davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Phoenix index., 1941-07-12
BY ROBERT M. RADCLIFFE

1 WAS STANDING THERE watching Orchestra Leader
Lionel Hampton turn masterful exhibition on the
drums the morning of July Fourth when white writer
sided to and reminded that Hampton used to be
big cog in the white band directed by Benny Goodman
During the brief conversation asked rather straight
forward question why, asked, "does Goodman co
ored his orchestra when good white musicians are
available?'
The white man did not have to search his mind for an
Here's what Think he said. Benny Goodman is ma
tive of Chicago and believe when he gets old he going
to stop directing his band and turn politician really think
Benny would like to go to Washington a congressman
Chicago has big batch of c0lOred votes, you know,
Of course it is only one mans opinion it sounds
logical Thousands of Negroes climbed the Goodman
bandWagon when Lionel Hampton and Fletcher Henderson
and other noted colored musicians joined with the cee
brated white orchestra Benny Goodman will long be in
the minds of colored people.
President Roosevelt the master politician elevated
coored army officer the rank of General several weeks
before he was Chief Executive of the United
States the third consecutive time After ALL there mil
lions of coored votes scattered this country.
Political bargaining has been and always will be South
ern Negroes would considered in the payof they had
anv real voting power But don't have it, yet think
we are beginning to the light. though
Walk through state buildings in the South and try to
find some Negroes at work They are there Few OF tne
standing corners wearing white coats and hodng broo
lin their hands
Coored would better state government ooS
Iif they'd learn the real power OF the ballot
Youngsters coming along are receiving proper po
tica and civic advice in the schools and colleges some u
the ministers sermonze the power of the ballot now ana
then.
Ministers could if they would, register all OF ther
members and qualify them to vote The church S'aoS ~
our main hope
The Phoenix index., 1941-07-12

wise is economic suicide. The dec
trine of the double luty-dollar is
a two adged sword or may become
such when promulgated by the
thoughtleSs If Negro leaders would
give more attention to the matter
and indestrinate the masses it
would reassure the situation.
What is more. the employment
Of the doctrine should be inspir-
ed as a measure of Self-defense
rather than as weapon against
the white man. In other words,
the motives behind the double
duty doctrine should not be vindic-
tive but cooperative. AS a self help
proposition the double duty doc
trine has limitless possibilities;
but as a fight weapon it has great
er possibilities for harm. Negroes
leadership should therefore see to
it that the doctrine is not prosti-
tuted by designing or simple per-
sons who would gain Immediately
for themselves and cause ultimate
loss to the race. Negroes cannot
lift themselves by their boot straps
neither can the Negro rise eco
nomically on the race alone.
Let us remember that the double
duty-dollar doctrine may be two
edge sword in the hands of those
who do not fully understand What
was designed 10 be stepping
stone must not be made stumb-
ling block. Negr oes must never frr-
get that whites can read placards
as we'll as Negroes and that these
whites have as much racial pride
ard loyalty as Negroes. While the
principle behind the double duty
dollar is fine, the application OF
this principle may be detrimental
The Double Duty Dollar doctrine
may become a two-edge sword.
Then let us beware of carelessness
in it's application
The Phoenix index., 1941-07-12

severe stresses and strains. Such is
the case in times of relative peace
How difficult this balance must
be in times Of war when the lives
and culture of the ruling classes
are threatened with determination?
The seriousness of the situation
of the American Negro in the pres
ent crisis as it effects his native
country is dramatized by this mark
of color. His color differentiates
him and thus subjects his behavior
to more minute and ANALYTICAL
scrutiny. The limits of racial toler-
ance are set by the majority racial
group upon a gauge which records
the intensity and apparent sin.
cerity of the Negro's patriotism.
The closer then the country an
proacheS war and thereby. more
certainly endangers the state of
self-preServation of the majority
racial group the narrower becomes
the limits of tolerance by white
people. The important thing to
be remembered here that white
people set the limits of tolerance
and Negroes must measure up to
The Phoenix index., 1941-07-12
WALTER CHIVERS SAYS:

will expose the sins of democracy
to the Nazis. Fasicists, Communists
and what have you thus Shamine
white America into giving Negroes
more defense employment is in its
essence tie creator of very antago'
nistic cooperation. The reaction will
be the same in type as would be
the case should one neighbor "ai1
the dirty linen" in another'S closet
as q means of forcing that neigh
Dor to admit him into his intimate
social group
The March on Washington" was
ill-conceived It was an attempt to
place pressure upon the majority
racial group at time when it is
fighting for Representations
threat of sabotage of national
unity. In the first place not only
100000 Negroes but thirteen million
cannot successfully force upwards
of 120 millions of advantaged peo-
pie to do anything. The thought Is
particularly ridiculous when one
realizes the importance of Negroes
Hitler has taught the world that a
bluff is worthless unless it can
be backed, if needs be, by action
action sufficiently strong to coun-
teract violent reaction. White peo-
pie control all of the implements
of war. if you get what I mean.
BAD STRATEGY
It is equally as bad to advertise
broadly, in a spirit of braggadocia
the belief that the threat of the
March on Washington" forced
the President Of the United States
to make concessions to Negroes by
issuing an order to the office Of
Production Management to the
effect that Negroes must be en-
p1oyed by defense industries The
truth is that the war can be fought
with Negroes in concentration
camps. The military energy Of
Fascism has been attuned to its
high state of efficient operation on
the emotional current of anti
Jewry There are upwards of ten
millions of ineffective Jews ir
Continental Europe. In this rela.
tionship, the significant thing is
that American indignation has
produced no feasible plan fol
rehabilitating those Jews who may
leave the walled in ghettoes.
(TO Be Continued Next Sunday
The Phoenix index., 1941-07-12
BETWEEN THE LINES

!, parent that intra-racial coopera-
ton such as is set forth in the
doctrine of the Double -Duty-Dol-
lar has become one of the bull
Warks of Negro advance. Those Ne
groes who are enjoying most Of the
blessings of life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness find their
security in the application OF the
doctrine of the Double -Dutv-Dol-
lar.
Taking this same doctrine. DR..
Luther jackson of virginia State
college coined the phrase "share
your trade" with Negroes. This was
a worthwhile amendment to the
doctrine and was designed to
thwart the attempt to use the doc
trine in way that might be det-
yimental to Negro advance. Just
the other day I saw a placard post
ed by someone who had seen the
value of the doubled duty dollar
principal, but who did not fully ap-
preciate the dangers that lUrk in
the unchastened enthusiasm which
might take hold On unsuspecting
dcvotees.
The placard read in essence
f'Trade only with Negroes and
the context of the placard showed
unmistakably that an attempt was
made to create prejudice against
the Negro who trades with any
body else. This was a dangerous
position to take with regard to the
double duty dollar doctrine. If
Negroes are going to confine all
Of their trade to Negroes, then the
whites must be expected to do the
same.
ECONOMIC SUICIDE
When whites admonish all whites
to do business only with whites, it
is going to be a sad time for Ne
groes in this country. If Negroes
want whites to share their eco
nonic opportunities with Negroes
then Negroes must share their
business with whites. To do other
The Phoenix index., 1941-07-12

them. regardless of the invitations
invoked, if they are to survive.
HATE IS ORGANIZED
Preparation for war institutional
ICES hate against the enemy-it has
to. For people can not fight fierce
ly unless they hate intensely. Mod
ern warfare is prepared for in
advance. The seeds of hate are
sown early and carefully nurtured
When the Vitriol has reached tti
adolescence and is full of energy
and sap it begins to strain al
restriction. It must be used for
IS purpose or it will, as any thwart-
ed emotion, find its own outlet.
A most logical and convenient
outlet would be Negroes because OF
their distinctive marking and the
lack of social stigma attached tC
the destruction of another race
You see the other race is not quite
human anyway-never is. The de-
struction of Jews is a good ex-
emple of this, even though they
are white people. The same answer
is arrived at by substituting minor
ity culture for race.
EXAMINING SOME ERRORS
Let us examine some of the errors
of Negroes that are likely to sub
ject them to the penalties for vio-
lating the limits of racial tolerance
in times of crisis. For instance, the
recent accumulation of threats
aimed at the national defense, to
force concessions from the moras
of the overall societal culture.
which might be simply translated
at white culture" What are a
few of these threats?
One is the National Committee
on Participation of Negroes in
National Defense. The leader of
this group has recently created q
slogan which reads, "the white
mans misery is the Negroes gain. %
Certainly such a slogan is not
calculated to encourage the white
political administrators to want
to move in order to make room
for Negroes in National defense
1t is in reality challenge to
racial conflict.
MARCH ILL-CONCEIVED
The argument that such public
noise as this organization makes
The Phoenix index., 1941-07-12
in London.

