The Northwest enterprise. [volume], May 16, 1941, Image 1

About The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952

Image provided by: Washington State Library; Olympia, WA

                
MAY 18 "I AM AN AMERICAN” DA
PM Queries 3 Score of
Important Defense ‘
lndustrialists On Job ‘
Discrimination
In an etmp-in down the
Enchant-19:11“: wh‘o are . praising
from defense contracts to a clear
statement of their policy on hir
lng Neroes PM yesterday dle
patched telegraphic queries to a
score of major arms producers.
The telegram. reproduced on this
page. unequivocally state: PM's
belief that in many places Ne
groes are being denied participa
tion in the fruits of democracy
and asks for a statement of poll
cy toward the employment of
them: .
L. B. Grumman,
Grumman: All-craft Entry. Co.
Beth Page, L. I. N. Y.
We believe that National Do
fense in the fight against Fal
cism abroad and the defense of
democracy at home. We believe
that the 115,000,000 Negro people
in the United States have the right‘
to fight racism and the right to
participate In democracy —eeono
mlc as well as political. We be
lieve they are in many places be
ing denied both rights. Since yours
is an important defense industry,
we would like to know (A) how
many persons you employ. (8)
how many Negroes you employ,
(0) what kind of jobs the Ne
groes have and (D) what is your
policy toward employment of Ne
roes. This telegram and you: an:-
wer will be published.
The Newspaper PM
The list of firms was indepen
dently selected as a. cross section
of major defense industries. A few
of them. we happen to know, will
hire no Negroes. Others, we be
lieve—and hopHo not discrimi
nate. Most of them we don't know
about—yet.
But we do know one thing: that
in vast areas of defense work, no
Negro, no matter how skilled and
no matter what the need for skill
ed workmen, can get a job. As Sid
ney Hulman, co-director of the
OPM, said in a letter to all hold
ers of defense contracts last April
11:
“In many localities, qualified
and available Negro workers are
either being restricted to unskilled
jobs. or barred from defense em
ployment entirely. Because of this
situation, Negro workers of skills
and aptitudes are in many instanc
es not being included in many of
the training programs for defense.
Seattle’s Biggest Ovation Awaits
Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra
When Jimmie Luncetord and his
orchestra doff their hats to dance
and music lovers of Seattle at the
Senator Auditorium, 7th and Union
Sts. Wednesday night. May 21,
they are duefor the thrill of their
young lives. The local musicians'
union sponsoring the sepia. master
of swing has invited all the mu
sicians of Seattle to come and see
the master or them all and his ma
g‘ic maestro's port folio with its
sweet swing, fast fiery tempo rhy
thm, smooth mellow waltzes and
rhumbas—all of which look alike
to him when he gives the green
light that gets feet all mixed up.
Oh, bay, “Tain't what you do.”
That Luncelord trio, Cy Oliver,
William Smith and Eddie Tomkins,
is certainly a rare combination.
I
Dance With
a} JIM“:
V 9) LUNCEI'ORD
‘ if And In. Orchestra
‘ , ' I” ' snnnron amount
. 7th Avenue and Union Sta.
‘ Wednesday May 21, 9 P. M.
’ . Admission $ 1.15
Special
Peppy Song Concert From 9 to 10 P. M.
- * A Special Gift For All Lovers 01 Music
(£202? \ ‘ \\‘\ - , , , /,// /~/ I/_ / / ’ I
(y >\mls\\\¥\“3"’4 Z 4 7: </./* 53!
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-—-—’- d‘WWJWMWOPIe - MaLoVa-W—ltemzt 1. i
Vol. 21, No,_ 20
So You Won’t Hire Negroes? We’d Like to Know Why
Such practices are extremely
wasteful of our human resources
and prevent an effort for national
defense."
Those to whom the telegram
was lent were:
Brewster Aeronautical Corp:.
Long Island City: George I". Chap
llne, president.
Fsirchild Airplane and Engine
Corp., New York City; J. Cerlton
Ward, president.
Douglas Aircraft Co., Santa Mo
nica, Cal: Donald W. Douglas.
president.
North American Aviation, Nnc.,
Inglewood, CAL; J. H. Klndelber
ger, president.
Consolidated Aircraft Co r p..
San Diego, Cal; B. H. Fleet. pre
sldent.
Boeing Aircraft Co., Seattle,
Washington; Philip G. Johnson,
president. -
Cuties-Wright Corp., New York
City; Guy W. Vaughan. president.
United Aircraft Co., East Hart
!or,.Conn.; Eugene E. Wilson, pre
sldent.
