1
VOLUME XLV, NO.'7 ' RICHMOND .VIRGINIA, SATURDAyI^TEMBER 29. <928._. PR.CE. FIVE CENTS.
THAT PASS SCANDAL.
GRAND JURY MEETS MONDAY, Oct. 1
Many Colored People Involved—Three Fed
eral Statutes Alleged to Have Been Violated
(Special by John Mitchell, Jr.)
The pass scandal involving as it
does numbers of colored people in
this city in particular and the State
in general, has beon the topic of
conversation practically everywheio
here. The failure t0 give the names
of persons wh0 are to be arrested,
or who either had to their possession
at some time one of these passes,
has led to a general wh spering cam
paign. in which the names of many
persons hereabouts have been con
Alfred Chapman, chief of 'he pass
bureau of the Chesapeake and Ohio
railway is still in jail, being unable
or unwilling to furnish the $5,000.00
bond under which he s being held.
CONSPIRACY CHARGED.
It is alleged that through one or
more preachers he distributed these
passes and received money ior them
at much less than the railroad rut©
of travel. The opportunity came
when the Grand Lodge. I. B. P. 0.
E. of V. and the B. M. C. of
Odd Fellows met at Chicago recent
ly. The round trip fare was about
$45,72 and these tickets are alleged
to have been sold for $15.00 and
$20.00, while annual passes were
furnished at $3^.00 each. The col
lusion between the agent for the €.
ond O. R. R. and certa’n outside
persons enabled the scheme to he
put over, until the large number of
passengers arrived at Gordonsville.
EXTRA COACH NEEDED.
The regular train on its way West
from Washington wa* unable to ac
commodate this heavy influx of pas
sengers and the conductor arranged
for an extra coach to go westward.
The same conductor was astounded
when he found only five regular
tickets among the passengers, the
remainder being passes Issued by
Alfred Chapman and his associates
at $15.00 and $20.00 each and for
which no money had been paid over
to the railroad company. An inves
tigation followed. It is alleged that
an air mail letter was sent to Chi
cago warning the persons, who held^
these passes. ’
SCENTED DANGER.
Some of them sconced danger and
purchased return tickets.
A visit to the Assistant United
States P strict Xttornev’s office and
an interview w’th that able offic:al,
Caliom B. Jones, who oceup’es that
position, disclosed the fact 'hat they
have on file all of the Hcke's or
passes which were used in this
tr; " -ao'ion. ogether with the nam°s
of the persons who s!ened them.
Many of them s?erned the passes as
Reverend. that is as preachers,
a’thouch they were not preachers.
These people will he summoned to
court and a grand jury will be asked
to i>nd:ct them under certain stafutes
when it is convened October 1
THE LAW VIOLATED.
They are Section 37 and Section
215 of the Penal Code. The former
deals with conspiracy to defraud and
the latter refers to the use of the
mail to defraud. In the matter of
conspiracy the punishment 1b a line
of not more than $10,000 and im
prisonment for not more than two
years. In using the mails to defraud
the punishment is a fine of not more
than $1,000 00 and imprsonment for
not moro than five years. Under the
trno«!*>ortaton act. 49fh Secf’on. the
punishment is not less than $100.00
or more than $2,000.00. Only min
fsters of the eospel or charity pur- ;
poses, employees and direct members
of their families. and eleemosynary
institutions are permitted to have
use of them.
(Norfolk Journal and Guide)
NORFOLK. VA.. Sept. 22—Rev.
T. D. Lee. who was arrested Satur
day and released under bond for his
appearance before the grand jury in
the United States District Court in
p i-hmnnri ‘p Oc'obor. in eonnocMon
w'th the probe of Federal agents of
alleged wholesale Issuance of rail
road pusses, denied Thursday morn
mg n an interview wAh a Journal
and Guide reporter, that lie had auy
connection or correspondence with
Alfred Chapman, white, former head
of the C. and O. pass bureau, and
declared that he procured ail the
passes fiom Rev. J. S. Hatcher, of
ltoanoke, Ya., in perfectly good
faith.
