davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly echo. (Meridian, Miss.) 1931-1942, 1941-02-21

civilized man to discover the interior
Of Africa
Jen Baptiste de Saibls laid the foun-
dalton fer the city Of Chicaao in 1779.
Matthew Henson was with Peary ex-
petition in 1909. He WIS the first Of
a prrty Of six to discover tn, North Pole
FIRST SURGEON TO OPERATE ON
HUMAN HEART WAS NEGRO
DR.. Daniel VILLAINS was the first
surgeon in the world to successfully
operati upon the human heart. He was
chosen from among all surgeons of A.
merica as one of the charter members
ct the American CoIee, of Surgeons
organized in Chicago in 1918.
DR.. George W Carver. a chemist OF
"pr d fame at Tuskegee Institute, Ala.
has extracted hundreds of different
Continued on page fou)
The weekly echo. (Meridian, Miss.) 1931-1942, 1941-02-21
BRIGHT STARS
SINCE THE STARS
FELL
BY ROBERT K. SMITH

Tn, celebration of Negro History
Week, which originated BY Dr.. Garter
G. Woodson, pioneer in Negro History
The weekly echo. (Meridian, Miss.) 1931-1942, 1941-02-21
RACE CONTRIBUTION
As EXPLORERS

A Hampton Institute Summary OF
Race Explorers has this to say Neg
ores did not first come to America as
slaves in 1913, but as explor rs, coloni-
zers and indentured servants a 100 years
rar Ter Ancert manuscripts mention:
l. A1onzo Pietro, pilot of the ship
Nina" Of the feet of Columbus when
he discow- red America.
2. Nuflo de Olano accompanied Bal
boa on his expedition and discovery of
the Pacific Ocean
3. Estevarico accompanied Narvaez on
his Inflated exploration of the trritory
now forming New Mexico and Arizona.
4. Negro artisans wire with MenedeS
when he founded ST Augustine in 1865
Tipp % lib, Negro, was the first
'olidr in the Frenc Evolution as well
The weekly echo. (Meridian, Miss.) 1931-1942, 1941-02-21

DR. GEORGE WASHINGTON
- CARVER, famous agriculture
scientist, as he appeared on RI
1ItIange AS It Seems program owe
tne nationwide CHS network re
Gently; DR.. Carver was interviewed
BY Alois Havrilla, masterpieces
monies for the program, after :,
TTama tization of his remarkable life
f1eard also on the same proeran
we're Canada Lee, who foIlowaJ
KEY Ingram as the lead in Haiti
ana starred in Orson WeIles' Hay.
,en version of Macbeth, and Bill
Attaway' last seen in the road com
pUany OF You Can't Take It With
The weekly echo. (Meridian, Miss.) 1931-1942, 1941-02-21

as technician Of the violin.
g. Alex nder Dumas, a Negpo of the
early 18th c-n.ury is best known by his
historical romantic dramas, Henry III"
Christine, and Anthony.
3. a e%ander Pushkin, Negro of the
18th rtury of Russia. IS b-st remen-
bared as d poet novelist, 5zd playwright
The Phoenix index., 1941-05-10
Grand Jury
Probe Ordered
In Shooting

BIRMINGHAM Ala.-(SNS)-
Judge H. B. Abernathy ordered
a grand jury investigation of the
shooting of Nelson Hogan who was
shot in the back upon resisting
having his dog taken by dog pond
workers. The unusual action Of the
well known Judge came following
preliminary trial of H. E. Stokes,
white, dog catcher, on a warrant
charging him with assault with in
tent to murder.
Testimony heard in the Court OF
Misdemeanors and F'elonies reveal
ed that Stokes fired after two en-
ployees en- the dog wagon had
beaten Hogan with sticks used IN
catching dogs, and that Hogan was
shot in the back as he attempted
to return to his home.
Stokes hearing came after Ho-
gan until the shot was fired. Ho-
gan declared that Stokes threat
ened to Finish me if I moved"
Stokes hearing came after Ho-
gan secured a warrant for his ar
rest. Judge Abernathy ordered the
case to the grand jury and at the
sssne time dismissed assault and
battery charges against David
Bachman and Clarence Garner,
The Phoenix index., 1941-05-10
Steps for Reform
Branded "Red,"
South-Wrecking