Bell Aircraft Co., Buffalo, N.‘
Y.; Lawrence D. Bell, president.‘
Lockheed Aircraft Co., Burbank.
Cal; Robert E. Gross. president.
Sperry Gyroscope Co., Brooklyn,‘
N. Y.; R. E. Glilmor. president. ‘
Killsmon Instrument Division,
Square D Co., Brooklyn, N. Y.; F.
W. Magin. president.
Bendix Aviation Co., New York,
City; Vincent Bendix, president. ‘
New York Shipbuilding & Dry
doclr, Camden. N. J.; J. F. Met
ten, president. 1
Newport News Shipbuilding dz
Drydock, Newport News, VIL; Ho
mer L. Ferguson, president.
Bethlehem Steel Co., Bethlehem,
Pa; Eugene 6. Grace. president.
Colt’s Patent Firearms Mfg. Co.,
‘Hartford, Conn.; Samuel M. Stone,
‘president.
L Remington Arms Co., Bridge
port, Conn.; C. K. Davis, president.
When they sing "Cheatln' On Me"
and “Well All Right Then" the
house bows down. Yes, every mem
ber of his band is a. college man
and it goes on to show that it is
the most intelligent sepia orches
tra. in the music world.
Luncetord and Paul Whiteman.
the king of jazz, were born in the
same city, Denver, Colo. And
strangely Jimmie received his first
musical training under Paul
Whiteman's father.
Lunceford leamed.to master the
clarinet, flute, drums, trombone
and guitar, was the leader of glee
clubs before becoming an orches
tra pilot. He is a. radio favorite,
plays the finest night clubs and
marches of! with the biggest box
lattice receipts.
mm mm. FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1941
Ban 0n Negroes
Laid To AFL Unions
CIO unions yesterday were ab
solved of any ‘charges of discrimin
ation against Negroes in defense
industries by Dr. Robert C. Wea
ver. assistant to Sidney Hillman
in OPM’s program of integrating
Negroes into the defense effort.
However, Dr. Weaver severely
took to task several AFL unions
which. he said, by constitutional
bar, custom or otherwise, closed
their books to Negro members.
Dr. Weaver said employers in
the airplane industry were trying
to pass the buck to the unions for
their no-Negroesohired policy.
“Most of the aircraft companies
are open shop." he pointed out,
"so the union argument would not
apply. The 010 unions which have
contracts in some aircraft plants
are not discriminating against Ne
gro membership. while the AFL
machinists’ union is doing so.
. “In some unions of the AFL,
Negroes are admitted to be help
ers in auxiliary locals but not as
apprentices, so they cannot rise to
become skilled mechanics.
“Some AFL unions. by consti
tutional provision, admit. only
white persons while others, which
have no such provlalons, exclude
Negroes by license policies or oth
er ways."
Regardless 0f Race
About one American in every
statement issued today by the
ten belongs to the Negro Race. A
statement issued today by the
committee on Negro American De
fense Industries makes the point
that so far our colored fellow
citisens are being denied full par
ticipation as skilled workers in the
aircraft, automobile and shipbuild
ing industries, and that they have
restricted opportunities to soqulre
9skllls. The existence of "a few cre
ditable exceptions," the committee
believes, does little to relieve the
general situation.
The results, It contends. are
harmful to morale, encourage
“subversive agitators opposed to
the American wny of 111 e," and
impair the effort to create nstlon
a] unity. The force of these argu
ments must be admitted.
The signers include Governor
Lehman, Mayor LaGuardia, Wil
liam Allen White and many oth
ers whose names stand for con
structive thinking and action.
Among them are Southerners tho
roughly familiar with conditions
and problems south of the Mason
and Dixon line. A nation mak
ing an all-out effort cannot neg
lect any element in its population.
If it is engaged on the side of de
mocracy it must leave the doors
‘of opportunity open to all, regard
liess of race.
The Negro Menace
Racial equality was IMPOSED upon America by Lin
coln—some day, his name will be cursed by all whites. The
Jewish New Deal continues on the path of racial destruc
tion by catering to the colored peoples in a political and
even social way.
Cases wherein Aryan (white Gentile) women are at
tacked by Negroes occur quite frequently. Only a short
time ago, the newspapers printed a story about a Negro
who freely admitted to the Boston police of having at
tacked at least 14 white women, including one 68 years old.
The War Department has ordered the setting up of
Negro units in all branches of the service, including avia
tion.
This means that in case Roosevelt and his interna
tional clique of Fifth Columnists succeed in bringing our
country into the war, Negroes will be used to bomb and
maim and kill our white brethren overseas. Or they might
be used against our own people in case the New Deal de
cides to crush by force of arms the rising opposition to its
anti-American policies.