His sworn statement to the au
thorises, a copy of which he showed
to the reporter, follows:
Q. How did you come in posses*
son of the information that there
was tree transportation to the Elks
convent, on in Chicago?
A. I was at a meeting at Hampton
Ya. and got my mformaiuion from
rhe Rev. J. S. Hatcher, colored, of
Roanoke, Ya. and on my return
home I sent him $15.00 for which
he sent me a pass in favor of Rev.
T. D. Lee, Minister of Religion, not
good on sleeping and parlor cars,
reading Norfolk, Va. to Chicago, 111.
and return, July 6th, 1928, expires
October 31st, 1928. I could not see
anything wrong with this pass then
for I used it with my wife making
the trip to Chicago and return. I
spoke to several of my friends about
the lower rate to Chicago, they asked
me to get them one if I could. Later
on I wrote to Rev. J. S. Hatcher
on several occasions, each time send*
ing him $15.00 for each pass, giving
him the man or woman’s name that
wanted the pass. At no time did I
request one of those passes to be
issued in a man’s name as a Minister
of Religion. The first man that I
received one of those passes for was
for my brother. J. S. Lee, of New
port News. I noticed that this pass
was issued for the Rev. J. S. L«e.
I cl d not request it to he issued in
this way. I sent the Rev. J. 8.
Hatcher $15.00 for this pass, which
my brother gave me. I received sev
eral other passes from the R©v« J.
S. Hatcher for which I sent him
$15.00 each. To the best of my
knowledge. I got one for each of the
fcl owing: Bertha Holt, Georgia
Prewer. Mable Lee. Grace Cornicko,
Elizabeth Lowry, Laura Carter,
Edgar Clark. H. T. Clark, P. J.
Brown.
Q. Is Brown a minister?
A. No, sir. I think he is an in
surance man.
Q. Are the two Clarks ministers?
D'd you get a pass for H. T. Clark
and Edgar C'ark?
A. Yes I did for H. T. Clark and
Edgar Clark of Newport News, Va.
and no rher are ministers of relig:on
O. Rev. Bee. in making requests
T'”- these passes ’o the Rev. *T. S.
Hatcher, did you always give the
-• *tH or' tho par y that wanted toe
p->«s end did the pass come made
ii *ha‘ name?
' . Ype. sir. In one case I got a
P"‘*s fr>r P .T. Brown of Norfolk Va
aT>d *he pass came in ‘he name of
H r Rev. P. ,T. Rr.,wn. m n’s+er of
religion. T returned this pass to the
Rev. J. R. Hatcher for correction
and the Rev. J. R. Ha’eher mailed
the pass hack to Rrown.
Q. What is the Rev. J. S.
Hatcher’s address in Roanoke, Va?
A. James S. Hatcher, 51 Gi1m°r
Avenue, N. E., Roanoke. Va., Mt.
Zion A. M. E . Church.
Q. T have g'ven- you the names of
several other passes that were rode
out °f Norfolk, Va. to Chicago, do
you remember if these passes were
gotten for these people?
A. I have given you the names
of those that I am positive of getting
passes for. there might he some
others that I do not recall.
Q. You sfate that you had no
idea that there was anything wrong
w1h those passes?
A. I examined each one carefully
and each appeared to he right, as I
received each of them from Rev. J.
R. Ha’cher. who is a minister of
religion and I did not. think he
would g've them to me if they were
wrong. If I had thought they were
wrong. T would not have made a
t.r'p with my wife.
Signed. Rev. T. D. LEE.
Witnesses:
H. E. Brdges
W. H. MoKeen.
LOCAL CHURCHES WILL LIFT
COLLECTION ON SUNDAY.
The Citizens Committee held its
weekly mee ing on Tuesday, 8:30 P.
M. in the Williams Lodge of Elks
Home, ai which time encouraging
reports were made, showing a steady
increase in funds toward the pros
ecution of Police Off.ccr Walter B.
