The Dallas express. [volume], June 07, 1919, Image 1

About The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970

Image provided by: University of North Texas; Denton, TX

                
.
I
.4 Awl.-
.. Jim:.- . V.f
4
?Lf
SC., of P. urand Lodge Meet
919
(
' t 'V
5?
.0
Founded by W. K. King.
VOL. 20, HO. 84.
KELEY MILLER CITES INCIDENTS
IK TO FIGHT AEAIIIST BICE
CRITICISES THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AS BEING "NOT RE
SPONSIVE TO PUBLIC OPINION." REFORM NEEDED.
Prof. Kelley Miller of Howard Uni
versity, has today written for the
benefit of the Colored people of
Washington, a review of the Incident
leading up to the fight against Ros
ooe C. Bruce, assistant superinten
dent of schools, as he sees It
During the agitation among the
Colored residents of the District,
which has resulted In an order for
a hearing by the Board of Educa
tion, Professor Miller has been list
ed as a defendant of Mr. Bruce.
Tn liia artlcla today, however, he
criticises the Board of Education,1
saying that the board, "by the very
nature of its Tonstltution la not re
sponsive to public opinion."
Professor Miller makes it clear that
he writes the article, not as a repre
sentative of Howard University, which
has not yet taken sides in the con
troverslty, but as a resident of Wash
ton. The article follows:
By KELLEY MILLER.
The aftermath of the Moens case
has Involved the Colored schools ln(
confusion. Charges have been made
which place the entire teaching force
under suspicion. As long as some
"of the teachers afY branded" fofalleg-
ed complicity In the Moens scandal,
every high minded member of the
body must resent the implication.
The Colored press throughout the
country has circulated the news until
the reputation of the teaching staff
has become unsavory to the out
side public. Ignorant of the inside
facts. Indefinite reflections make lit
tle or no Impression upon the right
minded citizens of . Washington who
live among these teachers and know
them as friends, neighbors and good
citizens.
A somewhat full statement of the
essential facts in the case seems to
be a simple act of Justice to all
concerned and to the good name of
the Colored citizens of the Capital
of the Nation.
Shares Responsibility.
Personally, I share some measure
of responsibility for the Introduction
of Prof. Moens to the leading Colored
men of Washington. He came to me
with a letter of introduction from
Dr. W. E. B. Dubois, editor of the
Crisis, setting forth that he was a
foreign scientist sympathetically In
terested in the study of the race
problem.
On the basis of his credentials and
of his declared purpose, he was re
ceived by the Cosmos Club and ac
corded the privileges of the Govern
ment bureaus for the prosecution
of his alleged scientific research.
Dr. John Van Schaick, president of
the Board of Education, reasonably
enough, accorded him entre to the
public schools, for observation and
study of Interesting and anthropo
logical type. There Is no good rea
son why any well credited sclent! it
might not be accorded like opportuni
ty. Thought To Be Allen Spy.
Sometime later. It developed that
Professor Moens was under suspl-
TIIE FIRST SIX COLUMN IS
SUED IX TEARS A5
APOLOGY.
The Mangement of the "Express"
takes thin method of apologising to
its patrons for such Inconveniences
and disappointments which might
have resulted to you because of
our Inability to take care of all
our advertisement this Issue.
The demand for space In the
"Express" has become so great
and the Increase In circulation
bo phenomenal that . the Dallas
wholesale peper houses are no
longer able to furnish us with
enough of News Print in the size
necessary for a seven column
paper. We are . therefore forced
to resort to a "Six column paper
For This Issue Only. We have
already begun negotiations to se
cure our News Print directly
from the mills and are confident
tial we shall be able to take care
of each and every one after this
it sue.
