The Michigan chronicle. [volume], June 10, 1939, CITY EDITION, Image 10

About The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current

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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE PUBLISHING COMPANY
LOUIS EMANUEL MARTIN. Editor
MAIN OFFICE: 612 Vernor Highway, Detroit. Mich.. Clifford 310 J
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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE PLATFORM
I. Col ore o representative* In a’l department of city government.
8 Colored worker* in all organtutu tlona , control hoa’d*
•. A°eolored r Mtgimen"in^ f the *ta*to mmtia
\OVR PLATFORM
Through the efforts of Senator Charles C. Diggs
and associates, the readers of the Michigan Chronicle
have seen the achievement of one of the major planks
in our platform which appears at the top of this
column. We believe that the movement to organize
a Negro unit of the National Guard in Michigan is
worthy of all the support our citizenry can possibly
give it. The very practical manner in which the
Senator has proceeded in seeking the establishment
of this unit commands our admiration and respect.
He has and is doing a worthy work well. We who
have long sought the establishment of this unit are
proud, and we join with the masses in extending
congratulations to our state Senator.
It is interesting to observe how fruitful have been
the efforts of our state Senator, who is our only
elected official of great importance today. We see
cieartv why it is Important that we vote and elect
our own people to political offices. Senator Diggs
has been in a position to do and has done hundreds
of services to his group which would have been im
possible had he not been an elected official. We
often hear it said that one person or another is a
political big shot and that he or she can manipulate
things in the interest of the group, although they
do not have any particular officer The political big
shots, however, are those who hold office and-exercise
it properly, and if there are others who have power
it is a mere accident and of no lasting worth.
In short, the citizenry of our group should and
must become interested in voting our men into po
sitions where they will have the opportunity to serve
the interests of all of us better. W'e come again to
the question of getting our people to register and
vote. In a. few short weeks we shall be called upon
to elect the mayor of Detroit and possibly to elect
some Negro to a position of responsibility and power.
We cannot start our campaign for a greater Negro
votetoo soon. The platform of the Michigan Chronicle
calls for colored representation in all departments of
the city government, on state, county and city boards
of education and all other places where the interests
of our people might be served. The ballot, however,
is the tool which has been demonstrated to be the one
most effective instrument for the attainment of these
end? within our power.
N.A.A.C.P. MEMBERSHIP
The annual N.A.A.C.P. membership drive is un
derway and the vast colored citizenry is being called
upon to pledge their efforts to the cause of racial
advancement for another year. Those of us who
have followed the fights and progress of the local
N.A.A.C.P. branch will unhesitatingly answer to the
call and make their contribution in order that so
worthy an organization shall not be impaired. A
cursory glance at the activities of the Association
over the last twelve months will convince the most
skeptical among us of the great force for good that
N.A.A.C.P. has become in Detroit and throughout
the nation.
The membership cardJn. the N.A.A.C.P. has be-:
come something of an insurance policy for the race,'
and although we may quibble over some of its ap-i
proaches to our problems, we cannot ignore the fact
that in every racial scrap the N.A.A.C.P. usually
gets the first call.
By the very nature of its organization, the
N.A.A.C.P. should have the largest membership of
any organization in the country. Although we have
the largest branch in Detroit, one cannot help but
express amazement that out of so many thousands,
so few are members.
Unfortunately, there have been instances in its
history when too much emphasis, we believe, was
placed on the purely social aspects of the organi
zation. The N.A.A.C.P. becomes at such times a mere
club of the so-called upper crust of the town and
the dispossessed masses among us have been made
to feel ill at ease in the presence of “superior” ex
slaves. In industrial Detroit, however, the stress of
our lives has done much to prevent the rise of many
differences between the poor and better-off among
us. The N.A.A.C.P. is a mass organization which
should be as quick to defend a jim-crowed ditch dig
ger as a jim-crowed doctor. The masses should sup
port its program for what it is worth to the common
good, and we believe that instead of three or four
thousand strong, our local branch would top a hun
dred thousand.