pie which is spelling democracy.
Over the past few years l have
done extensive readings ON the
subject fo plol tdX. At this writ
ing I am fortified with many re-
cent editorials clipped from news
papers on the subject.
see no argument worthy CT
trying to crush being advanced by
pro-poll tax group except those
three With listed in the second
paragraph of this essay.
Well known are the roads Of rid
ding the poll tax. Variously these
plants are % stkte handling
abolition or modification; (2j have
the Supreme Court outlaw it. CD
Federal repeal in national elections
-Geyer or Pepper bill None OF
these can achieve success unless in
terest is built up in the poll tax
issue and that issue made plain.
Few UNDERSTAND the poll tax.
In another article, probably q
series, I shall take up the argu-
ments for repeating the poll tax.
In my opinion no half Job called
modification is enough. 1t will take
no more effort to abolish the poll
tax then to modify it Modifica-
tiOn would be but a trick to- save
The Phoenix index., 1941-05-10
Officers
Getting
Training

WASHINGTON, D. Ca N P)
The fact that Negro officers al
ready in the armed services are
being taken into the established
regular army schools for special
training in specialized courses is
a highly gratifying sign, Judge
William HaStie, civilian aide to the
secretary of war says, and accord
ing to the judge, it bodies well for
the future welfare of Negro offic-
erS.
Throughout the country these
men are being taken in groups TO
various training. centers and given
the benefit of the latest in modern
warfare.
When asked if there would be an
officers training school. similar to
that of the last war, Judge HASTE
said he believes there will be op-
portunities for young colored train
eeS who have had six months train
ing to enter the established camps,
which are located as follows:
Infantry at Fort Benning, Ga. !;
artillery at Ft. Sill, OKLA; coast
(Contiryed or Back pege)
The Phoenix index., 1941-05-10

WASHINGTON, D. C.-(SNS)
In a timely message which IS
creating wide discussion, James
A. Atkins, specialist in Negro Edu-
cation. Federal Work Projects Ad-
ministration, shows what roles
both teacher and student must
take in aiding the National De-
tense Program, and indicates the
steps leading to national unity
through interracial understanding
and cooperation.
Mr. Atkins statement appears in
The April issue of the Teachers
Edition of Our Weekly News. y
published by the American Educa-
ton Press at Columbus, Ohio
Increasingly, during the past
year, has the problem of national
defense occupied the minds Of all
Americans the WPA Specialist
in Negro Eduation says. And be-
cause of the many difficulties of
adjusting civilian thinking and
practices to military and indus
trial defense, this problem looms
larger upon the Negroes horizon
than upon that of many other
groups. In some sections the prob
lem of national defense has raised
these difficult questions: What
has the Negro to defend? Is there
not an exceedingly large amount
of unemployment among NegroesP
Do they not live in slumS where
there are many lacks, such as good
housing, sanitation, adequate fire
and police protection, education,
hospital service. and so on?
AN affirmative answer to such
questions as these would not re-
lieve the Negro population of the
obligation to put its shoulder to
the wheel to defend democracy"
The work to be done by adult
teachers. continues Mr. Atkins,
centers on a speed up in national
cuShioning of the shock of thai
even more critical period which is
bound to follow the present world
struggle At the same time the
education specialist sees the need
for expanding and intensifying
the drive to eliminate practical
illiteracy: to improve health con-
ditions among Negro citizens: to
raise living standards in Negro
homes; to develop an adequate
program of social and vocational
guidance for Negro adults, and 10
assist wherever possible in efforts
to promote national unity by re-
moving barriers to interracial
The Phoenix index., 1941-05-10
Petitions
OF Protest
Are Filed
Beaten Because
She Said "No"
To Policemen

