The Tribune. [volume], December 01, 1951, Page TWO, Image 2

About The Tribune. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1951-19??

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The TRIBUNE
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EDITORIALS
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1951
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The National Political Picture
Now that the 1952 presidential elec
tion year is but a few days away, the
national political picture is looming above
the horizon to the extent that it almost
eclipses the undeclared Korean War.
The current questions are, “will Presi
dent Truman run again?” “Will Senator
Robert Taft be the Republican nominee,
or will General Dwight D. Eisenhower be
the Republican standardbearer in the com
ing Presidential Election?”
Of all the candidates and potential
candidates for the grand Presidential prize,
it is generally conceded that President
Truman and General Eisenhower are the
strongest. As far as the South is concerned,
our own Senator Harry Byrd is unques
tionably the strongest statesman the South
has today. If he were chosen as the Dem
ocratic standardbearer, the South would
vote for him almost solidly including teem
ing numbers of Negroes. Not only does
nator Byrd enjoy the esteem of his
throupd, but he also has many friends
is too adihe nation. But Senator Byrd
name to be useerta^eeman to allow his
time because he couifc capacity at this
If Senator Robert Taft isVh elected,
publican standardbearer almost Re~
the Democrats nominate would beat fiiY.I
Not because Mr. Taft is not an able states
man, because he is recognized as one of
the best informed men we have in the
Senate. But Senator Taft has impressed
the public as choosing to be an inconsist
ent :.nd hypocritical politician rather than
a frank and fearless statesman. If he
would betray his own party to collabo
rate with the Dixiecrats knowing that
their political policies are in no wTay sim
ilar, the Dixiecrats well know that if they
vote for him that he would surely dou
blecross them. They are not going to take
that chance.
Therefore, if Senator Taft is the Re
publican nominee, Chief Justice Vinson,
or any other reputable Democrat would
beat him.
On the other hand, if General Dwight
D. Eisenhower is chosen as the Republi
can stanclardbearer the picture would be
different. He is the most popular soldier
the world has today. And because peo
ple will forget that he is a soldier and be
carried away with his popularity and vote
for him, he will not be easy to beat. But
one of the greatest mistakes General Eis
enhower could make would be to allow
his name to be used as .a candidate for
the presidency of the United States. He,
like all other men, has his faults. And
while his virtues would be extoled by his
friends, his shortcomings would likewise
be magnified by his opponents. As a sol
dier, he knows no defeat. It would be
unfortunate for so great a man to be butch
ered up in the noontide of his most bril
liant career.
Whether we like Mr. Truman or dis
like him, if General Eisenhower is the
Republican standardbearer, we will need
the candidacy of Mr. Truman to save the
Democratic reign of government. We are
not going to risk World War III by electing
a warrior to the head of our govern i£iknt.
Under the present administration wijffcd
mit that we have been called cowdrds.
We admit that for a year and a half we
have been engaged in an undeclared war
'indiF which time we have lost thous
men and^ousands of our valiant young
and cents hasl and th<Lcoat ™ d°llars
cities have not beenf,lel?btan\n,?' but °"r
our women and children Lt0 ,the er°undil
and our production plants aroTu/1
in full operation but new ones are 'sp**!^
ing up all over the country. We canno
and we must not risk a reversal of oui
present situation by changing from wha1
some would call “bad,” to worse.
It won’t be long now before the people
will be called upon to decide our future
course. The public should be opt-auiinded
and seriously consider the decision tnai
must be made by the voters in the coming
Presidential Election year which is ever
closer than you may realize.
Over cTke
Back Fence
By E. LOUISE WOODBURY
Roanoke, Virginia
With a happy Thanksgiving and a bril
liant foot-ball season passing into history,
social groups in the Star City begin plans!
to greet old Saint Nick with the usual
gala fanfare. The Pinochle Bugs’ meeting
last Wednesday night at the home of Mrs.
C. B. Neal on Cilmer Ave., N. W. had
this idea foremost in their minds. Plans
for their annual benefit bail, to be given
( bristmas morning, were perfected at this
lime. A report from the Sale,
a unique benefit project carried out last
Saturday night at the Huntoii Branch Y,
was received. The members enjoyed a
pleasant evening of pinochle with prizes
going lo Mesdames Thelma Preston and
Helen .Johnson.
******
Mrs. Grace Stokes of Baltimore Md.,
spent a very pleasant few days in the city
last week visiting her many friends. Mrs.
