The Colorado statesman., 1921-11-19
Time TO CALL A
HALT!

Denver has joined the ranks of
some other cities in this country that
have adopted the vicious un-Ameri-
can practice Of bombing property
owned by Negroes in sections OF the
city sought to be held exclusive by
white people.
For the second time within five
months the property owned by w. r.
Chapman at Pip Gilpin street has
been bombed. resulting in material
damage to the property. but happily
doing no damage to the occupants.
For this latter fortunate outcome
no credit can attach to the arch
friend or friends who threw the
bomb. for any such dastardly act
within itself displays an utter disre-
gard of human life or property
rights. This sort of thing cannot be
permitted to go any further The
city authorities from the mayor down
through the entire list of officials en-
trusted to look after the life and
safety of the citizens of Denver must
now take hold of the matter with an
iron hand. Further pussy-footing
and Weakened conformation is not
possible if we are to maintain a ]
peaceful status in Denver. A little
over a year ago this city was in the
throes of mob violence. Human lives
were snuffed out, police officers de-
fled and beaten. and property reck-
lessly destroyed including great
newspaper plant. The cry went up
from all sides to call HALT. Mill !
tary protection was invoked by as
fearful appeals as ever went up from
city officials in any community. And
Testing its hatred and lust for blood
in another direction. Home buying
Negroes are being terroriZed and
threatened in a manner that brings
ever lasting disgrace to city once
proudly called the Queen City of the
Plains. We are peaceful people
and seek only to be let alone in the
exercise of our Godgiven rights. Who
possesses the right or authority to
censor our ability to buy and own
homes wherever we have the money
to purchase?
Are we to he taxpayers and Not-
ers only to be bullyied and maltreat-
ed in the exercise of our other rights?
Are we to be the prey of irresponsible
hoodlums who hold human life
cheaply and property at naught, for
no given offense other than the color
of our skins? Let the city officials
answer. We challenge the white peo- ,
pie in any part of Denver in the up y
keep and beauty of our better homes. =
If there is or has been any deprecia-
ton in values in the east side of the
POO block on Gilpin street, it has
not been at the assaulted property,
but in the other half dozen or more
homes where not single decent lawn
can be found. and where filth and
vice abounds as proven by police
court records. c. j.. Starr and his
family are entitled to our protection.
to all protection possible for the city
to bestow. One hopeful sign arises
in the offer of s250.00 reward by the
city, to which the Denver Branch OF
the N. A. A. C. p. has added 100000
more for the apprehension and con- /
viction of the guilty culprits. The Z
city offers the mere pittance of $3.50 I
for the apprehension and conviction
of the dynamiters. 1t should be one
thousand The Denver Branch of the
n. A. A. c. p. adds $500 to this G
We hope this will bring the
desired results for manifestly it is
time for everyone who believes in
fair play, who has an ounce of re-
gard for law and order, who think
straight and act upright to arise in
their might and in the name of de-
cency to CALL A HALT. Any other
course is cowardice any further lax :
ity is criminal. I