Editorial Page of THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
OBSER V I N G—
POLITICS and POLITICIANS
By WM. L. SHERRILL, Associate Editor
Associate Editor
Th.« political column tala'** you!
r ln Object ‘humility but proud in
render a real public aervice, we
| ask youi cooperation and tupporu
I; is not our purpose to engage .n
! the popular po.itical pastin'.* of
j picking poi.cie* or individual* to
| pieces because to do so serves tome
perional end* Instead we shall
J strictly adhere to the principle of
supporting men and measures,
which we feel will contribute most
|to public good and welfare. Our
ambition is to wield a wholesome
influence in behalf of better gov
ernment for all the people.
* * *
Webster’s dictionary defines poll- |
tics as ’he "science of government.
... If thi* be true politician*
who run the affairs of our state
government at the present, are stag
ing a shameful exhibition of what
politics i* not.
* * *
I mark the opening of the mayor’s
i campaign to garner Neg.o voter In
I honest-to-goodneu tribute on the
► part of unselfish and public spirited
| admire and appreciate? . How
many, if any of those who spon
sored or participated in the dinner
are interested in our Negro hos
pitals which receive city business”
We underttand that the mayorality
race it non-partisan. It it? Is the
present mayor Republican or Dem
ocrat?
The answer to these questions will
help me get some things straight
in my mind. . . . Will somebody
I write this columnist and enlighten
i him? By the way . . . while you
are at it let me know who owns
the Frogs club?
From all indications . . . this
is going to be a campaign who's
key pillars will be resting on Texas
steers . . . not Argentina. . . .
Well, at ar.y rate it was a noble
gesture for those stalwart non
| partisans to entertain their Dem
ocratic friends.
There was a Steak Dinner” over
at the Frogs club the other night
at which certain prominent Negro
j doctors played host to His Honor,
1 the Mayor, . . . Praise and lauda-
I lion was wide and profuse for His
! Honor, until one bad, bold, guest.
[Petty Fisher rose and said with
his characteristic bluntness, the
(following: "Negroes of Detroit have
had only two mayors in city halt
and Mr. Reading "Isn't either one
iof them. Our present mayor has
:d-r.c mtn:r.g tCC Negroes and pre-i
j cious little for any body else.” . . .
1 The mayor has ears. I am sure he
| has . . . but I doubt if he really j
heard.
* * *
| A numoer of questions have been ;
I running through my mind since the
; staging of thus Frogs dinner. . . . !
I What ar.d who was in reality be- \
I hind this steak dinner” . . . Did j
i there a god-father? Does this dinner
* * *
While the sixteenth legislature of
Michigan did little of which to be
proud . . . nine of its Democratic
members gave excellent account of
themselves. Their achievement lies
not so much in legislation they
passed, as it does in that they pre
vented beir.g passed.
The state affairs committee. of
which Senator Earl W. Munshaw of
Grand Rapids is chairman and
Senator Diggs a member, killed 67
of the 102 bills which came to their
committee. This was a display of
real courage.
That Senator Diggs was able to
beat the fine record made by him
his first year in the senate, is a
remarkable achievement. Charlie
for statesmanship. . . . Foremost
amongst legislation sponsored and
WESTSIDE DETROIT
By BETTIE ELLINGTON 5242 Vinewood Avenue
a delicious luncheon was served i
by the hostess The next meeting I
of the club will be at the home ntf
Mrs. M Gtnyard, 5668 Hartford
Nine of Heart* Bridge Club
The Nine of Hearts Bridge club 1
enlertamed with a desert card |
party at the James Europe Post on .
Bangor avenue. The Post was
beautifully decorated with spring!
| flowers. The club had seventy[
Prizes were awarded as follows: j
Mrs. Rucker, first bridge; Mr*. C.
Shower*, second bridge; Mrs. C.
Hines, first whist; and Mrs Singer. I
second whist.
Miss Marie Owens Entertains
Miss Marie Owens entertained
the Nine of Heart* Bridge club a', j
the home of Mrs. Rosezel Smilh on j
Twenty-fifth street. Miss Lois
Harris won first prize and Mrs.