Gene Cooper of Patton Ave., N. E. and
the .1. O. Epps family were delighted to
have her as their guest.
* * *0*0
The Lula Williams YWCA. Treble Clef
Chorus, under the direction of Mrs. L. L.
Guerrant, entertained the patients at the
Veterans Hospital last Wednesday night.
Mrs. Ola King of McDowell Ave0 N.W.,
reports a most enjoyable Thanksgiving
holiday spent with friends in Yanceville,
N.C., and her family in Danville, Va.
******
Miss Elizabeth Jordan, executive direct
or at the Lula Williams Branch YWCA,
returned to the city Sunday night after at
tending the Executive Directors meeting of
the Southeastern Region of YWCA, held
recently in Knoxville, Tenn.
Miss Jordan reports a most inspirational
conference, which had as its theme, “Liv
ing Our Faith in a World Crisis.” Among
the outstanding speakers was Frank P.
Alexander, a representative of the Com
munity Planning of T.V.A. Miss Faye
Coates, executive director at Central YW
CA,'assisted Miss Jordan in the represen
tation of the Roanoke Association.
m + * * sp »
Mr. Nathaniel Barrett announces the
marriage of his mother, Mrs. Inez Barrett,
to Mr. Willie Wright. The ceremony was
performed by Rev. A. L. James, October
20.
******
Mrs. L. C. Downing postcards of a pleas
ant visit u'ith friends in Philadelphia, Pa.
******
The lovely dinner party at the home
of Mr. and Mrs. Mack Wright on Salem
Ave., S.W., last Sunday feted Mrs. Ida
Williams, Mrs. Johnsie Traynham and
Miss Florella Allen.
The Daffodils’ November Birthday Par
The Charlottesviille Chapter of the N. A.
A. C. ,P. met Tuesdya, November 27 at 8
p. m. in the First Baptist Church. The
speaker was Spottswood Robinson, III. His
subject was ‘Discrimination at the Uni
versity of Virginia Hospital.
Inasmuch as segregation is the root of
discrimination, he said, “nonsegregation
is our primary objective. Our aim is to
eliminate race as a factor in the placement
or treatment of any patient. If a Negro
applies for facilities and services at the
University Hospitail, he shall get the same
as a white patient.”
It is not to be expected, however, that
this final goal will be achieved immediate
ly. Although the subject has been under
discussion in the NAACP since 1945, no
real preparation for trying cases in the
public health area was undertaken until
the Atlanta meeting was held a few
months ago. The request to do something
about discrimination at the University
Hospital was the first of this nature to be
received by the Association.
But public health cases have now been
placed third on the list of priorities, with
public education ranking first and public
transportation second. “The University
Hospital is our major health project in
Virginia ” Mr. Robinson said. “Indeed I
know of no other in my region at this
time.”
This is an entirely new field for litiga
tion in regard to racial discrimination, and
previous experiences of the NAACP are
not too helpful in this area. Public trans-j
pstation cases, for example, were tried ■
in court even before 1900, but precedents
concerning discrimination in hospitals are
yet to be established.
Same Law Applies
However, Mr. Robinson pointed out that
the same Federal laws which applied to
the admission of Gregory Swanson to the
University Law School also apply here,
and “there is no state law that I knoW|
about which could uphold segregation in
a hospital." The state segregation law
applies only to public entertainment and
public assemblage. Hospitals would hard
ly come under either of these classifica
tions. “No action by the General Assem
bly would be necessary to end segregation
at the University Hospital, but even if
there were a state law which applied, it
would be unconstitutional."
In closing Mr. Robinson pointed out that
although the NAACP is now in a position
to “pledge full support to any patient at
the University of Virginia Hospital who
wishes to realize his or her full legal
rights, we do not stir up law cases, and
we do not solicit plaintiffs. We can only
sit down and wait until you take advan
tage of this opportunity."
If you ask for a better room or other fa
cilities which are available at the-Hos
p'tal, and do not receive them promptly,
“notify your local chapter of the NAACP
at once, and they will get in touch with
me," Mr. Robinson advised.
“We are ready. It is now merely a ques
tion of when you are ready. We have
gone as far as we can unless somebody
wishes to utilize this opportunity. We
will always be there to support your com
plaint. The rest is up to you."
ty was held in the beautiful spacious home^
of Mr. and Mrs. Otha Williams on West
avenue, S.W., last Saturday night. The
honored members were Mesdames Nannie
Webb, Maria Burton, Alice Harrison,
Fannie Holland and Alma Wingfield.
