The Michigan chronicle. [volume], January 22, 1944, Page PAGE THREE, Image 3

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

Image provided by: Central Michigan University, Clark Historical Library

                
SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1944
Urges Post-War Planning To Stem Race Discrimination
M'CLENDON WILL
CONTINUE FIGHT
ON RACIAL BIAS
President James J. McClendon, In
his annual message to the N.A.A.
C.P.’s executive board at Its Jan
uary meeting, pleaded a continuing
fight against discrimination in 1944,
and strengthened the local associa
tion through appointments of sev
eral outstanding liberals. An over
all post-war plan to cope with
problems of employment, housing,
civil liberties, as well as segrega
tion and discrimination, was called
for by the executive secretary,
Gloster B. Current, in his monthly
report.
The retiring treasurer, Mrs. Ma
mie L. Thompson, made her final
report and turned over a balance
of $4,98057 to the new treasurer,
C. W. White. During Mrs. Thomp
son's terms in office, which began
in 1938 and closed at the end of
1943, she handled more than $90,000
over a six year period and dis
bursed more than $85,000.
Inflation Dangers
Pointing to the impending mili
tary offensive and possible change
overs in production, the executive
secretary warned against dangers
of inflation and unemployment
which would seriously affect Ne
groes. Mr. Current indicated that
possible unemployment might re
sult from (1) 'Curtailment of pres
ent production rate of war materials
as victories are won and need for
armaments is lessened. (2) Sharp
reduction in number of operative
plants now owned by the govern
ment as these plants are either sold,
or given away to private manage
ment (3) Return to competitive
ay stem of “free enterprise" which
Republicans and industrialists talk
ao glibly about with sharp reduc
tion in wages."
-Negroes in Detroit are enjoying
more lucrative employment in a
wider range of occupations than
ever before." said the executive
secretary. "We have talked vague
ly of ‘Hold your job campaign' and
other campaigns designed to keep
the Negro in war jobs after the war
in over. Regardless of how good a
reputation these new workers have
made, there is bound to be revision
In the type and amount of employ
ment enjoyed by the Negro worker,
especially in categories where he
unprotected by unions or civil
service."
Housing In Danger
“Enemies of public housing arc
making their bid to defeat the hous
ing program. 111-housed Negroes
cannot look forward to an improve
ment of housing in the post-war
period unless we become realistic
Snd lay plans to defeat housing re
actionaries and undue alarmists.
Negro progress Is tied up with the
city’s progress and our job is to so
gear our activity into the city’s that
cur welfare becomes the welfare of
the entire city.
"In 1944. the N A ACP. will be
called on more than ever before.
When changes in employment
status and adjustments are made,
the association will be confronted
with increased allegations of dis
crimination. We shall have to dis
cern between what is discrimina
tion and what is the result of in
adequate planning for tomorrow.
We are going to have to throw our
support more and more to organ
ized labor —which will be confront
ed with similar problems to ours.
"We can safely say that our
course of action during emergencies
has been sound. Recommendations
made by the association after the
riot are to a small extent being ef
fected in one way or another. We
can point to the appointment of a
Negro faculty member at Wayne
university, a survey being made of
the over-all results of vocational
education and its benefits to Ne
groes, and an appointment of a now
snd seemingly liberal police com
missioner.”
DETROIT SPELMAN CUB
will honor Dr and Mrs. Chas. W
Buggs at a tea. Sunday, January 23
• t the YWCA. Dr Buggs is a teach
er of bacteriology at Wayne Uni
versity Medical school A special
Invitation is extended to all Spel
manites and Morehouse College
people to attend.
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through tha rKoauMidirkM of la
rumaati. If you acad a losa mom m
tide rou over. you. too, should mo
Provident. Prorldet leads oa fetal*
ture, autos, stocks, hoods, sad oa
unsecured notes. No Inquiries are
mode of frieads or rrlsuees . . rou
get rout Moaty promptly.
