen by twenty inches in size, privileges of that citizenship. This is a state Division of the American Missionary As are designed for use in an average size of affairs which at least accuses the nation of "Baseball is not a monopoly of lily-whites classroom, clubroom or small auditorium. insincerity if not of arrant hypocrisy. . . . sociation has developed a set of fifteen or gray-greens. It belongs to all the people. The sets are five dollars each and may be "It is not so much that there might be such posters on "The Races of Mankind." The It is the typical American game. And so it is secured by writing Mrs. Edmonia W. part of the American melting pot. . . . an upsurge of ill feeling as would result in exhibit is a visual presentation of impor Grant, Director of Education, Race Rela "There should be a place ready and waiting rioting and the development of real hatred tant facts about race and culture. Poster in it for the ten percent of Americans who are between the races, as that we might become far titles suggestive of the nature of the in tions Division, American Missionary As Negro." (New York Post, April 19, 1945) too greatly preoccupied by needless conflict of sociation at either of the following ad wills to concentrate on the objectives for which formation pictorially depicted include: we have been fighting two unparalleled wars "What is Race?"; "Why Are There Differ dresses: 287 Fourth Avenue, New York 10, "Reversal by the Circuit Court of Appeals of at once, thus adding to the probability that we ent Races?"; "The Jews Are Not a Race"; New York, or Social Science Institute, Fisk a local Federal Court decision under which shall lose the peace everywhere as well as at. "The Composition of the American Negro"; University, Nashville 8, Tennessee. [308] [309] MRS. ELEANOR ROOSEVELT: BRUCE THOMAS, American War Correspondent, PERSONALITIES ON THE SPOT "We draft Negroes into the armed forces and European Theatre of Operations: we tax them; we cannot deny them their "Our boys are fighting for something other ABRAHAM RUBIN, Vice president, National for courage and good sense in view of the rights." (ANP, April 25, 1945). than petty beliefs. They are getting a new Smelting Co., Cleveland Ohio: chance we have to contribute to the welfare of 'mental bomb-sight' and whether black, brown "All of us who really wish to see tolerance, our nation and the world. . . . The war has CONGRESSMAN D. LANE POWERS, Republican, or white, Republicans or Democrats, Jews or understanding, kindliness take the place of in- made Americans see race relations in global New Jersey: Christians, are learning that they are all broth aspects, as there are more colored peoples than 'tolerance, blind prejudice and hatred must "There is no room in America for lynch- ers who are coming home with a new under whites among the allies. We regard Nazi per work together towards this one goal: jobs and ings; there is no room in America for race riots. standing." (ANP, April 18, 1945). secution of Jews and other minorities as odious, security for all. We must not be misled by spe We, as a nation, are preparing to take our but we have to admit that our practices are cious arguments into bypaths and detours. They rightful place of leadership in world democ ROSCUE DUNJEE, editor, Oklahoma Black Dis often not much better." (ANP, April 18, 1945). will only lead to the horrors and savagery from racy. That democracy for which men fought patch: which the Western European countries, we all and died is not, and must not be a democracy "Unquestionably President Roosevelt will hope, are now emerging. With work for all SUPREME COURT ASSOCIATE JUSTICE HUGO labeled 'for white Europeans and white North take his place in history as the economic eman who are able to work, at the top level of their BLACK: * Americans—only.' It must be a democracy for cipator of common ordinary citizens, both black skills, we shall perhaps not need to teach tol all of the nations and all of the peoples of the and white. His noble fight to revitalize the erance, because we shall not be teaching in "It will not be enough to stamp out anti democratic practices in the lands of our enemies. world. We will assume world leadership in the democratic principles of the Constitution, and tolerance. We shall not concern ourselves so The conditions which created fascism there post-war era because we have won it." (NAACP for human decency, had resonance around the much about peace, because we shall have de must not pass unnoticed here." (ANP. April 11, world." (ANP, April 16, 1945). stroyed the underlying causes of war." (Special Bulletin, April, 1945). 1945). report).
CAREY MCWILLIAMS, author of BROTHERS UNDER Luis ESTABAN REY, Journalist, Caracas, Vene BOOK NOTES THE SKIN and PREJUDICES JAPANESE-AMERICANS: zuela, commenting on the race problem fol "Segregation is the last barrier to social prog lowing a six weeks tour of the United States BLACK BOY by Richard Wright. New York, .enjoying moderate comfort. His interests, ac ress. We have reached a point in this nation and Canada: Harper and Brothers, 1945. $2.50. tivities at home, school, playground, vaca and in world relations where nothing further "It is impossible that in times when hundreds BLACK BOY is the unforgettable record of tion, are told—and each page of the text faces can be accomplished until we abolish the policy of thousands of Negro soldiers are fighting in Richard Wright's first seventeen years in the a full-page photograph. of group inequality. ... It should be the de the battlefields and as many others are work South. During these poverty-stricken, hungry, clared public policy of our Government that ing in war plants, that the restrictions placed terrible years in Mississippi, Arkansas and Ten "Children have the gift of solving things there be no segregation. . . . We cannot con on the Negro should continue. This seems to nessee, the pattern of his experience was woven directly, easily, and sometimes brilliantly. They tinue to exist as a nation and at the same time me absolutely anti-democratic." (ANP, April of fear, rebellion and conflict—conflict beginning do not refer questions back to dubious stan uphold the discrimination we enforce upon our 18, 1945). , at first with his own family but always domi dards, and they ignore precedents. Some own people." (Toledo, O., Blade, March 16, nated, at first unconsciously and then conscious thing happened recently in Germantown, 1945). Pennsylvania, which perfectly illustrates this THE MOST REV. BERNARD J. SHIEL, senior Auxil ly, by the character of Negro-white relation ships in the South and by the unrelieved hid- peculiar gift—we heard of it through a friend. iary Bishop, Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago: In Germantown there are two schools, one pre CORNELIUS VANDERBILT, author and news col eousness of his personal experiences with "It is obvious, but unpleasant, to say that the dominantly colored, one predominantly white. umnist: Negro is oppressed economically, stifled social white people. Its moving and disturbing pages cut with the realization that this is the true pic The gangs of little boys from the two schools "The sooner we explode the myth that people ly, and ignored politically in America. This is ture of life for one of America's citizens. often play together. One day they invented a are split up into desirables and undesirables on a brutal truth. The Negro has not received new game called Race Riot, but when they got the basis of any pseudo-scientific theory of deri a square deal, and honest deal, or a new deal A RISING WIND by Walter White. New York, assembled to play it they discovered that there vation of characteristics from either religion or from white America." (ANP, April 9, 1945). Doubleday, Doran and Company, 1945. $2.00. were more white boys than colored boys. Clear race, the sooner will we have an America in This book is a first-hand account of Walter ly the thing was out of balance and unfair. which we can at least begin to try the ex MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE NOCHEM WINNET, chair White's visit to European bases find fronts to What to do? Like a flash the children had the periment of real democracy. . . ." (Counterat man, Crime Prevention Bureau, Philadelphia, answer. The proper number of white boys tack, April 15, 1945). Pa.: investigate discrimination directed against Negro soldiers. Mr. White, the executive secre promptly volunteered to play colored, and the "Right now the Negro must be given assur tary of the NAACP, recounts many instances of race riot proceeded with even numbers, in per MARSHALL FIELD, publisher of the Chicago Sun: ance that there will be no economic discrimina fect equality. Adults, we feel, would have had "Let everybody who is entitled to human unjust treatment but offers some grounds for tion and that he will have the same right to hope that relations will improve. the devil's own time with a situation like that." rights get them in this country before they pursue happiness as every other citizen. Right —New Yorker, March 17, 1945. start talking about human rights for people now, our whole educational process and the MY HAPPY DAYS by Jane Dabney Shackelford. in other countries." (ANP, April 25, 1945). church must be geared to convince the Negro Photographs by Cecil Vinson. Washington, GEN. DOUGLAS MAC ARTHUR: that there is hope in the future and there is an Associated Publishers, 1945. $2.15. "Race has nothing whatsoever to do with a Miss FLORENCE TEAGUE, secretary of the Metho end in sight to his second-rate citizenship." This is a book for children. It is the story man's ability to fight." (NAACP Bulletin, April, dist Conference on Christian Education: (ANP, April 18, 1945). of the life of an eight-year old boy in a family 1945). "We have a tremendous need in the South J See Items, this issue, p. 301. [3H] [310] MAGAZINE COMMENT Rights. "After the war, nearly 1,000,000 Negro ment within a segregated •ystem is no longer veterans, of whom 750,000 are from the South, possible, or if possible nec ' ssarily involves an (This section reviews briefly articles on or about Negroes in the April magazines.) for will be eligible for loans and other benefits extension of that X'stem" (a^ example, the 3 The national magazines this month gave less the whole story. "Outwardly, you see the same under the GI Bill of Rights. If properly ad higher education /or Negro* * in the South). attention than usual to the Negro as source for quiet campuses, the tree-lined walks, the same ministered, that is, fairly administered, the GI SOUTHERN WEKLLY (April 14) editorializes its material. As has been observed, whenever sorts of ivy and creeper on Memorial Hall, the Bill of Rights can go a long way toward cor concerning the/ Comrr ittee of One Hundred an issue of national import involving Negroes same pillared buildings, classrooms, laboratories recting the injustice and discrimination which (headquarters ir Nev.- York City) " 'dedicated becomes controversial, the percentage of maga and dormitories, the same teams practicing on Negro soldiers have too frequently experienced to the creation of an America of justice and zine articles rises. Experience has shown that the athletic fields, girls in bobby socks, plaid- in the Army. . . . These rights are of such sub equality for o ,r Negro fellow citizens' "—and it does not necessarily follow that the articles shirted boys, all carrying books ... But there is stantial character that they can radically trans emphasizes that "aside from a few of the half- will be limited to the issue in question. In a far greater seriousness and intensity on the form the status of 1,000,000 Negroes and heir dozen or so Negro leaders on the Committee, stead, latent thoughts about Negroes are seem Negro campuses than you find on their white dependents: they entitle veterans to vocational not one of its members was born in the South." ingly revealed and appear at the same time that counterparts. Most of the Negro students have and other educational opportunities, to decent It says further: "What the people of the South thought is being directed to the primary issue got to college by hard and beset paths and homes, to loans for farms (seventy per cent of need to realize is that the movement leading of interest. Therefore, the Negro monthlies nearly all of them are there as a result of sac the 750,000 Negroes from the South now in the toward a program of Federal ccercion is serious and the quarterly JOURNAL OF NEGRO EDUCATION, rificial offerings of their own and of their fam Army are from farming areas), and to other each of whose policy is the continuous presen and that it is gaining momentum. This Com ilies to a craving for knowledge." It makes a benefits." tation of material by and about Negroes, receive mittee of One Hundred, for example, has all the powerful argument for the support of the Unit CRISIS devoted its editorial comment solely to earmarks of similar bodies that were organized the larger proportion in number of articles in ed Negro College Fund now in progress. the magazines this month. the much-talked-of Truman Gibson report on in the North more than a hundred years ago Supplementing this centering on education is the 92nd Division in Italy—terming it a "be against slavery. . . . But there is no true analogy Noted has been a growing tendency of maga the spring issue of the JOURNAL OF NEGRO EDU trayal of the Negro soldier in this war. . . . The between slavery and the matter of racial rela zines of great circulation to feature now and CATION. Featured is the annual synthesis of re CRISIS does not believe that Mr. Gibson would tions in the South today. . . ." then material concerning Negroes. Magazines search studies concerning Negroes. The author, deliberately cast slurs on our soldiers. The such as HARPERS, ATLANTIC, NEW REPUBLIC, NA GENERAL Ellis O. Knox, reports a further decrease in the righteous resentment of Negro citizens must TION, etc., have long included articles of this type A summary of the events leading to the pas total studies reported—a possible interpretation not be misdirected and wasted on him. The fight in their natural course. Others of the more sage by the New York state legislature of the being the lack of singling out the Negro as a is to make the War Department realize that popular magazines have usually followed the Ives-Guinn anti-discrimination bill is given in separate group with peculiar characteristics the race problem is important in the making of stereotypes so admirably stated by the report of above and beyond that of any other minority CRISIS. the Writers' War Board.1 Negro soldiers, and that their experience in group. "Thirty-nine colleges and universities civilian life cannot be separated arbitrarily Incidents that happened to the mixed crew of EDUCATION sponsored a total of 152 research studies directly from their training. . . . The Negro soldier must the SS Booker T. Washington (commanded by SATURDAY EVENING POST (April 14) stands out treating problems incident to the Negro, or with not be betrayed by the War Department or any Captain Hugh Mulzac) at a North African port for its comprehensive and detailed story of the experimental studies, the subjects of which of its spokesmen." are narrated by John Beecher in NEW REPUBLIC, meaning to the Negro of education. The col were chiefly Negro students. Twenty-eight were The JOURNAL OF NEGRO EDUCATION stated in its April 23. leges of the Atlanta University system are used doctors' dissertations and 124 were masters' editorial in the spring issue (Peacetime Com Special attention is directed to libraries by as cases in point. Warner Olivier is the author. theses." pulsory Military Training and the Negro's Sta Ford A. Rockwell in The Negro Problem—Our When not over-sentimental, the array of hard EMPLOYMENT tus in the Armed Forces) "... any bill setting Opportunity in the LIBRARY JOURNAL (April 1). hitting facts is disturbing—as is shown as fol Wartime Changes in the Occupational Status forth the conditions of peacetime compulsory "It is the library's duty to seek out in its com lows: "... Forty-one per cent of the Negroes of Negro Workers (in OCCUPATIONS) is valuable military training should specifically provide fcr munity every possible chance to be an educa of the country have had less than a fifth-grade as an index to the utilization of Negro labor as the abolition of the policy of segregation." tional force against race discrimination." education; the median school years completed a result of the war. Julius A. Thomas of the Na by Negroes is 5.7. The percentage of Negroes OPINION tional Urban League, the author, discloses that JAN C. SMUTS, Prime Minister of the Union of completing four years of high school is 4.1; the Carey McWilliams contributes his thinking South Africa, reviewing the race problem be percentage completing four years of college is more than 1,500,000 Negro workers are in indus to the discussion of Race Tensions in the United fore the Union Parliament: 1.2. The wide differential between expenditures trial plants producing essential war materials. States in the STANDARD. The war, he says, has for white and Negro pupils in the South weights The author is in the main concerned with the merely aggravated, in each instance of racial "A fixed policy to maintain white supremacy the problem." extent of the changes in job opportunities for tension we have experienced, an already exist is agreed on by all parties in South Africa ex Negro workers, and their effect on post-war at ing problem. "The very real crisis which we cept those quite mad." (Quoted from South Some of the figures even though not recent titudes and practices regarding their training face today, we would have faced sooner or later, Africa News by Montreal, Canada Daily Star in are significant in giving the picture. and employment. These facts should be partic regardless of the war. It is not a temporary, New Republic, April 23, 1945). In telling the history of the private Negro ularly useful to agencies, organizations and in war-time crisis; it will continue, in fact, as a college—its student body, facilities, faculty, dividuals whose work is the vocational counsel part of the revolution of our times, until the faculty average earnings, course offerings, etc., ing and training of Negro youth. issue has been finally resolved. . . ." The prob NOTE: this article will perhaps fill a need—that of let The continuing delays in the arrival of your copies lem lies in the breakdown of a system of race of the Monthly Summary are due to circumstances ting the general reading public know more of ARMED FORCES associated with wartime conditions in printing. Despite relations which has prevailed throughout the NATION'S editorial of April 14th points up to the fact that it has been impossible to adhere to any U. S. since the Civil War. An extension of the definite mailing schedule there is hope that the situa ''New York Herald-Tribune, April 1, 1945; Monthly Negro veterans their rights under the GI Bill of tion will improve in the immediate future. Summary, April, 1945, p. 271. problem is " . . . the fact that further improve [312] [313] Lfl I Ns 73 n_ — G ST 9 P 2 3to So en O 52; 8 n_ H 5T d re" > 00 as P na n 0 H3 5M re 0 SO I H C/l ir. Ml H *•*• M ffi 0 re
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t No . 34 6 "S $** Tennesse e I D 0 y H00 r1 > O m A MONTHLY SUMMARY
OF EVENTS AND TRENDS
IN RACE RELATIONS
APRIL 1945
SUMMARY OF THE MONTH OF MARCH
VOLUME 2 NUMBER 9 A MONTHLY SUMMARY PREPARED FOR THE JULIUS ROSENWALD FUND OF BY THE EVENTS AND TRENDS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE INSTITUTE RACE RELATIONS AT VOLUME 2 APRIL, 1945 NUMBER 9 FISK UNIVERSITY REVIEW OF THE MONTH 248
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE INDUSTRIAL FRONT 251 FEPC, 251; Employment, 252; Unions, 252
SOCIAL FRONT 253 UNDER THE DIRECTION OF CHARLES S. JOHNSON Armed Forces, 253; Housing, 256; Transportation, 257; Education, 257; Police Adminis tration, 258; The Courts, 259; General, 259.