We are constantly striving to
perfect our service to adequately
meet your wants and assure yon
that we shall appreciate your
forbearance this .time. -
cton by the Department of Justice
as an alien spy. As a result of their
investigations, pictures were found
in his possession of a type which
constitutes criminal offense under the
local code. Upon this charge, he was
tried and convicted by the Supreme
Court of the District of Columbia,
It developed during the trial that
one Colored teacher aided Moens. It
should be said, however, in Justice
to the teacher, who was deceived
Into aiding Prof. Moens, Is a woman
of unusual culture and refinement
with a finished European education.
She is over fifty years of age, and
has a wide and intimate acquaintance
among the best people of Washington,
both white and Colored. Her repu
tation, her character, and high pur
pose have never, been challenged,
and even In the midst of this dis
tressing ordeal, it remains unim
peached. .
When it was revealed at the trial
that this teacher Lad Veen aiding
Moens, the Colored population be
came Inflamed and demanded her
immediate withdrawal from the teach
ing forces -Unfortunately,- the school
board permitted this teacher to con
tinue her school duties at the Dun
bar High School as if nothing had
happened. The enraged populace un
der the leadership of the Parents'
League picketed the high school
building and forced the withdrawal
of the teacher. This teacher, while
declaring her own integrity jrf pur-J
pose, recognized the embarrassing
situation and tendered her resigna
tion. Had the Board of Education I
acted upon the advice of the as-
slstent superintendent, and caused
this teacher to withdraw from the
teaching force the resultant confusion
and turmoil would not have arisen.
Populace Incensed.
By this time the populace had be
come Incensed and felt that their
protest had forced the resignation
of the objectionable teacher and that
the school board had failed in their
plain duty to safeguard the moral
welfare of the Colored children placed
under their charge, to which thousands-
responded.
It was alleged that there were
other "Uoen teachers" who must be
eliminated. A petition with 20,000
signatures was presented to the
Board of Education demanding the
dismissal- of the assistant superin
tendent in charge of the public
schools, who was held answerable
for the beginning until now.
Assistant Superintendent Bruce, It
but fair to state, did all that was
possible under the limitation of his
powers to have the Moens propa
ganda excluded from the schools. He
is in no rense blameworthy for any
of the scandal growing out of this
affair. Put tie Parents' League
shifted their attack suddenly to Mr.
Bruce, and demanded his Immediate
dismissal. All of his Imperfections,
real or alleged, during hla whole
career were catalogued.
Teachers Ask Probe.
The teaching body, feeling keenly
the stigma cast upon them, petition
ed the Board of Education to in
vestigate tne affair and to isolate
and punish the guilty, if any, and
vindicate th good name of the rest
The Department of Justice has de
clared it has no Information in Its
possession which involves the name
of a single teacher In the Tloens case
other than the one already referred
to.
The President of the Board of Ed
ucation has Informed the president
of the Parents' League that "All ru
mors or Intimations to the effect that
any other teachers or officials were
Involved in the case are absolutely
without foundation In fact It should
be definitely and finally stated that
no official within the system has
been discovered who was in any
way involved except to aid in the
process of exposing the unfortunate
conditions found to be existent"
Notwlthstand this declaration on
the part of the Department of Jus
tice and the Board of Education, the
Parents League still .continues to
hold mass meetings and to repeat
"Bruce must go."
Board Permits Hearing.
The Board of Education has fi
nally decided to give the Parents'
League a hearing and to allow Mr.
Bruce to plead to any charges that
Th Republican Parly h 'The Ship, AH
THE DALLAS EXPRESS, DALLAS SATURDAY, JIM 7, 1919.
might be. brought against him. The
Parents' League, standing avowedly
lor the moral welfare of the com
munity, should produce their charges
with supporting evidence against Mr.
Bruce or the teachers whom they
deem unworthy and give them a
full, fair chance for self-defence. The
sense of fair play demands nothing
less.
Agitation concerning our publio
schools is periodic. The people have
no voice in the government which
they live and the pent up feeing
seeks outlet through this channel.
The Colored people have no estab
lished channels of public opinion
like the Board of Trade of Commerce
like the whites.