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LOANS
PROVIDE NT
LOAN A SAVINOS SOCISTY
Nowost
Downtown Offic#
1308 BROADWAY
603 Tobin Bldg.
Phono RA 2342
CAMPAIGN TO DEFEAT ANTI-SUBSIDY BILL
'■ '* it’,* * -*• a',* - . ~ ~
jjjc . “t ,
JSfis . Hi
* -i ? f.M mmmm
This unique procedure of soiling petitions ask
ing for continuation of food subsidies in a city
and a state-wide campaign to dafeat anti-sub
sidy bill in the Sonata. The bill is expected to
The ‘Angels Of Mercy’ In Sweaty
Fatigues Save Lives Of Soldiers
By FLETCHER P. MARTIN
(BapraaMtiaf Macro Mawspapar Pool)
ADVANCED SOUTH PACIFIC
BASE (Via Airmail)—While sta
tioned at this base, enroute to the
perimeter of actual combat, I
chanced upon a scene, one of the
most impressive I have seen in the
South or Southwest Pacific It was
not a battle, no planes ripped the
air, no artillery thundered, in fact,
the chief noise came from the
waves swishing against the beach.
But here an essential phase of war
was unfolding before my eyes, and
it answered what perhaps is one
of the very important questions
asked by people back home;
"How does the Army care for my
son if he's wounded out there on
the field? ... is sick? ... is hurt
in an accident?"
Angels Of Mercy
That is the only justification for
this story—a partial answer to that
question. It is not a preposterous
tale of super-duper heroes making
history in this serious hour. But
the story of a detachment of men
who can be termed “Angels of
Mercy”—not in glowing white uni
forms. but sweaty fatigues.
“How is he doing?”' the Major
asked. The soldier lay still in the
hospital bunk, staring without see
ing. There were eight other sol
dier* in the improvised ward. It
was a clean ward, bright and cheer
ful. as local cheer goes. The breeze
off the »ea was cool.
“Oh, he'll be aU right, sir.” the
non-com medic answered “His
head is still aching, the awful sun I
guess, sir. Everything else seems
all right."
After the major left I askhd the
medic. Technical Sergeant Joseph
J. Wilson, of Washington. DC,
just what was wrong with the sol
dier who lay in the hospital bunk,
staring without seeing.
Work In Rain
-It's the hot suri and the climate.”
he said. ‘These men have been
working on - the docks for twenty
one months without relief. Whether
is rains or shines, they work. We
haven't had many days off since
coming overseas We're all tired."
So explained the ranking non
com and chief clerk of the medical
detachment. 24th Infantry. The unit
which guards the health of those
who soldier in the reported “worst
jungles in the world." Jungles in
fested with flying and crawling
things, fungus growth, and mys
teries peculiar to hot. smuggv.
swampy, thick foliaged terrain.
Their task unglamorous, little
publicized—but a potent factor in
whatever victories the Allies
achieve in this global war.
As we left the ward the monthly
inspection of a unit was in pro
gress outside. Sweating, naked
soldiers formed two parallel lines.
The medics walked between them,
closely inspecting each man. Feet
and legs and hands were examined
for possible sores caused by the
prevalent fungus growths. Eyes
and teeth were closely scrutinized
Chief Ailment
We went into the office where 1
asked Sgt. Wilson what the men
complained of most. At the morn
ing sick call what was the chief ail
ment. Malaria? Accidents? Fa
tigue? A psychopathic condition
caused by the sultry climate lower
ing resistance which leads to excess
worrying? Dysentery?
“Our average on sick call at
present -is low. Maybe it is be
cause the rainy season hasn't come
When the rains come the insects
are bad. Now most of the ailments
are local.”
Sergeant Wilson, who was an em
balmer in civilian life, was explain
ing. He said a soldier comes in
with a head injury, atomach pains
which might be caused by some
thing he ate. a torn foot, or a touch
of malaria. Or he might come in
with nothing physically wrong,
everything mentally wrong.