SURVEY OF THE JEWISH SCENE 260
JAPANESE-AMERICANS 265
RESEARCH STAFF ON THE STATE OF THE UNION 267 PROGRAMS OF ACTION ON THE DEMOCRATIC FRONT 269 CHARLES R. LAWRENCE, JR. New Committees, 269; Action Notes, 271; Rights of Rural Children, 272; YMCA, 272; PEARL L. WALKER Items, 273. RACHEL BASSETTE NOEL THE FRONT PAGE 275 ALMA G. FORREST PERSONALITIES ON THE SPOT 278 MAGAZINE COMMENT 279
CONTRIBUTORS REVIEW OF THE MONTH
GILES HUBERT On April 12th President Roosevelt died. This unforeshadowed passing of the great IRA DEA. REID national leader, friend and embodied hope of the minorities and the common man threw WERNER J. CAHNMAN JITSUICHI MASUOKA a pall of fear and uncertainty about all moving events affecting the destinies of the ERIC WALROND little people of the world. It came at the moment before allied victory in Europe and on the eve of the San Francisco conference. Friends and political opponents alike mourned and celebrated his high and powerful statesmanship. The Nation said that "an era has ended and the people of the world are moved by apprehension as well as SYMBOLS sorrow", and a guileless and unbelieving peasant in the Caribbean asked if it was possible for a part of God to die.
CNI—CHECKED NEWS ITEM GP—GENERAL PRESS There was, however, evidence that faith in a democratic America of the future does ANP—ASSOCIATED NEGRO PRESS NP—NEGRO PRESS not die, even though one who has carried high its banner has fallen, in the swift turn OWI—OFFICE OF WAR INFORMATION FR—FIELD REPORT ing of the nation to the reality of a new President. Although a different personality,
[248] obscured by the blinding glare of the nation's usual spotlight for its leaders, President Maryland's state general assembly defeated a senate approved repeal of the 41 year old Truman's past record gave some assurance to the minorities. Among other things he segregation law on public conveyances despite the Governor's support of the repeal; Alaska passed an anti-discrimination law, and the South Carolina House of Representatives considered had voted for cloture on the poll tax filibusters, in 1942 and 1944, and on the anti-lynch- a bill to require bus companies to construct opaque partitions between white and Negro sections ing bill filibuster in 1938. He had voted against the Russell amendment to kill the of their vehicles. FEPC and had publicly supported the bill. On most of the issues urgent to the com mon man he had supported President Roosevelt, and moreover had a substantial rec In the field of employment, the most significant development seems to have been the published statement of Modern Industry that "Negroes, properly selected, properly placed, and given a ord of quiet statesmanship of his own. When the month ended, liberals, progressives, chance to develop proper work habits, are fully as efficient as white employees." The Annis conservatives and reactionaries were jockeying for positions of influence as advisors, ton (Alabama) Star in like vein warns that "Alabama is penalizing itself, by holding down the and, strangely enough, each group felt that it had some evidence to support its expecta Negroes' wages." Meanwhile Pittsburgh employed its first Negro trolley car and bus operators. tions and desires regarding future trends of Government. Although the approaching end of the war in Europe made employment the most pressing issue, Ranking next in importance in the national scene, for the monorities, was the San Francisco the position of Negroes in the Armed Forces continued to stir even deeper emotions. The whole Conference of the 48 United Nations. Significantly, the small nations, the vast countries of dark question was brought to the fore by the visit of Truman Gibson, Jr., Civilian Aide to the Secre peoples, and the harassed national minorities of the world felt and expressed a new hopeful tary of War, to the Italian front, and his subsequent remarks to newsmen about the front-line ness. The Chinese and the Indians forewarned both at Dumbarton Oaks and San Francisco of performance of the 92nd Division (made up entirely of Negroes except in the higher ranks of the peril of color prejudice in inter-national relations. The Russians insisted with cold realism officers). Although Mr. Gibson's remarks appear to have been made in a sincere effort to point on the principle of equality. The small colored nations voiced their objections to international out the part played by segregation policies, poor morale and lack of educational opportunities in determining the performance of the 92nd, his quoted statements were seized upon as racial discriminations, and the subjects of mandated colonies looked forward to a new and more en treachery by an important segment of the Negro press, and as confirmation from an unexpected • lightened conception of international trusteeship. At the end of the month many of these source of the inferiority of Negro troops by a depressingly large segment of white opinion. The pressing issues involving human rights had been obscured in the parliamentary technicalities controversy was still raging when another phase of the Army experience of Negroes was high of diplomacy. lighted by the arrest of 101 air force officers for their refusal to accept an order barring them In Congress there was an upsurge of what might be termed covert anti-Semitism among the from an officer's club at an Indiana air field. Several members of the group have seen overseas recognized reactionaries. Representative Dan McGehee, Democrat from Mississippi, charged duty, but the remainder have experienced an unusually prolonged and meticulous period of train Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter with placing" his men in key government positions, ing, of which this incident is possibly an important part. The men were later released but the "never recommending one except he was of the same ideology as he and his ilk and clan." He portent of their demonstration of group solidarity and the failure of the Army to take a strong was supported by Republican Representative Clare Hoffman of Michigan, who said, "If I were stand one way or the other leaves the situation still unresolved. a member of the Jewish race, I'd be proud of it. Why shouldn't I be? Don't the Jews hold good jobs in the country? Aren't they in control of the moving picture industry?" etc. Similar In education an outstanding event of the moment was the ousting of Dr. Edward Sparling, tendencies were reflected in a bill jointly sponsored by a Democrat and a Republican to make President of Central YMCA College in Chicago, allegedly for his pro-labor and anti-discrimi it a criminal offense for aliens to become active members of labor unions. On the other hand nation views, and for refusing to submit to tampering with academic freedom by the college members of Congress were not lacking who took a strong stand against such demonstrations of board. (The school has many Negroes, Jews and Catholics.) Another was the opening of the racism and anti-foreign bias. joint campaign for the support of 32 Negro colleges. Fair employment legislation in the states and in Congress continued to receive attention. The departure of the Japanese and Japanese-Americans from the War Relocation camps con Indiana passed a bill which was judged much weaker than the New York State bill but there tinued at a rate much too slow if the camps are to be closed by next summer. Hardly more seemed to be a tendency on the part of other states to wait and see how New York makes out. than a handful have returned to the West Coast and others are not likely to be encouraged by The Michigan, Pennsylvania and California legislatures killed attempts to get a State FEPC, the continuing reports of lawless attacks on the few who have done so. While some of the out while New Jersey passed a law establishing one following New York. Chances for passage rages are undoubtedly the work of irresponsible hoodlums, it is evident that some very deter of a similar measure in Massachusetts were rated fairly good. In the Nation's capital southern mined opposition arises from pure economic selfishness. members of the House Rules Committee, hostile to the FEPC bill, continued to receive that de ference which seems to be regarded as due to seniority, for whatever reason, and the bill which Some small but gratifying items on the credit side of the race relations balance sheet for had been twice approved by the House Labor Committee was referred back to it once more for April were: a race relations detail of the Cincinnati police began its duties and was credited with further consideration. In the Senate, too, the bill was still in committee at the end of the month, quiet but effective work in remedying several situations which were on their way to becoming although testimony at the hearings had been almost entirely favorable. Meanwhile the fact serious tension spots; to southern Negroes accused of rape were acquitted by all-white juries in that the issue was far from academic was underlined by hearings held by the present Fair Em two separate cases, in Florida and North Carolina respectively; the Metropolitan Housing Coun ployment Practice Committee in the city of Cincinnati. Occasion for the hearings was an in cil of Chicago made public a policy statement opposing racial restrictive covenants on the sale or lease of residential property as an obstacle to good city planning; and the Association of quiry into the hiring policies of eight major war plants in the city against whom charges of American Colleges elected Dr. David D. Jones, President of Bennett College and a Negro, to its discrimination in employment had been brought. The personnel representative of one corpora Board of Directors. tion with nearly eight thousand employees admitted that it was the policy of the company to write "not qualified" across the applications of Negroes without going through the formality of an C. S. J. interview. To complete the picture, the AF of L local which represented the majority of employees at the plant also opposed employment of Negroes. Four other plants revealed a not NOTE: The incident involving German war prisoners and states that the separation of the Negro and the German dissimilar situation. The remaining three agreed to conform with national policy and were Negro military patients, reported in the February PW mess attendants, according to findings of the in excused from the hearings. Monthly Summary (page 184) has been investigated by vestigation, was made to prevent fraternization, and the War Department and detailed findings referred to there was no evidence that the German prisoners of the Social Science Institute. The War Department war had complained to hospital authorities. [249] [250] Much interest centered upon testimony given promoted over the heads of qualified Negro with reference to the policies of the Crosley personnel. It is also contended that only two THE INDUSTRIAL FRONT Corporation which has had $180 million in war percent of the supervisors in the Chicago Post contracts during the last two years. This firm Office are Negroes, although the latter con- THE PRESIDENT'S COMMITTEE ON Colorado, Connecticut, Kansas, Massa employs between seven and eight thousand stitute about fifteen percent of the employees, FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES chusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New workers of whom six are Negroes—one porter The spokesmen for the group claim that to the and five female washroom attendants. One injury of racial discrimination, Postmaster Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Among the many question marks in the personnel man admitted that it is the policy of Kruetgen has added the insult of .declining to minds of various American publics as Mr. The chances for passage appear to be fair the Company to write "not qualified" across the give the Alliance a conference. If the appeal Truman begins to perform his new duties ly good in Massachusetts and in Pennsy cards of Negroes referred by the United States to the Postmaster-General fails, the Alliance Employment Service (USES) without going will carry the case to FEPC. (CNI) as President of the United States is the lvania. (FR, GP, NP) through the formality of an interview. The MOBILE, ALABAMA WASHINGTON, D. C. one attached to the extent to which he can president of the union at Crosley (Local B-1061, Many Negroes are among the more than be counted upon to support legislation for Two additional state delegations have International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 7,000 workers recently laid off by the Alabama a strong permanent FEPC. His handling come to Washington in the wake of the —AFL) indicated clearly that his local was Drydock and Shipbuilding Company during on this matter at his initial Presidential Ohio group (See Monthly Summary, strongly opposed to the hiring of Negroes. He the past sixty days as cut-backs have come in maintained that he felt that the "opinions" of war contracts. (FR) press conference gives some grounds for March, 1945, p. 217) to lobby for a perma the members of the local on matters of policy WASHINGTON, D. C. hope. When a Negro correspondent asked nent FEPC. From Minnesota and Illinois take precedence over AFL or International Indicative both of the tightening labor mar- him to state his position on this and other have come interracial and interf aith groups official policy to the contrary. The Crosley ket and of the effective work of governmental legislation affecting the welfare of Negroes traveling at their own expense and intent director of industrial relations submitted to the agencies is the fact that the USES placements and other minorities, President Truman upon urging their Congressmen and Committee a petition, allegedly signed by of non-white workers (almost exclusively 3,755 members of the local, protesting against Negroes) in Region IV of the War Manpower suggested that he read the record of Sena Senators to support Senate Bill 101 for any subsequent hiring of Negroes and listing Commission (WMC) are in considerably larger tor Truman. This record is a good one. a permanent FEPC with enforcement this eventuality as a potential "grievance". proportions than their percentages in the popu- Additional hope for Presidential blessing powers. The Minnesota group received The testimony on behalf of the other four lation. The following states are examples: (FR) for such legislation is found in the fact commitments from Senators Ball and Ship- concerns was similar to that of Crosley. One Non-White Non-White that within a month previous to his un stead. Neither Senator Lucas nor Senator union official defended discrimination practiced State percentage percentage by his local by giving an oft-suspected but of population of placements expected ascension, the new president Brooks was in town, but the group from promised an interracial delegation that he seldom-expressed interpretation of the mean- Virginia 27.5 32.0 Illinois registered its concern with their ing of the War: It is being fought to keep West Virginia 6.2 4.3 would use his influence in support of S.-101. secretaries and succeeded in button-holing Negroes and Jews in their places! Among the North Carolina 27.5 30.0 On the other side of the ledger are the several Illinois Congressmen. (NP) victims of the discriminatory policies testifying Maryland 16.6 30.0 obvious desire to "work with Congress" at the hearings were several wives of soldiers District of Columbia 28.0 62.0 and to avoid inter-party rifts, on the one CINCINNATI, OHIO abroad and one young woman whose husband TTKnoivrc hand, and the possibility that international The Cincinnati FEPC hearings in mid-March are indicative of the extent to which Negroes ALBA^N TPriS°nCamP' (FR'NP,GP) CINCINNATI, OHIO affairs will take up so much time that the ANY suffer employment disabilities at this late date ™ J \- \, i >-«, i-, • •• One of the most hotly contested offices during President will not "find time" to give the in the War, on the one hand, and of the high The Austin-Mahoney bill, which implements ., „ . ^,„_.. , w . , . T , ..„ TTATTr active Administration support that can value which some men place upon their prej ., _ n . . . ' ' „ . . , „ the recent election at Wright Local 647, UAW- mean the difference between success and udices, on the other. Despite the fact that the the Ives-Qumn Act (the New York state Em- .~,T,-. .. , „ , . „ ,, , i i. »-ii * -r.i-1-i. \ v • • ,. a- CI° was that of chairman of the bargaining failure of the measure. city has been in the critical category with re gard to manpower for several months, eight ployment Bill of Rights) by giving the office „„„;« «KU- T> I u ^ , T major war plants were brought before the *a f. ... _, , ., x • i. J committee. William Beckham, the incumbent, Meanwhile, much attention has been Committee on charges of practicing racial dis of the Attorney-General the power to assist and, ig a NegrQ and fa credited ^ h executed directed toward the enactment of "little crimination in hiring. Three firms1 came to if necessary, to supersede local and county Ws position with gkm Jim Todhunt Beck. FEPCs" in the various states. On the heels agreements with the Committee prior to the attorneys in prosecuting persons accused of un- ham,s successful challenger in the electi of the enactment of a strong measure in hearings. The five companies appearing at the fair employment practices, has been passed by „„__: ^ <.u u n <-•„„ u mo ± Ti • . ., a, . , ' r , ,1 carried the balloting by 192 votes. It is report- New York state and a rather weak one in inquiry were the Crosley Corporation, F. H. Lawson Company, Baldwin Piano Company, the Assembly. This law also grants similar , ,, „. -Q ,,!,„„,,„ „ ... . , , Indiana, at least ten other states are active Victor Electric Products Company, and the . ,, , ,, . .. ed that Beckham s opposition was frankly ly considering fair employment practice Streitman Division of the United Biscuit powers in the prosecution of all existing laws racialistic There were no ch Qf inCQm. bills ranging from the former to the latter Company. prohibiting racial and religious discrimination. petence There wag & gtrong campaign_ ' open and whispered—insisting that the bargain- in comprehensiveness. In some states as EMPLOYMENT ing committee chairmanship in a local where JThe Cambridge Tile Manufacturing Company, the many as seven different bills have been Kirk and Blum Mfg. Co. and the Schaible Company re CHICAGO, ILLINOIS whites are in the majority is "a white man's introduced. Those in which measures are spectively (1) hired six Negro women ar.d agreed to The Postal Alliance, an organization made up job". It is reported that Mr. Beckham refused discontinue discrimination, (2) pledged immediate primarily of Negro employees, has appealed to to use a racial line in his campaign for re- being considered follow: California, compliance with an FEPC directive, and (3) promised to eliminate discriminatory hiring policies by April 25. the Postmaste r-G e n e r a 1 for redress of election. (FR) grievances at the Chicago Post Office. The IH STRIKE. CONCLUDED? [251] E PTC HATE Alliance charges that white employees with less Federal Judge George A. Walsh has fined seniority and less training and education are twenty-seven motormen and conductors $100 [252] each for their participation in the Philadelphia a strike must have been the work of persons attempting to use the "for white only" officers' Transit Company hate strike last summer. The who are brighter and more capable than the Cantonment, a port of embarkation on the club. The group, all of whom are in training Island. There have been a few apparently Court observed that the role of the Company men accused. From reports of the trial one with the 477th Bombardment Group, includes well-substantiated instances in which Negro in the strike2 was by no means above suspicion gets the impression that twenty-seven relative several men who have seen overseas duty. soldiers have committed offences ranging from and that its "inaction was significant." Coun ly insignificant small fry were "taking the rap" Three officers, who are considered the "leaders" "striking a civilian with fist" to "striking sel for the defendants, while admitting their for big fish whom no one could (or dared) of the large-scale protest demonstration, ap civilian with knife", and the more serious client's guilt, maintained that so thorough-going name. (FR, NP, GP) parently because they had attempted to go to felonious assault of "striking policeman on head the "white" officers club while at Selfridge with fist". In the year that the soldiers have THE SOCIAL FRONT Field, Michigan, are being held for courts- been assigned on the Island civilian police have martial. The remaining ninety-eight are re made thirteen arrests, involving a total of ten ARMED FORCES him the same story before leaving Washington ported to have been transferred to a stockade Negro soldiers. Of these, two have received for Italy. From this the Congressman inferred at Godman Field, Kentucky, where they are suspended sentences, five cases were dismissed, A press conference held in Rome by Truman that the interview was given "under orders." under arrest at this writing. The nature of the and six cases are pending. K. Gibson, Jr., Civilian Aide to the Secretary charges against the men has not been divulged. Judge William Hastie, who resigned from the For three thousand soldiers at a port of em of War, placed him in the center of one of the The arrest of these men brings out into the position which Gibson now holds in protest barkation, isolated from most normal recrea most vituperative discussions to surround one open a situation under which the men of the against the Jim Crow domination of War De tional facilities (bus service has only recently personality during the course of the war. There 477th have been smarting for months. It was partment policies, especially in the Air Corps, been established to return the soldiers from the was no official stenographic transcript of the shortly after members of the Group had boy admonished that judgment of the Aide's in Booker Washington Center three-quarters of conference, nor did Gibson read a prepared cotted a Jim Crow officers club at Selfridge terview wait until the latter has had an op a mile from the entrance to their cantonment), statement. This situation has lent fuel to the Field and attempted to attend the "white" portunity to give the full context in which the a crime rate of 6.3 per thousand—counting both fire of controversy as to whether Mr. Gibson establishment that the Group was transferred excerpts quoted by the press were given. military (6) and civilian (13) arrests—does had been wise, truthful, misquoted, misguided, to Godman Field, of which Freeman is an Regardless to the merits of the incident, at not seem very high.