Hearty congratulations and numerous use
iul gifts wv^j^jrecfcived by the honorees at
this tii$ie. UPWPfff the deirciotis birthday
dinner with the club members were the
following guests: Mrs. Ida Choice of Ash
v.lle, N.C.; Air. Lorenzo Spinner of Lynch
burg, Va., and Mrs. Nannie Lane of Roa
noke.
******
In the regular meeting of the Religious.
Education Committee of the Lula Williams
Branch YWCA last Wednesday, plans
were perfected for the annual Christmas
celebration “The Hanging of the Green,"
fo be presented in the Y Recreation Room
. Slinky afternoon, December 16 at four
■ P.m.
******
Mr. and Mrs. James Lewis of Gilmer
Ave., N. W., were delighted to have as
their weekend guest Mrs. Nellie V. Lewis
of Lexington, Va.
******
Mr. W. jj of Wella Ave>> N.W.,
who has been quite in nux1„^.ejj Memorial
Hospital, is improving. Among nn» .*OOTlt
out-of-town guests were Mr, and Mrs
John Lucas of Kingston, N.C.; Mrs. Alice
Powell and Miss Wilma Powell of Char
lotte, N.C.; Messrs. Francis K. and Gilbert
L. Powell and Mrs. Jeanette E. Ford, of
Washington, D.C.
******
was the charming hostess at last Wednes
day evening’s meeting of the Silver Leaf
Art Club.
******
Rev. James Spencer of Newark, N. J.,
Mrs. Lucy Bailey, Mrs. Hattie Spencer,
Miss Mary Spencer and Miss Kyle of Wins
ton-Salem, N.C. .motm-ed into the City last
weekend and enjoyed a pleasant visit
with Miss Mary Hairston on Madison Ave.
N.E.
******
Mrs. Stella Hurt of Third street, N. E.
entertained a number of friends with a
lovely dinner party last Friday evening.
Enjoying the sumptuous repast, were th3
following: Mr. and Mrs. Willie Wright,
Mr. Henry Williams, Mrs. Lula Howard,
Mrs. Beulah Sweetenburg, Mrs. Mae Dun
r.aville, Mr. Nat Barrett, Obediah Gravely,
Fitz Cobbs, James Matthews, Mesdames
Johnsie Traynham, Ida Williams and Ina
Gettings.
******
The Women’s Auxiliary of the Burrell
Memorial Hospital met last week and
elected the following officers: Mrs. Azalia
Lewis, president; Mrs. Sam Hodge, vice
president; Mrs. Elaine Ward, recording!
secretary; Mrs. Bessie Coles, correspond
ing secretary; Mrs. Gus Law, treasurer.
Plans were completed for the presenta
canned goods to the hospital at the
next regular December 6.
******
The regular business meeting o£ the
Cottage Community Club was held at the
Lula Williams YWCA last Sunday after
noon.
******
The Neighborhood Club was entertained
Saturday afternoon by Mrs. Marie Bailey.
The members enjoying Mrs. Bailey’s hos
pitality were Mesdames Beatrice Beale,
Mariah Burton, Natalie Claytor, Martha
Bolden, Mattie Morris, Ruby Haynes, Min
nie Paxton, Azalia Lewis, Annie Plenty.
Guests included Mesdames Alma Sewell,
Marian Pcttitt and Emma Lee. Club priz
es were won by Mesdames Azalia Lewis
end Annie Plenty. Guest prize went to
Mrs. Sewell.
******
Among the Virginia State College stu
dents spending the holidays in t h e city
with parents and friends were Connie
Johnson, Hazel Lightfoot, Robert John
son, Adene and Carrie Cobbs, Lee Nicholas
and Theodore Macklin.
******
The pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church,
his choir and congregation, spent a most
enjoyable day at St. Matthews Baptist
Church in Danville, Va., last Sunday.
******
John Epps, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. O
Epps of Madison Ave., N.E., spent the
holidays in the city with his family and
friends. Mr. Epps is studying at Ohio State
University. , •
******
Mrs. Etta Dent of Harrison Ave., N.W.j
The Four Ace Social Club was highly
entertained in the home of Mr. D.avid
Hairston on Orange Ave., N. E. last Tues
day evening.
--O--- ...
Joseph Simms, Jr. Passes
Joseph Brown Simms, Jr., of Whiteoak
street, Salem, Va., passed at Burrell Me
morial Hospital Sunday night, November
18 after a short illness. He was funeral
ized at the First Baptist Church, Salem,
Thursday, November 22, at 3:00 p.m. The
eulogy was given by Rev. C. J. Smith, as
sisted by Rev. R. W. Coldtrain, Music was
furnished by the choir of the church. The
obituary and messages of condolence were
read by Mrs. C. J. Smith.