Rosezel Smith, second prize.
Propaganda Study Club
The Propaganda Study club dis
the youth of today they find the
interest of the average youth away |
Host and Hosier* at
Garden Luncheon
Re\. and Mrs. W. Dozier were j
Mrs. Lulu Gregory
Directs Play
Mr? Lulu Gregory directed the
play. ' Chine Child of Saw Dust" ;
given by the Hartford Avenue Bap
11st church choir in the churCfi Fri
day evening, June 2 Willie Me-j
Queen, tenor, ..rang a solo.
The cast of characters included
Frankie Howard, playing the part
jof a •r’vant in the Burkos home:
;L. Tullos, the daughter of the
servant; EYank Small. Lillie's hus
j band; G Tolston, Mrs Burko. a
jealous woman. Lovie Small;
played the unwelcome waif; and
Sue Jackson was a designing girl
Edna Gregory took the part of;
Chloe. Sim Floyd, unacknowledged
father; Mr*. Burkos younger son.
John Burden: Jud Burko. The old
est son; Wiley Reid. Jack Jackson:
aod Christopher Tellis also played
important parti.
Special guest* present included 1
Rev. and Mrs Charles. Hill. Waiter,
Thompson Mr*. R Smalhng. Mrs.
n W. Lloyd, Mr. and Mrs. James'
**r Mrs. Ronzier Bogap, Mr*. L~l
Baker. Mrs S. Lee, and Mr. Bird. A
! fair crowd was present and all .
| seemed to enjoy the entire three l
j acts of the play.
Pro-Murtfea Dramatique Society
Presents Spring Mu*leal
! Another musical of charm was
I enjoyed by a large group of music'
| lovers on the afternoon of Sunday.
June 4. The Pro-musica Drama
! spring musical at Plymouth Con
] gregational church with N. Hearts
! field Hollowo.v displaying art
las director and the charming Miss
J Ruby Hamilton accompanist.
host and hostess at a garden lunch
eon in their beautiful flower gar- |
den which is in full bloom with |
assorted flowers. Those present i
were Mr, and Mrs. Wilson Wil-j
hams. Mrs Lillian Thomas. Mr. and |
Mrs W. M Jackson. Mr. and Mrs. |
J. H. Thomas, and Murry Dozier.
Mrs. Ollie Calhoun Hostess •**
Mrs. Ollie Calhoun of Oakland
avenue was hostess to the Les F.de
lis club Thursday. June 1. After
business transactions, *kerro was
played and Mrs. Ann Sburley won
Les Mrees Jaume* Club
The Les Meres JauMes clab met
in its last meeting on Stanford ave
nue - and was called to order by
the president, Mrs. May Edwards.
The minutes were read by the *ec
retary. Mrs. Almena Wingo. Re
freshments were served by Mrs.
Mary James. Bridge was played
after the meeting.
Cabaret Party
The Veterans of the Tom Philip
Post gave a cabaret dance at French
hall on McGraw, Monday night.
Many of the Vets turned out to
make merry dancing to the music
of Isaac Goodwin and his band.
Miss Ella Lee entertained the group
with singing which all enjoyed.
WESTS IDF. DETROIT STK
Called to Georgia
Mrs Gertrude Fields of Biddle
street was called to Macon, C.a . j
last week due to serious illness oft
her mother.
Mis* Ruth Brown Hostea*
Miss Ruth Brown of Bengor ave
nue was hostess to a cocktail party
last Thursday evening. The entire
house was decorated with cut fresh
flower*.
Those who enjoyed the hospi
tality were. Miss Augustine Mayo.
Mrs. C Perkins. Mr and Mrs B.
Allgood. Carl C Arthur. Mr Mc-
Kinley and Mr Carter
Moved
Mr and Mrs. Ureal Wasson have
moved to 6710 Stanford avenue
where they have bought a beauti
ful horpe.
Mn. House Hmttesa
Mrs House of Twenty-fifth street
was hostess to the Jollv Twelve
dub m her home Friday night.