BATON ROUGE, La. -
(ANP)-Outraged because of
the most brutal and unwar-
ranted beatings of a woman
that has occurred here in
generations, Negro citizens
are heatedly protesting the
assault on Mrs. Florida Atkins
by three alleged deputy sher
ifs of West Baton Rouge
parish late last Friday.
Relative to the incident, it was
reported that Mrs. Atkins was in
her yard when the officers rode
up and inquired. "is this where
Ashbury lives?"
The woman was reputed to have
answered, no" and was asked by
the inquiring officer, "do you mean
to say mo- to me?''
She answered, Eyes"
Because of this the officer was
said to have alighted from the car
and slapped Mrs. Atkins, who
fought back and was beating the
officer in the struggle when the
two companions joined the Tray
and beat her about the head with
their service revolvers. The wom-
an, bloody and with clothes torn
to Shreads, was slapped into Jail.
Two other cars, allegedly carry
ing ten officers, arrested Mrs.
Akins' brother. Joseph Winsey, and
Mrs. Fannie Winsey. the beaten
woman's mother. All were report
ed held incommunicado over
night.
The arrests and assault were said
to have been the outgrowth of diff
ficulties between white children
and Negro children on their way
from school. Three of the four Ne
gro children involved were reported
jailed also, but they were released
without charges.
Petitions of protest have been
filed by the Baton Rouge Branch
NAACP, Methodist Ministers Alli-
an"e and the Baton Rouge Press
Club.
The Phoenix index., 1941-05-10
In 8 Southern States The Ballot
Is In Bondage" Jackson Declares

the poll tax with only some new
way being invented to make it as
effective as the old system in
disfranchising.
May 11-17 is National Anti
Poll Tax Week. Every minister, /
think, should preach sermon on
suffrage Suffrage is the symbol OF
freedom in a democracy, Freedom
is the foundation of the church.
Each's essence is tied up in the
other.
The poll tax issue asks for a de-
cision on perpetuation of democra-
CIV or its elimination. Free suf-
frage-repeal of the poll tax and in
deas5d ballot participation-em-
bodies the ingredients for perpetua-
ton of democracy Rational argu-
mentS not racial arguments, are
what we need.
The Phoenix index., 1941-05-10
Negro In NATL Defense
Discussed By Atkins

understanding and cooperation.
Turning to the question of
national unity, the WPA Specialist
in Negro Education claimed: "The
nation as whole may not be well
enough acquainted with the &C.
cievements of the Negro to ap-
preciate his possible contribution
to a finer social order Likewise,
a large part of the Negro popula-
ton possibly does not grasp the
full significance of the Anglo
American contribution to the
growth and development of the
democratic way of life in the
modern world This situation pre-
sents a challenge to the teacher
who is willing TO work to deyeloF
better understanding OF the
principles upon Which our Govern
ment is built ana of the manitCld
opportunities which it affords tc
advantages md opportunities
which it affords to its many and
divers peoples to perfect democ-
>Yscy in our America"
In the earlier part of his mes
sage. Mr.. Atkins traces the growth
If the Emergency Education Pro
gram and calls attention to the
marked benefits received by Ne
gro students from the WPA Adult
Education and Nursery School
Programs. He also pointed to the
growth in home and community
pride and cleanliness There is
still an enormous task ahead,
the education specialist says. IN
ereas where most of the Negro
population lives, one in every
three or four Negro adults lacks
knowledge of the moderl world.
The average school attainment OF
the adult Negro is probably less
than six grades of the common
school. About ten of every one
hundred Negro adults sign their
name by making their mark"
The Phoenix index., 1941-05-10
By EMORY JACKSON

