The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1939-09-16
IA LEI
'Race Capitol of the Nation"

By FLOYD @. SNELSON

EDITORS NOTE: With nearly
G.OO0 miles of oceans behind us, your
cruising reporter arrived in San Fran
cisco. enrOute to Honolulu, after most
delightful voyage from New York, via
Panama Canal, aboard the US. Army
Transport Republic. Next issue will
give YOU a graphic description of the
Treasure Island, Golden Gate Inter
national Exposition, on San Francisco
Bay)
GOLD & SILVER
One interesting feature noted in
Panama was the distinction of white
and black races-qualifed by the use
of the terms Gold" and "Silver." The
custom began during the last century
when the Government paid all it's
white employees in gold money and all
it's black workers in silver money, and
taas the coincidence that came about.
they being referred to in such terms.
Although a sign of segregation and
discrimination that is not justified, by
reason of color of skin, it is at least
daniied in significance.
For instance, many concerns, estab-
i,lments, and business transactions
eater especially to either gold or silver
ol BOTH as it may be. Organizations
..ther business, fraternal or social are
labelled "Silver" to denote its Colored
origin. And when rigid racial Jim
rryVism is in effect, the "Silver" bar
lis enforced at certain degrees.
PANAMA CANAL ZONE
The strip of territory which extends
across the Isthmus, five miles on each
side of the Canal, as prescribed in the
treaty with the United States and
Panama Of 1903 is considered the same
as L. S. soil, as far as Government
authority is concerned Sad to saw.
whether by act of Congress or what,
1t bears all the earmarks of the deep
south, where race prejudice is the
order of the day, practiced in all stages
Of color discrimination as far as pos
sibIe. While just beyond the five mile
limit in Panama City, the capital of
the Republic, it is scarcely visible and
not subject of contention and practi-
calIy taboo,
In the Canal Zone, one of my first
'bring-me-doWn" impressions was the
nauseating signs on the rest rooms
For Colored," "For White" | also
found that even the Y.M.C.A. facilities
are separate. Even so, I was glad to
visit the La Boo a Clubhouse (For Col
ored) at Balboa, CT. of which Mr.. H.
{. Williams Of Philadelphia, Pa, is
the executive secretary, who extended
me abundant hospitality and welcome.
was pleased to return the compliment
by taking him aboard our ship; and he
promised to tell me more about his
splendid organization, which institu-
ton IS doing great work among the
darker peoples of Panama.
PANAMA CITY
During my short visit in the Pana-
manlan capital, l was cordially enter
tanned by two of its leading Colored
ctlzens-Mr. George W. Westerman,
and Mr.. Sidney A. Young. They car
Ied me for an automobile sightseeing
tour of the city, and pointed out the
most prominent places and principal
historical views, including the Presi-
dents Palace, residential districts.
newspaper offices and business thor
oughtares. | was so elated to see
CoIored busily engaged everywhere in
every conceivable vocation and en-
pioyment in all public affairs of the
city. Later, the gentlemen were my
guests at luncheon aboard our ship.
GEORGE w. WESTERMAN, is
rated the best columnist in Panama
and highly esteemed elsewhere through
his column Passing Review in the
Panama American, Largest Metro
po!ltan daily appearing in it's Sunday
edition. Mr.. Westerman in a recent
article in his paper gave his readers a
most brilliant eulogy of the late Mr..
Splngarn, donor of the annual medal
Tor the greatest achievement among