The deceased, a native of Salem, was
p citizen well thought of in the communi
ty by members of both races. He was a
faithful member of the First Baptist
Church. As an efficient employee of the
Norfolk and Western Railway he earned
the respect and esteem of his employers
p.nd fellow workers.
Surviving ar« his wife, Mrs. Charlotte
Simms; his daughter, Charlotte Simms; a^
p.tep-son; two step daughters; two broth
ers; a sister; three neices; five nephews,
other relatives and many friends.
I
SCRIPTURE: Exodus 32; Numbers
11-14.
DEVOTIONAL READING: Deuteron
omy 11:13-21.
'There Is a Tide'
Lesson for December 2, IC31
"There is a side in the affairs of
men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads
on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their
life
Is hound in shallows and in
miseries
GO Shakespeare said, and he was
^ at least half right. Opportunity
sometimes knocks twice; but don't
count on it.
The Bible lesson for the week is a
| failure-story, not a success-story. It
is the story of some
persons who con
tracted the grass
hopper complex, a
mental disease that
1 still attacks people
today. The story is
from the wild days
when the Israelites,
now two years out
from Egypt, were
first knocking at the Dr. Foreman
doors of the Prom
ised Land. $
The Israelites were land-hungry,
but the only land they wanted was
what we now call Palestine and it
was not theirs for the asking. They
would have to fight for it, every
foot of it. They all knew this,
Moses knew it. There was no going
back to Egypt and slavery. Nobody
wanted to stay in the desert. The
obvious thing was to go ahead into
Palestine. But there were two ques
tions filling the people’s minds: (1)
What kind of country is it, really?
and (2) can we fight our way into
it?
• • •
Investigating Committee
SO a committee ol investigation
was formed, of one man from
each of the twelve tribes,—grown
men, trusted leaders, by no means
"boy scouts.”
Don’t think of these men as
sneaking through Palestine from
bush to bush, peeping out Indian
fashion to see what they could see.
They walked into Palestine, not un
observed but unmolested. They
spoke Egyptian, of course, and could
easily pass as Egyptian traveling
salesmen. They spent around six
weeks in that country, visiting the
cities, no doubt talking with the
people.
In late summer they went
back to the encampment on the
edge of the desert, carrying
with them some of the fruits of
the land. (Incidentally, those
pictures showing bunches of
grapes six feet long are a funny
misunderstanding. Palestine has
good grapes, but not quite that
good! They carried the grapes
on poles because that was the
best way to keep them from be
ing crushed.)
At the big mass-meeting at the
desert camp, the twelve made their
report. On the facts, they were all
unanimous. It was a wonderful
country, "flowing with milk and
honey,” a great country for cattle
and bees. Palestine did look mar
velous to their desert-burned eyes.
But on question number two there
was a serious division: Can we fight
our way in? Yes, said the minority
of two. No, said the majority of ten.
• • #
Grasshopper Complex
*pHE majority put their reasons in
^ a single revealing sentence: We
were as grasshoppers in their sight,
they said, and so we were In our
sight.
Nowadays we call this state of
mind the “inferiority complex”; our
name is a new one for an old trou
ble. Think of yourself as a grass
hopper, and grasshopper Is what
you shall be. Take yourself at other
people’s lowest estimate, and that
Is all you will be worth.
The trouble with the grasshop
per complex is that it is catch
ing. The majority report was
wrong, as majority reports so
often are. But the people be
lieved them rather than the
courageous pair who stood up to
declare boldly, We can do It,
with the help of God.
Well, what did God do about it?
That is perhaps the saddest part
of the story. He did nothing about
it. He let the people Impose their
own sentence. Grasshoppers? Very
well, so be it. Grasshoppers die,
they never amount to anything, no
one bothers to kill them, they just
die. God was believed to strike
men dead in anger, or command the
earth to open and swallow up the
wicked, or hurl lightning from the
skies on his enemies. But he wasted
no miracles on these self-elected
grasshoppers. He only let them die.
Ten, twenty, forty years . . . just
drifting about In the wilderness, till
they all died, and a new generation
took their places.
Opportunity did not knock twice.
There was a tide In those men’s
lives.
Chr»sU»n Education, National Council
of the Chorches of Christ In the United
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