Burroughs, slayer of John Sharpe,
on the night of August 3, 1928, in
Gilbert Avenue this city.
Commrtteemeu reported the follow
ing additional donations: Astoria
Beneficial Club. $25; Thebans, $10;
' Porters. $15; Garfield. $10; Eastern
Star (Church Hill) $10; Northside
Letter Carriers, $9.50: Cash from
Friends. $12.50’: making a total to
date of $612.00.
On Sunday, September 29, the
Churches in this city, of all denom
inations. through action taken by
the Bapt st Ministers Conference and
the Ministerial Alliance will lift an
after collection for the benefit of
this fund.
The grand jury will meet Monday
October 1, 1928, at which time we
are expecting a true bill to be re
turned against the said police officer
after which, on October 2, the Hust
ings Court will convene and set all
cases for trial.
Another meeting of the Citizens
Committee will be held Monday.
October 1, at the Williams Lodge of
Elks Home, 8 P. M.
. HON. HAMLIN NELSON, OF
HAMPTON, WAS RE-ELECTED
GRAND MASTER OF VIR
( GIN IA MASONS
The Most Worshipful Grand
Lodge. A. F. & A. M. of Virginia,
held its 53rd annual communication
in the Jackson Street M. E. Church,
of Lynchburg, from September 18th,
through the 20th, 1928. The city of
Lynchburg did in its power to make
the stay of the visitors pleasant. Mr.
J. B. Evans, chairman of the local
committee, deserves much praise for
the splendid arrangements.
Hon. T. Tanner Kennier, mayor
of the city, delivered one of the most
brotherly addresses ever heard in the
citv.
B>!shop A. L. Gaines served as
Grand Chaplain throughout the ses
sions.
The officers who were el? ted for
the ensuing term are: Jlam in Ncl
on, of Hampton. Grand Master;
Irvin W. Tavlor. of Danville, Deputy
Grand Master; Dr. C. S. Bassett, of
Hampton. Grand Senior Warden;
Rev. I.. L. Berry, of Norfolk. Grand
Junior Warden; Warren W. Leo. of
Fredericksburg, Grand Senior Dea
con; V. B. F. Crowell, of Roanoke,
Grand Junior I)eacon; C. V. Wilson,
of Lynchburg, Grand Secretary, and
M. Conrad Martin, of Danville,
Grand Treasurer.
Madames Katie B. Sewart, Rose
bud Whitlock and A. N. Lushington,
of Lynchburg, brought greetings
from the Grand Chapter of O. E. S.
Dr. H. L. Harris, Jr., of Richmond,
spoke of the Works of Masonry
Among Solored People of America
by his illustrious father, Dr. H. L.
Harris.
Mr. J. Wirt Robinson and Mr. J.
S. Bright, of Hampton, received spe
cial commendations for their splen
did work on charity.
Hon. Anthony L. Robinson, 32nd
degree, of Philadelphia, brought
greeting from the Keystone State
and told of driving out Clandestine
Masonry through Colored proceed
ings. Dr. R. E. Jones, formerly of
Richmond, now of Philadelphia, and
Lawyer J. C. Carter, of Danville,
spoke of the history of Masonry in
the State.
Other Past Grand Masters who
took part in the proceedings were:
Rev. S. S. Morris, of Norfolk, Va.,
and Nashville, Tenn.; C. Bernard Gil
pin, of Richmond; W. F. Foreman,
of Norfolk; and Lawyer J. C. Robert
son, of Richmond.
Chaplain W. M. Coston, of the
Spanish War, who is a dealer in
Masonic supplies, was present.
The next annual communication
will be held in Warrenton, Va.
—By Page M. Beverley.