* However, the thrill of quoted out of context, a tool of War Depart auxiliary. When they were later moved to least three things seem reasonably clear: (1) gossip almost amounting to mass hysteria, on ment reaction, or a pioneer in the struggle Freeman, they found that segregated arrange No other division has been singled out for such the one hand, and such New York dailies as against segregation and discrimination in the ments had been provided. To this end the criticism as a division. (Criticism of other Heart's Journal-American and Mirror, Patter armed forces. It depends upon whether one officers' club was "for whites only", the non alleged failures have usually been directed to son's Daily News, and even the Times, on tne reads the Chicago Defender and People's Voice, commissioned officers' club (affectionately ward top commanders.) (2) Mr. Gibson would other, have blown these nineteen arrests into a on the one hand, or the Courier, Afro-American, known to the men as "Uncle Tom's Cabin") have been wiser to have used a prepared state "wave" of the first magnitude. At least three and Journal and Guide, on the other. The had been transferred to Negro commissioned ment and to have avoided phrases which could factors are operative in the large number of former papers have condemned the Civilian officers, and no provisions had been made for be twisted out of context. (3) Negro news mostly—unfounded reports in which citizens Aide in no uncertain terms. The latter—all of Negro non-coms. Col. Selway, the Group Com papers have been almost unanimous in holding have accused Negro servicemen of "prowling" whom had representatives at the press con mander, insists that segregation increases that Army Jim Crow makes for less than or "loitering" or "trying to break in": ference—have defended him with equal con morale and has worked out a fine computation viction. maximum fighting efficiency, but many of them 1. Negro soldiers on such innocent errands as walking are embarrassed to find evidence of the correct of an alleged increase in safety record which he home are thought to be "prowling"; Mr. Gibson claims that his statement was 2. Under the influence of the fast flying rumors any ness of their contention. (NP, GP) attributes to segregation. Acting on the basis prowler in the dark is thought to be a Negro soldier made in an attempt to counteract inferences that of his conviction, Col. Selway has ordered a —e.g., investigating police found that two "Negro PARIS, FRANCE soldiers trying to break in" were two white sailors were being drawn by people who "knew the stringent segregation of Negro and white who had crawled up on a porch to sleep away a facts but did not know the reasons." The Ths Paris edition of Stars and Stripes has officers. drunk; 3. Many reports are the imaginings of genuine victims "facts", according to Gibson, consisted in less disclosed that Negro and white troops are fight of mass hysteria. than topflight performance by the 92nd In ing together in mixed units in infantry com Sixty-one of the officers were arrested as One white woman who called herself an fantry Division. The "reasons" given by the panies of the 1st and 7th Armies. The Negroes they insisted upon their right to enter the club army widow (it later turned out that her late Civilian Aide were in terms of educational for these organizations were recruited largely and as they pointed out that they believed Sel- husband had never been in the Army) claimed opportunities, motivation, leadership, and train from service groups—many giving up non way's order to be in violation of Army Re that one of the Negro soldiers stationed at Fox 3 ing. Harlem's Congressman Adam Powell has commissioned ratings in order to get in. In gulation 210-10, Paragraph 99. The second Hills had attempted to rape her and that she been among Gibson's most severe critics in this inviting the men to join the mixed units, Lt. group of forty were arrested for their refusal had bitten him on the hand before she got instance. Mr. Powell has demanded that he General John C. H. Lee is reported to have to sign an order implementing the Selway- away. It is reported that all Negro soldiers resign and claims that Mr. Gibson had told stated: Safety-through-Segregation-System. It is re were lined up for inspection, but none had a "It is planned to assign you without regard to race ported that an official War Department inves bitten hand. Eyewitnesses who saw a man 2See Monthly Summary, August-September, 1944, p. or color to units where your assistance is most needed. tigation is being made into the situation. (NP, 6-7. Your comrades at the front are anxious to share the running at the time and place named by the ^Courier Correspondent Collins George, who attended glory of victory with you. Your relatives and friends GP) the press conference, had anticipated Gibson's obser are urging that you be granted this privilege. woman say that he appeared to be white. vations in dispatches which are considerably more "The Supreme Commander is confident that many NEW YORK CITY Despite private assurances by Army Officials pointed than the Aide could afford to be in his state of you will take advantage of the opportunity to carry ment. He attributes the lack of maximum perform on in keeping with the glorious record of colored The Metropolitan newspapers have discover 4 ance in the 92nd largely to Army Jim Crow policies. troops in former wars." (GP, NP) The rate is only 4.0 per 1000 if duplications are These, according to George, result in arbitrary ceil ed another "Negro crime wave". The site is ruled out. ings on promotion of Negro officers in the field, in FREEMAN FIELD, INDIANA at the same time one of the least expected and BA transfer of several companies—described by the preference to inferior white officers in many instances, One hundred and one Negro officers, ranging War Department as a routine redeployment of per and in an inordinate amount of disaffection between most pregnant with mystery story possibilities: sonnel—was interpreted by some of the New York City Negro officers, on the one hand and white officers on in rank from Captain to Flight Officer have press as a punitive action. This interpretation served the other—despite frequent occasions of personal quasi-rural Staten Island! About 3,000 Negro the dual function of lending credence to exaggerated friendship and mutual respect among many. been placed under arrest at Freeman Field for reports and of having Negroes feel that the Army had stevedores have been stationed at Fox Hills "let them down." [253] [254] that the crime rate of the men is not unusual, in the Navy; on the other, he is quite as empha there had been no statement to this effect made tic in maintaining that it contains no leadership the men were careful to remain within all pective tenants for the earlier project have to the press at last report. Although only six material of CPO grade. The ceiling which Navy regulations and to refrain from any been very scarce. Meanwhile, Negro workers teen men had even been accused of offences, this attitude places upon the attainment of semblance of violence, it is reported that drive many miles from their present over three thousand brown soldiers stood damned Negro personnel in the 34th eventuated in much several men were held in the brig without crowded and inadequate houses to work and in the eyes of the readers of most New York disaffection and lowered morale among the specific charges, but treated as if they were wait with something less than their putative papers.6 (FR, NP, GP) men. The men were especially annoyed when general courts-martial prisoners. One man patience for "pre-construction development" to is alleged to have been flogged a la Captain JACKBON, MISSISSIPPI it was discovered that many of the 120 white become houses. (OWI, FR, NP) Bligh. A group of Negro soldiers were passing through CPO's and PO-l/c's recently assigned to the Los ANGELES, CALIFORNIA outfit have less education, skill, and naval ex The battalion is expected to be ordered Jackson after having served overseas. They 7 The housing situation has become so acute met a group of white soldiers with whom they perience than any number of the Negro petty overseas very soon. in Los Angeles that Mayor Fletcher Bowron shared some similar experiences and the men officers of lower ratings. WASHINGTON, D. C. has dispatched a telegram to the President began to converse together. MP's came up To the arbitrary rating limitations which The Naval Board of Review has decided asking for an investigation by some agency and informed them of the quaint Mississippi the men believed to be placed upon them were that fourteen of the fifteen ex-members of (not connected with the NHA) looking toward custom which prohibits people from choosing added several other grievances. the 80th Seabees are to have their "un giving federal housing relief. The Mayor states 1. It is claimed that there was strict segregation of desirable discharges by reason of unfitness" their associates—if they choose across racial white and Negro personnel in eating and sleeping" that 100,000 applications for housing are on lines. Some of the men expressed their con —and that food and accommodations for white men or "ordinary discharges under satisfactory file with local housing centers, including 50,000 were better. tempt for such folkways; and one Negro is 2. The men claim that it has been the practice to assign conditions by reason of inaptitude" changed certified in-migrant war workers' families. He all arduous camp duties to Negro petty officers, while to discharges "under honorable conditions". alleged to have threatened an MP with a wea PO's have a minimum of work to do. also estimates that in housing for Negroes there pon. After the darker contingent returned to 3. Commander MacBean and his executive officer, Lt. The cases were reviewed following a petition is a deficit of 14,000 family units. (FR) Commander O V. White, are accused of placing a their car, civilian police came out, searched the high premium upon their own racial prejudices. The which the fifteen men had made pursuant to SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS commanding officer is said to have withheld per the Servicemen's Re-adjustment Act of 1944. men, beat some of them about the head with mission for the athletic outfits of the battalion to Following vigorous protests from the local compete with white groups who invited them while The men, who were given dishonorable dis blackjacks, and ordered them back into the car they were overseas. He is also believed by the NAACP and the Negro History Study group, a without perferring charges or making arrests. men to have visited business places in nearby Ox- charges following a meeting with their com plan to establish public "low cost housing for nard, California, and advised the proprietors to manding officer at which they had complied The MP's looked on without overt disapproval. refrain from serving Negro and white personnel to Negroes only" in one section of Springfield has Investigations into the incident are being made gether. with his request that they tell him of grievances been abandoned. The alderman who proposed 4. Training courses for preparing men to become held by Negro seabees then stationed in the by the interracial committee of the local Cham chiefs and first class men have not been provided. 8 what Negro leaders and other liberals called ber of Commerce. (ANP) Commander MacBean, a native of Meridian, West Indies , were represented by the NAACP, a Negro ghetto has promised that he will urge Los ANGELES, CALIFORNIA Mississippi, who is said to conceive of himself the Civil Liberties Union, and the Lynn Com that all public housing henceforward establish The Commanding Officer has been removed as a hard-boiled Navy man, insists that the out mittee for Abolition of Segregation in the ed in Springfield be open to all eligible families and other remedial measures are expected as fit is a good one and that the complaints are Armed Forces. Much credit is due Isaac without regard for race, creed, or color. Signifi a result of an official investigation by Naval representative only of about five percent of McNatt, a member of the group who has com cantly enough, one of the most effective intelligence into conditions surrounding the the men in his command. He has also assured pleted a law course subsequent to his dis arguments used by opponents to the segregated forty-eight hour hunger strike in which men of interested civilian investigators that morale is charge. It is largely the clearcut and moving project was that it would be contrary to the the 34th Naval Construction Battalion engaged unimportant, inasmuch as the men are well story which Mr. McNatt wrote concerning the world-famous Springfield Plan of intercultural on March 2 to 4. The demonstration is said trained and highly skilled construction workers earlier miscarriage of justice that mobilized education. (NP) the sympathy and interest of liberal groups. to have followed an investigation which the and fighters. BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT (OWI, GP, NP) Los Angeles NAACP had made into conditions Quite a contrast is presented in the present In a report on post-war housing recently at Port Hueneme, California, where the battal situation of the 80th Seabees. Although this HOUSING submitted to the local chamber of commerce ion is stationed; and is alleged to have been group has had quite a hectic time of it (see NEW BOSTON, TEXAS by the Roy Winzlick Firm of New York and precipitated by the fact that the battalion item under Washington, D. C, below) the Having apparently given in to political (Con St. Louis, five pages were devoted to arguments commander, Commander J. P. MacBean, had present commanding officer, Lt. Commander gressional) pressure in designating for white showing that Negroes should be restricted to "put the screws" on some of the men whom he Ebersole (the fourth commanding officer occupancy 200 houses built for Negro ordnance residence in certain designated areas of the 0 had permitted to give interviews to NAACP since June 1944) has secured very fine esprit workers , the National Housing Agency (NHA) city. In support of the contention that financial representatives. de corps. Men are encouraged to work for has now announced that "pre-construction devel agencies should not lend to Negroes who plan The 34th Seabee outfit was in the South higher ratings, a band is being organized— opment" of 100 publicly financed houses lor to move to non-Negro neighborhoods the re Pacific for twenty-one months and has received although one is not required in the Seabee Negro workers has been authorized. Con port cited the policy of the Federal Housing commendations from the Commander of the table of organization—the food is reported struction must await the appropriation by Con Administration, a governmental agency which Pacific Fleet and from the Bureau of Yards to be good and the relationships between gress of new funds for war housing. It is has done yeoman work in the cause of Jim and Docks. It is largely a volunteer organiza white and' colored enlisted men are said to reported that, aside from the few white Crow. (ANP, GP) tion and has many college graduates and highly be amicable. (The men of the 80th did not families rushed into the other project in a PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA skilled artisans among its personnel. Despite participate in the demonstration.) seeming effort to pre-empt the project, pros- Mr. and Mrs. Horace Sommerville are Phila the more than usual number of good training Following the hunger strike, during which 7 delphia war-workers with two sons in military among the Negroes of the battalion, all chief This last has been interpreted by some observers as being sooner than a battalion with 500 new replace service overseas. A few hours after they and first class petty officers have been white. "According to naval custom, chief petty officers have ments would be expected to be ordered out and is a separate mess, but all other enlisted personnel usually therefore said to be punitive. We have no confirma moved into a home which they had bought in On the one hand, Commander MacBean main eat together. In the 34th. white petty officers, of tion on this—pro or con. whatever rank, were assigned to one mess line, all a "white" block every downstairs window had tains that, his is the best construction battalion Negro personnel to the other. "See Monthly Summary, November, 1944, p. 99. "See Monthly Summary, March, 1945, p. 219. been broken by neighbors in a protest demon- [255] [256] stration. An armed police guard has been Board of Education to consider courses of study passage of a resolution outlawing such quotas PETEHSBURG, VIRGINIA assigned to protect the Sommervilles from the to be offered in the new re-certification plan. by an act of the Assembly. These attempts In a manner almost identical to that of the West Philadelphia Werewolves. (FR) This would appear to be more than an over were unsuccessful; however, a resolution was Columbia, S. C. city fathers, Petersburg has TRANSPORTATION sight in light of the fact that the greatest need, passed asking that the Commissioner of Edu "deferred indefinitely" the hiring of Negro both in terms of teacher education and teacher BALTIMORE, MARYLAND cation and the State Board of Regents "take policemen. The parallel is amazing: The The bill intended to abolish Jim Crow in in-service education exists among Negroes. steps to guarantee the development in every Council promised to give the matter careful intra-state transportation in Maryland (See This need is demonstrated in the following dis school of the state a program of education de study. There was no open discussion by the tribution of teacher classifications by race Monthly Summary, March, 1945, p. 220) has signed to promote national and world unity." body nor were there hearings. The Mayor, following publication of results of the national been defeated in the House of Representatives. (FR) Alexander Hamilton, simply announced: teachers examination taken by 6,320 South The defeat is attributed to horse-trading ****** "It is the consensus of members of the Council that Carolina teachers. (It must be remembered, action on the matter of placing Negro policemen on between the Eastern Shore delegates to whom New York University and Columbia Univer the local police force be indefinitely deferred, it ap Jim Crow is sacred and Baltimore delegates of course, that Negro rural teachers are pena sity have announced revisions of their applica pearing at this time that public support and cooperation lized in accumulating "experience" by having is insufficient to justify satisfactory results." (GP) to whom it is a matter of indifference, inas tion blanks. The former, known for its hospi CINCINNATI, OHIO much as the Negro vote has not been very a greatly abbreviated school term and that tality to minority group members—it has more some bias in judging "intangibles" is likely on One of the first acts of the newly formed effective in the legislative contests heretofore. Negro students than most colleges for Negroes Race Relations Detail of the Cincinnati Police Liberals feel that the fight was worthwhile papers where the racial identity of the candidate disclaims any previous discrimination and must be indicated.): (See Monthly Summary, March, 1945, p. 272) since it aired the issue and brought. forth sup announces that it will no longer ask for the was an investigation leading to the arrest of Classifi- Grade Grade Grade Grade port from some hitherto unknown allies. (FR) race or religion of prospective students. three white youths who had stoned the homes RICHMOND, VIRGINIA cation Total A B C D Columbia will not ask applicants to state their of two Negro families recently moved into a The Virginia Supreme Court has agreed to White 100% 32% 58% 9% 1% religion. (FR) predominantly white neighborhood. There review the appeals made in the case of four Negro 100% 2% 27% 35% 36% WASHINGTON, D. C. have already been several instances of quiet women who contend that the Virginia Jim Crow To Negro teachers, failure to invite their Hearings on the Federal Aid to Education but effective police work credited with remedy transportation law violates uniformity in in participation in planning or solicit a statement Bill (S.