"And then the fellow comes in
who's just tired" the sergeant con
tinued "He's confined to his quar
ters, or evacuated. What he really
needs Is to get away for a while.
Leave the area, hear some music,
take a drink, forget war for the
present. There is little the medicine
we got can do him "
General Health
Concerning the general health,
one item the medic modestly left
out Were it not for these men
who safeguard health by constant
examining and caring for the
troops, cleaning the area, spraying
the swamps and latrines, inspecting
kitchens and garbage disposals, who
knows that greater casualties than
those experienced in combat might
result -
Stories of Japanese standards of
sanitation on the field, and eye
witnessed accounts, are alarming.
I readily accept these accounts be
cause I have seen how they live,
their food, their waste disposals,
their shacks, their clothing. They
represent the antithesis of our be
liefs on the matter.
I remember how Lae (New
Guinea) looked when the Allies
took over following the defeat of
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE W T X RELIABLE INDEPENDENT WEEKLY
the enemy. We inspected one hos
pital dug in the hill. Filth person
ified. Rice scattered, parts of
clothing, meat bones—it was a pan
orama of untidiness. Maybe.that
was caused by a hurried evacuation.
But down the Markham Valley, we
saw Japanese positions unharmed
by actual combat Under the roots
of a large tree, one soldier had
lived His mud-soaked uniform was
still there. A small bag of rice, a
tea kettle, chop sticks. Here he had
lived, venturing only a few feet
away to dispose of his waste. A
stench undescribable choked the
hot sultry air.
Our methods and procedure are
vastly different. A medical de
tachment is formed to look after
such things, the cleanliness of the
area, the health of the individual.
In the pursuit of war in the South
west Pacific we have been criti
cized for making a base too city
like. Much time and money have
been used in our base-securing
methods, and as a result little vil
lages not unlike many at home
spring up. Drainage systems are
dug. shower baths installed, electric
lights, swamps are sprayed
everything for the health and wel
fare of American troops.
Medical Detachment
The medical detachment of this
infantry unit was organized in July.
1941. Formed under the super
vision of Captain Joseph W. Brun
son who relinquished the command
to Lt.-Col. Bruce D. Carroll. Two
non-commissioned officers. Techni
cal Sergeant Samuel G. Chadman
<now Lt.) and Staff Sergeant Rob
ert Mornan (both white)) were
sent to Fort Benning. Ga., on a
cadre from the United States Army
Academy at Wept Point. New York.
Since that time the unit has sent
several cadres out to help form
medical detachment in the 366th
Infantry, and the 92nd Division.
Only 3 of the original detachment
members are still with the infan
try here. Staff Sergeant Emanuel
M Bums, of Shreveport. La ; Staff
Sergeant Luther W. Hamm of Mem
phis. Tenn.. and Private First Class
Willie F. McGhee of Albany. Ga.
The others have been transferred.
To these men must go the credit
of a job well done. Sergeant Burns
for instance. He's fat. with a head
of thick hair, and a disposition un
like any man I have met. The com
Fear Jim Crow
Hospital Setup
In New York City
NEW YORK, N. Y.—Fear that the
newly established Sydenham Inter
racial Hospital in Harlem “will be
come a segregated hospital" was ex
pressed in a resolution adopted by
the board of directors of the
N.A A C P. at its January meeting.
The N.A.A.C.P. board said the as
sociation would continue to tight to
integrate Negroes in all voluntary
hospitals and withold cooperation
from Sydenham hospital for the
present.
“We fear,” said the resolution,
“that because of financial reasons
Sydenham hospital may fail. If
this happens the enemies of racial
equality will attribute its failure to
the fact that it was an interracial
hospital. Even if successful we fear
that it will become a segregated in
stitute like Provident in Chicago."
WORLD’S FINEST RADIOS
S TUBE A.C.D.C. TABLE MODELS . . . A.C.D.C. PORTABLES
RADIO PHONOGRAPH COMBINATIONS
Arm Chair Comblnationa . . . Consoles $39.50 and up . . .