June 2 After business the hostess
served a tasty menu and the ava-
! The chorus sang Adoramis Te. bv
I Palestina. Inez Saunders gave a
(selected reading, John Jones, bari- ,
: tone, rendered 'The Thief,” by
Hamblen The chorus again sang. !
; Roll Chariot Roll.' Clyde Ander
son. senor, sang Where 'ere you
' walk" b.v Handel. The chorus came
• back wtHt two of its best numbers,
I The Nightengale" by Tchouski.
! and "Gently Lord Lead Us."
Dur.ng the intermission. Benja
min Williams, president of the or
ganization. spoke in brief giving a
discourse of the origin, successes,
and accomplishments of the orga
j nization during the three years it
; has been in existence.
| The audience requested "Echo"
I which nnne*««on render like the
; chorus. The chorus rendered "Soon
j I will be done." The ladies chorus
sang "The Night has a, Thousand
Eyes." and "Dark Eyes." These
; numbers were directed by Miss
Ruby Hamilton, with Mr. Hollo
way at Ihe piano. Miss Magdeline
White, Ihe prima donna of the
group sang two enchanting selec
tions which brought the entire
house to an uproar of applause.
John Andrews sang "Oh pure and
ender star" Paul Holt held the
audience spellbound with his ora
tion. “The Negro's Contribution to
the Constitution. " Miss Mary Fitz
patrick sang "Great Camp Meet
ing." followed by the chorus. The
entire rendition was well done and
in very creditable manner to the
Wentside Play B*y»' Dance
The West side Play Boys gave a
dance Monday night. Miss Metier
Garrett of Dayton, Ohio was pres-
Popularity Club
The Popularity clab h*ld its
, regular meeting at the home of
1 Mrs. Gillard of Hartford avenue
i :be president. After a bridge game.
engir.eered by Diggs la that which
I create*, a Negro National Guard
! unit . ■ and the Housing bill
, which forces landlords to bring
these dilapidated dwellings which
blight our communities, up to
, specified standard*
Foremost amongst legislation kill
ed by Diggs is that which attempted
»o segregate the school districts of
; Ferndale . . and a vicious "zoning
oill sponsored by th* Detroit Real
This bill known as House Bill
340 or "The Neighborhood Improve
ment Act" sought to give towns and
cities legalized residential restric
tion Had this bill passed it would
have been the beginning of legal
ized gnettos for our people. Thank*
-o our senator . .it did not pass.
* * *
We understand that the two Char
lies in Lansing . . Mahoney and
Diggs keep both eyes open and
work hand-in-hand when our in
terests are at stake. They forge*
politics when there is work to be
done. . . That is as it should be
We are Negroes first . . . then
Democrat. Republican or what-not
* * *
The First Congressional Civic
club* have moved into their new
headquarters on the northwest cor
ner of Chene and Clinton street.
A fine program last Friday night
marked the official opening. . . .
Councilman Jefferies, candidate in
the forthcoming mayorality race
was scheduled to appear but failed
to show. . . . This in no wise,
however, marred the festivities.
Emmett Cunningham, the president,
promises a real civic program to
Members of the United Progress
ive Republican club are undaunted
in their efforts to put Attorney
William T. Patrick Sr„ in the at
. torrey general's office at Lansing.
A "Contact committee" composed of
Mr. Traylor, Reverend Wheeler, Mr.
Hicks. Constable Cartwright and
Mr. Glenn is being dispatched to
Lansing this week in his behalf.
I am wondering will white Re
publicans place black Republicans !
in the positions left vacant by black j
Democrats. If they don't . . .
"what price victory" for Negro Re- 1
publicans? Surely the G.O.P. has ;
learned its lesson. One or two big
jobs to big fellows won't work i
IDG. TH€ nGGRO
By WM. L. SHERRILL
President, Afro-American Institute and Federated
Fireside Croups
THEY CANT TAKE IT"
"The g£and old South"—lt jus,
can't ~r6rukthis Darwin busines*
Tennessee. Arkansas and Missis
sippi have enacted laws prohibiting
the teaciting of
the Daryrin The
ory or the doc
lution of the
schools and col
states—and sim
ilar legislation
ia being sought
in Kentucky
North Carolina
and Texa*.