For years, Mrs Sharpe had neith-
er information nor visitors from
home, until during the World war,
she was visited by a relative who
wasn't even born at the time of her
wedding They talked over old
times in the home town and all
about the family-but the way she
was located was the story This
story, being fond of the theater,
and knowing that her husband was
interested in the theater, visited
many London shows and one day
saw her husbands name as the
manager of the theater But back
to the great Polish pianist. On one
of his last tours of the United
States, Mr.. Sharpe was his business
manager and accompanied him
here, and upon Mrs. Sharpe'S s
death, the great Pole undertook
the musical education of her two
daughters, who had inherited their
mothers fine talents.
Miss Pauline Meyers of Rich
mOnd, Va, was the hit OF the
women's conference here last
week. As she neared the end of
her allotted time, Natalie Nor
man, well known in certain cir
cIes i'm town, asked the chair
man to give Miss Meyers as
much time as she needed.
Writing letters to the editors of
various daily papers is serious
job with our friend Rienzi Lemus
president of the Dining Car En-
ployees union. If Rienzi has a
scrapbook of these letters, and ]
The Phoenix index., 1941-07-12
CAPITOL COMMENT

Beatrice EdmondS of Richmond and
seeing several of the folks we've
known for days and days at the
sessions. Little Jeanetta Welch did
herself proud with that conference
Wasn't Walter White opposed
to a certain organization ap-
pearing before the Truman
committee when it was first
proposed? Well, a group got to-
gether the other day and ask
ed Walter to appear before that
committee too.
Edgar Brown and two cops es-
corted three Negro golfers about q
white course here Sunday because
the facilities at the colored course
did not compare with the white.
They report another cut in the
number of CCC camps effective this
month.
With the death of IgnaCe
Jan PaderewSki, an interesting
story may be told. Many years
ago, down in Richmond, Va,
there was a very attractive col
Ored singer, Miss Addie John
son. Her voice thrilled all who.
heard her and shortly after
ward, she Joined one of the
famous travelling trOupes which
made history singing. The man
ager of the troupe was white
EngliShman named Sharpe. He
fell in love with the singer and
when they got to Washington
they were married, and when
their tour ended, they settled
The Phoenix index., 1941-07-12
Two-edged Sword
BY DEAN GORDON b. HANCOCK
For AMP

For AMP
1T IS WITH pardonable pride
that we reflect on the fact that
the doctrine of the Double Duty
Dollar was first expended in this
column many years ago. AS was to
be expected, there were those who
attempted to gainsay the principal
in question; but the lapse of only
few years and the stirring events
RAPIDLY transpiring have about
convinced the most incredulous that
We had something.
Everywhere Negroes are sub
SCI ibing to the doctrine that Ne
groes who spend their money with
Negroes make their dollars do
double duty. The doctrine went
further than holding UP the mere
advantage 70 trading with Negroes;
but also set forth that the same
objectives could be ATTAINED by
trading with those whites who
employ Negroes.
This made it broad and less like
" to antagonize the fundamental
principles of inter-racial coopera-
tion. It is obvious that the Negro
cannot live merely by doing bust
ness with Negroes. but he must in
clude within the scope of his
patronage those whites who en-
plov Negroes.
A MEASURE OF RELIEF
This doctrine was never pro-
posed and propounded as a solu-
ton tc all of the problems con-
fronting Negroes; it was merely
positied as a measure of relief to
serious situation Some of the
more Learned" Negroes began to
decry the doctrine on the score
that the Negro could not have a
separate economy for the race.
Nobody ever said that he could;
but it is becoming increasingly ap-
The Phoenix index., 1941-07-12


