davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-05-04
CONGRESS PANORAMA
By WATCHMAN

John S. R. Bourne, chairman OF the
Eastern New England Congress for
Equal Opportunities, cut quite q
figure in his cutaway coat, as he pre-
sided, like the dignifed gentleman
that he is, over the Saturday evening
sessions Of the Third National Race
Congress at Washington last week.
Charles A. Brown, as chairman Of the
Permanent Credentials Committee,
drawled of figures and names in an
impeccable Harvard accent. Yet q
fellow delegate found it hard TO be
heve that Charlie, Harvard '3S, did
not hail from North Cardinal
The faminine contingent Wed with one
another on local, state, and national
scales, in hats and frocks-Zylpha
Torrence's wide-brimmed headpiece
on one occasion was a solid sender.
Bishop Reverdy c. Ransom's explana-
ton Of the origin Of the A.ME.
Church and the progressive role which
It played in the anti-slavery move
ment taught US history which we had
not learned in school. g.. f. Arthur VIII
burn Of Harvard and Paul Davis OF
the same venerable institution gave
the bountiful Howard goods many
heart-throbs. Arthur placed his
Cadillac at the disposal OF a bevy Of
Congressites. Neal Thompson Of
the Dining Car Employees Union was
not the only delegate tearfully moved
by Laura Duncan's singing OF
Strange Fruit, forceful anti-lynch
song. There were no dry eyes, male
or female, within three rows of our
perch. Which is a tribute to Miss
Duncan's artistry. Professor Sterl-
ing Brown Of Howard University was
visibly pleased with Frank Silvera's
dramatic reading Of his poem "Suong
Men" Frank also brought down the
house with Dunbar's Little Brown
Baby" Ex-Bostonians like the
poet-musician, Waring Quincy. and
the New York civil servant, Ewart
Guinier, eagerly sought news Of
friends in Beantown. Your scribe's
black Homburg evoked the query from
a well-meaning. if ungrammatical.
delegate, as yo'-all a preacher?". q.
The old lady from Arkansas made q
moving address. II was Of such stuff
that Harriet Tubman and Sojourner
Truth were made Genial Henry
Hank" Johnson Of the Go affirmed
his resolve TO keep out Of the imperi-
alist war in oratory second 10 none
The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-05-04
LOOKING AROUND
and BEYOND
By
FRANK R. CROSSWAITH

nique toward Poland and Finland
Thus far IN the war, the only com
tries who have even bothered formaIIv
to declare war are England and
France.
THIS WRITER FEELS that tba
Allies are fighting not only for tbe
preservation Of their empires. but for
their very existence; and in doing 81
they are fighting against international
rape and lawlessneSs. Therefore tb;s
is not purely an imperialist war in tba
traditional sense of the term. Eng
land and France went TO great lengths
perhaps too far, when they confirm.
ally yielded to Hitler in order TO pre.
serve Peace. After Munich and Hit
ler's consequent declaration that his
appetite for European land had been
stated, the world was expecting a long
period of peace in Europe. Many
people felt that if anything became un-
rufled it would be in connection with
an expected demand Of Hitler for Co.
lonial possessions. Events have now
thoroughly disillusioned most Of the
people of the world. Unless totalita-
rian regimes are crushed, what we call
civilization cannot be preserved and
the pathway Of orderly social pro-
gress will be barred to generations un-
numbered.
AS HAS BEEN correctly stated, a
Hitler Stain Mussolini victory would
mean among other things intensified
ton Of rivalry between totalitarian
economic systems, with their wage
economics and low wage and work
standards as against American econ
omy with consequent deepening of the
depression in the U.S.A. A totali-
tartan victory will also permit the
Nazis to establish a firm foothold in
Latin America, and thus force the
United States to adopt a more vigor-
Gus armament and militaristic pro-
gram in defense against totalitarian-
ism. This position does not place me
among those who are eager to push
America into the war. I am definitely
opposed to our entrance into the war.
At the same time I do not think it
good sound common sense or logic to
argue that we must have nothing to
do with the affair in Europe because
it is "none of our business" The
world can no more remain half totali-
tairian and half democratic than could
America in the nineteenth century re-
main half free and half slave.
Eve shall continue this discussion
in the next issue.)
The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-05-04
Ha11. MnnrnR Urnttpr
Editor and Publisher
1901 1884
IMPORTANT RESOLUTION

