davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1940-01-27
A NEW DEAL
not enough

Following the general Housing Conference called
by Senator Charles C. Diggs fortnight ago. Ray
mond Foley state director of the Federal Housing
Administration, has undertaken to make special
study of the housing question it affects and to
work out a program for the immediate development
of new facilities tor the Negro group. second con-
ference with Mr. Foley was held last week at his
Office and he offered proposals which have been ac-
copied by the committee and which should lead to
action shortly.
One of the key issues running like thread
through the whole housing controversy has been the
right of Negroes to live and buy where they WILL
notwithstanding numerous racial restrictions. The
issue to the surface in the question of Federal
Housing aid in so-called mixed districts Mr.. Foley
in letter to the Editor of the Chronicle seeks to
clarity the position oft he FILA on this point by the
following paragraph
at not true that property in socalled mixed neigh
borhoods is ineligible for mortgage insurance because of
the fact that the neghborhood is what is
monty described mixed Indeed, have insured
mortgages for coOred borrowers in instances in
such areas The determination has to be made other
factors affecting the property ITSELF and it is unfortu-
naey true that these adverse factors frequently
found in mixed neghborhoods. Thus, it becomes mat
ter of determining all the surrounding factors in each
individual ease"
We appreciate the letter of explanation, although
we admit that, whatever those other factors may
happen to & is as he admits unfortunate that they
are so frequently found in the marginal areas.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1940-01-27
THE LYNCH SENTIMENT

We believe very dogmatically, if you WILL that as
long as one Negro is ynched in America there are
sound reasons for a Federal ant-ynching bill, and
there arenot nor there be any, reasons against IT,
There is only sentiment and not reason which the
Southerners bring forth to defeat this proposed leg
islation The Southerner has long been regarded a
sentimental fool in most matters and the arguments
brought to bear against the anti-ynching bill are
typical. While others think the white Southerner
simply feels. The bill would hurt the pride of the
white South; it would be an insult, that is ALL
We are reminded of the captain of Southern
football team playing in the North. After the toss
of coin to decide the goals of each team, the South
ern captain rebelled because, he said, "Suh, All
refuse to defend the North goal" The arguments
of most of the Southern statesmen against the anti
lynch bill are just ridiculous.
Statistics reveal that over the years the number
of ynchings at any given time bear significant re-
ation to the relative prosperity depression of the
period Rape as an actual cause of lynching has
played minor role despite the publicity givenIt
None of the lynchings recorded last year could be
attributed to rape Nevertheless we hear the South
ern statesman in Washington talking about preserv-
ing Southern womanhcod and how the Negroes
threaten their young daughters. This tripe has be-
come soTepugnant that last year group OF Southern
white women met in Atlanta and publicly declared
that they had no cause for any special protection.
Secretary of Labor Perkins almost precipitated
another Civil War several years ago when she re-
marked to some shoe manufacturers that the South
was good market for shoes. 1t seemed to the South
erners that Madame Perkins inferring that they
went around barefooed. The Secretary of Labor was
forced to explain her remarks and apologize 1t is
this same mentality that opposes the anti-lynching
bill and the abolition Of poll taxes.
There are those who say that the anti-lynching
bill will not stop lynchings if it were enacted.
Our laws against murder and homicide do not stop
few MURDERS but most of us agree that it is good
thing to have law against it. Without Federal leg
isation against lynching, the only thing that deters
Southeners from lynchng is their conscience, and
any student of human nature will tell you that is
not enough.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1940-01-27
New Mt. Zion
Baptist Church

Rev. ]. S. Williams, pastor Of New
Mt. Zion Baptist church, Chene at
Mack, delivered the message at the
II o'clock service Sunday morning
TO a capacity audience. His text
was found in | John is; subject
Victories of the Christian Faith"
During his discourse, Rev Williams
said that the bible is a book OF vic
tories, because it truly tells Of fail
ures and defeats of Gods people.
and it also abounds in good news Of
the triumphs Of righteous men and
nations.
The pastor will preach for the
adult department of the Sunday
school January % at p. m. The
BTU, the Senior B.Y.PU., and
juniors met as usual on the regular
nour. The junior church and choir
met on Thursday at $50 p. m, in
the educational building Rev, J. S.
Williams, pastor; Mary Frances Will
liams, church scribe.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1940-01-27
Letters To The Editor

