davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1931-01-08
Woman Elected
Member OF Pullman
Employee S Board

CHICAGO, Jan. 7.-fSpecial)=
For the first time in its history,
the Pullman management will have
to listen to the voice of woman
in its industrial councils. The
woman is Mrs. A. J. Brown of Fort
Worth. Texas, wife of veteran
porter, in the Fort Worth district
She represented group ID" com
posed of cleaners and yard me-
chanics. at the meeting of the gem
eral zone committees of the Pull
man Plan of Employe Representa-
ton, which was held In Chicago
during the past week. The Texas
woman, the only colored represent
tative of her sex, was one of sew
eral women delegates at the meet
ing and was elected member of
the Pullman industrial plan board.
In electing Mrs. Brown a mem
Der of this board, which Is the
only medium of last resort that
Pullman employees, outside of con-
ductors, have for settling and adj
justing their grievances and work
ing conditions, not only was a
precedent set. but conspicuous
tribute was paid the colored wom-
an. Her election is of further sig
nificance when the locality from
which she halls is taken into con-
sideration.
The new member was described
by one of the delegates to the con-
ference, as IAN intelligent. agrees
sive and capable person. who will
undoubtedly represent her group
in highly creditable manner, not
withstanding the various problems
which will continually arise. and
upon which she will have to vote.
Although this board. which might
he correctly called the Supreme
Court of the Plan of Employe
Representation, has been in opera
ton for the last fifteen years only
in recent years have the colored
employees of the company had any
direct representation on it. The
first Negro to serve as a member
was a Western porter by the name
of Webb. Now comes a Negro
woman to take part in its councils.
In granting its Negro employees
direct and articulate voice in the
plans supreme department, adyo-
Gates of the plan interpret this
concession as desire on the part
of the Pullman management to not
merely keep peace among these
employees, but to help them help
themselves in adjusting their vari-
Gus problems.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1931-01-08
indiana Plans
Enactment OF
Anti-Lynch Law

FORT WAYNE. Ind, Jan. T.
Determined that Indiana shall have
no more lynchings the Fort Wayne
Civic League, civic organization
OF this city, is on record as hav-
ing adopted a resolution at a re-
cent special meeting to have an
act passed in the Indiana legisla-
ture to amend the Indiana laws
against lynching.
The sentiment of the people in
regard to the enforcement of law
and order illustrates" says the
resolution and adds among other
things that this is due to the fact
that In many instance our senti-
ment is formed through passion,
rather than reason. The result is,
groups take the law into their own
hands in an effort to exercise cor
reetional powers rather than to let
the judiciary take Its course.
Men by such acts" continues
the resolution, "are prohibited from
establishing their innocence or
heir guilt determined. The judiei-
airy Is thereby robbed OF an oppor-
tunity to analyze a human conduct
and its history, sovereign to exist,
must be impregnable in its efforts
to abide by and see that Justice
is rendered to its subjects. On the
other hand, its subjects must be
taught that obedience and respect
for the law is fundamental This
can only be done through the Or
ganized forces of society and the
enactment of proper laws"
Remove Sheriff
Under the proposed law. IL any
person shall be taken from the
hands of the sheriff or the latter's
deputy and be lynched by mob,
that official would be subject to
removal Immediately.
II the special piece of legisa-
ton is passed the surviving spouse,
lineal heirs or adopted children OF
any mob victim may recover from
the county, city or village where
the crime il committed the sum of
100000 and not less than $1,000.
For the person or persons par
tieipating in mob the proposed
law provides that they shall be i'm
prisoned in the penitentiary not
exceeding ten year and not less
than three years.
Under the law, any citizen suf-
fering damage to property or his
person by mob shall have action
against the county. city or village
in which the injury Is inflicted. or
such damages the mob victim may
recover an amount not exceeding
ten thousand dollars
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1931-01-08
Mother Catherine
Followers Unveil
Statue OF Leader

