The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1938-12-31

NEW YORK-Though the Negro
OF Harlem has always been restrict-
ed 10 certain areas, he has ciung
tenaclously TO this town for over
500 years. Now the largest Negro
city in the world cover 40oooo) II
is the Utopia OF many who would
he better off somewhere else. The
Babelingo OF many-colored, varied
nationalIties OF Harlem Is bit odd
20 one who thinks OF black face
a. speaking only good American.
There are various colonies we'll es-
ablkhed OF our group in Green
wich Village. Chelsea. East Side,
san Juan Hill. Bronx, Queens.
Yorkville and Harlem Each an
integral part OF the great city but
more separate and distinct than
any other race.
Harlem itself. the Harlem casual
visitors seldom see. is OF violent
extremes: side by eide one sees
wealth and poverty; senseless lux
ury aud unspeakable restitution;
here howell and across the street
towering apartment Housing
conditions are horrible-rent Is ex-
orbi,ant-and the majority OF ten
ants dread hearing the fire wagons
coming. for fully So, OF the houses
are from 20 10 40 years old. In most
cases being veritable fire traps. II
does not seem possible but there
are rows upon rows OF railroad
hats where people have no bath
rooms. no electricity, no gas. where
The Temple OF Cloaticea, made
famous in James W. Rileys poem.
Is either in the back yard or there
is one in hallway for S to 10
families. Bedbugs, cockroaches.
rats and vermin OF all kind swarm
everywhere. Some rooms have not
seen the light OF day in years. yet
al pay high rents for the landlord
knows that for every tenant who
moves. he can find al least dozen
more
one thing we have noted about
fiaelem It more nearly approaches
the accepted conception OF Euro
pesn cafe life than any other city
We have ever been In. In the cafes
and cabarets one meets artists. ac-
'ors. professional people, preachers
sports. ordinary people and even
buns. Where an upright YMCA or
NWCA official a church deacon.
eading club lady. or such would
be ensured for attending cabaret
~ cafe in. say Cincinnati. Cleve-
land. Houston. St Louis. New Or
leans or other big cities. here il Is
quite he thing 10 be seen In such
spots. No one thinks It unusual
unless II Is some provincial like
myself Typical Harlem aloofness
- dt(OuuldDlc lOi ~ Ill
HARLEMANIA:-There are over
1000 barber shops and beauty par
lors here. Mems haircuts In some
instances are priced as low as Is
cents Thee are fire escapes on
most "new-law' tenements. Motto
ing some being painted We were
intrigued by the violent efforts oil
The painters In trying 10 lower the
adder. We have often wondered
IL they could be lowered in case Of
fire The greater part OF hotels
restaurants. bars. grills. grocery
stores and retail stores are owned
by Greeks. Jews Italians, West
Indians and other nationalities
The city OF opportunity for others
than American Negroes. Laun
dries charge ten cents for a tor
shirt and seven cents for an un'
der shirt .Hallem policemen are
some 81 the finest on the force
They are all fine biz Swapping fell
lows
HARLEM VIGNETTE; He was
a handsome. colored college profess
sor from the deep South. holdlnl
many degrees. She was a beauti
full blonde. white girl. They me
at the savoy Ballroom in the hear
OF Harlem They struck up con
versation and then danced. Ate
the dance he took her 10 tabl