The above examples of the growirig Negro menace
show the dire need for protective measures. We must,
therefore, demand:
First, immeriate disarmament of and dismissal from
military service of all Negroes:
Second, death by hanging for Negroes having violated
white women. .
Fellow whites! Aryan supremacy must be reestab
lished in these United States.
April, 1941 The American Guard
Diatfibuted, by Olov E. Tietzow, P. O. Box 2031, Boston,
Mass.
By Bernard E. Squires
The above reprint is a reproduction of a handbill which
recently was sent out across the Nation by thousands into
the hands and homes of thousands of people who are at pre
sent engaged in the observance of “American Day” recently
proclaimed by the Federal Government.
This handblll is indicative of two things. Reading it con-
the fact that such publications as the above
article are by no means a new or singularly different move.
We all know that as long as there are people there are also
those who will stoop to gain their own ends among people
by playing upon and “cashing in” upon the personal likes
and dislikes of people in general. History records the activ
ities of the Ku Klux Klan,the Black Legion and other such
money making programs operating on a basis of racial dif
ferences and racial hatreds, toward the economic security
and stability of the few coniving leaders who saw and under
stood the power of “race baiting’ ’ in a program of “fund‘
raising.”
Next in line of consideration is the matter of the source;
of such publications and the underlying principles involved.
There can be little doubt as to the make up of the “American
Guard,” signers of the above handbill, when we recall that
the April 14th issue of Time in the article “Dictator Hour“
quotes the following as the words of Hitler telling of his ex
periences during World War Number 1:
“I felt that whims of fortune which kept me at the front
in a place where any lucky move on the part of a Negro could
shoot me down.”
—-N. Y. Times
One is to believe that the great dictator did not fear
death, but was bitterly opposed to coming to his end at the
hands of the Negro. ‘
These tactics are characteristic of dictator forms of
government. They cause the development of dissention and;
fecflonnlism within the larger group which they are inter
ested in overcoming. This accomplished, they play up the
points of difference to a point wherein the faction! are busily
engaged fighting each other and then step in and take over
the whole factional and fighting group or nation. Further
proof of the questionable source of the above publication is
represented by the “Good American Name” of the distribute!-
at the bottom of the handbill.
vinces one of the great privilege that is
given and prevails under the American
System—lthe right of a free press and the
privilege of freedom of speech. Reading
the handbill also expresses an inexhaustible
and inexorable obligation of all who live
under and enjoy the American system, to
be alert and anxious to exercise eternal
vigilance for the development and preser
vation of a democratic way of life.
...-..._1t is not a difficult matter to establish
(Continued on Page Two)
PRICE "5c Per Copy
“I Am An American”
By Ruth Taylor
On May 18, by virtue of a proc
lamation or the President of the
United States, we celebrate "I Am
An American" Day. ‘
To those young men and women‘
who for the first time take on‘
the full obligations of citinnship
in a democracy it is a day of sol
emn implication. For those ma~
ture men and women who have
foresworn their allegiance to the
old, to give their full measure of
loyalty to our own democracy, it
is a day of prayerful thanksgiving.
And for those of us who have long‘
been able to proudly proclaim "1‘
Am An American" it is an oppor
tunity for a rededication to the
ideals and principles upon which
this country was founded and
which through travail and trouble
it has tried to learn to express.
There are many scatters who
say that our democracy is a mock
ery, because it is not complete,
because in spite of its high boasts
of life and liberty for all, it has
discriminated in many instances}
against groups of its citizenry, and 1
because it has not given equal op-‘
portunity to all. Certainly our de-‘
:mocracy is not perfect. but a de
‘mocracy, being composed of indiv
iiduals, is a living, growing thing,
‘and it has progressed and is still
progressing steadily. Despite any
detects, the American form of de
mocracy still offers to everyone
a. greater measure of-freedom and
opportunity than any other coun
try on earth.
But “I Am An American” Day
is not a day on which to discuss
what democracy has or has not
done for its citizens. Democracy
is composed of its citizens, and it
is up to them as individuals to live
up to the ideals of their country
and so to raise the standard of
the country as a whole.
When we say, “I Am An Amer
ican" we make it an individual
matter. It becomes an individual
right and an individual obligation.