The mass meeting Is the only
agency they have through which to
make their feelings and wishes
known. The schools reach into every
household in the community. Mass
meetings are not always logical or
consistent In their demands but they
express In violent form the pent-up
feelings, which has great evidential
value, like the cry of the child which
has no language but a cry.
Board Not Responsible.
The real source of difficulty lies
In the fact that the Board of Edu
cation by the very nature of its con
stitution is not responsive to publio
opinion. There Is no appeal from
Its decision or indecision in any
case. It is the only self-responsible
arbltray body to be found in the
entire fabrlo of our National Govern
ment The school board is appointed
by the Judges of the Supreme Court
who live above the controversies
which arise n our educational sys
tem. They shall soon be confronted with
the anomaly of the Supreme Court
having to-pass upon-the protest -of
the Teachers' Union against the de
cision of their appointees, over whose
conduct they exercise not the slight
est control. We need never expect
a properly co-ordinated and controll
ed school system which shall be
reasonably responsive to public opin
ion until the schools are made a
part of the local government under
control of the Contmissloners, who
themselves are responsible to the
President of the United States for
the efficient and orderly operation of
every department committed to their
charge.
The Colored people are deeply In
terested In this reform whose neces
sity fs emphasized by the present
unfortunate state of affairs. We. are
hoping for suffrage in the District
of Columbia.- It Is hoped that vio
lent popular agitation will not dis
pose the public mind against the en
franchisement of the citizens of the
Nation's Capital, and thus frustrate
the Just demand of the aspiration
of the whole people for self-government
PE
ASIIIO
THAU 13 0 U E
SAYS CALIFORNIA EDITOR.
WHITES NOT SINCERE.
(By The Asboclated Negro Press)
Stockton, Calif., June 6. In speak
ing editorially on "The Demands of
The Negro," and going into detail
concerning the achievements of the
race, the Stockton Record, whale
dally, dates that the Colored people
of America are "asking no more
than should be accorded them if
we are at all really sincere in T hat
we nre applauding in President Wil
son and other leaders of national and
world thought In their efforts to es
tablish and perpetuate democracy."
Concerning the mu'.'h talked of
misnomer of "social equality" the
Record says: "The most vexatious
element of the entire Negro race
problem seems to be the ghost of
social equality which bobs up every
time the word Negro is mentioned.
This, however, is an issue by Itself.
Social equality is no more a matter
of legislation than Is intellectual
equality. To accord the Negro his I
political, educational and religious
privileges is the sacred constitutional
duty of the American people, but
this does not involve the question of
social relationship. One is not a
sooial equal because he is a white
man. Taste, culture, affinity and en
vironment are the things that deter-
Blue The. tiea."Fred
mine social equality. If either the
Negro or the white man prefers to ac
cord to his own race superiority and
priority that is ,hls privilege so
long as he does not Interfere with
the right accorded to others by the
constitution."
ASKS A WELCOME FOR RACE
WOMEN INTO THE WOM
AN'S COMMITTEE OF
REPUBLIGAN PARTY.
(By The Associated Negro Press)
' New York, June 5. The following
w'as recently sent to Mrs. Medlll
utuCornrickj national-chairman of the
Woman's Committee of the Republi
can party:
"We respectfully ask that the white
women of the Republican party take
a bold stand for the rights of Col
ored women. It Is not enough to
quote what Lincoln did in 1863. The
Colored people desire their further
emancipation. We ask that you go
on record as favoring better state
civil rights bills forbidding discrimi
nation in places of public accom
modation; that you welcome Colored
women into your organization on
complete equality; that you oppose
any amendment to the Susan B.
Anthony amendment, whereby en
forcement of the constitutional
amendment would be left to the
states; that you favor a federal law
against lynching.
(Signed)
Mrs. Marie Jackson Stewart, Pres.
Mrs Eslanda Cardozo Goods, See.
The Harriett Tubi ian Club, New
York. .