The village OF Clawson is voting
on a similar issue January goth.
This will reduce the township val
uation from II million dollars to
two and a half million dollars. Can
any of those opposed to incorpora-
ton due to a fear Of tax increase
for operating costs tell me what
will happen to your tax which is
SALT per Thousand on 10 million
dollar township to meet S370,000
bonded indebtness when this same
township is reduced to is of its
present valuation? 1t means that
the tax must be increased five
times its present size or APP
proximately S2o5O per thousand as
sessed valuation to meet this obi
CATION there must be an increase
from the $500 operating cost at
the present time as all of this alone
should be sufficient To warrant in
corporation.
To those who are opposed to in
corporation because they doubt the
ability of people of their own group
being able to operate a city, did
you ever stop TO think OF the areas
proposed to incorporate this year
other than the West Eight Mile
Community.
II successful, the majority OF the
people left in the township will be
Negroes, then will this group which
is so skeptical OF the Negroes COM
potency and ability to carry on the
affairs OF the township go out in
search among such whites as are
left in search for some person de-
scribed as white men to carry on
the affairs of the broken dilapi-
dated tax laden bankrupt township
that's left. judging from the reac-
ton on the part Of some, would
say you will foolishly do just the
thing l have mentioned.
Bear in mind that the action on
the part Of the incorporation COM
mittee is a self-defense move and
not individual. The move is in the
defense of the community as a
whole. So sure is this committee
that we are right in our efforts that
the writer will issue the following
challenge to the opposing faction.
l will at. anytime in any public
place and before a public assembly
debate the question of incorpora-
ton this area into fifth class city
with any man or woman, white or
colored, a resident Of the commu-
nifty or some one outside, and will
pay one-half Of the expense in
Cured TO make possible such de-
bate providing the opposing group
pay the other half.
Signed:
ELWOOD DICKENS
PLOT Gardenlane
Chairman of the lncorpo-
ration committee
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1940-01-27
WE, THE NEGRO
GODS MEN
BY VIM. L. SHERRlLL
:. Afro-American Institute and FEEDER
fireside Groups

GODS MEN
Look where you will, in every
sphere OF activity, you can see the
sings written in unmistakable lam
guage, you can hear the unremitting
voice of destiny call Negro people
to stand up, Quit ye like men," for
there are great and trying tasks
ahead. This insistent call will not
down; rather it gains force and pow
err with the passing of the moments,
as they carry us on the dawning of
the day when we as a people will
have to meet the world on a COM
mon footing and prove to them that
indeed we are Gods men.
Are we going to pay attention to
the resolute and determined call OF
fate; or are we going to allow the
precious moments to slip away while
we wait on others to do for US what
we can do for ourselves? Unless we
ourselves unite. plan and fight to
gain the things men live by, we will
be left, derelicts upon the sea Of
time.
LEADERSHIP COMPLEX
Our dreams, our hopes our plans,
and all our aspirations will depend
however, upon the leadership we
are able to develop. We can go but
short distance with professional
leadership. The leadership complex
seems to be sweeping the race with
more detrimental than beneficial
effects. Almost every other Negro
you meet feels that he is a leader"
| Too many of us seek the role of
leadership for the glamour and
emoluments we think it must Of ne
cessity bring. This type of leader
ship is a handicap to the progress
Of struggling people.
To lead a people means 70 en-
counter danger first-and leave it
last; to be the first TO die when
death is demanded; to suffer the re-
Dukes and rebuffs which the people
might suffer; to stand between the
people anu dangerl Leadership does
not mean safety. security, ease. 1t
means daring. taking risks, ever and
eternally standing face to face with
danger. To lead means to go hun
cry il bread is scarce. to be poorly
clad whei- raiments are scant. TO be
destitute in time of great stress.
THE CROSS LEADERSHIP'S
REWARD
To crave leadership is 10 crave
the bitter cup and the cross When
| God was threatening to destroy
Israel and raise unto himself an
other people. Moses offered to die
| in the peoples stead So earncS, was
he that God spared the people. That
is leadership. When the locomo-
tive crashes the engineer must go.
down with his hand on the throttle
When the ship is sinking the captain
must be the last to leave the watery
deck. Let our prayers rise up to
the Great Creator Of the universe
for wisdom TO see our duties and
responsibilities as Negro people; and
a leadership that will inspire and
Head US 10 their ultimate discharge.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1940-01-27
WINTER DRIVING
HAZARDS
-Py-
R. C. SCHUSTER
U. S. National Automobile Club
446 Z. WARREN
TIE. l-0884 & S