-717) have been announced for April ing situations which were on their way to be terstate commerce as provided in the U. S. of their needs was further evidence that state 11, 12, and 13. This measure is the same as the coming serious tension spots. (FR) Constitution and is hence invalid. The appeals education officials are not disposed to raise the one defeated last session through a clever manip JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI have been made from five dollar fines imposed level of training for Negro teachers to that ulation of prejudices by its opponents. (See upon the women when they refused to move toward which they are aiming for white peda Monthly Summary, November, 1943, p. 7.) (FR) Two Jackson policemen who described them into the Jim Crow section of a bus on which gogues. (FR) POLICE ADMINISTRATION selves as having a hankering to "beat up some they were traveling from Fairfax County, ******* COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA niggers" picked up four Negro men in business establishments along Farish Street, took them Virginia to Washington, D. C. (ANP) The Columbia salary equalization suit on be Following a trip to Charlotte, North Carolina, out of town and beat them sadistically. Re MOBILE, ALABAMA half of Negro teachers in Columbia is set for where he heard city officials pronounce the use turning to town the men, including a dis In recent months the Louisville and Nashville U. S. Court on April 18. Judge J. W. Waring of uniformed Negro policemen as highly satis 10 charged and disabled sailor, were released. and Atlanta and West Point Railroads (operat who rendered a favorable decision in the case factory, Mayor Fred D. Marshall of Columbia (The Guardians of the Peace took one of them ing between Atlanta and New Orleans) have of Charleston teachers is to preside. The Court made the following statement: to the hospital!) Neither of the men were been using prison cars for Jim Crow coaches has thus far declined to dismiss the case or to "I want to say that we have given your request due consideration and that Council unanimously has decided arrested. All of the victims are regularly em —when they were needed neither for federal adjourn it pending the introduction of the new that at this time we are going to refuse your request." ployed except for the veteran who is not prisoners nor for prisoners-of-war. The im teacher certification plan. (FR, GP, NP) The Committee of Negro citizens who had physically able to work. (NP) plications inherent in this type of service proved HOUSTON, TEXAS made the request had some reason to be sur annoying to many passengers and the NAACP Negro citizens of Houston have recently prised at this terse brush-off. At the time that WILMINGTON,.NORTH CAROLINA has entered a formal protest. (FR) raised about $75,000 toward a building for the their petition had been presented to the Council Action before the Wilmington Civil Service EDUCATION Houston College for Negroes. The College! a few weeks before several councilmen had Board has been instituted against a police WISE, NORTH CAROLINA is a division of Houston University which until expressed themselves in favor of the proposal; officer who, while allegedly intoxicated, cursed During the school term 1943-44 the Reverend recently has been under the City School Board. and voting on the measure had been postponed a white waitress and beat a Negro veteran. G. E. Cheek, principal of the Warren County The State Legislature has now separated the ostensibly because it involved "policy" and The latter has only recently been discharged Training School was very active in getting University from the School Board. The fi needed "careful consideration". There was no from the Army and is under the supervision of Negroes to register and vote. At the end of nancial campaign among Negroes is considered public hearing. There was no public vote. It the Veterans' Administration. After being • 11 the year his contract was not renewed. No a successful one, although many persons feel is reported that the employment of Negro police arrested on a disorderly conduct charge, on dissatisfaction was expressed at his twenty- that the new relationship needs to be defined was opposed previously by local firemen and which he was later convicted, the veteran was three years of service. To Warren County more clearly. (FR) policemen and by certain white women's clubs. beaten by the policeman. The officer accom Negroes the connection was obvious; and when NEW YORK, N. Y. (FR, GP, NP) panying the offending patrolman at the time of the arrest was the main witness before the Mr. Cheek left to assume new duties in Raleigh Following the controversy aroused by the 10In Charlotte Negro uniformed police are actually special officers who are neither employed through civil City Council; and the brutality toward the they raised $175 and purchased him a token of recommendation of the Council on Dental service rolls nor given salaries equal to those of regu appreciation. (FR, NP) Education of the American Dental Association lar policemen. The four Negro police officers employed Negro veteran was the main point at issue dur patrol Negro neighborhoods exclusively and are not ing the discussion which led to the referral to COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA that racial quotas be set in dental schools (See supposed to handle white offenders. (What action they are to take in the face of overt offenses by whites— the Civil Service Board. (FR,GP) No representatives of colleges for Negroes Monthly Summary, February, 1945, p. 191- especially in view of the law-enforcement duties of all were invited to attend a meeting called by the 195) several efforts were made to secure the citizens—is not made clear!) Despite these restrictions, the Charlotte officials said that Negro police have had "When the officer mistook an epileptic attack for a salutory effect on law enforcement in Negro areas. [257] drunkenness. [258] BROOKLYN, N. Y. attacked a white farmer, beating him over the SURVEY OF THE IEWISH SCENE' Charges of brutality by police of the 23rd head with a club injuring him severely. The LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT and publishing industries are foremost in precinct operating in the Brownsville section Negro was arrested. The Sheriff at Mont of Brooklyn have been so numerous that a gomery dispatched two deputies to bring the The Ives-Quinn Bill which will create a the manufacturing group while the office committee of neighborhood organizations has man into the County jail for safekeeping. The permanent five-man commission to invest and business supplies stores and general recently made an inquiry into the situation. Reverend Arthur Carlton, youthful pastor of igate and combat racial and religious dis merchandise stores are foremost in the Youths testified that Negro prisoners arrested the Ramer Methodist Church (white), saw the crimination in employment, was passed in retail and wholesale trade group. In the by the police are beaten with baseball bats car containing the peace officers and noted that specialized fields, the professional branches, another car, loaded with Ramer white men, the New York State assembly by a vote of and rubber hose. It is also charged that young such as accounting, advertising, engineer people are systematically harrassed, being was following it. Mr. Carlton, sensing that a 109 to 32. Labor and religious organiza ing, law, are the largest zones of discrimi searched, stopped for questioning without pro lynching was perhaps a-foot followed the two tions had generally supported the bill, with cars. The occupants discovered that the clergy- nation, with financial institutions, com vocation, by police. Real or fancied, this per business representatives and professionals secution has given rise to resentment and at rpan was trailing them and both the police and prising banking, brokerage, insurance, and more on the skeptical side. However, the titudes of non-cooperation on the part of many civilian car took a circuitous route into Mont real estate running a close second. Em lines were by no means sharply drawn. young people where "the Law" is concerned. gomery in an effort to be rid of young Carlton's ployment agencies form another important (FR) :prophetic gaze. They were unsuccessful in Typical for the conflicting attitudes voiced source. In nine out of ten cases, discrimi THE COURTS eluding him and were forced to deliver the before the bill was passed, are the opinions nation is practiced on the hinng level. DECATUR, GEORGIA prisoner safely. on the one hand of author Thomas Mann, Despite the testimony of peace officers that It is believed that the Reverend Carlton pre Four chief areas of discrimination which the defendant had admitted committing the vented a lynching (or a "shot-while-attempting on the other hand of Bishop Moulton of result in rejection of Jewish applicants are crime, Howard Morgan, a young white sailor, to-escape" episode!). So firmly do the denizens Utah. Thomas Mann said: "Our ex enumerated: by reason of company or was acquitted by a Dekalb County jury after of Ramer believe this that the young clergy periences teach us that freedom must de executive policy; through discriminatory less than six minutes of deliberation. He was man's congregation requested that he remain fend itself better against its own enemies help-wanted ads; through the medium of among the three youths who were indicted in away from the town and from his pulpit. The than it hitherto believed compatible with both Dekalb and Gwinnett Counties for kid District Superintendent has assigned Mr. Carl employment agencies; and through in napping and raping a seventeen year old Negro ton to a charge at Columbiana, Alabama. For its principles." Bishop Moulton, in turn, quiries to determine religion. high school girl after they allegedly beat her the present the Bishop has declined to assign otherwise a confirmed liberal, considers young Negro campanion into unconsciousness. another shepherd to the Ramer flock. (FR) legislation as "the last resort" in the fight The practices of vocational schools and (See Monthly Summary, February, 1945, p. 191; GENERAL against anti-Semitism. "The Jew-haters," of employment agencies form an important March, p. 223) Morgan's two companions are CINCINNATI, OHIO says he, "would be forced underground, part of the picture which is clarified in to be tried at the June session of Dekalb court; The Division of Negro Welfare of the Cin but hatred would not be abolished." It the Congress statement. Some technical and all three are to be tried in Gwinnett cinnati Community Chest and the Better Busi colleges and secretarial schools, for in County. (ANP) ness Bureau have uncovered and publicized a will certainly be interesting to watch New MIAMI, FLORIDA racket calculated to capitalize upon the gulli York's experience. Meanwhile, similar stance, maintain that they are "honor An all-white six-man jury acquitted a thirty- bility of some white folks. Three alleged moves in favor of the establishment of a bound" to place their graduates and since year-old Negro charged with attempted rape clergymen, purporting to represent the "Bap State FEPC are underway in ten other they "find it difficult" to place Jewish tist Ministers' Conference", have been solicit on a forty-year-old white woman. Only the states, notably in Massachusetts, Connecti graduates, they deem it advisaole to re defendant and his accuser testified in court, and ing funds from business men and industrialists strict the Jewish student body. On similar cut, Pennsylvania, California, and Illinois. the jury saw fit to believe the Negro. (ANP) ostensibly for the education of "illiterate grounds, a number of employment agencies FAYETTEVTLLE, NORTH CAROLINA Southern Negroes" who are "intimidating" During the fight for the passage of the refuse to send out, or even to register, After less than an hour's deliberation an all- white people through so-called pushers' and New York bill, the American Jewish Con white jury acquitted a twenty-eight-year-old Eleanor clubs. Persons who contributed on Jewish applicants. In many cases, there Negro who was charged with the rape of a the basis of the pleas of these solicitors had the gress' Commission on Economic Discrimi fore, the employment agency serves as a middle-aged white farm woman. The former double compensations of having the rumors nation submitted a statement of the ex screen of anonymity behind which the had been in jail since September 28. In order concerning these non-existent organizations perience accumulated by the Commission actual employer hides.1 confirmed, on the one hand, and of feeling that to assure a fair trial, Judge John J. Burney during the past fifteen years. Among the MINORITIES IN CONGRESS excluded from the jury venire all residents of they were contributing to a worthy cause. (FR) 827 firms involved in discriminatory Eastover, the township in which principals re RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA In Washington, Supreme Court Justice sided. (FR, CNI) W. H. Bryan, white volunteer fireman in the practices that have been singled out for de Felix Frankfurter has been the target of BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA village of Ahoskie, was severely burned in an tailed analysis, the chemical and allied in attacks. Representative Dan McGehee, The first all-Negro jury since Reconstruction attempt to rescue a Negro auto mechanic who dustries, the industries producing machin Democrat from Mississippi, charged Frank heard a civil suit between two Negroes and re had been trapped in a burning building. A ery and metal products, and the printing furter with placing his men in key govern fused to grant any of the $5,000 damages sought. few days after the former had entered a hos pital for treatment of his injuries he was *This column was written several days before Presi ment positions, "never recommending one (FR, NP) dent Roosevelt's sudden death. As it gives a last- MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA presented a purse of $190 to which it is said minute impression of the late president's influence ^For further details see J. X. Cohen, "Who Discrimi upon the current Jewish scene in America, we did not nates and How" in Congress Weekly, Vol. 12, No. 5, During the middle of March a Negro farm every Negro family in Ahoskie contributed. deem it proper to change its wording. :945. (FR, NP) hand near Ramer, Alabama is alleged to have [260] [259] except he was of the same ideology as he measure which would make it a criminal in the political affairs of the nation." An board of selection," Dr. Coolidge said. and.his ilk and clan." He went so far as offense to operate or participate in the other of these new political groupings, the Still another case in point is the applica to advocate impeachment proceedings. activities of a foreign language school. Nationalist Party, created by ex-Senator tion contract for admission to Lasell Junior When he was seconded by his Republican This would affect Hebrew and Yiddish Robert Reynolds, is reported to have al College, Auburndale, Massachusetts, which colleague, Representative Clare E. Hoff (religious and non-religious) schools along ready established fifty secret "cells" in asks, "Does the applicant belong to the man of Michigan, a strong repudiation with other foreign language schools in this New York City, chiefly in the boroughs of white race? Is the applicant a Hebrew?" came forth from Representative Mathew country. An attempt to counteract anti- Brooklyn and Queens. On the other hand, The president of the school, Guy M. Wins- M. Neely, Democrat from West Virginia. immigrant feeling is evinced in the bill of Smith and his kind were refuted by Father low, is a member of the State Board of Hoffman denied the charge of anti-Sem Senator Scott W. Lucas (Democrat, Flanagan, founder of Boys' Town, in a Collegiate Authority. Considering his itism, using subtle Nazi techniques in doing Illinois) and Congressman Evan Howell speech at a dinner in honor of Henry office, the Boston City Reporter, a Catholic so. "If I were a member of the Jewish (Republican, Illinois) proposing that the Monsky, president of B'nai B'rith, held at Sheet, asks, "How can he conscientiously race, I'd be proud of it," he declared. "Why President call a national conference to plan the Hotel Commodore in New York. serve the public interest with convictions shouldn't I be? Don't the Jews hold good for the presentation in all forty-eight states Father Flanagan declared that our fight against whole segments of his neighbors?" jobs in the country? Aren't they in con of the program "Americans All-Immigrants ing men "want us to learn to live in peace So much for the situation in New England. trol of the moving picture industry? Don't All" which has already been inaugurated and harmony with our fellow citizens in In New York, the protests against Dr. they hold high places in industry?" In in Illinois. In a similar bill, Congressman this great Republic; they want us to re Harlan Horner's racial quota proposals such fashion, he put himself in the place of Jerry Voorhis (Democrat, California) calls spect the rights of all our fellow citizens, continue with some beneficial effect on persecuted innocence. He was told by for the establishment of January 1 as whether black or brown or yellow, whether University policies.3 But Dr. Horner is House Democratic leader John W. Mc- "Good Neighbor Day." An international Jew or Gentile." Even more outspoken still in the employ of the American Dental Cormack that no Hitlerian reference to Bill of Rights is advocated by Congress was Paul V. McNutt, War Manpower Association. nationality or race should be made on the man Charles M. LaFollette (Republican, Commissioner, in an address before a RELIGION floor of the House. Indiana), Michael A. Feighan (Democrat, meeting of the United Jewish Appeal of Desecration of Jewish cemeteries was Numerous bills affecting minorities have Ohio), and Samuel A. Weiss (Democrat, Greater New York. He emphasized that one of the established practices of the early been introduced into the U. S. Congress Pennsylvania). "Americans who are anti-Semitic because Nazi movement in Germany. Jewish during the last few weeks, dealing with ANTI-SEMITIC PROPAGANDA AND of hate or confusion or misunderstanding tombstones were toppled over, defaced, and immigration, status of aliens, free ports, COUNTER-PROPAGANDA are preparing the way for a new violence Gerald L. K. Smith, although dismally broken by teen-age gangs who never ad peace proposals, and manifestations of to come." defeated at the polls, made a triumphant mitted their liaison with the political bigotry and race hatred. This column has EDUCATION entry into Chicago on March 15. Despite gangsters who had instigated them. Simi already reported on some of the bills aim The charge that racial bias was involved strong opposition to his appearance in lar practices have been used in this coun ing at further restriction of immigration. in the refusal to grant state recognition to Chicago on the part of civic groups and try in recent years, but neither the Jewish Congressmen Jennings Randolph (Demo the Middlesex, Massachusetts, School of leading citizens, he succeeded in renting Medicine was implied by Abe Stark, Chair defense organizations nor the daily press crat, West Virginia) and Roy O. Woodruff seemed civic-minded enough to report the hall of the Plasterers Benevolent and man of the Middlesex University's Parents' (Republican, Michigan) introduced bills about them. The recent desecration of Protective Union (AFL). When this be Association at a legislative committee hear the effect of which is to make it a criminal 150 graves in the Jewish part of the came known, the Union officers were ing in Boston. Representatives of the CIO offense for aliens to become active mem flooded with indignant protests from in Knights of Joseph Cemetery in Forest and AFL charged that the American Medi bers of labor unions. On the other hand, dividuals and organizations, but Union Park, Illinois, and of fifty graves in the cal Association was behind the move to Congressman Fred A. Hartley, Jr. (Repub officials pointed out that the pro-Smith Anshe Sholom Cemetery in South Chicago, close the school. Approximately eighty- lican, New Jersey) proposed that all aliens mail heavily out-weighed the anti-Smith has at long last found entrance in the five percent of Middlesex's medical stu whose sons and daughters receive an mail. Smith's National Emergency Com columns of the Chicago Sun. Several dents are Jewish. At the same hearing Dr. honorable military or naval discharge be mittee may find an ally in the recently youngsters have been brought before the Albert S. Coolidge charged that an agree automatically granted citizenship. An founded anti-Semitic and anti-Negro Com Juvenile Court and better patrolling ser other proposition is that aliens who have moner Party.2 The partv, launched in ment between Harvard University and a vices are considered. entered the United States upon visitors' Atlanta, Ga., by Charles H. Emmons and chemical concern, sponsoring a Harvard permits and who are refugees from invaded scholarship, has deprived the highest rank In the New York State Assembly, a bill James L. Ship, "proposes the formation of permitting orthodox Jewish owners to keep countries should be granted United States a Gentile political party block to combat ing chemistry student from receiving the their stores open on Sundays, was intro citizenship. Congressman Carl Hinshaw the Jew and Negro racial blocks now active scholarship because he is Jewish. "We (Republican, California) introduced a know perfectly well the names ending in duced by Senator Rosenblatt (Democrat, 2See Monthly Summary, March, 1945, p. 222. 