South, not alone
Darwin but every scientist which
attempts to teach the truth about
mankind is frowned upon. Why?
The excuse given is. that Darwin
ism contradicts the book of Genesis,
which says that God made the
world in six days, whereas Darwin
says, that the world has evolved
over a period of millions of years
We do not believe this to be the
real objection to the teaching of ,
this theory—for we know the South
is not all that religious.
To get the real objection let us
take a look at Darwinism.
DARWINISM
Charles Darwin, the great English
scientist, caused a revolution in
world thought when. In 1859. he
"published hls scientific works. "The"
Origin of Species" and "The Descent
of Man.” Up to the time it had been
the accepted belief that man and
the universe had been created by a
sweep of the Almighty's hand and
any more. We are waiting.
We hear that folks in Washing
ton are talking . . . Frank Murphy >
for Roosevelts running-mate . . .
if Roosevelt decides to make the |
race in "40". ... I think this (
would make a "royal flush” for the '
New Deal.
er. Deacon Elliot McGill, union
The Popularity Club
The Popularity club met at the
home of Ginyard Wednesday eve
ning of last week, and a very pleas-'
ant evening was spent by the mem
bers present. Mr*. A. P. Poplar,
club president, called the meeting
to order at the usual.
After a brief discussion on *Ta
ther" the hostess served a delicious
repast. The meeting was closed
to meet with Mrs. Meadow, 6550
Beech wood.
The Young Republican*
The Young Republicans of the
U D.C.O completed plans in their j
, last meeting for a Radio Hour Sun-;
day, June II at the home of Mrs.
| Banks of Twenty-fourth street. A 1
[group of talented performers will j
render an amusing program The
entire program will be an e\»enmg
,of fun and amusement.
Dramatic Club of
The 1.D.C.0.
; The Dramatic club in collabora- i
| the U.D CO* is presenting WUUe
I McQueen in recital Monday eve-1
,ning at Hartford Avenue Center I
June 19. The affair will be in-I
formal. Mr. McQueen, talented j
young baritone, is growing increas-|
in giy popular He will be accom- !
pamed by Leroy Scott, young,
pianist.
WESTSIDE DETROIT STK
Accident
Mrs. Irine Smith of Whitewood |
avenue, accidentally fell from her j
porch at her home Monday and'
was taken to the hospital. The ex- 1
tent of injury had not been deter
mined as yet.
St. Stephens A.M.E. Church
Rev. J. D. Howell, minister
j ning was spent playing bingo Mrs. i
j Corine Williams won the prize, a,
beautiful apron. The club will
give Jt* next party June 17 at the
home of Mrs. Easley.
! Mr a. Theo Givens Hosteaa
Mrs. Theo Givens was hostess to
the Q.S.J. Study club at her home,
j Vinewood avenue with the presi
dent. Mrs. L. B. Martinez, presid
ing The business period was quite
I lengthy due to the reports from the
j club breakfast of May 27, reports
; made by the breakfast committee,
j Th* topic of the afternoon was
! omitted. Sewing and socializing
j were enjoyed with tha hostess serv
j ing a tasty repast.
Peter Pan Nursery Presents
NY A Dramatic Group*
The Peter Pan Nursery school
will present NYA dramatic groups I
I Friday, June 9 at 8:15 p. m. at the,
Kronk Community Center, Junction '
hi McGraw ISMIM*.
S. Luberta Woodfork In Recital
| The North-end Social and Art i
| club will present S. Luberta Wood- i
j fork, soprano, in recital, assisted byj
| the S. Colleridge Taylor Vocal and ;
i Harp Ensemble at St. Stephens i
!AM E. church auditorium Mon- 1
1 day. June 12 at 8:30 p m The
affair promises to be one of the
| biggest of the season.