MONTGOMERY, Ala.-:SNS)T
In eight Southern states the ballot
is in bondage. While the anti
suffrage advocates have many ways
of freezing suffrage in the hands
of the few. the pool tax, disguised
behind all kinds of purpose, is the
greatest barrier to the greatest
number.
Like most steps for reform, this
one has been branded "red,' south
wrecking and Negro-enthroning.
Reasoning that way, if such argu-
mcnts were va!id. those other for
ty states (some in the South such
as Florida, North Carolina and
louisiana would of necessity come
under the labelling of the oppon-
ents.
What too few Negroes seem to
know is that little better OFT Will
they be if the pool tax is repealed
so long as the white primary and
mis-applied registration laws con-
tinue. This fact itself further
shows up the weakness Of the anti
suffrage group who use this as one
of their strongest appeals.
The poll tax is one of the most
um-American OF American things.
What is it's true purpose? To dis
franchise? Is it performing? Yes!
In these eight states having it, it's
outworking democracy. At this rate
If is fair to think it will work de
mocracy out of America if America
does not work it out of democracy
Tn poll tax is that little bad ap-
The Phoenix index., 1941-05-10
Bus Companies Begin
Employment Of Race

Fifth Avenue Coach company de-
manding the employment of Ne
groeS in all operating categories.
simultaneously, it was announc-
ed that the victory parade which
had been planned for Saturday has
been called off entirely for the
present. The association has de-
cided to wait until a decision has
been made on the next objective Of
the groups which actively prose-
cuted the bus flight and to hold a
victory meeting and at the same
time sound the opening shot OF the
new struggle.
The Phoenix index., 1941-05-10

NEW YORK-(A N P)-Seyen
mechanics have already been en-
ployed by the two major operating
bus companies in their shops, and
within one week ten men are ex-
pected to begin their training as
chauffeurs on the companies lines,
it was announced Tuesday after
noon.
These developments follow close
ed a week ago eliminating four
on the heels of the contrac5 sign
weeks of boycott conducted by
Harlemites against the New York
City Omnibus corporation and the
The Phoenix index., 1941-05-10

Continued or Back Page)
The Phoenix index., 1941-05-10

(Continued CT Back pege)
The Phoenix index., 1941-05-10

(Ccntinued or gsck pege)
The Phoenix index., 1941-05-10

Continued on Back Page(
The Phoenix index., 1941-05-10

And Agent
Discharged
Action Follows
Harlem Bus
Agreement

NEW YORK - (ANP)-I
Difference of opinion over
policy and method of func-
tioning, particularly in con-
nection with the recent sue
cessful collaboration of the
organization in the campaign
for the employment of Ne
groes on major bus lines
here, last week resulted in
the ousting from the Harlem
Labor union of Joseph Allen,
business agent, and Quentin
Knight, an organizer.
The action comes as the latest
development in the reorganizing
process instituted by President
Roger Straughn. and took the form
Of a motion before the executive
committee of the union to sever
the relations of the two men from
the group for "just cause" The
vote was unanimously approved.
Some two or three weeks ago Co.
lumbus A. Aston, publicity director
of the union was ousted.
EXPLANATION GIVEN
In the explanation given for the
committees action, it was revealed
that these three men disapproved
of the tri-partite agreement arrived
at between the United Negro Bus
association, with which the Harlem
Labor union is affiliated, the New
York City Omnibus corporation
and the Fifth Avenue Coach COM
pany, and the Transport Workers
union of America. The contract
was the result of four-week strug-
gle 10 secure jobs for Negroes as
chauffeurs and mechanics with the
companies on a population ratio
basis the maximum Of which would
be about $40 men. The agreement
further stipulated the manner ir
which these men would bs hired
and trained.
According to a spokesman for the
ousted members, immediate en-
plcyment of Negroes will be post
poned because the Bus Association
"was unwilling to demand the fir
ing Of whites in order to make
room for the Negroes This spokes-
man was critical of any disposi-
tion on the part of the Harlemites
to reach compromise. jr spite of
the enthusiastic reception give1
the final document by the conf
nunity who felt victory had beer
registered
The Phoenix index., 1941-05-10
Bury 575-Pound
Woman In Gary