AII'S CLUB CHAM-
piis i he
cks' cn
OPIE BOMBERS ACTIVE
I0REIII CHICAGO.
(By The Associated Negro Press)
Chicago, June 6. Bomb workers are
again at work in this city, and for
the second time in two weeks, have
bombed te beautiful residence of Mrs.
Gertrude Harrison, 4807 Grand Bou
levard, one of the exclusive sections
of Chicago.
Mrs. Harrison and her family ere
among Chicago's most highly re
spected people, and the Infamous
acts huve aroused the indignation of
the entire populace. It is claimed
by some that neighbors planned the
bombing.
It is difficult to explain why the
perpetrators of these all too many
bombing parties are not run down
by the police and brought to Justice.
It is thought that they may continue
until the patience of the people la ex
hausted and thern will develop one
of the most serious riots the city
hasjenown.
Urban League Busy On
"Race Adjustment"
(By The Associated Negro Press)
Chicago, June 6. The problem of
"Race Adjustment" in the industrial
field Is receiving expert attention by
the Chicago Urban League, T. Arnold
Hill, Executive Secretary. The Lea
gue has recently secured the ser
vices of W. I Evans, who has enter
ed into his work with efficiency and
enthusiasm.
Investigation by the Urban League
brings out the fact that notwith
standing there Is a laxity of labor
Dougla.
SEIIAIE Bill II 567-PnO-
III 1 SEPARATE SCHOOLS
A LAW THAT WOULD HAVE PLACED KANSAS IN( THE HANDS
OF SOUTHERN RENEGADES. !
AN ACT
In relation to powers and duties of
. boards of education In certain
cities of the second class, and to
amen section 9136 of the General
Statutes of Kansas for 1915.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of
the State of Kansas: -
Section 1 That section 9136 of the
General Statutes of Kansas for 1915
be, and the same la hereby amended
to read as follows: Sec 9136. The
board of education of any city of the
Becond class shall have power to
elect its own officers, except treas
urer; to fill vacancies in said board,
caused by death, remove or resig
nation, until the next city election
or make its own rules and regula
tions subject to provisions of law;
to organize and maintain a system of
graded and high schools such as It
deems the educational Interests of
the city , demands; to exercise sole
control over the schools and school
property of . the city; to maintain
such high school, in whole or in
partby. .demanding,. aollantlngreaad
receiving a tuition fee for and from
each and every scholar or pupil at
tending the high school; and, In
cities of the second class which now
have or hereafter may have a popu
lation of 5,000 or more, to establish
and maintain either on its own Initi
ative, or upon ' petition,- separate
rooms of buildings for the different
sexes, races or nationalities of the
grade schools' of said ' city, or any
part thereof: Provide, that such
separate rooms of buildings shall be
equal in sanitation, equipmentcon
duct and facilities to those of other
demands in Chicago at the present
time, the people are hot returning
South, but prefer to remain either
here at smaller wages or go to
communities in the Northwest and
West, where there is still a demand.
Recently J. H. Hallburton, of Mem
phis, Tenn., appeared before the Exe
cutive Committee of the League,
stating that he had come here for
the single purpose of taking as many
people back south, to work on va
rious plantations, as cared to go.
He promised better living conditions,
cash for U.bor, and cheaper food.
To a question put to him by A. K.
Maynord whether the citizens would
be permitted to vote, he replied,
"No."
Mr. Hallburton personally pre
sented his claims to several hundred
men gather at the headquarters of
the Urban League. Out of the en
tire number, he found only six who
were willing to return, and they
finally backed out He and his agentta
remained in Chicago for several cTays,
but returned South without the need
ed help.
It is stated on very good authority
that there Is a combination effort
among certain employers of labor
In Chicago, who during the war
period used all the Colored help they
could obtain, now refusing to em
ploy Colored help even as laborers.