Municipal Drivers
And Helpers Club
j The Municipal Drivers and Help
| ers club will meet Thursday night
(of this week at Brewster Center to
| map out its program to meet the
[demands of the members in the
Garbage department. This entire
program will be published in the
I very near future.
| The club will also begin a spring
membership drive to Include the
j majority of the drivers and helpers
lin this program. It is believed by
the officers of the organization to
be the most complete program ever
offered in the department for the
benefit of the men and working
conditions.
Mrs. Mattie Smedly
Hostess to S. U. Club
Mrs. Mattie Smedley was hostess
to the S. U. club Friday evempg.
L. E. Darden was chosen to preside
during the election of officer*.
The officers elected are: W. E
Shejherd. president; William Ed
wards. vice president; Mrs. Mat
tie Smedley. recording secretary;
Mrs. Lillian Edwards, correspond
ing secretary; Laurence Ellis, treas
urer; Ulysses Smedley. chaplain,
and Ruth Ellis, club reporter.
After adjournment, games of
Chinese checkers were played and
refreshments served by the hostess.
The club will meet Friday, June
16 at the residence of Mr. and Mrs.
. William Edwards. 566 Kmelworth
A wedding calendar was giver
at the church Monday evening of
this week. The youngest was a
charming young miss of three
years. The group included twelve
bridal parties. The affair was given
by the Silent Workers
The Missionary society is in the
midst of its financial drive, getting
ready for the Missionary convention
which is to convene July 28 and
29 at St. Paul A M E church. Jay
and Chene streets. All members
and friends are asked to kindly
assist them as they only make an
appeal one* a year.
The church sick list includes Mr*
Mary Griffin, Mrs. Hattie Clements
Mrs. Whitloy. Mrs. Anna Jones.
Mrs. Mattie Rankins, and Miss
Theresa Bernody.
St. James C M E. Church
Rev. William Crain, pastor
Is continuing with increasing suc
cess. Members are joining at every
meeting All auxiliaries are work
ing to carry on the obligations of
the church. Members and friends
•'« expressing their appreciation to
the pastor for his able leadership
in pastonng St. James.
The Ford Dixie Eight will be
presented by Stewardess Board No
1 Wednesday night. June 4. Mrs
M A Cram is president, and Mr*.
Mammie Coleman, secretary
The Pastor's 'Aid board had a
verv interesting meeting Friday
night AH members who are not
connected with inv boards are re
quested to join Mrs Theo Cromer
is president and Mrs. Ola Wise,
secretary. The public is always
welcome at St. James.
Obituary
The funeral rites «f Mrs Lucii*
Lucius were held at SI Stephen
AM E. church Monday at 10 a m
She was a faithful member and
I loved by all who kned her.
Wins Medal In Field Meet
Alice Bramly of McKinley ave
avenue, II years old. won a gold
medal in the field meet for Colum
bian school Saturday of last week
The meet was held at Monger
school on McGraw avenue. Alice
won high acore in jumping, run
ning and throwing.
The Deacon'*., I'nlon
l The union's meeting last Sunday
: at Tabernacle was a great success
and enjoyed by all present. Due to
the limited time, the program was
not completed. Deacon Baker
made the welcome address with
Deacon Taylor giving the response.
The history of the union bv Dea
con Wilson was not given due to
Deacon Wilson's lardiness. but will
'be given in the next meeting. Rev
R. H. Putman was principal speak-
orought into being in six days.
' Darwin maintained that the earth
was a growth, not a sudden creation
' Man he contended, is the product of'
a slow evolution starting with the
lowest form of life and developing
; by degrees till the highest form of [
stages of man's evolution, man ha.«
l and that during the nine mouth? 1
I formation of the human foetus ne
I repeats those evolutionary stages
"THE MISSING LINK"
After millions of years, man took
| a tremendous leap forward; stood '
erect, walked on his hind legs and
; used his forelegs for arms In this !
j stage he was ape like From this |
; point he developed rapidly through
' the species of ape. till he reached
a form so near the present man that |
he was called anthropoid, meaning
By . careful comparison of skele
tons. Darwin got thi* far and onl>
one more stage was needed to con
nect the ape with man. Right here,
comes the gap in the theory One
more skeJeton was needed.