NEW ORLEANS. La, Jan. =
Mother Catherine" the leader of
a religious cult, has greeted her
followers again in all of her former
red and gold splendor. A full sized
1tatne of the leader. mounted on n
pedestal of rocks. was unveiled be-
fore approximately 400 members of
her cult in the open space behind
tho House OF the Innocent Bloed"
on Charbonnet Street. While Choir
uses of her devotees ehanted and
shouted, leading members of the
cult rose to tell of her prowess and
to predict new glory for the organi-
zation under guidance" of the
statue.
Mothers here with you again
in the statue here-and she'll know
everything you do, right or wrong"
Saint Albert, her successor, told
the congregation. And the water
that comes from the fountain un
der her feet Is Just as sacred as the
water she used to bless for you"
Ruth, 3-year-old girl adopted by
Mother Catherine" was the cen
ter of the ceremonies. She released
the string which held the covering
Of the statue and was one of the
leaders in the prayers and cries
that followed. The statue Is of
stone, painted in natural eolors,
with a scarlet and gold robe about
the figure of Mother Catherine.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1931-01-08
5000 ATTEND FUNERAL OF w. COHEN
Big Business Recognizes Value of Negro Trade
Liberia Warned To
Stop Slave Traffic

WAsHINGT0N.-The Negro re-
public of Liberia has been told by
the United States to clean house
if it wants to keep the worlds re-
spect.
Slave traffic in which high off
cials of the government were in
volved has been charged by an in
vestigating commission. The ae-
eusation was made the basis for a
note dispatched by the State De-
partment through the Liberian CON
sul-general at Baltimore, urging
that the trade in human beings DE
suppressed promptly and that those
responsible be punished.
The American action only now has
come to light, but it was taken on
November II, two weeks before the
designations of President King and
Vice President Yaney were an
nounced at the Liberian capital Mon
rovia. The two had been directly
involved in the traffic by the re-
port of the commission. The latter
was composed of one Investigator
representing the League of Nations,
another from the United States and
a third representing Liberia itself.
The memorandum termed JADE
quate" the steps taken by the gov
eminent up to that time towards
correcting conditions, and pointed
out that no proceedings had been
started against those responsible.
The slave charges involved a traf-
fic in natives to a point outside
Liberia, and cited government of
ficials said to have used enforced la
Dor for private enterprises under the
guise of public works.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1931-01-08
Alabama Philanthropist Leaves Millions
To College; Bars Negroes, Jews, Athletes
Enterprise News Bureau

IeWs Bureau)
Referring to the Negro employ
ment at the institutions the will
stated:
1T is directed that members of
the Ethiopian or Negroid races
shall not be employed as house or
culinary servants or in the build
ings of the school or on the grounds.
except as common laborers and
then only II necessary. this due to
the probability of pupils uneon-
sciously acquiring the Negroes type
of actions. language, lack of real
observation and way of thinking. .
No Jews
mo pupil except those of British
ancestry, shall be admitted unless
his father and mother are natural
born citizens of the United States
and unless such parents were Of
the Caucasian or white race. No
Jews or Hebrew, referrA to his
race, not his religion. shall be
eligible or shall be admitted This
is not intended as a reflection upon
the people of that race oil nation.
but the object OF the school will
be best carried out by designating
as beneficiaries thereof the class
l have herein specified"
Teachers From the North
Woodward decreed that-3ll teach
ers must be men and GONE from
above the Mason and DIXON line.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1931-01-08

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-If the will
of the late Harvey G. woodward,
white capitalist, is carried out.
Alabama will soon boast of a group
of progressive schools" barring
Negroes, Jews, athletics and fra
ternities.
The will which was made public
here Friday sets forth that some
S7,500.0O0 of the Woodward estate
would be set aside for the develop
ment of this new system of educa-
ton, under the direction of what
will be known as the Alabama Edu-
cational Foundation and provides
for some fifty or more of the in
stitutions.
No Negroes in Any Capacity
Fearing that any contact on the
part of the students with members
of the Negro race, might either con-
taminate them or perhaps cause a
better understanding between the
two groups in the South, the viii
lays particular stress upon the pro-
vision that no Negroes be employed
by the schools in any capacity, ex-
cept where absolutely necessary.
The philanthropist did not have
TO decree that no Negro students
would be permitted TO attend the
schools as sthe Jim Crow law en-
forcde in the state has already TAX
en- care OF that phase Of contact.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1931-01-08
Holstein Linked With
Number" Racket