measured appropriate to assure
that such programs are admins.
tered without discrimination be
cause of race, creed, color, or ma
tjona1 origin"
SHOULD ENROLL IN
CLASSES
Declaring that this section will
assure wider training opportuni-
ties for Negro workers. DR.. Weav-
er urged colored trainees to. utilize
fully facilities already available in
many localities.
Field Investigations by member s
Of my staff indicate that this has
not been done in many communi-
ties" he stated. Civic, social and
labor leaders in these communi-
ties should combine their efforts
to see that available Negro work
ers are enrolled in these classes"
The Chief of the Negro Employ
ment and Training Branch cited
recent developments in the avia-
ton industry in support of his
statement of increased employ
ment opportunities for Negroes
Aircraft manufacturers now train
ing and employing Negro produc-
ton workers include Curtiss-
Wright factories and affiliates ir
Buffalo, New York, Columbus am
Cincinnati, Ohio; Bell Aircraft il
Buffalo, N. Y; Brewster Aero
nautical Corporation in Long Is
land City, N. Y; Grumman Aero
nautical Engineering Company anc
Republic Aviation Company i,
Farningdale. L. I.
PLACED IN DETROIT
"The aircraft industry is no.
alone in expanding opportunitie
for Negroes" DR.. Weaver said
I'm Detroit, for instance, Negroe
are now being placed as screw ma
chine operators, lathe operators
electricians, gear hobblers, welder'
and in other occupations i'll whicJ
they were once denied employment
The Journal Of Negro Education
foresaw this situation as early a
October of last year. At that time
this periodical declared:
"It behooves as many Negroes a
possible to take advantage of thi
training so that they can suppl
this labor demand as il arises. I
is obviously better policy for Ne
groes to get such training and fac
the possibility of having to figh
The Phoenix index., 1941-07-12
Ry AL WHITE

WASHINGTON. D. CLAMP
Digging up You street seems to be
the favorite past time of several
utility companies in this burg. The
only redeeming feature about the
whole thing is that they employ
hundreds of Negroes doing it. But
it's awfully uncomfortable to ped
eStrianS.
A bit of New York's East Side at
the corner of 18th and S Sunday
afternoon. A Jewish merchant, his
family and friends, seated around
a table on the street, eating water
melon and throwing the rinds in
the gutter. So Negroes find water
melons fine eating, eh?
A bit of Harlem at 18th and
You streets, / a. m. Sunday.
Street Ioafers cluttering up the
corner-it'S hot, you know
IOlIing about, some dancing
some gesticulating wildly as
they PROFOUND theories on race
oIogy-kids who should have
been home in bed hours and
hours ago, being chased by cops
because they annoy folks try
ing to sell street car passes,
which have only a couple more
hours to run before they are
null and void. Few whites in
sight, except those driving thru
the district or operating street
cars and buses. Yep, Harlem
itself could do no better.
At the women's conference Sat
urday, meeting an old school mat
The Phoenix index., 1941-07-12

to get employment afterward than
it is to have opportunities open
up which they can not enter be-
cause they are not trained.
"The opportunities are beginning
to open up daily. And the Presi-
dents Executive Order may prove
ineffective in many areas unless
Negroes prepare themselves for
these opportunities by taking ad'
vantage of defense training
courses"
The Phoenix index., 1941-07-12
Ry WILLIAM PICKENS
For AMP

TT WAS TO be expected, but II
came about earlier than most OF
lis had expected it. We expected IL
when (and if Hitler should win the
present war against democrac1eS,
or should fight it to draw. But
Hitler cannot wait. Why? For the
same reason that Hess ran out OF
Germany: because of desperation.
Wheat and oil needs will not "alS
on Hitler.
There never was any honest
friendship between Germany ano
Russia. But Churchill is right:
Russia is to be preferred by the rest
of us to Germany in this fight ano
at this time. We cannot follow
Tiindbergh or Wheeler: we must
use our brains and follow our horse
sense. We do not think that either
Russia or Germany offers the
world any great gift,-but we most
decidedly prefer to see Germany
| defeated. - even by Russia, Ger
many is such menace as Russia
has not become, and perhaps
never can become.
REAL SITUATION
This is a REAL situation, not
an academic subject for academic
deliberations. Decision and Action
Roosevelt and Churchill are ideal
lists of a sort, but are realist when
If comes to realities and the need
for decision and action.
We prefer to help Russia against
Germany. We could never prefer TO
help Germany against Russia. We
of this life in this world are always
choosing between EVILS. We our
selves are an evil. We know it.
If Russia can hold Hitler Tor
90 days, Hitler's days are numbered.
The Phoenix index., 1941-07-12