GARY, Ind, .,-(ANP)-Mrs. Ber-
tha Claiborne. weighing SIS
pounds, was buried Saturday in a
1,475 pound specially constructed
casket. Sixteen pallbearers were
used and the casket was tilted
sideways to be moved through
the chapel docrs.
The Phoenix index., 1941-05-10
OFFER OTHER FACTS

While the bus incident precipi-
tated the Monday debate. it was
said that other facts were present
ed which mitigated against the
men. Allen, heretofore responsible
for the organizing of bars and
grills, was charged with having had
400 signs printed certifying to con-
fornitv to rules and regulations OF
the HLU, affixed his signature, and
sold these to the grills for
$500 a piece All of this is
said to have been done without
the knowledge or approval of the
executive committee whose func-
tion it is to pass en- such things.
Knight was said to have fallen
down on his production in that he
neither brought in new members
nor adjusted any contracts re-
quiring attention. He was. how
ever. regular in appearing on Fri
day evenings for his check" The
conduct of both men was said to
he reprehensible too because OF
their "anti-Semitic beliefs" a
thing that brought much embar-
rassment and hurt to the organi-
zation.
Prior to January Straughn had
iCnntinueh on Back page(
Evening star., 1941-06-22
Hotel Greeters of America

Election of officers resulted as
follows: President. Robinson Lappin,
jr., Capitol Park Hotel; first vice
president, Harvey T. Black. Com
modore Hotel: second vice president,
Stanley Wilbur, Martinique Hotel;
secretary, Louis G. Jackson, New
Amsterdam: treasurer, Frank Will
Hanson, Hay Adams; sergeant at
arms, James Harry Miller, Shore
ham. Board of Governors: John
Donley, Continental; c. J. Cook,
Continental; Robert D. Mills, Con-
tinental; J. P. Edwards. George Ma
son; Charles Hutchinson, Capitol
Park; Frank Taylor, Shoreham;
Lewis W. Berry, Brighton Hotel.
Auxiliary officers are: President,
Mrs. Robinson Lappin; first vice
president, Mrs. Hazel Wood: second
vice president, Mrs. Agnes Carpen-
ter; secretary, Mrs. Harvey Black;
sergeant at arms. Mrs. Ann Neal.
Board of Governors. Mrs. Alma Will
hanson. Mrs. Harry D. Stewart,
Mrs. Edna Finney, Mrs. John Donley,
Miss Lottie Taylor, Mrs. Louis G..
Jackson, Mrs. Weston B. Jones. jr.
Delegates J. p Edwards and Mrs.
Hazel Wood just returned from tha
national convention at Houston,
Tex, reported the 1912 international
convention will be held in Pitts
burgh, Pa.
Following the meetings, both
groups joined for a social when re-
freshments were served.
Evening star., 1941-06-22
Enlisted Reservists Who Failed
Academy Tests to Try Again
Those Within Age Limits Will Be
Given Another Chance at the Course

engineering, and the supply corps
had taken in a number sf young
men with this training as officers
for duty as inspectors of materiel.
Unless the classes now coming out
of college furnish enough men with
engineering degrees who are inter-
ested in entering the naval Serv-
ice to obtain commissions as en-
signs, then the Navy might have
to take those with the bachelor Of
arts degrees and then adjust its in
tensive training course to give the
necessary mathematical instruction.
The local Reserve headquarters,
it was said. is going slow in the Sc
lection Of men for the Reserve mid
shipman courses for the surface
ships. Considerable information is
required Of each of the applicants.
No case is taken up, it was as
serted, until all of the necessary
papers and information is filed. The
next classes will not enter the acad-
emy until September, and these
classes will include only those who
have passed successfully through
the 3O-day probationary period at a
naval training station.
In addition to the officer per-
sonnel which is being sought the
local Reserve headquarters also is
looking for enlisted men who are
specialists in various lines. Right
now they will take every Stenog-
rapher and typist that they can
get. and any applicant is assured
of immediate active duty. probably
here. 1t also will take young men
who only have knowledge Of type
writing, and candidates will be given
tests at the Naval Reserve Armory
in the Washington Navy Yard.
Evening star., 1941-06-22
Y. w. e. A. News