NEW Y0RK.-(ANP)--In a re-
cent copyrighted story, the Daily
Mirror openly accused Casper Hol-
stein of being one of the numbers"
racket kings of Harlem. citing sew
eral instances purporting to link Hol-
stein with the game.
One Of them, happening of some
three wears AFRO, when an apartment
at 135th Street and Lenox Avenue
was raided by the police, who found
hundreds of numbers slips. adding
machines and other paranhernalia
used in the pame. At the time the
Amsterdam News of this city pub
lshed the story. using the name of
Holstein in connection with it. Hol-
stein Immediately instituted suit for
800, 600 and the affair was hushed
up.
Now the Daily Mirror publishes the
same story in substance. giving
names and actually accusing Hol-
stein. but 10 date no notice of suit
has been made. Further, the story
mentions powerful friends of Hol-
stein, one of whom was an unnamed
alderman of the city.
In a subsequent edition of the
Mirror, Fred r. Moore, publisher
and editor of the New York Age,
takes the rap" for this. and de-
cares he was the man referred to,
further stating that Mr.. Holstein was
philanthropist who had done much
good for the community.
The whole city is interested in the
outcome of this particular case. for
there is not a better known man
than Mr.. Holstein.
Latest stories declare that Hol-
stein had vanished from his usual
hauuts in Harlem.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1931-01-08
Cohen Brilliant
As Statesman
Even In Defeat

NEW ORLEANS, La, Jan. -
Last rites We're held Tuesday at
Corpus Christi Catholic Church, at
O'Clock FOR Walter l.. Cohen. 70,
L. S. Comptroller of Customs who
died in this city Monday. Decem-
her 30. Long before the hour set
for the services the church was
filled and the vicinity crowded. 1t
Is estimated more than 5000 view
ed tho body of the statesman as
1t lay in state in Corpus Christi
Church, The funeral cortege was
the longest ever witnessed in New
Orleans.
The death of Walter L. Cohen
means that today there IL not
single Presidential office holder In
Dixie.
knowledge of the fact that he
was the only politician able to sue
coed on Southern soil kept him in
harness long after he had acquired
fame and fortune In the business
field, and long past the time when
the office he held lent TO him either
dignity or satisfaction.
Had he been born white, he prob
dbiN NOulu HIVE DtRn mayor OF
senator. Because he was colored,
he was threatened by the Ku Klux,
vietlmized by drys and lily whites,
and rewarded by Republican Presi-
dents for fifty years of service with
the petty post of collector of the
port. to which office Republican
U. s. Senate twice refused to con-
firm him.
Mr.. Harding appointed Mr.. CO.
hen to the eollectorship In 1921.
BEFORE that time he had been
page in the state assembly, a u. s.
inspector, 1889 (named by McKen-
ley, and register of the U. S. land
office in New Orleans, 1899 to
1911 (named by Roosevelt).
The u. S. Senate twice refused
but President Coolidge
refused to withdraw his name, and
the Senate finally yielded in 1924.
His term expired over year
ago, and he WAS not re-appointed
by President Hoover.
Continued on Page -
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1931-01-08


Step explained to the referee that
everybody wanted money and that
he could not resist their claims. In
response to a question as to what
he did with the money Step came
back with the simple explanation
that he did nothing. II had to
work he said
Drives Ford Now
The evidence elected the fact that
Step bought two cars that went
back 10 their owners. one Cadillac
aud one town car. Step also told
his honor that he Is now driving a
Ford. And It isn't paid for
The quest as to his bank amused
the screen idol. He had no bank
account, he said. and had never
had any Never had enough
money TO open one" was his ex-
PLANTATION.
Steps financial troubles began
with his rise of fame. Almost i'm
mediateiy he was charged with a
breach of promise and had to set
tie il for a large amount He went
10 the east on a tour and almost
before he got back on Central Ave
nue. he was sued by a lady whose
house he had rented and another
suit popped up when the fair lady
claimed that he never finished his
payment on the breach OF promsie
settlement.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1931-01-08
James ". johnson
Resigns Office As
N.A.A.C.P. Sec Y