This needed skeleton has never
been found. It ia called "The Miss
; in* Link" in the chain of evolution 1
—and as Darwin placed the Negro i
j skeleton right after the gap. the j
Negro was promptly dubbed "the
missing link."
HERE IS THE RI B
So far so good, from the southern
viewpoint, but other implica-'
lions began to appear. If the Negro
was the first and lowest ~ species:
of mankind, the only logical de
duction is that he is also the an
cestor of man; the progenitor of all ;
mankind, and therefore, ihe father
of the white race.
To accept this theory would be
an admission that the white race is
j descended from the Negro, and no
southerner can stomach this
thought.
The white southerner's position 1
rests ppon an arbitrary, artificial
[ assumption of superiority, hence the :
| essential democracy of Darwinism
j
Wm. L Sherrill
? would Ctrl "{lie ground from under
him.
The southerner traces his ancestry
back to the Englishman, the Norse
man, Gaul, Dane, Goth. Roman, j
Greek, etc. But to follow on back
and call himself the descendant of i
the Negro and before him the ape—
is too rr*ich for his pride.
In other words—since Darwin and
[ ignore the divine-right doctrine of
| mze only racial differences, the
j southerner refuses to have anything
; to do with them.
A Michigan man has invented a
device to measure road shocks and j
automobile vibrations, the jolting of
a rider's back driving air from ar. j
inflated cushion through rubber
tubing to a recording pen that
touches a moving strip of paper.
BOOK REVIEW
Negro Education in Alabama |
by Horace Mgnn JERmfl The |
Associated Publishers Wash
ington. D. C. .. 1939.. . 53.25.
Reviewed by Gertrude Martin
recently to the differences in P px- j
penditures based on race made by
all the southern states. Alabama is
by no means an exception to this
general southern policy. In this book [
Dr. Bond traces the history of Ne- l
urn education in Alabama and {
shows how discrimination, first !
arose in the appropriation of funds
for Negro and white schools in this I
state. Dr. Bond offered this work i
as his thesis for the Doctor of Phi
losophy degree at the University
of Chicago. Like many theses it can
be recommended for its wealth of i
factual material and the authors
objectve treatment rather than for I
ease or interest of style.
Important events in the history Os .
Negro education in Alabama were
the results of an interworking of
social, political and economic fac
the race issue was brought out by 1
selfish interest attempting to sway
the electorate and depending on the
old bugaboo of social equality Fur- !
ther the pattern of the Negro people
as a slave and inferior group was
too firmly set in the minds of many
j whites to be too easily erased. As
Dr. Bond writes:
| "Forgetting the issue of mora' ,
evaluation, clarity of understand-I
Img is aided by a realization lhat in
'studying Reconstruction we are!
face to face wilh the deep-seated j
mores of a folk, relatively uadis- ;
turbed even bv the catastrophe of;
Dun g Reconstruction, wh.le the
Negro children often fared better ,
than the white ones Expenditures
capita child population basis and
since the percentage of attendance
that of the while. Negro school
children profited from the extra
money The Act of 1875 was the
first step in the direction of un
equal school funds. Th>s legislation
provided that the poll tax which
formed part of the school fund
should be paid to the school of the
race represented by the taxpayer."
Since the number of Negroes pay
ing the poll tax was small, this
worked a decided disadvantage on
colored schools In 1891 Ihe step
was taken which made it clear that
education for the two races vas to
he on an equal has,* from hat t.me
I on. The Act of 1891 stated loal me
SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 1939
Letters To The
Editor
Mr. Louis E. Martin
! Editor Michigan ChronicU '
l Detroit. Michigan
DOST MISS THE POINT
Dear Sir.
Tne above may sound very much
|i,k* the advice of a nervou? gam
| bier to a crapshooting constituent
on whom one has wagered his lart
two bucks It is a ticklish situation.'
| And so it is applicable to the Nan
| runs production ol "The Children's
i Hour" And just a? ticklish But,
| don't miss the point!
The Childrens Hour," vastly
| contrary to its title, is an unpleasant
; play with an unpleasant theme. But
: the people who inhabit the play are
i genuine blood and thunder human
beings; suffenng. scheming, plot.