'berg' and 'stein' have to be skipped by the 3 [261] See Social Front, "Education," this issue, p. 258. [262] Brooklyn). In a request by the New York tine as a free and democratic Jewish has been voiced by the American Jewish Only relatively insignificant numbers seem Association of Orthodox Rabbis, it was Commonweath."4 He said that he had Conference, the American Zionist Emer to have been liberated thus far and it must pointed out that orthodox Jews keep the not changed his position in the meantime. gency Council, and the World Zionist be feared that thousands are being killed Sabbath on Saturday and by present law This latter statement struck many doubt Organization, now in Jerusalem. This in the last hour before dawn by the SS are not permitted to keep shops open on ful ears in view of the Allies' failure to seems understandable in view of the fact guards. The protection of international Sunday. implement their good intentions with con that the previously pro-Nazi Arab states law and effective reprisals are both con NEGROES AND JEWS vincing action. have been permitted to make a success- spicuous by their absence. This applies Negro labor leader A. Philip Randolph, The two-pronged Jewish post-war pio- lul last-minute jump on the Allied band even to prisoners of war. Rumors have in an article widely circulated in the Negro gram was being endorsed from various wagon while the Jewish people, whose con it that Polish-Jewish prisoners of war in press, sharply criticized the Whole Truth, quarters. In Congress, Representative tribution to the agonies and the victories Germany have been segregated from other Negro newspaper published in Memphis, Herman P. Koppleman of Connecticut ! of this war has been outstanding, have been prisoners and brought into separate camps Tennessee, by the Church of God in Christ urged the creation by the United Nations fed with imaginary crumbs from the store which measure is the established prelude for reprinting an anti-Semitic article, "The of a permanent Commission on Human house of humanitarian promises. to starvation and extinction. Outside Ger Indigestible Jew," from the Pentecostal Rights. "Just as nations must be safe THE EUROPEAN SCENE many, thousands of Jewish children are Evangel. Congressman A. Clayton Powell, guarded against oppression by o t h e r The problem of the punishment of war scattered in Christian homes and convents, Negro representative from New York City, states," Mr. Koppleman said, "so must the criminals presents only one aspect of the and not all of them are returned volun challenged Representative John Rankin people within each country be assured of rapidly changing European scene. Re tarily to the Jewish communities. Star of Mississippi on his charge that the international defense against arbitrary vio cently, Herbert C. Pell, U. S. representa vation, disease, and mortality are mounting majority of doctors on Civil Service rolls lation of their basic human rights." The tive at the United Nations War Crimes and so are the signs of continued discrim and in veteran hospitals are Jewish. He most powerful endorsement of President Commission in London, was compelled to ination on the part of governments. In the declared that racial bigotry should have Roosevelt's alleged stand on Palestine came resign from his office. This was by Pell face of all this misery, the Jewish agency no place in this nation, "least of all in the in a letter signed by five thousand Pro himself, as well as by others, attributed to for Palestine has only 1,500 certificates per House of Representatives." In New York's testant clergyman associated with The the fact that he had stood for the inclusion month available, and in three months from East Bronx, in turn, the Council of Jewish Protestant magazine. The letter charged of crimes committed by Germany and her now, when the White Paper quota will be Women donated a building and land valued the Arab leaders with "carrying over their satellites against their own nationals, exhausted, they will have none. Allegedly, at a quarter of a million dollars, and also war-time pro-Nazism into a post-war Pro- especially Jews. Following approval of no shipping space is available to carry Jew an initial sustaining fund of $30,000, to the Nazism." For instance, one of these Arab $25,000 for full American participation on ish migrants across the Mediterranean to Negro people of that section as an educa leaders, Shiek Yussin, advisor to King Ibn the Commission by the House Appropria Palestine, but 1.200 Jews who had been dis tional and recreational center. Saud, is reported to have said cynically, tion Committee, Pell intends now to peti missed from the Theresienstadt and Ber- POST-WAR AIMS "The Nazis killed 4,000,000 Jews in Poland. tion President Roosevelt for reinstatement gen-Belzen concentration camps and Two hostile brothers, Judge Joseph M. If the Jews of Palestine want room, there to his former post. arrived in Switzerland, were transported, Proskauer, president of the American is plenty in Poland now." To let cynical How many European Jews will still be against their will, to a detention camp in Jewish Committee, and Rabbi Stephen statements like this go unchallenged, alive on judgment day remains, however, Philippeville, Algeria, on the same boat Wise, chairman of the American Zionist comment the clergyman, would be tanta a matter of grave concern. ArchbishoD that could* have carried them to a perma Emergency Council, emerged from the mount to accepting their view. They go Dameskinos, regent of Greece, announced nent haven just as well. Experiments White House, each with a seemingly im on to say that the "enlightenment" on the recently, that ninety per cent of all Greek such as this, topping as they do the most portant official statement. President Palestine question which the President Jews have been deported and that the vast trying experience and physical exhaustion, Roosevelt had authorized Judge Proskauer had said earlier he had derived from his majority of them must be considered slain. must drive even patient and enduring souls to state his profound interest in an in recent conversation with King Ibn Saud, In Salonika, where 70,000 Jews resided in to the brink of despair. There is only one ternational Bill of Rights as "a serious en "must have been the disillusioning reali 1939, less than 500 have thus far returned realistic conclusion to be drawn from the deavor to implement the Dumbarton Oaks zation . . . that, so far as the cooperation to their former homes from urban and events in Europe, namely, that "repatria program." In the interview with Rabbi of Arab leadership goes, there is no hope mountain hideouts. These porportions are tion" for most homeless Jews in our time Wise, the President re-affirmed the pledge of justice for the Jews." typical for many of the former Jewish means return to the Jewish homeland in he made in his message of October 15, 1944, mass settlements in Eastern Europe. How Palestine. If this truth is long disregarded, addressed to the 47th Annual Convention The demand to be accorded the oppor many of the deported slave laborers will the Allied statesmen will not escape re of the Zionist organization of America in tunity to represent their own case before be found in the wake of the Allies' sweep sponsibility for the human life, liberty, and which the Chief Executive had promised the San Francisco and similar conferences, through Germany, remains a conjecture. happiness that is yet to be sacrificed. to "effectuate the establishment of Pales "See Monthly Summary, January, 1945, p. 159-60. [263] [264] Legion. gone on record in favor of it. (Springfield, JAPANESE - AMERICANS Commander Scherberling issued the Mass., Republican, March 9, 1945) following statement: "I am gratified over Five American girls of Japanese parent Nisei are everywhere enco untering democracy. the dscision of Hood River Post 22 to re age prepared to leave employment in the numerous problems of adjustment. It is Instances of the treatment of the return store the names of fifteen Japanese-Ameri city because of the hostile attitude of the not so much the fear of unfriendly atti ed evacuees follow. can servicemen to its honor roll. This de residents. (ANP, March 19, 1945) tudes on the part of whites or the un San Jose, California—Toshi Takeda of cision will surely be a source of gratifica Washington, D. C.—Secretary of Interior organized sporadic violences that may 209 Vz Jackson Street reported a plate glass tion to the American Legion everywhere. I Ickes declared that Nisei evacuated from threaten their personal safety that has window in the front of his building was am confident that the Post's reconsideration the West Coast in 1942 will be better off if retarded the movement of the Japanese out smashed with the head-rest from a barber's of its earlier action in removing these they settle elsewhere than the sections of of the War Relocation Centers as it is the cnair. This was the second case of its names evidences its sound sense of Ameri the Pacific Coast where they may meet insecurity of economic life beyond the kind in San Jose. Approximately can fair play. (Terre Haute, Ind., Star, opposition. He is reported as having walls of the centers. The fear of this in- sixty Nisei have returned to Santa Clara March 12, 1945) written Senator Guy Cordon, (R., Ore.) security makes Americans seek the County. (Pacific Citizen, March 13, 1945) Hollywood, California—The Don E. that the Interior Department's policy has shadows of the camp's barbed-wire fences. Pasadena, California—The FBI has been Brown Post of the American Legion, been to "discourage" the return of the According to reliable estimates, only investigating a threatening note received named for the late son of screen comedian evacuees to the West Coast. Said Ickes: about 500 Nisei have gone back to the by Dr. Linus Pauling of Altadena, in con Joe E. Brown, today backed a Hollywood "We do all in our power to persuade those Pacific coast; well over 10,000 are in the nection with his hiring a Nisei gardener. World War II Post's admission of a Nisei who formerly lived on the Pacific Coast fighting forces; somewhere around 36,000 The note, received by mail, was described veteran. The post voted two to one for a to locate elsewhere in the country." are losing themselves either within the as the second warning to Dr. Pauling in resolution approving admission of Harley Two reasons were given for this policy: anonymity of the big cities or behind the four days. On March 5, a painting of a M. Oka to the Hollywood Post. (Stock (1) that adverse sentiment against the re walls of the institutions of higher learning. Japanese flag inscribed, "Americans die, ton, California, Record, Feb. 8, 1945) turn of the Japanese exists in certain sec More than 60,000 remain in the security of but we love Japs" was found on the garage Gresham, Oregon—A group of Gresham tions of the Pacific coast; and (2) a per the War Relocation Centers. That these doors at his home. The painting was be and Oregon citizens struck back at the sonal feeling that it was not good for the centers will be disbanded at the end of lieved to be in protest against the employ anti-Japanese-American faction in this social and political institutions for large 1945 presents a new problem. For this ment of George Minaki, a native of Gar- area which has launched a national pro numbers of people of foreign descent to reason, if no other, the movement back to dena, California. (Pacific Citizen, March gram to deprive Nisei of their constitu congregate in particular areas. (Pacific the Pacific coast becomes an experiment. 17, 1945) tional rights. Charles A. Sprague, former Citizen, March 24, 1945) In those terms, the 500 who have returned Madera, California—FBI agents joined Governor of Oregon and publisher of the The Attorney General of California, within the last six weeks indicates the the police in an inquiry of a gunfire attack Salem Statesman, told a meeting called by Robert W. Kenny, has enumerated the experiment has been fairly successful. against the home of a recently discharged pastors and other Gresham residents that following five different groups of persons The War Relocation Authority reports American soldier of Japanese ancestry, there is "no logical reason" for denying who are stirring up trouble against the that the returned Nisei have received Ohashi. Five shots were fired into Ohashi's Nisei the right to return to the coast after returned Nisei. the reason for their evacuation, military friendly receptions in spite pf several house from a speeding car. None of the 1. Those who admit to a strong "race prej isolated instances of threatened boycott occupants in the house was injured. necessity, has ended. (Pacific Citizen, udice" which they are at a loss to excuse March 24, 1945) and organized resistance. The friendly Ohashi narrowly missed death when one or explain; organized groups are growing in strength, 2. Hoodlums frequently found among of the five bullets fired from the .32 calibre Springfield, Massachusetts—The Inde juvenile delinquents, who take action on and they, although they do not get into the revolver plowed through a window and pendent Citizens' League of Greater attitudes expressed by their elders; news, are the ones that will eventually pull passed within five inches of his head. Springfield voted unanimously to approve 3. Professional inciters; the Japanese back to the Pacific coast and Ohashi claims his relations with his neigh the proposed relocation of tested loyal 4. "Jap baiters" who want to fight "safely help them in adjusting to a new environ bors have been excellent and cordial since Nisei in this city. In expressing support at home against defenseless old men, women and children"; ment. These groups, judging from the his return. (Pacific Citizen, March 31, of the relocation, the League became the events in communities on the Pacific coast 5. Those who want to hide their selfish 1945) fourth major organization to take a public economic urges with a pretense of and in the North and East as well, have Indianapolis, Indiana—The names of stand on the issue. So far, the Central patriotism. moved rapidly to challenge any discrimina fifteen Japanese-American servicemen will Labor Union stands alone in opposition to It is the last group which has contrib tory practices. The existence within a be restored to the county war memorial at the measure, while the Springfield League uted most to the intensification of anti- single community of group action of this Hood River, Oregon, it was announced at of Women Voters and the NAACP have Nisei feelings on the Pacific coast. type is indeed the proof of working the national headquarters of the American [266] [265] ON THE STATE OF THE UNION 6. Organized Labor (CIO-PAC) and other is frequently made to "a teacher by the liberal forces in Georgia are not yet name of Cocking". A current issue states As the microcosm ofttimes mirrors the 3. Arnall will be governor through 1946 strong enough to run a candidate or that Marilyn Kaemmerle of William and conflicts of the macrocosm so the internal (unless, of course, he accepts a Washing materially influence the selection. Mary College was sent south "by some ton appointment). There is talk that Rosenwald Fund".2 The same issue con conditions of a single state frequently re he would like to return to his law 7. At the moment of writing, the fate of cludes that the Rosenwald Fund sent flect the tension-pattern of the nation. practice but little credence is given such the so-called "closed shop" amendment "Cousin" Ralph McGill, as Talmadge Greater insight into the probable outcome a view. Those who most ardently sup to the Georgia constitution is very much calls him, overseas to "fill up and come of the struggle between liberalism and re port him are certain that the present in doubt. The committee on constitu back with more Negro ideas than ever". obstacles which bar him from succeeding tional amendments has just voted 19-16 In bold caps Talmadge's editorial de action in these United States can be gained to make the closed shop illegal in by observing the trends within the states. himself (including his own protests) can mands that "THE ROSENWALD FUND somehow be overcome and that 1946 Georgia, but there are strong forces in SEND HIM (McGill) TO AFRICA AND The following is an account of the obser will see a landslide returning him to the the legislature and throughout the state TELL HIM TO STAY THERE". vations of one fisld reporter on the stats State Capitol. Should this speculation working in the interests of organized of affairs in Georgia in early February, become a reality the next indicated move labor. The clearest presentation of their Much publicity is given in The States position regarding this most recent piece 1945. for Governor Arnall would be to run man (front page story and back page against Senator Russell in the 1948 of anti-labor legislation was made in an paid advertisement) to a recent publica "(These) are trends that I found or primaries. editorial on January 31 in the Atlanta tion, Let's Keep the U. S. White, by John Journal. The close vote in the committee Irwin of Sandersville, Georgia, who says thought I found in Georgia. Some . . . 4. There is much speculation, rumor and if- may forecast increased support for labor, that Georgia must combat the propa may be more (apparent) now than ... a talk in Georgia politics, but on one item ending in the defeat or withdrawal of ganda of college professors, ministers, month ago. Some less. Some might not all the dopssters agree: Eugene Talmadge this restrictive amendment.1 Negro editors, union laborities, and Jews. have been at all, for I hardly consider my is thinking seriously about running for Publicity is also being given through self a trained research worker in this field. governor in the primaries of 1946. With 8. On the newspaper front, the Atlanta The Statesman to the growth of the the removal of the poll tax requirement Journal continues its course of "respon latest "native Fascist" party, The Com sible reporting". In this it is joined by 1. Governor Arnall has surprised his and the probable failure of the pro moner, with headquarters in Conyers, the Macon News. Both exercise a steady friends and his enemies. The guiding gressives to educate the people, Tal Georgia." ing influence in the state. The Atlanta star by which he has steered his Georgia madge's chances of election seem to some Constitution, on the other hand, shows ship of state has been the national ad people even better than ever. (He was "Some may say that these are signs of a growing conservatism, often ministration. He has been forthright on astute enough to get on the anti-poll tax merely 'signs of the times,' evi reflected on its editorial pages. This many unpopular issues (unpopular with bandwagon during the last hours of the dences of growing pains or the rav the typical Georgian): prison reform, comes during Ralph McGill's absence fight. Now his supporters affirm that he, overseas. ings of the idiotic fringe. Others, poll tax, Wallace, home rule for the rather than Arnall, deserves credit for remembering the course of German local Georgia communities. He has sent extending the franchise.) However, in 9. Ex-Governor Talmadge's paper, The telegrams to Senators George and Rus history through the 1920's and the spite of this threat to the progressives, Statesman, is enjoying continued circu American inclination to discount sell urging them to leave the loan there are those who believe that should lation and makes it appeal in the same agencies in the Department of Commerce Governor Arnall run again in 1946, Tal old way, beating the drums of race pre the mad housepainter, watch the and to vote for Wallace as Secretary. madge would not again risk his political judice. It is a rare issue that does not growth of these threats with increas 2. Two critical interpretations of Governor future by entering the primaries. In attack the Rosenwald Fund. Reference ing concern." other words, many Georgians feel that Arnall's actions are current in the state. 2 Arnall is the only sure man to beat Tal !Since the above was written this amendment has See Monthly Summary, February, 1945, p. 192. Neither credit him with being a reformed been withdrawn. Thus no repressive action will be "See Monthly Summary, March, 1945, p. 222; Survey or confirmed liberal. Both consider him madge and that Talmadge can be counted taken currently against labor in Georgia. o/ Jewish Scene, this issue, p. 261. politically ambitious. The right (Tal among those who agree. madge crowd and other conservatives 5. Should Governor Arnall fail to be a can-* and reactionaries) says he has sold out to northern pressure in return for a didate to succeed himself there is con siderable speculation as to whose possible cabinet job. The left says "From Paris it is announced that Negro and "If there is to be a durable peace after this shoulders are broad enough .to support Georgia has moved forward under him white troops are fighting side by side in the war—and unless there is the appalling sacrifice his mantle. Many in the crowd around with many long overdue reforms, but he First and Seventh armies attacking Germany. of blood and of treasure will have been in vain him reportedly are placing their hopes is still the representative of big business That is what people who know American mili —steps must be taken to end racial discrimi interests rather than of the common man. on Ex-Governor Ed Rivers as the next tary history expected would be the case when nation. Racial prejudice, particularly here in A third interpretation, however, with best man to face Talmadge. They ad Negro troops went overseas. There is nothing the United States, is the one great barrier to majority support that would re-elect him mit Rivers discredited himself during his peculiarly original in the present instance. permanent peace in the world. governor if he were running tomorrow, last term, but they point out that when Negroes have served with credit in all American ". . . there never can be an enduring comity hails Ellis Arnall as "the champion of the he first came into office, "he was the best wars." (San Francisco, Calif., Chronicle, March of nations while the myth of white supremacy New South". Governor Georgia ever had." 23, 1945) persists."