HAND WOI'ND AUTOMATIC WIRKITSS PHONOGRAPHS
Special Sale Floor Lamps Table Lamps $10.95
Pina Quality Merchandise. Trade In Your Old Radio. Convenient Credit
RADIO CITY SALES CO.
3712 WOODWARD. Open Dally 1* to ». Sunday 12 to •
Opposite Paradise Theatre
AVOID THE SPRING RUSH
RE-ROOFING, BRICK OR ASBESTOS SIDING
- FURNACE WORK, GUTTERS
AND
COMPLETE HOME MODERNIZATION
jv„
No Down Payment—F.H.A. Terms
CORDON CONSTRUCTION CO.
18086 BIRWOOD • UN. 20650
com* to ths Senate floor any day. and mem
bers oi Ford Local 600, UAW-CIO executive
board ar- urging all groups to Ist Michigan
senators know how they feel about subsidies.
mander, Lieutenant Colonel Hearne.
refers to him as the unit’s Florence !
Nightingale. The real meaning of
that term goes far beneath the sur
face. Proportionately, he is as
helpful here as any Florence Night
ingale has been anywhere, in any
century. His talk, his walk, his
jokes can make a soldier laugh
when a laugh is needed most.
The medics have put up two port
able wards, bed space for 65 pa
tients. Adjacent to these are huge
dugouts. protection against pos
sible air raids for the soldiers. Then,
there is the huge airy kitchen
where the food is prepared—food
exceptionally good considering that
these men are in the field. There
are magazines, games, a radio and
victrola, pictures shown four times
weekly.
When the question, if he is
wounded, or ill or figures in an 1
accident, what is done for him? j
is asked, please, know that every- |
thing possible. In all sincerity, the
U. S Army Medical Department is
the best trained, the best equipped
in the world. And the men who
look after the many sons over here
are doing one stupendous job. They
fight against odds, nature herself,
but they experience success And
the medics, enlisted men who per
haps thought little of medicine in
civilian life, are the right hands
of those who axe trained physicians.
Words are 9b triad equate to describe
the glory which It rightfully
theirs.”
Of these men nature and hard
work have beaten down. Sergeant
Wilson said: "There is little we
can do. That matter must be
placed at the feet of those higher
in rank. We hope that something
will be done. We fell that some
thing will be done.”
Infantry Surgeon
Major Albert S Witherington Jr.,
of Millington. Tenn., is the infan
try's surgeon and detachment com
mander. He was given command
on April 4. 1942. just before the
troops left Fort Benning. Ga. His
aides. Captains Gerald J. Bertinot
of Opelousas. La.: Walter J. Sereda.
Chicago. Ill: Wjlliam F. Conrad,
Salem. Oregon: and Frederick W.
Rau. of Saginaw. Mich.
Non-com medics are from vari
ous parts of America including
Miami. Fla : Staff Sergeants Robert
S. Jones. Fred L. Mitchell. Eardely
W» Patton. Clifton C. Knowles, all
surgical technicians. Sergeant Ar
thur Baker. the foot specialist is
also from Miami.
Tennessee has sent Staff Ser
geants Chester Ragland and Luther
W. Hamm, surgical technicians
from Memphis.
Louisiana: Staff Sergeant Eman
uel M. Burns. Shreveport. Sergeant
Bums is in charge of supplies and
chief pharmacist, and weighs a few
pounds under 300. Sergeant Booker
T Washington, medical technician
and carpenter. St. Martinville.
Others include Staff Sergeants H
M. Johnson. Partcin, Ark.: Staff
Sergeant Robert A. Daniels. Al
bany. Oa.: Staff Sergeant Willie E.
Long. Newark., N.J.: Sergeant Fred
Faulkner. Charlotte. N.C.; Ser
geant Raymond N. Knox. Frede
ricksburg, Va . and Sergeant West
Plair. Starksville. Miss.