Now that we have really entered
into the spirit OF winter. with the
Thermometer lowering between 10
above and 10 below zero. coming in
contact with now-blanketed, ice
covered streets. and high winds.
thinks me the time is ripe TO warn
motorists against winter driving
hazards"
1t is to be expected at this time
OF year that the roads will be icy
and slippery. making the hazards
that much greater, therefore, due
caution should be taken.
We all know, as sure as we are
breathing and living, what winter
will bring has always brought, and
will always bring, so why not safe
guard ourselves against these So
called evils?
First, let US take into considera-
ton the ice-covered roads - that
will invariably cause skidding.
Skidding. in my opinion, although
usually of minor nature, is pri-
marily the cause Of most accidents
during the winter season. 1t seems,
no matter how good your brakes
may be, Gere are times when you
are bound to slip And slide.
Particularly is-iHs true while in
the line OF traffic, when the car
in front Of you may stop suddenly.
even though you may apply your
brakes at once, there is the pos
sibility OF skidding, slipping or slid
ng into that car. more often caus-
ing slight damage to it.
However, in case of an accident,
this does not excuse you. because
the law requires you to always have
your car under control-regardless
of circumstances leading up to it.
Whether it is so or not, it is so easy
to blame these types Of accidents
on road conditions, if it happens to
be raining showing or=iee has
formed, making it slippery.
The best you can do, is to pre-
pare yourself for these emergen-
cies by keeping your car at a safe
distance behind the one in front,
giving yourself ample time in which
to stop, should it be necessary, upon
a moments notice. for the other
fellow may stop suddenly for some
reason or other, without any warn
ing Even so. you will be judged
the one in error should you bump
into it. Keeping these things in
mind, you will know what to do to
avoid anything Of this nature.
As a parting thought, I would
suggest that you follow these in
structions to the letter, thereby do
ing your bit to prevent such acct
dents from occurring.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1940-01-27

the name Of the above organization
behind it
The first police woman, the first
NYA and WPA supervisor, a per-
son not from the relief rolls, two
jobs secured in Lansing and over
100 people assisted in getting their
Jobs by the above organization. This
organization is non-profit and can
show letters to prove we have as
sisted numerous people in the COM
munity. Seven of the peoples names
who appear in this article against
incorporation were members Of the
above organization.
l believe it is a lack Of under
standing with a small amount of
jealousy and deceit in the hearts
of the ones who oppose this plan. I
feel sure if they didn't understand
the movement they wouldn't stand
on street corners and gossip about
that they didn't know, but would be
sensible enough to come and meet
the committee face to face like edu-
Gated people = Yours truly, Albert
E. Scott, 20739 Westview, Ferndale.
Mich.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1940-01-27