Report Of the Resolutions Commit
tee and the resolution on unity with
Labors Non-Partisan League adopted
at the National Race Congress re-
Gently held in Washington:
I'VE believe that you should express
here and now your opinion on the
resolution which deals with the very
decisive question Of our association
with other progressive organizations
OF our country whose aims in general
are common to our OWL, particularly
the labor movement which is prefer
ing now the assistance Of its members
and its great prestige and influence
to the colOred people in the solution Of
our problems. With your permission,
we therefore submit the following:
Resolution on Unity with Labor's
NOn-Partisan League
Five years Of struggle teach Us that
further gains for our people depend
upon two factors: one, the degree Of
unity and collaboration which we can
create among ourselves and two, the
degree which our united peoples
movement collaborates with the move
ments and organizations Of its friends
aAAA It's dll4es-LQe TRADE unions, the
youth movement, the farmers and all
other progressive and liberal organi-
cations Of the American people max
ing for democracy and peace, and
Long has the colored worker
awaited the extended hand Of organ
lied labor, and
Colored people should be happy to
accept the invitation Of John L. Lewis
to come to a working agreement with
the mighty forces Of labor and TO 20
forward to victory; Be It therefore
Resolved that the delegates to this
Congress unanimously and enthusi-
astically accept the invitation Of Mr..
Lewis to arrive at agreements with
the forces Of progressive labor on the
basis Of the program Of our Congress /;
and
RESOLVED that a Committee of
five be appointed by the incoming
Executive Committee to explore the
possibilities by which this Congress
cam work together with Labor's Non
Partisan League.
The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-05-04
w ATCH TOWER
By William Harrison

ure of the Caribbean possessions Of
the British Crown. Most prominent
of these American imperialists is
Senator Lundeen, who has gone so
far as to organize a Make Europe
Paw War Debts Committee. The col
ored people who form the greater pro-
portion Of the population in all the
Caribbean territories, whether Frencn
or British, do not enter into the Sena-
tors calculations. Their aspirations
TO self-government are sighted; the!
are regarded as so many pawns IN the
game of world imperialist politics, 70
be showed from pillar 10 post.
Very active in opposing un-Amerl-
can alien-baiting, as proposed by the
Dempsey bill in the House OF Repre-
sentatives, the Caribbean Union dele
cation played a prominent part IN the
deliberations Of the conference OF the
American Committee for the Protec-
ton of the Foreign Born in Washing
ton, March 2, 8, 1910.
Max Yergan
While A. Philip Randolph's REIN
quishment of the presidency OF tne
National Race Congress, like his presl-
Dental address, was lamentable from
the point of view of the Congress, MS
successor, DR.. Max Yergan, will 40
much to restore the confidence wnich
Mr.. Randolph's withdrawal, at TINS
most critical time, viii probably cause
For fifteen years DR.. Yergan was q
Y.M.C.A. secretary in the Union %
South Africa, from which not even
Mississippi can learn much IN perse-
cution of black men. DR.. 4ergan was
enabled to study British imperialism
at its most brutal peak in dominion
with the most repressive native pollcy
on the continent Of Africa. 10"
chairman of the international Conl-
mittee on African Affairs and lee1ur
rer on Race history at the College o.
the City of New York, DR.. !ergan1 Is
one of our most distinguished nteilec-
tuals.
The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-05-04
PhiIippa Schuyler
Ties Experts In
Music Quiz Contest

The Musical Memory Contest of
WQXR, of New York City, featured
little eight-year old Philippa Schuyler
April % in a quiz sponsored by Mar
tinson's coffee and produced by Lee
Jones. Philippa competed with three
adult contestants: Rosario Bourbon,
well known music conductor, formerly
connected with National Broadeasting
Co.; Mrs. g. Behrens, voice teacher at
the Chatham Square Music School, and
George Stone, real estate broker and
amateur musician.
1.-THE number of Beethoven's Sym
phonies plus the number Of Brahms
Symphonies equal the number of
operas composed by what other great
composerp the master Of ceremonies,
Irving Deacon, waited for hands to
rise among the contestants. None went
up but Philippa's and she answered:
Beethoven composed nine sym
phonies and Brahms composed four,
that is thirteen, and Wagner wrote
thirteen operas. / can name them toe"
Philippe identified sounds, told the
ancestry Of the piano, gave the names
Of three great pianists, named four
great conductors and their special in
struments, and was asked to play all
the numbers on a card which was hand
ed her. The little pianist played parts
Of several Baehs as melody teasers for
the other contestants.
Philippe tied two Of the contestants
with 40 points each, and received a
special prize Of an autographed book
by Deems Taylor. The highest score
was made by Mrs. Behrens, who, how
ever, did not have as many question:
put to her as Philippa. 20 pounds of
coffee was first prize and 4 pounds
went to Philippa and the other con-
testants.
The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-05-04