[267] [268] successful in obtaining public funds for the festivals and thereby to promote interracial PROGRAMS OF ACTION ON THE DEMOCRATIC FRONT establishment of a new health center which will understanding and mutual appreciation among serve the needs of both Negroes and whites in people of different racial strains and cultural One of the shortcomings of the inter Committee of which he is honorary chairman. the community. A recent neighborhood con backgrounds. The temporary officers are Eliza racial committee-movement is its failure The committee will investigate ethnic group ference outlined plans for social improvements beth Gillilan, chairman; Elizabeth Flum, secre to promote the integration of Negroes into relations in the area and formulate plans to in Brownsville. Two aspects of the program tary, and E. Harold Mason, treasurer. combat community problems which give rise directly affect the Negro residents: (1) the The East and West Association of which Pearl the community by encouraging their parti to these inter-group tensions. Leading citizens cipation in the ordinary organized efforts building of a housing project with a public day Buck is president has launched two unique in the field of religion, labor, charity, and nursery, and (2) the establishment of a com projects in the field of race relations since the to improve the general welfare. As Myrdal housing have been invited to membership. (FR) munity center in the Negro slum section of beginning of the year, one in New York City, points out the institution of racial segre NEW JERSEY, TRENTON Brownsville. (FR) the other in California. The hope seems to be gation operates to bar Negroes from partic Culminating a year's discussion of the need, NEW YORK CITY that both will become national in scope as the ipating in the usual types of community a group of interested citizens recently organized The Commission on Community Interrela efficacy of their respective techniques is proven the Trenton Committee for Unity. The work tions is a research organization which seeks by the progress of the two organizations. The organization and public functions. The of the organization is carried on by an adminis usual pattern is that Negroes participate to merge "fact-finding and action in an attack Office of Discrimination Services will be located trative committee comprising the officers and on minority group problems." It is sponsored in a church building in the community and will in community organizations as Negroes or chairmen of the six standing committees. These by the American Jewish Congress and "focusses act as a information-complaint bureau and as "representatives" of the Negro group committees deal with problems in the specific on Jewish-non-Jewish problems, working with clearing house serving anyone who feels he has but not as the members of the community. areas of legislation, job discrimination, education Jewish and non-Jewish groups of all types." been "the victim of discrimination on the and public relations, civil rights, committee The commission carries on its work through grounds of race, nationality, religion, or sex." Real progress in interracial understanding membership and finance. Thus far the group will come only if and when the organiza small groups of skilled personnel assigned to The facts of the case will be recorded by a has made the following moves to improve in specific action-research projects in different re trained worker, investigated by a trained in tional approach is based on the principle of terracial and minority groups relations in the gions and localities to determine the forces un vestigator, and efforts made by the investigator cooperation among members of the com city of Trenton: derlying inter-group conflict, and by "carrying to mediate the discrimination. Cases which 1. Leadership in the mobilization of public opinion in munity interested in their common prob support of a state FEPC bill under consideration by out experiments aimed at overcoming hostility properly come under the jurisdiction of existing the New Jersey Legislature. and antagonism in community interrelations." Federal or State agencies dealing with dis lems rather than on the idea of a problem- 2. Promotion of an intercultural education program within the school system by (a) the introduction of Structurally the organization will consist of a crimination will be prompty referred to said solving planning federation of special in a planned course in civics which will analyze and break down racial and religious prejudices, and research staff, an Advisory Council on Research, agencies. If attempts at mediation by a single terests and racial representation. Ex (b) a campaign to persuade the Board of Education investigator are unsuccessful the case will be to recognize the necessity of eliminating segregation a National Advisory Board, and an Advisory amples of the use of the former technique within the school system and adding Negro teachers Council on Operations. The officers and the referred to a Mediation Board chosen by the to the staff of Central High School, particularly for are to be found in the establishment of the guidance work. Advisory Council on Research have already sponsoring clergymen. The War Manpower 3. The establishment of regular radio programs de Commission and the Fair Employment Practices Adult Committee on Delinquency in Den signed to break down racial prejudices. been selected as follows: Officers—chairman, 4. Leadership in preventing the success of an organized Henry Epstein; finance chairman, Alfred J. Committee have approved the project and ver, Colorado (Monthly Summary, July, effort to block the construction of a Negro low-cost housing settlement in nearby Hamilton Township. Marrow; chief consultant, Kurt Lewin; and pledged cooperation. A part of the work of the 1944, p. 14), and the South District Com 5. The securing of the assurance from the Mayor that Office of Discrimination Services will be the the next vacancy on the Board of Education will be coordinator of research, Charles E. Hendry. munity Health Association in Los Angeles, filled by a qualified Negro appointee. Research advisors—Gordon P. Allport, Harvard sponsoring of a radio program known as the 6. The promotion of a campaign which resulted in the California, reported below. discontinuance of the use of "Negro" and "colored" University, Cambridge; Nathan Cohen, Jewish "Open Door" which will dramatize the program in all personal advertisements and crime news stories in the local newspapers. Welfare Board, New York; Charles S. Johnson, of the Office and the recommendations of the NEW COMMITTEES With limited financial resources (voluntary Fisk University, Nashville; Rensis Likert, De Mediation Board or by specific cases by pre CALIFORNIA, Los ANGELES contributions approximating $2,000 for six partment of Agriculture, Washington, D. C; senting the cases as human interest stories The South District Community Health Asso months' work), the committee has achieved Howard Y. McClusky, University of Michigan, based on actual happenings in the given com ciation is a non-profit incorporated organization more than average success in the course of less Ann Arbor; Douglas M. McGregor, Massachu munity. The project, to be inaugurated in New devoted to a program of public health and than three months. Officers are as follows: setts Institute of Technology, Cambridge; York City, is under the direction of Dr. Ruth disease prevention in South Los Angeles. The president, James Kerney, Jr., editor and vice- Margaret Mead, American Museum of Natural Landes, a member of the staff of the East and personnel of the Association includes Negroes, president, Trenton Times Newspapers; vice- History, New York; Lois B. Murphy, Sarah West Association. Dr. Landes has a doctorate Spanish-Americans and whites. Formally it president, the very Reverend Frederic M. Lawrence College, Bronxville, New York; Fritz in Social Anthropology, has traveled widely in functions not as an interracial committee but Adams; secretary, Miss Addie L. Weber; trea Redl, Wayne University, Detroit; Robert R. the United States and Latin America, and has as a community organization. Its major project surer, Mrs. I. Herbert Levy; and executive Sears, University of Iowa, Iowa City; Edward three years experience with the Fair Employ for 1945 thus far has been the promotion of secretary, Mrs. Edward M. Yard. Headquarters C. Tolman, University of California, Berkeley; ment Practices Committee to bring to the ex "Disease Prevention Week" in Los Angeles for the committee are located in the Wilkinson and W. Lloyd Warner, University of Chicago, periment. She will carry on a training program (February 11-19, 1945). The founder of the Building, 203 East State Street, Trenton. (CNI) Chicago. (FR) for workers associated with the Office of Dis Association is Dr. Ruth J. Temple, public health crimination Services. (FR) NEW YORK, BROOKLYN The organizational meeting of The Festival specialist in the City Health Department. (FR) The Brownsville Neighborhood Council is an Fellowship of the Intercultural Education Work The California project of the East and West CALIFORNIA, OAKLAND interracial committee of representatives from shop was held on January 5, 1945. The Fellow Association approaches the problem of educat In response to recent reports of "rioting" the major welfare agencies, civic organizations, ship was projected as a channel for cultivating ing for racial and religious tolerance on a per among high school students in Oakland Mayor and leading businessmen in the Brownsville friendships made through the Workshop and its son-to-person basis. The Association is asking John F. Slavich has appointed the' Civic Unity section of Brooklyn. The Council has been [270] [269] be carried on by a Community Relations Board, rural life and who are educated to deal influential citizens throughout the states of the CONNECTICUT, HARTFORD an official agency of the executive branch of effectively with the problems peculiar to West Coast to serve as Wardens of Understand In space donated by a local business firm, the the municipal government, recently established rural schools. . . . ing "who will watch out for inflammatory Interracial Council of Greater Hartford is spon by an ordinance passed by the City Council. 6. Every rural child has the right to edu utterances against any minority group— soring a full-page advertisement in the Hart The Board will operate on a $25,000 budget and cational service and guidance during the Americans of Negro, Mexican and Japanese ford Times calling upon the city's citizens (a) will be made up of twelve unsalaried citizens entire year and full-time attendance in a origin, in particular, but also Chinese and Fili to recognize racial discrimination and religious appointed by the Mayor with the concurrence school that is open for not less than nine pinos; as well as Jews and other religious mino prejudices as forces of disunity which destroy of the Council, and a paid executive. Board months in each year for at least twelve rities." These Wardens shall be mature per communities and nations, (b) to beware of members will serve for a period of six years years. . . . sonalities—"men and women of intelligence, rumors, and (c) to support social legislation (overlapping terms). (ANP, March 14, 1945) 7. Every rural child has the right to attend vision, tact and courage, . . . (and) sympathies which seeks to maintain equal opportunity for SOUTH CAROLINA, COLUMBIA school in a satisfactory, modern building. . . broad enough to encompass not only the in all peoples. (FR) In connection with the current discussions 8. Every rural child has the right through dividual or group attacked but the attacker as ILLINOIS, CHICAGO on the raising of the educational standards of the the school to participate in community life well." The Association urges the formation of At the March meeting of the Mayor's Com Negroes in the State, the South Carolina Com and culture. . . . Committees of Wardens on the local level and mittee on Race Relations, Dean William H. mittee of the Southern Regional Council on 9. Every rural child has the right to a local outlines in detail the duties and responsibilities Spencer, regional director of the War Man March 16th unanimously adopted the following school system sufficiently strong to provide of the individual Wardens as well as the pro power Commission, and professor at the Uni resolution with regard to the college expansion all the services required for a modern edu gram for the organized groups, that is the versity of Chicago, was appointed chairman of bill now pending in the State Legislature.1 cation. . . . Committees of Wardens of Understanding. The the Committee's sub-committee on employment. The Committee resolves: 10. Every rural child has the right to hav^e individuals are urged to remember— (ANP, March 14, 1945) 1. That this Committee feels that the pending college the tax resources of his community, State, "That you will be more effective if you use the oc NEW YORK CITY expansion bill is inequitable, in that provision made casion to affirm a principle rather than denounce an therein for the State Negro College at Orangeburg and Nation used to guarantee him an individual. Our object is not to upbraid but to en is grossly inadequate when compared with the needs American standard of educational op lighten, not expose faults, but to deepen perceptions; The Committee to Combat Race Hatred of the of that institution, and with provision made therein not to make debating points but to widen horizons; Writers' War Board came to the conclusion in for the white colleges of South Carolina. portunity—this right must include a quality not to win arguments but to win people; . . . not to 2. That the Committee feels that the State cannot longer make war but to assure peace." 1944 that American writers were "uncons escape and should not longer seek to escape its obli of opportunity for minority and low gation to provide equipment and personnel to bring Hermann Hagedorn, director of the West ciously fostering and encouraging" ethnic group the State Negro College at Orangeburg up to the economy groups. . . . scholastic level of the State colleges for white under These are the Rights of the Rural Child be Coast Office, East and West Association, 17 prejudices by the habitual employment of graduate pupils. East Carrillo Street, Santa Barbara, California, stereotypes. To determine the truth of this con 3. That the Committee further feels that the State is cause they are the Rights of Every Child re under legal and moral duty to provide by scholarship is in charge of the project. (FR) clusion the Board asked the Bureau of Applied or otherwise for graduate and professional training gardless of Race, or Color, or Situation, for those Negroes in this State who are qualified for wherever he may live under the United States NORTH CAROLINA, NEW BERN Research, Columbia University, to conduct a such training and who wish to receive it. The Girl Scouts have organized a group "study of the treatment accorded white, Pro 4. That the Committee further feels that, if the college Flag. expansion bill is to become law, it should be amend known as the Inter-racial Committee of the New testant Anglo-Saxons in mass media as against ed so as substantially to increase the appropriation It is significant that the tenth point and the Bern Girl Scout Council. One of the more the treatment accorded all other elements of the for the State Negro College. concluding statement are additions to the recent projects of the group was a "March of American population." The Research Bureau The president of the S. C. Committee is original draft of the Charter. (FR) Dimes" campaign in January, 1945, for the In studied short stories, the legitimate stage, Marion A. Wright of Conway, South Carolina. YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION fantile Paralysis Foundation. The president motion pictures, comic cartoon books, radio (FR) The February, 1945, issue of the Monthly of the committee is Negro, the secretary, white. programs, newsreels, newspapers, and adver THE RIGHTS OF RURAL CHILDREN Summary (p. 203) carried an item entitled Its meetings are held at the city hall of New tising copy. A succinct summary statement on The ten-point Charter of Education for Rural "Keepers of the Flame". The content of this Bern. (FR) the findings in each of these areas follows: Children recently adopted at the First White article was evidence that all too often there is VIRGINIA, SOUTH BOSTON 1. The STAGE is the most liberal of all the media in House Conference on Rural Education is re factual justification for the feeling on the part presenting minority characters sympathetically and At a meeting in late February, the recently honestly. ported below in part: of critics of the organized church that ofttimes 2. The NOVEL is, like the theater, in the forefront of organized Committee on Interracial Relations liberalism. 1. Every rural child has the right to a satis the fire of reaction is kept ablaze under the chaired by Dr. F. C. Riley appointed a sub 3. The MOTION PICTURE has continued to make dis factory, modern elementary education. . . . guise of promoting the cause of Christianity. paraging presentations of minorities, but there has committee to draft a constitution and plans for been some improvement. 2. Every rural child has the right to a satis The power and influence of the Christian 4. The RADIO ranges from innocuous to sympathetic, permanent organization. All persons interested despite some invidious stereotypes. factory, modern secondary education. . . . Church will remain at a minimum so long as in improving race relations in Halifax County 5. The COMIC CARTOON has accorded the greatest 3. Every rural child has the right to an edu it does not find it convenient or expedient to recognition and credit to the Negro fighter. are being invited to join the committee. (South 6. The PRESS in the North is, with some notorious ex cational program that bridges the gap bring its practices more in line with its pro ceptions, generally fair, although not zealous where Boston, Va., News, March 20, 1945) minorities are concerned. About sixty per cent of between home and school, and between fessed beliefs. It is significant that the resolution the Southern press is considered anti-Negro despite school and adult life. . . . which follows could, in 1945—the sixth year ACTION NOTES all disclaimers. 7. ADVERTISING COPY is openly and self-admittedly 4. Every rural child has the right through of World War II, be adopted by the Board of CALIFORNIA, HOLLYWOOD addicted to the Anglo-Saxon myth because of re liance on "snob appeal." his school to health services, educational Directors of Blue Ridge Assembly, Inc., (Blue The Interracial Film and Radio Guild, Inc., 8. The SHORT STORY uses the most stereotypes, is the and vocational guidance, library facilities, Ridge, N. C.