Editor of the Michigan Chronicle,
1858 Eliot Street,
Detroit Michigan
Dear Sir:
Please publish the following let
ter as an answer to the letter pub
lished last week bearing the names
of Mr.. and Mrs. Ernest Morris, Mr.,
and Mrs. Harry Croxton, Mr.. and
Mrs. johnson, Mr.. and Mrs. Carl
Hall, Mr.. and Mrs. Carl Dean. MT.
and Mrs. John Warren, Mrs. Bow
den and others whom l desire to
read the following article.
AS taxpayer of this community
who once opposed this issue, but
took enough time to study it and
find out the advantages and disad-
vantages. l wish to state my opin-
ion and reasons why l know we
should incorporate.
If incorporation into a city isn't
step forward. why is it that there
are over 114,000 incorporated cities
throughout the United States? There
must be some advantage of becom-
ing a city, if not why didn't Fern
dale, Royal Oak, Pleasant Ridge
and Huntingdon Woods remain in
the township? Why is Clawson which
is a part of the township at present
planning on becoming city? II
you will read the papers you will
see that at present Clawson is bring
ing this issue before the people in
order to save $4,000 a year. Please
answer the above questions.
The reason the above group op-
poses this plan is not because they
know about it, but for the reason
they fail to get adequate knowledge
Of the subject. Why don't you as a
group and any other citizen who op-
pose this plan come out in the open
and discuss your opposition face to
face with our committee. We don't
hide. We come out in the open and
discuss this matter OF incorpora-
ton at the committee meeting every
Thursday night at at the Grant
school. Maybe you can show us some
parts we've overlooked. We are
willing to listen. Please accept this
letter as an invitation 10 you and
your frineds to be present at the
Tuesday night meetings.
In regards to leaders, this COM
mitiee was appointed by the MEM
bers OF the West Eight Mile Road
Community Club, Inc. This organi-
zstion is responsible for the MAORI
ty Of the improvements in this COM
munity. Looking into the water
project recreation program. tax
plan and other things for the bene-
fit Of the community you will find
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1940-01-27

as soon as its position became clear
The chapters dealing with the strug-
gle between Confederate and Fed
eral troops TO hold the railroad are
the most interesting ones of the
book.
The opening chapters telling OF
the growth Of the line are OF ne
cessity more technical and OF less
general interest
Mr.. Summers traces the decision
Of the management OF the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad To defend the
Union cause and shows how vital a
part the railroad had in transport
in gsupplies and troops. The alert
ness and speed with which the rail-
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1940-01-27

road was repaired after continual
Confederate destruction Of bridges,
tracks and other equipment was an
other factor which aided the Fed
eral army.
Politically the railroad was i'm
portant in determining the counties
which Joined the western part OF
Virginia in forming a new state
Those counties through which the
railroad ran saw the ACCESSIBILITY OF
joining with the western part Of
the state in leaving Virginia to form
the state OF West Virginia.
A book Of this type though limited
in general appeal is an important
part Of collection Of books dealing
with the Civil War period.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1940-01-27
The writer's thought, do necessarily represent the
and opinions Of this paper.
By RAMON A. MARTINEZ

bodies or societies without much
power or influence nationally. ex-
cept in rare cases. One OF these
rare cases was Social Democratic
Society OF Working Men, organized
ia 1850 in Richmond. Va. and COM
-osed mainly OF German immi-
grants and Americans OF German
descent. They had a socialistic pro-
gram advocating the social owner
ship Of all land, an eight hour day.
Id age pensions. and other social
feforr7, ;h7t in that day were con
sidered too radical to be safe or
sane, b1t some Of which today are
icing gradually adopted by state
and national governments. There is
% record Of Negroes belonging to
he Social Democratic Society of
Working-Men, specially when the
moving spirit consisted OF persons
Of German extraction.
Nothing else extraordinary oc-
CURED in the ranks OF organized
labor in America from the death
Of the Working-Men's Party in
1878, until 1866 with establish
ment OF the National Labor Union,
with which we shall begin the dis
-eussien- in eur next ihstalment.
NEGRO HISTORY CLASSES, IN
der the auspices Of the Negro Ma
uonallst society, are DeIng con-
Quoted personally by Atty. Ramon
A. Martinez, every Monday night al
2 o'clock, at the Y.M.C.A. on Eliza
beth near st. Antoine. No admission
charge. The last period Of the eve
ming will be dedicated to a round
table conference on current events,
including the present European war,
and how II may affect the Negro
world. Everybody Is invited.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1940-01-27