KING DAVID’S PARADE—ANNI
VERSARY SERMON
The twentieth anniversary of the
Imperial Order of King David took
place Sunday, 3:30 P. M., at the
Sixth Street Baptist Church. Grand
Worthy Ruler A. G. Thompson Tay
lor was in charge and a fine show
ing was made. The parade down
Leigh Street was highly creditable to
the organization. The Uniform De
partment was out in full force. The
exercises were highly interesting and
entertaining, and Mrs. Taylor pre
sided with becoming grace and dig
nity. Recitations and speech-making
were in order, and those present
were delighted.
Rev. Joseph Arrington delivered
the sermon from Psalm 19th. It was
eloquent, short and to the point, and
although in a church, the applause
could not be restrained, when he con
cluded his remarks. To the surprise
of Grand Worthy Ruler Taylor, a
beautiful and expensi’.t cluster of
cut flowers was presented to her.
She expressed her heartfelt appre
ciation.
! STORRS—WASHINGTON
Mrs. Emma L. Washington an
nounces the marriage of her daugh
ter, Gladys Lillian, to Mr. E. R.
Storrs, Thursday, September 20,
1928. i
At home Thursday, October 4, 1928
100 1-2 W. Duval Street.
Charles Satchell Morris, Jr. has
accepted a chair in English at the
Virginia State’ College. He visited
his parents here recently.
i
I AT THE MOSQUE THEATRE
GLENN TRYON COMING SOON IN
FILM FARCE
I -
“How to Handle Women” Due at the
Mocque.
“How to Handle Women”, a Uni
versal-Jewel comedy, starring Glenn
Tryon, has been scheduled by the
Mosque Theatre and will open Octo
ber 1st.
Tryon, who is remembered as the
star of the great hit, “Painting the
Town” and ocher screen comedies,
is cleverer and funnier than ever be
fore. One of the newest stars in
filmdom, his original form of com
edy is rapidiv leading him to a place
at‘the very top of the ladder of pub
lic popularity.
FORMER EDITOR CITES
ODD NEWS REACTIONS
Star in Picture Coming to Mosque
Theatre Tells Experiences.
Many newspaper stories have
strang.' reactions upon the public
who read them, according to Lewis
Stone, famed screen actor and for
mer editor who is now playing in
the Universal picture “Freedom of
the Press,” a sensational drama of
the press and the underworld, whien
will open here at the Mosque Theatre
on October 4th.
DEATH OF MR. RODERT T.
CrilLES
Mr. Robert T. Chiles, cf King Wil
liam County, Va., died at his resi
dence, August 24, 1928, at 6 o’clock
A. M. He had been sick since
March, having undergone an opera
tion at that time, from which he
never recovered.
The funeral services were held at
Mangohick Baptist Church, Monday,
August 27, 1928, at 2 o’clock P. M.
Rev. W. H. Ford, the pastor, de
livered the funeral eulogy in a most
pathetic manner.
Mr. Chiles nad been a member of
the church for twenty-seven years,
and the resolution from the church
attested to his worth as a citizen and
Christian gentleman.
He was widely known, and the fu
neral was the largest ever attended
in this section. He is suivived by his
widow, four daughters, one son,
seven sisters and three brothers. The
funeral arrangements were in charge
of Undertakers J. E. Johnson & Co.,
of Ashland, Va. They rendered ad
mirable and efficient services to the
satisfaction of the vast assemblage.
VIRGINIA TUCKER FATALLY
STABS MARTH A NICHOLAS
Knife Enters the Heart
'_*_
7t Midnight Fight in Glose Quarters
WOMAN’S MISSIONARY DAY AT
MOORE ST. BAPTIST CHURCH
Woman’s Missionary Day will be
observed at th© Mooro Street Baptist
Church, Sunday, September SO,
1928. Special sermons by the pas
tor, Rev. Gordon B. Hancock, morn
ing and night.
GRAVEL HILL BAPTIST CHURCH
Henrico County, Va.
Rev. W. L. Tuck, the pastor,
baptized 27 at 10 A- M. last Sun
day. He delivered a powerful ser
mon at 11:30 A. M. A large crowd
was present. At 8 P. M. Rev.