NEW YORK, Jan. s. James
Weldon Johnson, poet, author,
former u. s. Consul in Nicaragua
and Venezuela, editor of the Books
of Negro Spirituals, has resigned
as secretary of the National Asso-
citation. His resignation was pre-
scented last week at meeting of
the board cs directors held inz7the
associations national offices. The
resignation was accepted with re-
gret. Mr.. Johnson was thereupon
elected a vice-president and men,
Der of the board of directors.
Mr.. Johnson. who Joined the as
sociation's staff on December 16,
1916, as field secretary, devoted
himself at once to organizing the
N. A. A. c. p. in the South. Be-
fore the United States entered the
World War, the N. A. A. c. p,
under Mr.. Johnson's leadership, had
81 branches in that section which
in one year sent to the national
office $4,000.
J. e. Spingarn, president-elect of
Continued on Page 81
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1931-01-08
Trade Journals
Indicate Interest
In Negro Trade

WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. =
Trade journals representative of
large distribution interests are in
dicating lively interest in Negro
markets, and trade associations In
a number of important lines are
giving serious study to correct
methods of approach to the large
market for essential commodities
among Negroes" said James A.
Jackson of the United States De-
partment of Commerce to the Asso-
ciated Negro Press this week.
1.-THE past year has seen great
change in the attitude of the gen.
eral purveyor of goods toward the
colored people, and this is largely
because more tangible information
has been made available to those
concerned with marketing goods"
he continued. "a case in point is
the full page story in a recent issue
of the Dairy Products Marketing, a
journal serving the dairy industry.
The headlines of the story read:
Six million Negroes provide rich
concentrated market easily reached
and easily located without large
sale expense.
Here are a few extracts from
the article: The Negro market for
dairy products Is one that is liable
to be overlooked by most dairy
produetss manafactupers.,- >. 1t
seems fairly established that the
Negro is about the third or fourth
best racial customer, being out
ranked only by the Poles and the
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1931-01-08
Poor Housing
Gets High Rent
In Texas Town

PORT ARTHUR, Texas. Jan. T.
Housing facilities for the $4,000
colored inhabitants here are poor
but rents are high, and the local
businesses are unorganized, accord
ing to a survey made by ]. M. Pol
lard of the National Recreational
Association of New York City, who
was employed by the city commits
sioners to investigate conditions.
Regarding employment conditions,
the survey, which is now in the
hands of the printers, states that
t.2n0 men are employed at the
gulf refinery with satisfactory
wages. Many of the workers are
found to be illiterate and unable
to read danger signs posted around
the plant, and a night school for
their benefit is recommended.
Play Facilities Poor
The 1000 pupils of the Lincoln
School, though having a good facul-
ty, had no trained direction during
the recess or after school hours.
Upon recommendation of Mr.. Pol
lard, a trained director of recrea-
ton will be employed beginning
January 1.
Only 3 Authors in Library
Only three books about colored
people, excluding colored authors of
the class of Dumas, Pushkin, etc,
who are not classed as Negroes,
were found in the library. A
branch library will be at the Lin
coin School on the first of the year
Irf, aR M oof
fifty colored authors.
No Interpretation of the crime
statistics was found possible, as the
colored offenders without friends
are found to be easily Convicted,
while those with powerful friends
escape easily.
81 to 100 Businesses Fail
Negro business failures have been
appalling according 10 the survey, 81
per cent having failed within the
past twenty years A branch Of
the National Negro Business League
has been recently re-organized here
with Robert Hynes as president.
The lack of municipal recreation
for the children of the 1900 in
habitants brought forth the recon-
mendation that the city purchase
five acres of available land in the
heart of the eolored district and
employ year round, trained recrea-
tional leaders. The Negro Reerea-
ton Council. the Rev. ]. Henry
Hardeman. president, has been
formed as a result Of the survey,
Mr.. Pollard will next study the
city Of Beaumont. Texas.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1931-01-08
Taxi Co. Pays $500
For Smashed Thumb

OAKLAND, Cal. - Miss Venora
Calhoun was awarded $500 damages
Monday by Judge James c. Quinn
of the Superior Court following her
suit against the Luxor Taxi Com
pany.
Miss Calhoun met with the pain
full accident early in April She
was en- route to her home, the tes-
timony showed, and was in the act
of entering a cab owned by the
above company when the driver
slammed the door on her thumb
For a time she lost the use of her
hand
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1931-01-08
Georgia Order Runs
Casket Factory