—conference grounds for the is compiling a booklet to be used as a guide for worst offender. (Special report) recreational activities, and where needed, YMCAs of the southeastern states), at its an motion picture producers in the presentation of OHIO, CLEVELAND school lunches and public transportation nual meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, February 17, the Negro and other racial minorities on the For the past year the problems in the field facilities at public expense. . . . 1945: screen. Norman O. Houston, secretary-trea of race relations which have been besetting the WHEREAS the Blue Ridge Assembly grounds at 5. Every rural child has the right to teachers, Blue Ridge, N. O, are now open beneficially by and surer of the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance City of Cleveland have been dealt with through supervisors, and administrators who know for the Young Men's Christian Associations of the ten Campany, is chairman of the board of directors the Mayor's Commission on Democratice Prac southeastern States, which Associations, we believe, 1See Monthly Summary, February, 1945, p. 191. deire to approach and deal with the matter of inter- of the Guild. (ANP, March 7, 1945) tices. In the future, however, this work will [272] [271] racial relations in a Christian-like and helpful spirit, Flint, Mich.: Mrs. A. F. Butler, Negro, was lowship awards are Mrs. Ann Petry of New but nevertheless in a conservative and practical man contribution to war industry. The program York City for her novel "The Street" and Miss ner—in step with but not too far in advance of the was sponsored by the Pittsburgh Urban League elected to the Board of Directors of the newly composite thought and practice of the Christian leader Beatrice Griffith of Hollywood, California, for ship of the South; and in connection with the National Urban League organized Family Service Society of Flint. (FR) WHEREAS, the Blue Ridge was designed, developed Fort Worth, Tex.: The statewide Fort Worth her study of Mexicans living in the United and for a period of more than thirty years operated Observance of Vocational Opportunity Cam States. (New York Times, March 13, 1945) . . . as a place of assembly primarily for white people and paign Week. (Pittsburgh, Pa., Press, March 14, Daily Star essay contest, opened to all high does not have the facilities to properly house and ac Frank E. Karelson, Jr., chairman, Committee commodate any large number of colored people; and 1945) . . . Hollywood's first Negro radio script school students regardless of race, was won by WHEREAS, Blue Ridge has, under the leadership of Miss Billie Jane Lewis, Negro, a senior at the on Human Relations, Board of Education, New its founder. Dr. W. D. Weatherford, developed and girl is Miss Ruth Ford, assigned to the NBC York City, has announced that New York City pursued a policy which has in the main proven satis Jubilee broadcast to the armed forces. (ANP, I. M. Terrell High School in Fort Worth. The factory and feasible: award for the prize-winning essay on the con schools will discontinue the purchase of the 7B NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That Blue March 7, 1945) . . . The five awards for dis Ridge Assembly, Inc. adopt and pursue said policy, stitution by Miss Lewis is a $500 scholarship to book of Social Georgraphy Series by Branom which is to say: tinguished service in minority-group relations and Ganey "unless satisfactory corrections are . That any church, Y. M. C A. or other group via radio were presented in early March by tne Prairie View State Teachers College, Prairie which may hold a definitely planned and scheduled made by the publisher." The geography was conference at Blue Ridge may bring to such confer National Conference of Christians and Jews to View, Texas. (ANP, March 14, 1945) ence as a part thereof a limited number of carefully Greensboro, N. C: Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt was recently listed by People's Voice among the selected fraternal members, delegates or program par the following: (1) "They Call Me Joe," (NBC, objectionable school texts currently in use in ticipants of the Negro race, provided, however: "University of the Air"); (2) a drama, "Un guest speaker at the 19th Annual Homemaking (a) The aggregate number of such bona fide mem New York public schools. (New York City, bers, delegates and program participants shall titled" by Norman Corwin, (CBS); (3) The Institute, Bennett College, March 20, 1945. (FR) not exceed five persons, or five per cent of the . . . For the first time in its 31-year history, the People's Voice, March 17, 1945) . . . Shakes total number registered for such conference General Mills broadcast, "Hymns of all peare's "Othello", starring Paul Robeson is re (whichever shall be the larger). Churches," (NBC); (4) Station WMCA for the Association of American Colleges has elected a (b) None of such members, delegates or program corded by Columbia in a set of three volumes. participants may bring to Blue Ridge any mem "New World A-Coming" series and other simi Negro to its board of directors. He is Dr. David ber of his or her family as a guest, D. Jones, president, Bennett College, Greens (San Francisco, Calif., Call-Bulletin, Feb. 27, (c) The laws of the State of North Carolina shall be lar programs; and (5) Kate Smith for consis 1945) ... On April 15, 1945, William Jay faithfully complied with; and in order to accom tently dedicating herself to the cause of under boro. (FR). plish this, any such conference shall engage in Schiefflin became the first recipient of the advance and pay for rooms with private baths standing and goodwill among all Americans. Long Beach, Calif.: An open letter addressed and toilet facilities for all such Negro members, Racial Understanding Award "in recognition delegates and program participants. (Christian Century, March 14, 1945) to "Fellow Christians" and called Interracial of his lifetime devotion to the causes working (d) Otherwise, there shall be no difference made or Ann Arbor, Mich.: Miss Alice Lloyd, Dean of permitted as between white and Negro delegates Bulletin is being circulated in Long Beach by for racial harmony." The award was instituted and participants in such conferences, as to ac Women, University of Michigan, recently an Roy A. Womack. The news letter gives facts commodations and privileges provided for and by the League for Fair Play and will be given extended to the members of such conferences. nounced that voluntary contributions have re and current news about minority-group prob annually to the person who has rendered dis 2. No individual colored guests as such shall be sulted in the establishment of a $1200 loan fund accepted or entertained at Blue Ridge. And, lems in the city and suggests possible courses of tinguished service towards better racial re BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That if and when available to all women students in the School called upon to do, Blue Ridge Assembly shall cooper ameliorative action for individuals and groups. lationships. (GP) . . . During March the ate with and assist in any sound effort on the part of Medicine of the University. The fund will be (FR) Council Against Intolerance in America featured of Negro secretaries and branches of the Young Men's named for Miss Florice Ann Holmes, Negro, Christian Association to secure separate and adequate Milwaukee, Wis.: Approximately 18,000 high a photography exhibit, "Great American artists assembly grounds and facilities for the members of outstanding junior medical student from Dur school and college students heard Langston of Minority Groups", at the Norlyst Gallery in the Negro race who are actively identified with the ham, N. C, who was drowned June 25, 1944, primary program and purpose of Blue Ridge, to-wit Hughes during his twelve appearances in Mil Manhattan. The exhibit was created by Miss "The training of Southern Young for Christian Service." in an attempt to rescue a campanion from the waukee and vicinity under the auspices of the Marion Palfi, photographer, and included 120 Huron river. (ANP, March 12, 1945) ITEMS Milwaukee Round Table of Christians and pictures of five American artists in many in Atlanta, Ga.: Gov. Ellis Arnall has selected Dr. Armed Services: The second Negro to be a- Jews.2 (Milwaukee, Wis., Journal, February formal poses at work and in their homes. The warded the Distinguished Service Cross is 24- Horace Mann Bond, president of Fort Valley subjects of the exhibit are: Dean Dixon, Negro, State College, and Ralph McGill, editor of 5, 1945) year-old Captain Charles L. Thomas of Detroit. Nashville, Tenn.: Two weekly parts of Class orchestra conductor; Sono Osato, Japanese- Captain Thomas was cited for his heroism on Atlanta Constitution, to represent Georgia on American, dancer; Chaim Gross, Jewish, sculp the Liberian Centennial Commission. The Cen mate, a Methodist Church monthly maga the Siegfried Line. (New York Times, March zine, carry the text and pictures of the tor; Leon Helguera, Spanish-American, poster 20, 1945) . . .A battalion of Negro Seabees tennial celebration, to be held in 1947, will com artist; and Langston Hughes, Negro, poet. memorate the 100th year of Liberia's indepen Public Affairs Committee pamphlet, "Races of serving in the southwest Pacific contributed Mankind" by Ruth Benedict and Gene Weltfish. (Brooklyn, N. Y., Citizen, March 21, 1945) . . . $1,122 to the Willkie Memorial Building fund dence. (ANP, March 28, 1945) For producing "Porgy and Bess" and "Anna Berea, Ky.: For the first time in the history . . . The southern regional office of the Fellow instituted by Freedom House. (ANP, March ship of Reconciliation is sponsoring summer Lucasta", John Wildberg was recently given a 26, 1945) . . . Miss Phyllis Mae Daley, R. N., of the organization, the Faculty Women's plaque as "best friend of the Negro Race." (New Church Guild of Berea College sponsored a work camps for the sixth consecutive year. first Negro to become a member of the Navy Men and women, regardless of race or creed, York City, Enquirer, March 26, 1945) . . . Na Nurse Corps, was commissioned an ensign on Negro speaker for a regular College chapel pro tional officers of the second United Negro gram. Mrs. Charles S. Johnson, Fisk Univer above high school age, from any section of the March 8, 1945, at the Naval Procurement Office, country are invited. The work camps will be College Fund are as follows: Thomas A. Mor New York City. (OWI, N-1387) . . . Seven sity, Nashville, Tennessee, was a weekend guest gan, president of Sperry Corporation, chairman; (April 13-15) of the Women's Guild on the cam held in Clinton, Mississippi, and Nashville, Japanese-American soldiers have been awarded Tennessee, under the direction of Prof, and Walter Hoving, president of Lord and Taylor, the Distinguished Service Cross according to a pus of Berea College, and addressed the stu executive committee chairman; Winthrop W. dent body on the subject, "The College Student Mrs. David Bender of Fisk University, and the recent announcement from the War Department. Rev. and Mrs. McMurry Richey, Methodist Aldrich, chairman of the advisory committee. (Nashville, Tenn., Interracial Trends, March 13, Faces the Problems of American Minorities." (New York Times, Feb. 28, 1945) . . . The Adam There are approximately 1300 students includ Church, Cullowhee, North Carolina, respective 1945). ly. (FR) Hats "Tolerance" award was presented to Ted Radio: On March 14, 1945, Edward G. Robinson ing 300 sailors enrolled at Berea. Mrs. Johnson Yates, New York correspondent for the Afro- New York City: The winners of the tenth joined with Rex Ingram and Leigh Whipper also discussed "The Problems of Minority American, over Station on WHN on March 24, annual $2,400 Houghton Mifflin Literary Fel- to present "Too Long, America" (WQV, 10:30 Children" with the campus YWCA and YMCA. 1945, for his achievement in promoting inter- P.M., EWT), a dramatic story of the Negro's (FR) 2See "Intercultural Education" (Monthly Summary, November, 1944, p. 105.) [273] [274] racial good-will through the Negro press. (ANP, Beta Kappa, America's highest scholastic March 21, 1945) . . . The George Washington society, and to the Sigma Xi Honorary Scienti work-or-j ail-bill. versity professors wanted the Dumbarton Oaks Carver School for adult education has added fic Society. (ANP, March 21, 1945) Commissions Made Easy: Despite the large ros proposals prefaced with some such statement as to its curriculum a course in "Writing for Philadelphia, Pa.: Dr. Ursula Joyce Yerwood- ter of officer personnel in the U. S. Army there "all men are created equal . . ." The idea! Newspapers and Magazines" taught by Augusta Corwin, graduate of Meharry Medical College are only 6,000 Negro officers. There should be Negroes can't go to Notre Dame. These men Jackson-Strong, member of the editorial staff (1933), has recently been appointed Resident more. want to solve Poland's problems first. of People's Voice. (Jefferson City, Mo., Surgeon in Gynecology at Douglass Hospital, The Mass Trials: There have been three mass Cotton and Negro Employment: Omens of fu Journalism Newsletter Lincoln University, Feb. Philadelphia. For the past seven years Dr. Yer- trials of Negro servicemen in this war. Why? ture unemployment and population redistri 19, 1945) . . . The National Federation of Catho wood-Corwin has been practicing in Port Henry Wallace Confirmed: Approved. bution are the Allis-Chalmers, John Deere and International Harvester mechanical cotton lic College Students, representing 102 Catholic Chester, N. Y. She is the wife of Dr. J. Lucien Welfare for the Miners: Approving John L. pickers and Graham Paige's fire cultivator. colleges in the United States, recently held a Corwin, a practicing physician in Stamford, Lewis' program for miners' welfare. Zero Hour for Fair Employment: In behalf of a conference on interracial justice at Manhattan- Connecticut. (FR) ... In forthcoming editions A Labor Draft Can Be Defeated: The May- permanent FEPC. ville College of the Sacred Heart during which cf its dictionaries the John C. Winston Company Bailey bill again. the students pledged themselves to work for a will eliminate objectionable definitions as ap The New York Victory: Commending New Democracy Not for Dixie: The editor takes to permanent national Fair Employment plied to ethnic groups. Such expletives as York for the passage of its anti-discrimination task the Charleston (S. C.) JVeius and Courier Practices Committee and to encourage the ad "niggers", "coon", "dago", "sheeny", and "wop" bill. for advocating disapproval of Henry Wallace mission of qualified Negro Catholics to Catholic will be deleted from the 1945 edition of all Sidetracking the Labor Draft: This time there as Secretary of Commerce because he loves the Colleges in the North. (New York Times, Winston dictionaries. Paul R. Evans president is a new slant to the editorial—such laws reflect Negro so. Conscience Pains White Editors: In which the March 4, 1945) . . . Julian Messner, Inc., 8 West of the firm believes that words of questionable "coercive laws and the bureaucratic mind as in press services and the dailies expose some of the 40th St., New York 18, New York, is offering a usage contribute to racial, religious and ethnic Russia and Germany." antipathies. (Pittsburgh, Pa., Courier, March tricks in defense of their 92nd Division story. $3,000 prize for "the best book promoting The Hunger Strike: The 1,000 Negro sailors 10, 1945) The Danger of Anti-Semitism: A plea for the racial and religious tolerance in America." who went on a hunger strike in protest against unity of all persecuted peoples. Manuscripts, acceptable up to January 1, 1946, St. Paul, Minn.: The first course in Negro His the Navy's race discrimination show that "there Somebody's Gotta Go: The editorial acts in be may be in the form of a novel, biography, an tory to be offered at the University of Minne is a new Negro willing to suffer for what he sota began in March with Robert B. Johnson deems to be right." half of the Negro soldier against his race's historical or scientific study, a play or poem. "Uncle Toms" and urges the removal of Truman (M.A., University of Michigan), candidate for The Gibson Report: Analyzing the "rdtten ex (GP) Gibson, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of War. the Ph.D. degree in Economic History at perience" of Negro soldiers, particularly those Hats Off to Quilici: Praise for a local judge Northampton, Mass: Miss Evelyn Boyd, senior, Minnesota as instructor. (Kansas City, Mo., of the 92nd Division. who knows that he represents all of the people. Smith College, has recently been elected to Phi The Call, March 2, 1945) Fruits of Jim Crow: The WACs at Fort Devens Racial Tolerance and Our Public Schools: Be protest racial discrimination. The editorial cause of attacks against Jewish basketball THE FRONT PAGE title states the reaction. players after a high school game, the Chicago (A review of front page news featured in the Negro weekly press. It is based upon an analysis The Anti-Lynching Bill: If the nation has a public schools begin new approaches to prob of the Baltimore AFRO-AMERICAN, CHICAGO DEFENDER, Los Angles CALIFORNIA EAGLE, New York right to conscript people it has a right to legis lems of anti-Semitism. PEOPLE'S VOICE, Norfolk JOURNAL AND GUIDE and PITTSBURGH COURIER for the month of March, late against lynchings. Gibso?i Finds Some Friends: The Negro soldier 1945) State Rights . . . And Duties: In support of the problem again. A feature of National Negro Newspaper and approaches to equal education facilities opportunities of states to do- right as against Week was the announcement of the prize- for Negroes in the Southern States. There their operating under "foolish tradition." The Big Leagues Face the Law: One of the first areas of discrimination to be attacked II winning essay on the subject of the Negro are many other ways of being a crusader, under New York's anti-discrimination law is The Truth is Rankin is a 'Liar': In defense of weekly and its role in the United States. but the newspaper's chief weapon is its that of the denial of playing opportunities to Representative Hook vs. Representative Rankin Negroes in organized baseball. The winning essay was entitled "The Negro coveted editorial opinion. What points of and Mississippi and all that both mean. What 'Liberals'?: A simple question on the Re Newspaper—Crusader for Real Democ view are expressed in the editorials of the Why the Retreat of the 92nd Division?: An publican party leaders and their reaction to racy." editorial explanation of military strategy and Negro press? What is their significance as Aubrey Williams' nomination as head of REA. troop performance. Explanation: No defense. There are many ways in which a paper moulders of reader-opinion, or, toward Civil Liberties: A Private Affair: The editor Hats Off to Dewey: Violently anti-Dewey in may crusade. It may do so through the what type of real democracy do these takes issue with the American Civil Liberties the 1944 presidential campaign because of his Union on the policy of its area office. publication of truthful news. This the editorials direct their readers? alleged duplicity, the paper now commends The Philippines as a 49th State: Shall that area Negro weekly does. It may do so through him for supporting New York's anti-discrimina The following editorials published in be given complete independence? The editorial tion legislation. the discovery and championing of social these papers during March illustrate their says yes. facts for social reconstruction. This the Storm Signals at the Golden Gate: A long, general pattern of social opinion. Ill Negro publishers do rather frequently. prophetic editorial on what sort of world will I be patterned at the San Francisco Conference. "Is You Is or Is You Ain't": In the well-known Two current instances come to mind— The "Little Steel Decision": Illustrates that de Too Good to be True: In comment upon the vernacular of the Negro masses this editorial their overseas coverage of war news, and cisions of the War Labor Board "alius foller fact that some white reviewer had said Black posits out the errors in the War Department's casualty and overseas lists. the recent conference of educators and th' election returns." Boy was too good a book to have been written Smith vs. William and Mary: There is a differ editors called to discuss the problems of Substitute Labor Draft: Against the May-Bailey by Richard Wright, Negro. Notre Dame or Poland: Some Notre Dame Uni ence in handling racial situations in colleges: [275] [276]