THE TEMPO OF the current world
war rises higher and higher while
much that is Of value in our civilization
continues 10 hang desperately in the
balance. The net result is that con-
fusion is widespread in politics, in re-
hgion, in economics and all other de-
partment Of human thought and rela-
tionships.
OVER A QUARTER of a century
ago, this writer discovered the whole
some truth that MODERN WARS
ARE CAUSED BASICALLY BY
ECONOMIC RIVALRY. Because of
q recognition Of that truth, we have
since been opposed to war and in favor
of peace. This position, however. does
not call upon anyone TO declare for
unadulterated pacifsm, nor TO assume
that there is no further basis upon
which TO differentiate between degrees
Of guilt on the part of nations in
volved in war.
ACCORDINGLY, IN SPITE of all
the noise we hear these days about
imperialistic France and Britain, the
fact still remains that these two ma
tons are fighting a defensive war and
that were they to lose the war, much
that is Of value in our civilization will
suffer as a result. Nazi Germany's
invasion Of Denmark and Norway
again demonstrates what would be the
fate Of all independent countries if
the -Mussolini-S Stain combina-
ton should emerge victorious. Were
such a calamity to befal mankind.
then the people Of Ethiopia, Denmark,
Norway. Poland, Finland and Albania
will see their natural aspiration to
government and independence
buried deep in the tomb Of time.
IT IS INTERESTING here to note.
that both in technique and method the
three totalitarian musketeers acted
ike the traditional three peas in a
pod. When Mussolini decided to rape
Ethiopia, he tossed aside all Of the old
established and long recognized diplo-
matte practices Of issuing ultimatums.
severing diplomatic relations and for
mally declaring war. The Fascist Die
tator simply bounced down upon the
land and people OF Ethiopia, slaugh-
tered mercilessly those who offered
resistance. annexed the country and
enslaved the balance Of her people to
Fascist Italy. Hitler employed the
same tactics against Poland. Denmark.
Norway and the other countries whose
people and territory he has confscated.
Herr" Stain utilized the same tech
The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-05-04

Against Racism
Recently l read a very informative
and interesting fve-cent pamphlet
published by EQUALITY Magazine,
220 Fifth Avenue, New York City. 1t
was written by q distinguished anthro-
pologist whom had the honor to meet
during the Harvard Tercentenary in
1886. He is Dr.. II. F. Ashley-Mon
tagu, who Is now associate professor
Of anatomy at the Hahnemann Medical
College and Hospital, Philadelphia. A
graduate Of Jesus College, Cambridge
University, DR.. Ashley-Montagu has
earned the right to speak authorita-
lively in the fields of anotomy and
anthropology. His pamphlet entitled
RACE AND OTHER KINDRED De
LUSIONS states, among other truths,
the following which should be pondered
by every person of color who is afflict-
ed with the inferiority complex con-
corning the achievements of colored
people:
"At the time when Caesar landed
in Britain the African Negro king
doms and their peoples were cultu-
rally incomparably more highly
developed than the Britons, upon
whom they might well have looked
as upon a primitive people. Africa
had long been in communication
with peoples who had acted upon
them as so many fertilizing agents,
The Britons had been isolated from
the main course of such contacts
until the time Of Caesar, but as soon
as he opened up such contacts to
them development followed with
great rapidity."
1t is somewhat late in the day for
the necessity of affirming the essential
mental, physical, and spiritual equality
of all men, regardless Of race, color, or
nationality, but barbarians are already
within the gates witness the murder
Gus Christian 'FRONT.' plotting sub
versively to seat racial and religious
intolerance on the throne of state.
Therefore, these words of DR.. Ash
ley-Montagu's viii bear repeating:
There is no evidence that any
people is either mentally superior
or inferior to any other people in
any way whatsoever. All that we
know is that there exist consider
able cultural differences between
peoples, and these cultural differ
ences are readily to be explained
upon purely historical grounds, and
not upon any biological ones"
The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-05-04
Tents Convene
May 8, 9 and 10

The Eastern District Gravel Tents
viii hold convention May s, and 10 In
Twelfth Baptist Church, Rev. ". Il.
Hester, pastor. Wednesday evening,
the church viii extend welcome and
Thursday evening, there viii be a spe-
cial program with Rev. R. ". Owens
Of Peoples Baptist Church special
speaker. There viii be other addresses
and musical numbers. The public Is
cordially invited. There viii be a small
admission price at the evening exercise.
The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-05-04