McRAE, Ga.-While the rest of
the country is floundering in sea
Of depression, the coffin and casket
manufacturing plant of the Telfair
Colored Funeral Directors, is enjoy
ing prosperous career.
The concern is operated by the
Knights Of Moses and is the only
manufacturing establishment in the
state in charge of a colored fraternal
organization. A. L, spaulding is the
founder.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1931-01-08
"Stepin' Fetchit' Screen Comedian,
Bankrupt; "Evabody' Asked For Money

fSiiltI III iot 4
LOS ANGELES, Cal.-That Ste
pin Fetchit, whose legal name Is
Lincoln Perry, sought refuge In the
bankruptcy court from his numer-
ons financial troubles was revealed
Monday when he appeared for a
hearing on his petition for voinn-
tary bankruptcy in the court of
United States referee Turnbull at
IT'S Security building The hearing
will be resumed January goth.
Steps evidence as TO his condi-
ton was characteristic of the man
who climbed through the medium
OF his drawl from an unknown to
become one of the most widely pub
licized actors In the profession.
Slumped in his chair the funny
man of the talkies drawled out an.
swers 70 the referees questions Just
as II he we're on the movie lots
And the spectators enjoyed It,,
whether they were there to recover
what they could from the wreck
age of Steps fortunes or az mere
lockers on.
How much did you earn from
M,G.M.," the referee snapped.
Made 81 800 a Week
It took Step five minutes to say
"s1. 500" He left It right there.
"a year or a month or what2"
asks the Judge And It finally
turned out that Step meant q week.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1931-01-08
Telephone Co. Gives
Veteran Service Pin

GULFPORT, Mlss.-The current
issue of the Southern Telephone
News carries a photo and story re-
garding John Springs. colored jan
itor at the Gulfport phone exchange
office building, who has completed
80 years of service with the tele-
phone company, having been a line
man and on construction work until
eight years ago when he became
ianitor at Gulfport He was award
ed a six-polnt service pin.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1931-01-08
Furniture Maker Has
Big Norfolk Trade

NORFOLK.-(ANP)-H. F. Fon-
vielle, owner and operator Of the
Southern Furniture Manufacturing
and Repair Company at 252 Bank
Street, operates one of the largest
concerns of its kind in this section
of the country and the only one OF
its kind in Norfolk.
Mr.. Fonveille, the proprietor, en-
joys the distinction of numbering
among his customers all of the rail
road and steamboat lines entering
this port, the U. S. Government, all
of the leading hotels and apartment
house owners, banks, furniture and
department stores. He is a large
dealer in antique furniture and en-
joys the patronage of the wealthiest
people
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1931-01-08
Receives P. o. Contract

MORGANTOWN. w. Va.-The un-
EMPLOYMENT situation here will be
partially relieved when work on the
new postoffice, for which Samuel
Plato of Louisville, KY, was low bid
der, begins here soon after the first
of the year.
Mr.. Plato's low bid, S71,950, was
slightly in excess of the appropria-
ton available. The specifications
were changed slightly by the Super
vising Architect of the U. S. Trea-
sury SO Mr., Plato's bid could be
brought within the sum allowed.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1931-01-08
DEATH Of COHEN LEAVES SOUTH
WITHOUT Federal OFFICEHOLDER
Oscar DePriest Feeds
Chicago Unemployed

CHICAGO an effort to fur
Their relive the tense situation ex-
isting among the unemployed and
unattached men in the mid-southside
section of Chicago. new relief
station has been established at
Unity Hall. St40 Indiana avenue.
This station is personally sponsored
by Congressman Oscar Depriest and
the work Is being directed by Mr.
Albert S. Davis. custodian of the
building.
Since the opening last Friday.
more than seventeen hundred men
have been fed each dry Coffee.
rolls, salt pork and beans are
served free.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1931-01-08
Big CONCERNS SHOW INTEREST IN
BUYING POWER OF COLORED RACE
DePriest Names Cadets
For West Point

WASHINGTON. D. C.-The nom-
ination of two candidates for I'll.
United States Military Academy at
West Point was announced by Repre-
sentative Oscar DePriest (Rep. ILL.,.
The two candidates are BENJAMIN
o. Davis, Jr.. son of Colonel Benia-
min o. Davis, highest ranking off
Ger in the United States Army and
a former Washingtonian, and Alon-
20 S. Parham, former cadet at the
Academy, who was dropped last De-
cember for failure in mid-term ex-
aminations.
These to candidates are the fourth
and fifth named by Mr.. Depriest in
the past two years. Two failed to
qualify and Farham was found de-
ficient in mathematics.