The Girl Reserves Of the Y. w. G.
A. and the Hi Y of the Y. M. c. A.
will present the vesper service at the
All National Encampment near the
Tiday Basin today at 7:30 pm. The
Girl Reserve Glee Club will sing and
Helen Colbert. Mary Grace Ryan
and Mil June Manning will take
part.
The special summer classes in the
education department are contlnu-
ing. Flower arrangement on Mon
days and Thursdays from II TO y
and 7 to s pm; astronomy class on
Wednesdays from $50 to $50 pm;
dictation class in the morning on
Mondays and Thursdays from II to
u and in the evenings on Tuesdays
and Thursdays from 5:l5 to 6;
dressmaking on Thursdays from 10
to II or to 9 pm; Gregg review on
Thursdays at sos pm.
On June % a special for children
in swimming will be offered. On
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
at $50 there will be coaching and
a special swim. Tennis for children
is also being included in the sum-
mer program of the health educa-
ton department.
Last summer the project OF the
Girl Reserves for obtaining Jobs and
wise use of leisure time met with
such success that again this sum-
mer the scheme will be tried. The
meeting of the Three I Girls will be
held Monday at 2 pm.
The Music Committee will meet at
the home of Mrs Edwin B. Parker,
POOL Twenty-fourth street NV, on
Tuesday.
A social recreation evening and
sing has been planned for the new
girls in the city on Tuesday at 8
pm. Mrs. Virginia Shoiar and Miss
Mary Burnett will be in charge OF
the program.
An informal luncheon of the
Young Married Women'S Club will
be held Wednesday at 1890 pm.
Reservations should be made IN
advance.
The first in a series of informal
summer dances for Girl Reserves
and their friends will be held on
Wednesday at pm.
The Executive Committee OF the
Elizabeth Somers Glee Club will be
held Thursday at 7:30 pm.
There will be Y. NJ. c. A.-Y. w.
n A dance on Friday from 9 to IL
o'clock.
Evening star., 1941-06-22
Ancient Order Of Hibernions
Auxiliary

The John Barry Division, A. o. H,
and auxiliary will sponsor an Irish
Night on the Potomac" July 7 at
7:45 pm.
Division No. 7 met at the home of
Miss Julia Linskey. The president,
Miss Kathleen Leckey, initiated
Mrs. Alice M. Doyle and Miss Helen
LAWN.
Junior Division No met at the
home of the district vice president,
Mrs. Rose S. Martin. Miss Rose
Marie Leiper was initiated by the
acting president, Miss Ellen Collins
At the silver tea Of the Irish His
tory Study Club, at the home OF the
district chairman, Mrs. Nellie B.
Kelser. Prizes were announced for
the Irish history contest. The SUBJ
ject was Americas Debt to Artists
of Irish Birth or Descent" The
fourth national prize and the first
District prize of $40 each was
awarded to Mary Rose Shields of st
Anthony's High School, second Dis
trict prize of S. was awarded to
Mary Louise Healy of Holy Trinity
High School and the third District
prize of SO was awarded to Mary
Evelyn Walsh of st. Cecelia's High
School.
The subject for the grade schools
was "St. Brendan, the Navigator
The first District prize of S. was
awarded to Frances Kirk of st
Anthony's School, the second prize
of So was awarded to Mary Ham
NETT of Holy Comforter School and
the third prize of 50 was awarded to
Agnes Hampson of st. Anthony s
School.