I Of the fine speeches. Reverend Owen
Whitfield, clergyman and labor leader,
burned with the Indignation Of q Sa-
vonarola laundering against sinful
oppression. standing four-square for
his people like Christian leader when
the Word was driven underground by
the Roman oppressors 10 the cata-
| combs. The beautifully gowned
Washingtonian ushers were sometimes
/ conscious Of the eyes on them. Dr.
/ ". Cravath Simpson and Mrs. VII
liams were an inseparable pair.
John l. Lewis, beneath his beetle
browed severity, is really q most
charming. courtly, and amiable man.
He smiled. in his leonine way, when
John P Davis. national secretary of
the Congress. handed him the plaque
for distinguished service TO the colored
people Of the land, both in his cana
city as President Of the United Mine
Workers and chairman Of that other
progressive Congress, the CLIO.
You could hear a pin drop as James
". Ford charged the Dies Committee
with plotting the assassination of
Lombardo Toledano. the Mexican
labor leader. The accent Of the
delegate from Chile was captivating.
Angelo Herndon's illness prevented
his attendance at all the sessions.
Romance blossomed between couples
NJ delegates like the cherry trees.
Spring was q potent influence. Re
mark overheard: ''Too bad I have a
committee meeting. These chicks
here" The tents which the Fed
eral Government provided TO house
delegates were as warm as the Con-
gross solidarity during the dav but as
cold as the reception which disrupters
received during the night. . Seen at
the panel discussion on cultural free
dom were Gwendolyn Bennett. direc-
tor Of the Harlem Art Centre: Tommy
Richardson. youth leader. author of
Peace: America. the Living News
DaDer play which is based on the his
tory Of the N.A.AC.P.: Eugene
Holmes. instructor in philosophy at
Howard. one Of our ablest Young scho-
lars; Alain Locke: DR.. Ralph Bunche
DELEGATES applauded the secretary Of
the Eastern n. E. Congress when he
spoke about the annual Afro-Ameri-
can night at the Pops Concerts Of the
Boston Symphony Orchestra and the
projected cultural broadcasts.
The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-05-04
Atty. Rainey Named
To Boston Committee
of Roosevelt Library

Having the distinction of being It's
only eolored member, Attorney Julian
D. Rainey, former assistant corpora
ton counsel Of Boston and a leader IN
the Democratic Party, was appointed
to the Greater Boston group Of the
Massachusetts, Committee for the
Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, accord
ing to an announcement BY the Boston
chairman, former State Auditor
Thomas II. Buckley.
The committee is part Of nation
wide campaign to raise funds for the
construction of a library building on
the Presidents ancestral estate at Hyde
Park, n. Y, where his collections Of
personal and state papers will be
housed.
The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-05-04
.Deltas Feted AT
I'll. Tubman House

Thursday evening, April p, the
Educational Committee Of the Harriet
Tubman House presented the men,
bers Of the Delta Sigma Theta Soror-
ity TO over 100 guests and members Of
the corporation.
Chairman Mabel Johnson-Dean vel
comes the audience and introduced the
members Of her committee who were:
Misses Josephine Crawford, Helen NJ
V. Smith, Gladys r. Holmes, Wilhel-
mena Crosson; Mesdames Katie Sykes
and Barbara Broadfeld.
Miss Gladys Holmes outlined the
purpose of the educational committee
then Mrs. Dorothea Pierce, president
of the Delta Sorority, took charge Of
the educational program which includ.
ed the following numbers:
Opening Remarks, President-Doro-
thea Pierce; piano solo, Geraldine Irv.
ing; round table discussion: "The Race
a Factor in the History Of the World,
GLADYS Wood. Evelyn Andrews, Fran.
ces Jones, Mildred Alexander; voca'
solo. Edwina Bryant: quiz: "Hov
Much Do You Know About Race His
torv ?" Gladys Wood.
Mrs. Dean then introduced the
president Of the Harriet Tubmar
House, Mrs. Fannie Lonon, who told Of
the vision that the five women whC
started Tubman House had, and how i
was the purpose of the various com.
mitees to fulfill these dreams for the
young women in Boston.
Gift Every Voice and Sing, {
social hour followed and the guest:
were led into the beautifully decorated
dining room for refreshments.
The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-05-04
Surprise Birthday
Party for Columnist