WAITRESSES'
POPULARITY CONTEST
WATCH OUT FOR THE
Vagabonds
To B« Announced Soon
YALE GRADUATE!
WILL SPEAK AT
YMCA SUNDAY
William T. McKnight. regional
director of the President's Commit
tee on Fair Employment Practice
(Ohio. Kentucky and Michigan),
will speak Sunday, Jan 23, at 4 pm
in the “Y" auditorium. His sub
ject is: "Fair Employment Practice
—A Lesson Democracy.”
Mr. McKnight is one of the most
dynamic men on the President’s
committee and his work and educa
tional backgrounds put him near
the top of the list of men serving
our country during this war time
emergency. He received his AB.
from the University of Kansas 1923;
his LL.B. from Yale in 1925; “was
Assistant Attorney General of Ohio,
1937-1939; Attorney for the Solici
tor's office. United States Depart
ment of Labor, 1939-1943, and a
member of the Legal Committee for
the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People.
The President’s Committee of
Fair Employment Practice has been
set up all over the United States
to carry out his direction 8802
which states in part, that there
should be no discrimination in em
ployment practice because of race,
creed or religion. To most, it is not
news that this direction came as a
result of the constructive efforts of
A. Philip Randolph, Walter White
and others. However, since its en
actment. recalcitrant employers, as
well as employes, have sought wavs
i of getting around giving full em
' ployment opportunities to minority
groups.
Mr McKnight has h.vd many
thrilling experiences in dealing
with both employers and employes
some of which he will tell next
Sunday.
Homer Brown outstanding Penn
sylvania Assemblyman, will be
heard on the “Y” forum Sunday.
Jan. 30. through the cooperation of
the Wolverine Bar association of
which Atty. Elvin Davenport is
president.
AIR RAID WARDENS
An appeal was made this week
by Frank M. MeLaury. director of
the Detroit Office of Civilian De
fense to the 8 000 supervisory and
senior post air raid wardens, cur
rently making a survey of employ
ment and worker . availability in
Detroit to complete and return the
questionnaires and household sched
ules promptly.
|KBB .■ »B| | | ffl I IfH ■ IHH I II
John B. Powell, during 34 years of
continuous employment, advanced
steadily to hold the important posi
tion of stationary engineer. 16tb
Street power house, Philadelphia.
Ability Wins Promotion on the Pennsylvania Railroad
PT
Starting as locomotive cleaner with the Pennsyl
vania Railroad at Canton, 0.. G. W. Wilder's rail
road experience demonstrated the opporrunitv to
go ahead when he was promoted to boilermaker.
My.
While he was a member of a track gang. James
Rambert showed abtlitv which earned him promo
tion to the position of assistant foreman of another
such group on the New York Division.
Y Speaker
—mbfCm
fsSSPviVPHi w
■ \* - ■ ■
William T. McKnight. former
assistant attorney general of
Ohio and now regional director
of the President's Fair Em
ployment committee, will be the
principal speaker at the St.
Antoine Branch YJM.C.A.. Sun
day, Jan. 23.
Lyons Given 3rd
Prison Term Mon.
A term of three to ten years in
prison was the sentence imposed
upon Charles (Little Willie) Lyons,
already under two prison terms.
Lyons had been convicted twice
and plead guilty once to three
charges growing out of the June
riots here.
Already serving two of the above
sentences, Lyons was returned here
last Saturday and on Monday plead
guilty to a third charge of larceny
from the person of 14-year-old Gus
Niarhas of 2179 St. Jean, before
Recorder's Judge John V. Bren
nan.
Lyons Is serving a four to five
year sentence for inciting to riot
and a two to five year term for
looting, sentences to run concur
rently. when this week'j sentence
was imposed upon him.
His is 21 years old and lived here
with relatives.