Edward Charity preached. The
people were delighted.
J. M. Anderson, Reporter.
Funeral Director C. P. Hayes is
here now and his service is exactly
what you desire. Call him.
ROANOKE LETTER
Mrs. H. L. Turner is much im
proved.
Mrs. Mayer is indisposed.
Mrs. Emma Burks is sick.
Mrs. Mamie Farmer is recovering
from an operation at Burrell’s Hos
pital.
Mrs. Kittie Johnson, of Detroit,
spent several hours here with her
aunt.
Mrs. Maria Nelson is ill..
Mr. J. H. Hall is improving.
Mr. William Roberson continues
indisposed.
Mrs. Catherine Stanfield is being
congratulated by her customers upon
her service and apparel she is sell
ing.
Stanfield’s medicines are being
sought by those in need of reliable
remedies. You had better call and
see him.
FULTON NOTES
Rev. L. L. Taylor, of Pittsburgh,
Pa., pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist
Church, in that city, preached Sun
day morning.
If you want to see C. B. Jeffer
son, call at the Old Dominion Clean
ing and Pressing Works, bringing
your clothes. Prices very reason
able.
You know where to find him, or
you just call his phone number and
he will find you. Funeral Director
It. C. Scott is polite and obliging.
Day or night service.
You have your subscription bill
and we have a receptacle for your
•jubsjcr-ption money. Now is the
time to send it to us.
Your groceries are ready for you
for the asking. See Mr. Edward
Stewart for r ch enervating food and
other supplies at market prices. You
wTl live long and be happy. 203 S.
Second St.
When A. D. Price died, he set a
standard. It has been faithfully ob
served. You can get prompt service
north or south, east or west. The
help is well trained and understands
business.
%
There was a record crowd all day
at the Second Baptist Church last
Sunday.
J
Rev. A. W. Brown is back at
the S'.xth Mt. Zion Baptist Church
much recuperated.
Make your engagements for the
Mosque Theatre. Invite visitors to
our city to go there, that they may
know what kind of service is sup
plied at this palatial playhouse.
Pr ce. 25 cents.
You know the Johnsons and so do
the people whom they served. Liv
ing Or dying call up Madison 686.
' Paul L. Dopaldson and a few
friends drove fifty miles one day
this week with three double-barreled
shotguns looking for squirrels. The
bird they brought back could be
gr feezed 'ns’de of a gill cup.
Mrs. Rosa Talley Branch at Sixth
St. Baptist Church
Mrs. Rr=n Tallev Branch t'-e noted
singer of Church hill will give one of
h“r famous concerts at Six'll Street Bap
tist Church, 6th ard Clay Sts . Thursday
night, October jrh, tqzS at 8:to o’c'ock.
Com° out and enjoy and evening of mu
sic and song
Rev JOS ARRINGTON, Pastor
Virginia Tucker, age 20 years,
was in the Police Court Monday,
Sep‘ember 24. charged with the
murder of Martha Nicholas. The
weapon used was a pocket knife.
Coroner James M. Whitfield stated
that one wound was in the left side.
It did not enter the chest. The
other wound was in front between
the fourth and fifth ribs in front
a«d the blade went to the heart.
No definite information has been
given as to the cause of the row,
hut it is intimated that there is *'a
man in the case.” Attorney Leith
R. Bremner represents Virginia
Tucker.
Coroner Whitfield held an Inquest
Thursday morning at 9:30 o’clock.
Thn following are the statements:
Herman Fitzgerald. 900 S. Lom
bardy St.: “Martha Nicholas is my
sister. She was cut the last gone
Saturday night by Virginia Tucker.
Martha was upstairs at 6<V2 S. Allen
Avenue when she was cut. Vfrginia
cut Martha with a pocket knife. I
do not know where she got the
bnife. She had it in her hand when
t saw it. I do not know the reason
°he cut her. They were quarreling.
Martha had no weapon of any kind.