NOW while the public is alive TO
the situation-and not deferred in
an effort to bring glory to one man
or one generation. And the Nation
al Negro congress is not too mucn
pleased with the present SeCop
either.
Speaking of Logan, there IS
fighter for you. We remember
when he was called upon, along
with two other colored officers,
to oueU a riot of 5000 Negro
troops in a camp in France. The
Negroes had been mistreated
and manhandled by white OF
ficers and non-commiSSioned
officers until they could stand
it no longer. They staged blitz
in that camp that will long be
remembered by all who took
part in it-although the war
department has no official rec
ord" of it, we believe.
The Negroes had the command
ing officer hotfooting it for near
by Bordeaux and all white officers
sought cover. Missiles, bullets were
flying harum scarum through the
camp and DR.. Logan, a first lieu
tenant, Chaplain Oveltree and a
captain, whose name escapes me for
the moment, the only colored Of
ficers in camp, were ordered to put
down the riot. They did, and in a
short time. And Rayford still has
that fighting spirit and the will to
carry through. This ought to be
quite a little fight, Walter White
in one corner and Rayford Logan
in the other-although it may never
materialize.
The Phoenix index., 1941-07-12
Some Of The Facts
On That "Fair" Mob
In Eastman
ATLANTA. Ga-(SNS)-

ATLANTA, Ga.-(SNS)-
I CUT MY FOURTH of July va
cation short to spend some time in
Eastman. Georgia where the fair
and square" mob took a colored man
from Jail. carried him to the
woods, then whipped him and when
he did not confess to an assault on
a white woman because she said he
looked like the man, they carried
him back to jail, and the papers
gloat over the fact that the south
ern mob was fair and square.
learned from cOlOred people
i'm Eastman, that not only did
they beat him, but white men
tell how some of the mob
members took pliers and pinch
ed and snatched various organs
of his body. The colored people
say that white people tell how
he, while writhing in pain told
them, 81 know YOU are going to
kill me, but after I am dead,
keep on hunting for the guilty
party"
He was taken back to iai1 and
later carried to Macon. and put in
jail for safekeeping. Some white
papers give praise to this south
ern mob for being so fair. yet
7 wonder would they trust their
fate to mob who would take
them out and twist their organs to
make them confess. It was late
but 7 went to Macon to verify that
he was there the same night.
Finally. does the sheriff know
who the mob was? Maybe he
doesn't after their two visits
to the Jail, but the white folks
talk about the details on the
street corners. Will anything
be done? 1 say, not thing. but
the Negro, innocent Or guilty is
going to get some time.
Some people will tell you
they are with you III front and
knife you in the end.
Don't fly too high for you may
end up flat of your back.
A fellow who is always puff
ed up generally ends up with
the swell head.
The Phoenix index., 1941-07-12

a II extremely
keen sense of
balance.
If members
of the minority
racial group
happen to be
marked by a
different color
this sense of
balance oper-
ateS under con-
Jinued pressure
and consequent
~ in constant
" subjected to
The Phoenix index., 1941-07-12
S Do You Want
POWER S

Power to make you victorious in all
you undertake to do? Power to
make people admire you Power to
earn money? Power to gain popu-
larity? Power 20 make any one fol
low you? I will send you informa-
tion which is the result of scientific
research by one holding a degree of
S. S. With this information and di-
rections III your possession you must
become more masterful and exert
greater Influence. You will be able
20 break prevailing misconceptions
1 GUARANTEE TO HELP YOU. If
YOU ARE NOT DELIGHTED YOUR
MONEY IMMEDIATELY REFUND
ED Just send me your name and
address. Pay postman on delivery
only S1.S8 when he delivers goods
and written guarantee. Write now
HARRIS. 16 COLUMBIA STREET
New York City, N. Y, Dept. BIZ
The Phoenix index., 1941-07-12
Negroes Urged
Continued from Page -


possible moment. Since IS percent
OF the new jobs opened by the de-
tense program will be in skilled
and semi-Skilled capacities. Negro
workers cannot hope to be fully
integrated into the employment
phase of the program unless they
enter defense training classes D."
DR.. Weaver also pointed out
that President RoOsevelt's recent
Executive Order on defense EN-"
ployment took cognizance of the
training problems of minority
groups. Section One of the order
stated:
"All departments aud agencie';
of the Government of the United
States concerned with vocational
and training program for defenst