James L Vinson's reward for ambi
tion is promotion. Student of corre
spondence courses, he has advanced
to stationary engineer. Spruce St.
power plant, Columbus, O.
m dm
da/I r-.^v..
piMKI
PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD
j
((PI All tACr THI ATTACK RUT MO*f V. S. ROMOS— 4*l WAK IOAM CAAMfM
ATLANTA—(ANP) Complain- |
mg that the food they were being
served in the colleges dining hall
was nat "fit for pigs." the majority
of the 400 studer.t* of Clark ct'lege
we.it on strike Wednesday, refusing
to attend classes until President J
P Brawley had given his pledge
in writing that the situation would
be improved.
Several disorders occurred dur
ing the second day of the strike
when school officials issued orders
confining the 175 boarding students
to the campus, and sought to keep
students of neighboring colleges
from bringing meals to the striking
youngsters.
Disturbed by the demonstration.
President Brawley issued the fol
lowing order to women boarding
occupants of two dormi
tories.
"Except for meals in the Clark
college dining room, no young
woman is permitted to leave Mirror
hall or Pfeiffer hall until further
notice is given. This action is being
tAen for the protection of the
young women in «the dormitories
Meals are being served according
to regular schedules.
When city students continued to
bring food to the campus-bound
boarders, Dr. Brawley in despera
tion suspended more than 40 stu
dents. whom he designated as lead
ers of the strike. City police were
summoned at Aie period during the
strike when a group of male stu
dents from neighboring schools
Aptitude in skilled trades provides openings fog
those capable of such responsibility on the Penn
svlvanu Railroad, as in the case of Alocuo Jenkins,
machinist at the engine house in Canton, Ohio.
From laborer to locomotive hostler is the story of
John Fnochs at the Pennsylvania Railroad j)th
Street engmehouse. in Chicago.
’■i '* - t "a sgj £‘!>]£'r;
Andy S. Bey earned promotion from coach cleaner
to gang foreman ct cleaners at Sunnyside Yard,
Long Island City. N. Y.
400 Out On Food Strike
In Ga. At Clark College
PROTECT TOUR EYES
WITH
PROPERLY PRESCRIBED CLASSES
Ofiic.
Hours:
Daily
10 AJL to
5:00 PM.
Saturday
Till Noon
DR. KEATS
OPTOMETRIST
7721 OAKLAND (at Clay)
ABOVE BANK
Henry Williams, since 1917 has ad
vanced progressively from laborer,
machine operator to welder on the
industrial tracks serving the pien of
the Port of Philadelphia.
threatened Dean A. A. McPheater*
when he sought to prevent them
from bringing food to their board
ing girl friends.
Chinese Speaker
At Library Friday
There has been a great deal of
interest in China and a great ad
miration for the cour»ge of the
Chinese people. With this in mind
the Fellowship Forum is happy to
present Mr. A. T. Liu who wil!
speak at the Schoolcraft Library.
The lecture will be held at 7:30
p m., on Friday. January 21, in the
auditorium of Schoolcraft Library,
2200 E. Davison. Everyone is wel
come and the admission is free.
DR. OWEN’S
VETERINARY HOSPITAL
AND /"
BOARDING KENNEL
7737 CUUttOT
Colored Attendant
Phene PLasa 6608
Maintenance of track is a vital railroad
function in which Theodore Bradley
of Newark. N.J., serves as machine
operator on the Pennsylvania. He was
advanced from trackman.
■ H !■ ■
Rapid was the rise of Nick Thomas, who joined (ho
forces of the Eastern Division in Canton in 194LM
a laborer and in two years displayed skill and ability
which won him promotion to the )ob of pipefitter.
A'
> " v ~ 'WyZff ’flPSJgj
' ilaaß
aBB
~, ■ V * 'wlf
mil
i JP%4
I wfmw !s B
* Advanced from trackman fn machine operator tih
us two years, Roosevelt Redd of Newark, N. J«
operates an air compressor fee a pneumatic ballast
tamping outfit on the New York Division.
PAGE THREE
For
Appoint
man!
Phono
Madison
6935