lives in their
own hands and
shape their own
care err The
ages OF history
bear mute testi-
mony 10 this
fact. There are
c o un t less ex-
amples Of men
and peoples who
shaped tn cir
own careers, and
set the channels
OF destiny, re-
gardless of the
conditions which
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1940-01-27

earth are iaho'
labor, and inter
| hgence' Lana as
the source OF an
material wealth,
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1940-01-27
BOOK REVIEW

-The Baltimore and Ohio in the
Civil War" by Festus P. Summers
G. p. Putnam's Sons 8.
New York city -. 1899 ... $500
Reviewed by GERTRUDE MARTIN
The strategic position Of the Bal
timore and Ohio railroad made its
part in the Civil War one Of drama
tic importance. Serving as it did
as the only connecting link between
the capital at Washington and the
loyal states it was the target for
Confederate attack and R'Sndssing
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1940-01-27
NEGRO DESTINY
IN BLACK HANDS

We, the Negro, will never amount
to anything so long as we are con-
tent to wait on somebody else to
work out our problems; or even wait
on them to help. The sooner we
realize that the destiny OF the black
man is in black hands, the sooner
we will in reality start upward We
can never as a people reach true
manhood as long as we are forever
content to be only "hewers Of wood
and drawers OF water" Our con-
dition at the present time; events
taking place all about us; demand
that we rise up as men, and do for
ourselves, what we have been ac-
customed to looking to others 10 do
for us.
Let us stop lulling ourselves to
sleep with the vain hope OF what
the good white folks" or any other
folks, are going to do for us. We
have done this too long already.
Year after year election after cleo
ton we have sung to each other lul-
labies Of what the next year will
bring or the next election official
will give, not realizing that we only
get in this world what we have the
strength to take.
OUR OWN STRENGTH
Our whole future depends entire
ly upon us. 1t is not a question Of
what others are disposed 70 give but
what are we able to exact. BY our
own strength we must create for
ourselves avenues OF employment
and force open the doors OF oppor-
tunity, II our sons and daughters
and the generations coming after
will be able to carve out a destiny
that will be credit to the Negro
and all the races Of men.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1940-01-27

Resembling a small typewriter, a
musical instrument invented by a
New York man produces tunes on
strings as a player follows a written
score In the form of words printed on
DaDer
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1940-01-27

Propelled by a gasoline engine, en-
agricultural implement invented by
California resident applies a high
tension electric current to soil 10 in
crease Its fertility by Increasing the ni-
trogen content
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1940-01-27

confronted them, Long as the an
cient Britons remained vassals of
Rome, they did not have the respect
Of any people. Long as they re-
manned subservient to other peoples
they were low down in the scale of
human standards. All the subject
peoples Of whom history tells us,
were always at the foot Of the hu-
man ladder. until they asserted, their
riohts as nnnn
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1940-01-27
NEGRO ECONOMICS"
~.

The three greatest gifts with
which God has blessed man for the
enjoyment OF his material life on
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1940-01-27

I'VE can stay out of this war; we
ought to stay out. 1t will do the
cause Of democracy more good II
we show that a great nation can go
through a crisis without ABANDONING
the principles OF democracy" Thrs
spoke Senator Taft candidate for
the Republican nomination for
President in his recent Milwaukee
speech. He might have added that
it will do the cause Of democracy
also, irreparsble harm IL we do no,
see that it works for black and
white alike.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1940-01-27
OUR LIVES

OUR LIVES
mo man. no nation or race ever
amounted to anything, ever rose to
greatness, who did not take their