Thero is a remarkable demand for
labor In Flint and Detroit Michigan,
and for farms In various sections of
the Northwest The biggest problem
to solve Is that of housing, but the
outlook for this Is brightening up
somewhat.
Kansas Gives Certificates
Of Merit To Colored Men
. (By The Associated Negro Press)
Topeka, Kan., Juns 5. A rather
novel method of recognition has
been adopted by the Industrial In
stitute here, in deciding to award
"Certificates of Merit" to Colored men
of the state who'aie making marked
success of their work in life. The
certificates this year were given at
the commencement exercises. Those
receiving same are: W. W. Buck
ner, Topska, for work In the mechan
ical arts; John W. Rogers, Ottawa,
and H. W. Bell, Oskaloosa, both un
usually ' successful fanners. -
11.50 Per Annum
PRICK FITB CENTS.
grade schools: And further provid
ed, that in such separate rooms or
schools not over three successive
grades nor more than an average
number of pupils shall be Included
in any one room.
Sec 2 That original section 9136
of the General Statutes of Kansas
for 1915- Is hereby repealed.
Sec 3 That this act shall , take
effect and be in force from and after
its publication In the statute book.
We are under many obligations to
Mr. W. M. Amos, labor member of
the bouse and Mr. Thos. Nelswen
der, representative from North To
peka. These two . gentlemen from .
Shawnee county are to be congratu
lated and the Colored people shall
always remember them.
We also wish to call special atten
tion to the speaker pro tern of the
house, Mr. D. A. N. Chase of pleaa
anton; Chairman Evans and several
other members, whom we cannot
mention at this time. Mr. Chase Is
one of the grandest and best men
that ever sat In the house, and if
.evar-he seeks Jhigher honors ln-pol-,--itlcs,
The Plaldealer along with ."'
all the rest of the Colored people
and clean high-minded whites will
be for him and his kind.
Martin, of Reno, made himself
conspicuous by calling for a vote on
Senate Bill No. 567, but the motion
was lost and then a vote carried to
take a recess until 9 o'clock Wed
nesday morning at which time noth- '
ing but financial and appropriation
bills should be considered and then
adjourned at noon the same day.
This Is what put Senate Bill No. 667 ,
out of commission.
IIEGRO BOTES $5000
VICTORY BOIIOS
HAILS FROM "THE LAND THAT
GOD FORGOT.""
(By The Associated Negro Press)
Brenham, Texas, June 5. Some
thing for the "human- haters" to
think about has been brought to
light as a result of the recent Victory
Loan. Washington DUlard, a -prosperous
farmer of Washington coun
ty, purchased $5,000 worth of vic
tory bonds. His entire holding of
liberty bonds amounts to S 2,500.
Besides buying heavily himself, he
spent considerable- time encouraging
others to buy bones.
One of our citizens remarked with
a significant expression in his eye:
"This is a pretty fine patriotlo spirit
to show in a "white manV country.'"
Then he adued wkh genuine South
ern emphasis: "'.te people who
talk that way, however, are always
missing when It comes to backing
the country up with their money and
their lives."
Arkansas Gets One Of Largest
Race Colonies in Country
(By The Associated Negro Press)
Allport Ark., June 5. Colony and
Industrial Association has been or
ganized here and has taken over 87,
000 acres of land .most'oi It well
timbered. Tbe land is in Lonoke,.
Jefferson and Arkansas counties, and v
will be one of the largest race colo
nies In the United States. More than
100 families are already preparing
to move onto the land. Two Dig
mills are catting lumber, the most
of which is shipped to Detroit
Governor Brough has been invited
to deliver an address at the colony
on July 4, at which time there will'
be a formal opening. A three story
school building will soon be erected -and
there will be a dormitory for
boys and girls. Recently students
of the Allport Industrial School made
a beautiful quarter sawed oak chair,
and sent It to President Wilson.
t-r
i
! f
i
l.
- i
! i
5 I
! !
.1 !
'1
i !
I t
.t"rw