I Smith College hires a Negro instructor; William There are no busses for Negro school children Ludowy, for its story on what Poles have ing school funds. The editorial argued and Mary suspends a student journalist for her in Northampton County, despite frequent ex done for the Negro cause in the United that the Negro's "color must not be held editorial on racial matters. cuses and promises. "The human spirit can States. The Times and Democrat of against him, but neither must it be accepted Rankin Called a Liar: The editor approves, call stand only so much abuse and injustice." ing the scene a dress rehearsal for "popping An Epochal Ruling in the Economic Field: The Orangeburg, South Carolina, was praised as a special plea in his behalf, unless the him on the Kisser." NLRB ruling that outlawed a segregated (ex for taking up the cudgel in behalf of the other Negro leaders of Columbus are pre The Dog Food Business: Why is Franklin clusively Negro) local of the International South Carolina State College for Negroes pared to confess that they, as a race, are Roosevelt a four-times president? He does a Tobacco Workers Union. against the state legislature. For reasons deficient in morals, and should not, there man a favor. A discharged veteran is able to Bilbo and His Ilk Should Lose This Fight: In not yet clear, though time may have been start his dog food business anew, priorities to defense of Aubrey Williams' nomination to head fore, be held amenable to the same laws a factor, the Negro press made no mention the contrary, because FDR interceded in his REA. which would punish a white man on the of a significant and trenchant editorial en behalf. Too Wicked for Total Consumption: Condem same set of facts. In 1200 pointed words New York Anti-Bias Bill off to Good Start: An nation of the South Carolina legislature for titled "the Negro's Responsibility" which other editorial favoring the New York bill, using giving $9,750,000 to white institutions and appeared in The Columbus Ledger (Ga.) the editor did an analysis of the problem the testimony of a ten-year-old New Yorker $250,000 to the only Negro college. on March 23. The editorial was based of equality and responsibility in human as its thought-lead—"Some people favor edu On a Prospective Federal Judge: An editorial upon a petition of "Negro leaders" in that relations that hurls a formidable challenge cation, but it might take ten or fifteen or even pointing out the weaknesses of Comptroller- at the Negro press, "Crusader for Real fifty years. Our class believes you should General Lindsay C. Warren, should he be town requesting leniency for a Negro prin legislate and educate." nominated for the bench. cipal who had been arrested for embezzl Democracy." The Midnight Curfew: Why not resent it? An In the Orderly Course of Justice: Applauding incompetent Congress refuses to enact the Governor Darden of Virginia for granting a PERSONALITIES ON THE SPOT necessary controls of manpower. 90-day reprieve to a Negro accused of killing a decent livelihood will reduce race conflict." Butchers and Porters: The Butchers' Workman a Petersburg policeman. Dr. George S. Mitchell, director, CIO Political Action Committee: (Better Teaching, February 1945) for March praises the Pullman Porters. Tne Democracy Gaining on the Poll Tax: Virginia's "Democracy is not a form of government but union might help the porters in their fight for partial handling of the poll-tax device. a kind of people." (ANP, March 28, 1945) Vice Admiral Morell, chief of the Navy Bureau upgrading, too. That would be real unionism. Would Be Great If It Were True: ". . . pre of Docks and Yards: Can't Make Up Their Minds: The colleges—an judices and intolerance have little to do with Dr. Witherspoon Dodge, FEPC Regional Direc ". . . In the mud and blood of the battlefield analysis of polls and tests on the effects of employment of workers" says a Virginia daily. you can rest assured that these men (do not) tobacco and alcohol. Comment thereon. tor, addressing the Virginia Institute of Race Relations: stop to inquire into the racial and religious an Who Was At the Last Supper?: An unusual An American Policy Backfires in War Zones: "Integration of Negro skilled workers along tecedents of their comrades in arms." (Better preachment against the use of white Christs The 92nd Division again . . . the handicaps of with whites in the South in spite of the dire Teaching, February, 1945) in colored churches. Why jim-crow ourselves? segregation. need for such workers to expedite the pro Make portraits of Christ and the disciples like A Bad Substitute for the Poll Tax: The prob Lt. Cord Meyer, United States Marine Corps: ourselves. duction of materials for winning the war, has able rise of rigid intelligence tests as a voting been very near the zero point." (ANP, March "One of the most distressing experiences of requirement in the South. Remove General Almond: The 92nd Division 19, 1945) one who returns from overseas is the realization problem again. The Negro editor examines the daily that as we supposedly fight for freedom and The Gentlemen "Talk" of Peace: A discussion press, particularly the Southern dailies, humane tolerance, narrow prejudices toward of the book by that name which predicted race Beardsley Ruml, chairman, New York Federal for such news items and editorials as may Reserve Bank: Negro and Jew have increased and spread at riots in the North following the war. There is home. . . ." (Counterattack, March 15, 1945) talk while the world needs intelligent re reflect the passing parade of human rela "The American ideal is to work constantly tions. During this month editorials of the for the elimination of discrimination. Some organization. Paul Phillips, community organization secre Illegitimate? Children: Chastisement of a pro- St. Petersburg, Florida Times, Macon, measure of success in this long task has been achieved. But until we make for greater prog tary, Milwaukee Urban league: testant minister who would not baptize a child Georgia News, Calhoun, Georgia Times, born out of wedlock. The parents are the ress in the evolution of human institutions, "Negro soldiers fighting overseas and giving the South Carolina Federationist (Charles illegitimate ones, says the editorial. we must face the fact of discrimination square their lives for a workable democracy are ex Democracy: Europe and USA: Discussing the ton) and the Petersburg, Virginia Progr- ly—and challenge it logically." (Chicago, 111., pecting to find just that when they return." WAC trial at Fort Devens—the editorial says gress-Index were given favorable mention Chicago Defender, March 31, 1945) (GP) we won't give democrary a chance. in the Negro weeklies. The race-lambast Dr. Ruth Benedict, professor of Anthropology, Rev. John La Farge, S. J., editor of the Catholic The Duke Steps Down: Cataloging Windsor ing policy of the Charleston News-Courier with Willkie, Wallace, Aubrey Williams and Columbia, University: Weekly, AMERICA: was given the usual uppercut. But high Mrs. Roosevelt, it is maintained that liberals "If civilized men expect to end prejudice— "In the postwar world we must live with are always penalized. praise went to the Birmingham News for whether religious or racial—they will have to those who are now our enemies. We cannot IV its editorial suggesting that the six white remedy major social abuses, in no way con discriminate against any race or clan of men Petersburg May Show Virginia the Way: On Abbeville youth who attacked Mrs. Recy nected with religion or race, to the common ad as peoples. It is a world in which we must all live together." (Cincinnati, Ohio, Post, Feb. the ise of Negro police. Taylor, a Negro woman, be indicted forth vantage. Whatever reduces conflict, curtails irresponsible power, and allows people to obtain 28, 1945) Educational "Equality" on the Eastern Shore: with, and to Detroit's Polish weekly, Glos [278] [277] MAGAZINE COMMENT involved. By active collaboration in the ini anthropists to first investigate these "begging (This section reviews briefly articles on or about Negroes in the March magazines.) tiation of a few carefully planned cases testing joints", she says, "That is not the name they go the constitutionality of segregation statutes and by, of course. Some folks with their mouths EMPLOYMENT people." by making available to the courts the wealth of full of flattery call them normal schools, college j, Of the fifty-two magazine articles regarding Edward Lawson's THE RIGHT To WORK (Com social, economic, and psychological data that and even universities. The fact that "these Negroes noted in the March magazines, the mon Ground, Spring issue) gives the batting has been accumulated in the effect of segre institutions help keep the standard of education concentration of interest was not unexpectedly average of the President's Fair Employment gation, lawyers and social scientists can success for Negroes lower" is one that calls for action. in the area of employment. The passage of the Committee—eighty percent of whose complaints fully challenge the Lgal foundation upon which BUSINESS Ives-Quinn bill in New York proved the im involve discrimination against Negroes. (Ten the whole structure of Jim Crow practice rests Tide writes of a field in which there are few petus.1 Most of the comment was favorable percent involve the Jewish people.) On the today. Negroes in its article on W. B. Graham. Mr. but tempered with a warning that there are and bright side of the picture is Elfreida Hartt's "In addition to challenging legal discrimi will be attendant difficulties. Commonweal Graham reports on the Negro market monthly summary of the Albany Castings Company's nation in the courts, lawyers and social scientists (March 16th): "Our rejoicing over the passage and is consultant on advertising approaches to democratic management. The plant is located should explore the possibilities of a direct legis of this act should not keep us from watching the Negro market. in Voorheesville, New York—and its policy as lative attack. . . . What we need, above all, is a very closely the nature of Governor Dewey's POSTWAR SPECULATION stated by the owner: "When a man applies for new federal civil rights statute, cast in the form appointments to the board the act creates." John H. Burma writes in Christian Century's work here, if he has the qualifications, he's of a Fair Racial Practices Act and enforced by Nation (March 10th) conceded: "Although March 21st issue concerning the future in race hired. We don't care what his color or race or modern administrative methods as a matter of racial intolerance cannot be stamped out by relations. The prospect is not bright. His religion is." public policy rather than by individual action legislative action alone, passage of the bill argument is that "Negro social gains (have) as a matter of personal privilege." should make it impossible for the intolerant to Significant is Alvin E. Dodd's NEGRO EMPLOY . . . brought into sharp focus the opposition of deny others an equal right to a decent liveli MENT OPPORTUNITIES DURING AND AFTER THE Boyd A. Martin (American Scholar, Spring large groups of the population, both north and hood." Southern Weekly typically editorialized WAR. Since January, 1942, the percentage of issue) surveys the development of suffrage in south. With each Negro gain, racial antagonism (March 10th): "The South's concern over the Negroes to the total labor force in war plants the United States with particular emphasis on is likely to increase. Recent evidences of strict enactment of a so-called anti-discrimination law has increased from three percent to well over the Negro's exclusion and reasons the necessity enforcement of racial etiquette in the South in the State of New York is due to the fact seven percent at the end of 1944. Mr. Dodd of a national electorate with power away from frequently have had the appearance of being that the same organized elements that put it concludes that the greatest threat to Negro the states to control suffrage. "The Congress aimed at future rather than present conduct. . . over are determined to fasten a similar Federal opportunities after the war is the possibility should formulate a national suffrage policy and "In spite of their gains, the feeling among law on the South. ... In practically all of the of unemployment but optimistically depends on incorporate it into a proposed constitutional a- Negroes that they are being shabbily treated, Southern states the only object such legislation the favorable attitudes of the community as a mendment." that they are 'second class' citizens, that they could have would be to compel the employment whole to overshadow a seemingly dark future EDUCATION are being exploited, that their basic rights as of Negroes, and there would be little point to in this regard (Opportunity, spring issue). Thought-provoking was Educational Leader human beings are being overriden, has never including 'creed and national origin' in its pro ' ARMED FORCES ship's symposium WE, THE CHILDREN. More than been so high. For the Negro is following the visions. . . . Southerners generally do not believe The Truman Gibson report on the per 1200 children, ranging in grade level from early pattern of any rising subordinated group. As that the interests of the Negroes in this con formance of the Negro soldiers of the 92nd elementary to first year college contributed he takes steps toward his goals, as progress nection can be served by passing a law and un Division as given in his press conference in their thinking in discussing intercultural under becomes evident, he strives even harder to dertaking to compel employers to hire Negroes Rome was noted as an unfavorable one for the standing. Excerpts are presented from state secure completely those rights and privileges against their will. . . . But the same people who division in Time and Newsweek. ° ments written by the children and editorally toward which he sees himself moving. . . . originated the movement in favor of the anti Private Irwin Ross (New Republic, March interpreted by subject headings only. The in "What of the white? It has become in discrimination law in New York . . . also 5th) had something to say in defense of the troductory editorial comment said: "This is a creasingly obvious that the Negro problem is originated the movement to have a Federal work of the Negro service troops. Realizing plea for straight thinking, for we believe that not the exclusive property of the South . . . that law of this kind enacted. . . . That's why the that "criticism is sometimes heard that the bulk only through straight thinking can democracy the North has almost as great a problem, pro enactment of this law in New York is of con of Negro soldiers have been assigned to service survive. This is a plea for the use of intelli portionally as the South, and almost as great an cern to the South. . . . The enactment of a rather than combat forces," he agrees that this gence, for we believe that it is only through emotional and cultural stake in white su Federal law . . . will not improve the condition true. "But there is a tendency to underesti the application of intelligence that man may premacy. . . . of the Negroes in Southern states and will only mate the crucial contribution they have made as increase his stature and dignity. This is a plea "And so we have two opposing forces arrayed. succeed in making mischief. . . . Enforcement service troops." Especially has he praise for for our children, for we believe that only as Each is logically convinced that its course of of any such measure must mean an attempt to the truck drivers—but those in the quarter straight thinking intelligent people can they action is clear. Each feels that his cause is so establish a quota system for many lines cf master, ordnance and engineer corps are not achieve where we have failed—to make, as one urgent that it cannot long be denied. The Negro employment in which Negroes have never been overlooked. youngster puts it, a 'Wondrous World'." will not and in a sense cannot hesitate to push Typical of the comments was this: on aggressively for the goals now in sight. The employed. And any attempt to establish such POLITICS a system generally is bound to be stubbornly "I am prejudiced against the present system of edu white will not and in a sense cannot permit the Carey McWilliams gives an excellant analysis cation where nothing is being done to help abolish resisted. This is not said in any spirit of racial and minority prejudices. The best place for de destruction of the only way of life he has known. of RACE DISCRIMINATION AND THE LAW (Science mocracy is in the school where children of all relig Neither relishes the thought of the coming defiance. It is simply an expression of sober and Society, Winter issue). He points out that ious faiths and all races are brought together. So judgment, based on a knowledge of conditions far nothing has really been done to help the children struggle, but neither sees how to avoid it. Un "uniformly the courts have upheld segregation understand and respect each other." less forces of reconciliation not now visible in the South and of the dominant temper of its In her usual iconoclastic style is Zora Neale statues without the benefit of social and quickly appear in strength, strikes, riots and economic data bearing on the question of policy Hurston's THE RISE OF THE BEGGING JOINTS bloodshed may be expected to recur." TSee Monthly Summary, March 1945, p. 217; this is (American Mercury). Cautioning white phil sue, p. 251-2. 3See Social Front, this issue, p. 253. [280] [279] O 3 r. n H C Z t 0 ST d > ra" B < H 0 a n 3 M a 0 CD l-H > n z H — H K S/S B B s ro
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