[ ting pretending, defending—dehy
[ ing! I regret deeply not hav g
: w 'tnessed the Nacirema presenta
tion. To select and produce a play
[of courage and forethought. To di
! sordid acts with hut one or two
, laugh line*, is a tremendous under
| taking To Mr. and M s. Mills should
| go the highest praise and con«idera
| tion for the painstaking job, of
(direction, casting, interpretation,
| etcetera which had to be done. And
I yet. from some of the reviews, com
! despite all else pro and con> per
i haps those responsible for th.s par
ticular production had in rnind
much more than just the enacting
drama before a basically unsympa
■ theuc . audience Perhaps Mr. and
Mrs. Mills and others associated
with them saw something for more
reaching and significant than all the
unfavorable, dissatisfied, derisive
► criticism which, has followed.
Detroit has been made drama
conscious! That in itself is—achieve
ment! To such an extent that;
Comment on "The Children'#
Hour" still rages.
Compliments are still being re«
ceived.
And. more essential .still, ary
number of unheard of critics. di«
i rectors;- act nr*.- actresses, play
wrights. play-readers, stage design
ers. etc., have seemingly sprung up
overnight. And all. in their chosen
line, are ready, willing and able to
prove that "The Children's Hour'*
as depicted on the night in question
was a mistake, a blunder, a blight—
but, oh such a blessirg to thpm.
For now. they shall most certainly
select a drama, a cast, a hall and
a date and put the "late lamented"
! Nacirema production to shame!
Well.. .we 11... well.
We in Toledo had hoped to under
write a local display of the Nari
rema production, but "The CjiiD
dren's Hour" was a little past jh*
moral bed time of our squeamish
Lake Erie public. But what I started
j out to say was—Detroit Is dram*
| conscious! It is a fine thing! More
power to you. Mr. and Mrs. Mills!—
Signed. Otho Allan Price.
Motor busses operated by ga« ob
tained by burning wood are being
utilized in Rome at a cost of about
30 cents a day.
township trustees shall apportion
as they may deem just and
equitable ~’ r ,
In addition to economic and po
litical factors, Dr. Bond examines
the part played by outstanding per
sonalities in Negro education in
Alabama. At the head of this list,
of course, is Booker T. Washington,
whom the author appraises fairly.
He shows that concrete evidence#
of the part that Tuskegee and Wash
ington's teachings have played in
Alabama are few. but he also points
out that there are intangible in
fluences which cannot be as readily
measured Other important figures,
were J. I. M. Curry and William'
H. Councill Philanthropic individ
uals have also contributed to Negro
education through the Slater Fifnd,
the Jeanes Ftipd. the Peabody Fund,
the Rnsenwald-Fmindation, and'the
General Education Board
Dr Bond is To be commended on
persons and events, and impartiality
which gives his book added weight.
The historical background which he
gives will help his readers to under
stand much better the problem* of
Negroes not only in Alabama >ut
wherever the same di«cnminas>ry
system of education exists *
The Philadelphia Main I.bia
Negro by Marvin E. Porch T
Published b.v the Anlhor Glm
ceater City. N. J 1938
"The Philadelphia Main Lined* a
j suburban area in the form <1 a
( rectangle whose eastern widtj Is
contiguous to the city of PWla
| delphia " This is ihe area of whic h
Mr Porch writes * area wfrse
! population is 81488 of which *073
Negroes. Th * relatively small
I number of Negroes detracts to some
[of Mr. Porch's book
In most respect* the Main IJqe
Negro compares favorably with -bS
white neighbor*, in crime, rqm
m ,n and in health.
meswe workers or laborer* •<> that
economical level than the while*.
However, the author points out that
the Negro house* are respectable for
the most part.
Negro children fal! well behJorf
the native white children in intelli
gence tests and in performance. Mr.
Porch makes no attempt to expla'n
this difference but th* fact that Ihe
majority of the Negro Mam Line
population are from the South lie
got her with ther lower econom.c
-talus wr> ;'d account for much of<