The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1938-04-01
(Reprinted by request

2
Road Maintenance of Hamilton
County, early in 1887, by Aaien
Stone, Hamilton County Engineer,
has made an excellent record in this
Losition. This is the first time in
the history of cincinnati that an en-
gineer has appointed q negro to
i.lis position.
Mr. philips was organizer of the
Stone progressive Club IN The early
part of 1856, and has made Won
uerful progress IN organizing Dem-
ccratic votes in the 10th ward OF
Lie county. A Negro political Or
ganization is undesirable to the
lrejudiced politicians and bosses.
un march 18th and 18th last the
Scrlpps Howard paper the Post made
VICIOUS front page a..ack on Mr.
stone and MIR. Phl.lips, tnat seems
10 less than malicious appeal to the
biased unintelligentsia Of the white
voting populace. We wonder II this
eutbust was an attempt to curb MIR.
i hiIlips as he is gaining too mucn
POLITICAL strength and votes in the
10th Ward, the pet ward of the Re-
publicans, or was the criticism to
eurtail the popularity of the county, $
efficient and fair minded engineer.
who dared to elevate worthy man
to decent position.
Supervisor Not Chauffeur
Records show that Mr.. Phillips ID
listed as Supervisor of Road Main
tenance and not chauffuer as stated
in the Post attack. Mr.. Phillips has
about fifteen colored employees un-
der his supervision and it can be
truthfully said that he is one Ne
gro that was appointed to position
that did not sell out his race to ex--
plotting politicians, as has been the
custom in the past.
1t behooves every Negro elector OF
Hamilton County to adhere to Mr..
Stone in any election, should he run
for Office, by virtue of his record that
shows his fairness, efficiency and man
enough to defend his rights to keep
his promise to the Negro voter.
Mr.. Stone has appointed more
Negroes in his department than any
previous County Engineer in the his.
tory Of Cincinnati.
Not only did Mr.. Phillips qualify
for the position he holds because he
managed Mr.. Stones campaign
among Negroes but he was the only
Negro supt. of WPA project.
Should Tax Payers Forget
Mr.. Phillips, during the flood was
the first to have his tank wagons
on the streets hauling drinking
water from Norwood to Cincinnati
residents. He worked twenty-foui
hours a day for several days only
taking short maps in his office. With
the assistance Of Congressman
Dixon's son they also displaced over
$4,000 gallons Of water per day
during that crisis to the YMCA
Churches, hospitals, restaurants al
well as to the sick and helpless
Much praise was accorded Mr.. Phil
lips at that time for his untirins
ecorts to help all needy citizens By
leading white newspapers of the city
Times Star article--"Joe Dixon, Jr.
Republican, son of Congressman
Joe Dixon, has been working nigh
and day with Leroy Phillips, super
visor Of the County Garbage, hauling
as much as $4,000 gallons Of watel
q day to the sick and helpless Q.
Hamilton County, taking care of th'
demand Of Hamilton County Tuber-
culosis Hospital, other institutions
and hospitals and numerous dair.
companies. ssasssaa
Last year Mr.. Phillips dressed j
Santa Claus suit played Santa T
about 1000 children at his hom
town. He donated $3.50 to the fet
for the happiness Of these children
Saving Tax Payers Mooney
We note the Post did not put muc
stress on the fact that Mr.. Phillip
has saved the county thousands o
dollars by having used tires re
treaded, instead Of the old racket 9
purchasing new tires wherever tn
tread of tires were worn siightl
enough TO have excuse to purchas
new ones That an account of q
tires and automobile accessories AZ
accurately kept and do not disap
pear or get lost some how.
We also note no mention was mad
Of the saving Of tax payers none
by Mr.. Phillips by refusing TO pa
three dollars per valve for replace
ment as we understand was the cur
tom but had his mechanics grind an
reface the original ones at and ay
erage cost of about 10 cents p'
valve. Slight savings Of $3.50 p
valve. There are lie valves to o.
eight cylinder car and Imagine 30