T waq asleep and their fusing wolfll
me up. It took place late Saturday
n'eht about 12: 3f>. When Virginia
stabbed Martha, they were both
standing up facing each other. I saw
Virginia cut her or hit at her three
t'mes. After she cut Martha. Vir
efn’a walked out. I do not knbw
what she did with the knife. Nanev
t pwis. Louis Nicholas and Bett^e
T’+ygerald were there. Martha was
laid across tbe bed aftler tbe cutting.
Goliad un ambulance and tried +o get
TV. Jackson. Martha was taken »n
•» nrVftip onfomobile to Rt. Philips
Hosnital. ”
F't*gora1d. 900-B R. Lom
hardv Rt. said: “I was in tbe room
when Vfreinia Tucker cut. Mart ha
K'oUnipc orid T saw her do ft. She
(ml Vi or w*th a knif". T do not.’know
wbat tbev were nnarreline about,
vhev woke me up by their fighting,
v stood un in the bed. I did not see
ber out her hut once and tha* was
- '<»*♦ boro < QVio pn'ntod to her
Uroos+V nnd Martba foil across the
bod Martha was cut whop eVio ttts
standing bv tbe windnn-. Rhe did
po* bavo nrr weapon.”
t Hi'^npi’ TJromnor qtotod *n ns
ATartVio V*obAtfiQ opt Virginia
Tn^kor jind ibn T»'o,,ndf on fcor bndv
XV 11 olvnw* miotic O* ,A1
n nlep of self defense.
Editor Robert L. Vann
~ Admits Authorship
Emmett J. Scott Denies R. R. Church's
Accusation.
,,r-v - l ,
Washington, D. C., Sept. 20.—
When requested today to comment
on Mr Robert R. Church’s article re
leased to colored newspapers, Doctor
Emmett J. Scott, a member of the
Executive Committee of Nine, Col
ored Voters’ Division, Republican
National Committee, consented only
to say:
“What a beautiful thing is a man
of straw! He can be set up and he
can be knocked down with impunity,
and with blatant fury. Courage is
indeed a wonderful thing, but it is
not courage but cowardice when one
seeks to launch an attack against a
man of straw instead of against the
foeman with whom one would rather
not have controversy, and from
whom one prefers to flee in fear and
trembling.
Says Church Fears Vann
“Mr. Robert L. Vann, Editor and
Publisher of the Pittsburgh Courier,
and Chairman of the Publicity Com
mittee, Colored Voters’ Division, Re
publican National Committee, in
formed mutual friends of Mr. Church
before his article appeared that he
(Mr. Vann), not only wrote but took
full responsibility for the article
which appeared in The Courier, de
scribing Mr. Church s acrobatic
activities during the campaign years
1920, 1924 and 1928.
•
Mr. Church’* Courage.
“If it pleases Mr. Church to throw
his shining lance in my direction in
stead of in ‘he direction ot the man
who knew of, and described his acro
batic activities during the campaign
years referred to. and who has ex
posed them to the mirthful gaze of
the public, I am well content with
the exhibition he makes of his ‘cour
age’ and his self-sufficiency.
"Mr. Church says he is trying to
help Mr. Hoover's cause and that of
the Republican Party. Ilis actions,
however, suggest that he is laboring
under hallucinations of super per
sonal grandeur and self-exaltation in
his a!!-too-apparent attempt to de
stroy party harmony. He cannot
demonstrate his loyalty to the Re
publican Party or to Mr. Hoover,
however, by seeking to destroy the
influence of John R. Hawkins and
those who have been designated by
Dr. Work. Chairman of the Repub
lican National Committee, to repre
sent him in the management of the
Colored Voters’ Division.
"For myself, I can only say: I
did not contribute in any way what
soever a single line, a single sentence,
a single paragraph, or a single sug
gestion to the aiticle Mr. Robert R.
Church, of Memphis, Tennessee, says
he is ‘informed’ I wrote, and which
he knows I did not write."