Lou Guardian" Ransom received
the thrill Of his life last Saturday
night when a score or more friends
greeted him with a CHEEKY "Surprisel
Happy Birthday" from the dinly and
attractively decorated living room of
his home at p Wellington Street. He
and his wife had just returned from
the Savoy, where friends had stopped
at his table to greet him after "birth-
day greetings" were sung by the
popular Jones Brothers, feeling that
his evening was quite complete.
A delicious and beautiful birthday
cake made by Mrs. Amy Ransom
Holmes We'd with the other delicacies
that were served with more than
enough beverages to complete the re-
past. Another cake was made by Mrs.
Dora Elliott. The table was arranged
by some of the guests while Mrs. Mar
Vls Ransom kept Lou busily engaged
at the Savoy.
Among the guests present were:
DIR. and Mrs. ]. Purcell, Mr.. and Mrs.
Frank A. Stokes, Mr.. and Mrs. B. F.
Holmes, Mr.. and Mrs. Mama Thomas.
Sr., Mr.. and Mrs. James Saunders, Mr.,
and Mrs. William Robinson; Mesdames
Dora Elliott, Georgia Sanford, Thel-
ma Robinson, Ethel NJ. Smith from
New York, Marvis Ransom, Blanche
Carter; Misses Beatrice Durant, Alice
Watkins Benjamin, Phoebe Jones,
Messrs. Henry Tyrell, Edward Harris
Bill Howard, Ralph Ransom, Louis NJ
Moore and others.
The lifting strains of dance orches.
tras from radio in the kitchen anc
living room kept the guests dancine
until the wee hours.
The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-05-04
ESQUIRE CLUB PRESENTS
FOUR INK SPOTS

Shoot the eradicator to me boys, be-
cause the Esquire Club have reached
down into the old well and have come
up with none other than those dusky
purveyors Of swing known as the
FOUR INK SPOTS, and as If that
were not enough, they will present on
May the 7th at the Roseland Ball
Room not only those number one men
Of the black and tan music world
(THE FOUR INK spots), but mind
you, now folks, their Orchestra as
well.
You get the idea, Messrs. Ivory
Watson, Billy Kenny, Hoppy Jones,
Charles Faqua will be here in person
The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-05-04

on the 7th, with their own band, at
the Roseland.
There you have an attraction with
out equal in the history Of big time
dance presentation.
This quartet made their debut sew
eral years ago over the radio, but it
was their Decca recorded version Of
81 didn't care" that skyrocketed them
to fame and fortune They are now
the highest paid quartet in the bust
ness.
So rest up, all you dance fans be-
cause you are in for a ganuine razzle-
dazzle, zip-bang, rug cutting fiesta
the like Of which has never before hit
the town.
The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-05-04
Third National Race Congress

Third National Race Congress
Boston was well represented at !ns
Third National Race Congress, winch
l was privileged to attend, as secretary :,
to the Massachusetts delegation. M any
honors came to Bostonians; me S
chairman of the Eastern New Engia.na
Congress for Equal Opportunities
Attorney John S. R. Bourne, presl:aeu
at the sessions on Saturday evel MS
April 27. Charles A. Brown, q aei ,l
gate from the Greater Boston Ooui ~
of Colored Youth Organizations IL.
cent Harvard College graduate "s at
elected Chairman Of the Permiaheha'
Credentials Committee. Frank n,
Silvera, the noted actor, gave re9qln Fl
of poems by Sterling Brown ana rau u
Laurence Dunbar to thunderous 81
plause. DR.. Robert A. Simmons, e.
ways in the vanguard Of the progreoI
sive movement, was elected regiona
vice-president.
The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-05-04
Ex-Slave Dies at 81

WORCESTER-On April %. Clos
Ter Wanson, 81, one Of the few former
slaves in New England, died at the
Home for Aged Colored People, 60
Parker Street.
Born in Fredericksburg, Va, Mr..
Wanson was owned by a Presbyterian
preacher of that town, and joined the
Confederate Army at the outbreak of
the Civil War, later serving with the
Union forces. He had been a resident
of Worcester for sixty years.
The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-05-04
400 Scholarships
Available In Mass.

Walter F. Downey, state commits
sioner Of education, announced last
Tuesday that about 400 scholarships
are available for high school graduates
in Massachusetts, through loan funds
and special financial arrangements in
various communities. Information con-
corning the scholarships may be had at
the Department Of Education, 200
Newbury Street.
II Is hoped that many eolored stu
dents who may be eligible viii apply.
The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-05-04
MaHH. Stair 1Intnn

The first April meeting of the Pansy
Embroidery Club was held Friday,
April 9 at the home Of Mrs. Marshall
Cass. The following delegates were
elected to the annual convention of
the Mass. State Union Of Women's
The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-05-04
A New Publication

A New Publication
The Caribbean Union of New York
City, an organization devoted to fur
thering the interests of people of West
Indian origin, has just issued the
CARIBBEAN REVIEW, a mimeo-
graphed publication which contains
facts about the proposals by several
United States Senators who advocate
variOusly transfer, purchase, and seiz-