And for the duties involved 11 such
a proclamation we can do no better
thing than to turn back for our
instructions to the Epistle of Paul
to the Romans, when he counselled
them:
“Abhor that which is evil;‘
cleave to that which is good. Be‘
kindly aftectioned one to another‘
with brotherly love; in honor pre
ferring one another . . . rejoicing in
hope; patient in tribulation; con
tinuing instant in prayer; . . . Be
‘0! the same mind one toward ano
’ther. Mind not high things. but
condescend to men of low estate.
Be not wise in your own conceits.
Recompense to no man evil for
evil. Provide things honest in the
sight of all men . . . Be not over
come of evil but overcome evil with
\gooa."
Musicians Loéal 493
Laud R. E. Hansen
“The firm of Foster and Kleiser,
largest outdoor advertisers in the
state, does not hesitate to subor
dinate its finaeial interests to civ
ic obligaions," said Mr. Gerald
Wells, addressing Musicians Local
493. We are presenting Jimmy
Lunceford and his band at Senator
Auditorium, Wednesday, May 21.
Mr. R. E. Hanson of the Foster
and Kieiser Advertising Co., volun
teered four boards of advertising
Ito Local 493 to herald the coming
of the orchestra, refusing to ac
cept complimentary tickets. Mr.
Hansen said "since your effort is
to advertise Seattle, it is my civic
duty to be there and pay for my
own ticket.”
The Musician's Local gave a hil
arious vote of thanks for such a
fine gesture of good fellowship and
such unusual civlc pride," and or
dered the Musicians’ salute to Mr.
R. E. Hansen. _
By E. I. R.
On May 18th, by {rl’rttue of a pro
clamation by the President of the
United States, we celebrate
66 ' 99
I Am An Amrlcan Day
“We honor the American:
| Flag, symbol of our Ameri—
can heritage. The right to
life, liberty, and the pursuit
of happiness in a free na
tion.”
I am an American; I yleld to no
man in my love for America,
though I am a Negro.
I am an American, but I have
to fight for a right to right for
America as other Americans be
cause I am a Negro.
I am an American but I cannot
enlist In the United States Marine
Corps.
I am an American, but I cannot
enlist in the Naval service only
as a. cook, a messman or a kitchen
scallion.
I am an American but I cannot
volunteer or if I am drafted, must
be sent only where there Is 3 Ne-
gro regiment.
I am an American, but the Boe
ing Air plant and the labor unions
will not permit the very plants
which hold contracts for millions
of dollars for the building or gov
ernment defense needs to employ
me.
I am an American but I am de
nied Insurance for my automobile.
I am an American but the news
papers of this city carry advertise
ments that Negroes are restricted
in certain residential districts.
A am an American but as a.
skilled worker I am denied mem
bership in labor unions.
I am an American but they dy
namite a Negro’s home in Seattle.
I am an American, but I cannot
vote in the Southern democratic
primaries.
I am an American but the D. A.
R. will not permit even Marian
Anderson to sing in their hall.
I am an American but can find
employment only as a menial.
I am an American, but Congress
steadfastly refuses to pass any
anti-lynch bill.
I am an American but democra
cy in America means hypocrisy.
I am an American but will per
mlt no man to question my loyalty
to my government.
I am an American but Negroes
breed no Benedict Arnolds.
I AM AN AMERICAN, BUT I
AM A NEGRO.
Fed. Board Investigates
Bl] Aircraft Race Bias
New York—Eugene Reading, 21
year old New Rochelle, N. Y. youth
who was refused employment by
the Bell Aircraft company, in Buf
falo, in spite of his recommenda
tion by his instructor in vocation
al school at Quoddy. Maine, may
yet get a. job.
The Federal Security Adminis
tration through Ira DeA. Reid,
Iconsultant to the director of the
‘Bureau of Employment Security,
announced that a representative
from the Bureau has gone to Buf
falo to investigate Reddlng's
charges that he and Scott, color
ed youth who stood high in his
class were refused work by the
company because of their color.
Both Bedding and Scott were
certified for employment along
with four others recommended by
the school to Bell Aircraft. The
other four went to work for the
company on the first of April.
NOTICE
Rev. Fountain W. Penlck,
chairman of the committee in
terested in the continued publi
cation of the Northwest Enter
prise, has issued a call for a.
meeting at the Mt. Zion Bap
tist church, Tuesday evening
May 17, at 8 p. m. The public
is invited.
Jimmie Lunceford and his or
chestra will play for you at the
Senator Auditorium, 7th and Union
Streets Wednesday, May 21.
NOTICE
By direction of the King
County Colored Republican club
the public is invited to hear At—
torney Danier B. Trefetllen, at
Chandler Hall, Sunday 3 p. m.
Attorney Trefethen will speak
on questions of importance at—
fecting me members.