davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-11-21
Hepcat Willie
Goes TO War
By LARRY cHISM

killer diller OF a honey back in the
States" was the way Hepcst Willie
described a narrow-eyed. almond
colored and shspely chick he'd
found one of day while wandering
with his buddies through the mar
row streets of their new army TO-
cation.
The splitting image OF Sue Sweet
only she's twice as gaysome,"
Hepcat Willie continued, as he took
in all the luscious charms OF the
heart throb now seated. so willing
" on his knee in the small, foreign
grog-shop.
Gather round squares, cause
times a-wasting and the make hay
time is soon to go with the wind, 3"
Hepcat warned his two cronies.
Time was fleet. And as the black
gave way 10 an early bright, the
Fighting Demons" knew that their
noggings had slipMd two points
of the wrong side and that all was
well for to cop some nod.
But the arms OF the sleeping
beauty refused to be wooed by Pvt
Edwards who couldn't cop a nod, no
matter how hard he tried. He kept
mumbling: "Rosamia, you're just
my kind of chick. How bout you
an me getting along regular-like?
I'd do anything in the world for
you. Rosamia. don't you like me
little?" Edwards asked, tossing
in his sleep.
He'd fallen hard like lead for
Rosania, a half caste girl he'd
found ip, one OF the drink spots in
that foreign land.
Time continued to march on.
And with each succeeding day the
trio could feel themselves really
getting into the spirit OF the army
routine, drill and combat tactics.
Going to whip hell out OF them
Japs and Nazis. cause l want to
hurry home TO my baby" Jerry
Downs often repeated while con-
versing with his buddies.
Never going home again, cause
Rossmia is the gal for me. Going
to sit right down here and play
home, sweet home. Just me and
Rosamia." Richard Downs told his
pals whenever they sat down for .
regular bull session in the bar
racks.
MOVING DAY APPROACHES
Then one bright morning word
came the boys were moving UP 10
the front line trench.
Guess US might as well get out
all the luck stuff cause the frontiers
are going to make Old Htler's
pants smoke and that's no Joke.
They's Just waiting for u.s. Hepcat
Willie winded when the word Of
moving day came through to The
fighting buddies.
The next week was one Of stif
army stuff for the company. Early
every ayem the head zebra would
Jerk the dimples off Of their couch
es, be sure they were draped in
their mites and make them hip
twist, have porcupine drills and
make them take to the iron horses,
all 10 make them tough enough to
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-11-21
ABOUT WOMEN
B y
JEANETTA WEIGH

the people. That Mrs. Roosevelt
believes out Of this war should
come the cooperation Of all peoples;
that she refused 10 sit on the
white side" Of . conference In
Birmingham. Ala, when they would
not allow Negro and white 10 sic
together: that she is . personal
friend Of our own Mary Mcleod
Bethune; that she entertains Ne
groes In the White House; that she
is for equal economic opportunities
for all peoples; that she quit the
OAR when they refused TO let
Marian Anderson sing In the Con-
stitution Hall. and oh so many more
instances like these, Is the real
reason for Pegler's attack on the
First Lady Of the Land who has
broken all anti-social practices In
the White House.
ALL WOMEN
Roosevettdoes represent the
wives and mothers Of the U. S. in
England. Not only the wives and
but the whole woman
hood Of America. She has made
a name and place in American
history that not even Pegler can
destroy. She represents a good
an excellent wife, and a
bonaiide, loyal American citizen.
For yOiir Inflammation Mr. pa1iar
Mrs. Roosevelt can represent me in
England, and thank God that we
nave a woman in the White House
who is interested enough in the
Welfare Of ALL humanity who will
sacrifice to make q hazardous trip
n order that she might cheer up,
md lend inspiration to our armed
,orces and citizens over there.
They are fighting 10 make It pos
'ible for you to even write about
our First Lady without being
brown in jail.
TIME FOR UNITY
This is the time for UNITY,
AND THE WIN THE WAR SPIRIT
not the belittling Of individuals
who are trying in their own way
10 play q part in this great effort.
In spite OF your repeated attacks,
Pegler, Mrs. Roosevelt still remains
he idolTof the common man. She
$ kind. she Is good and thank God,
he Is human.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-11-21

THE INSIDE STORY: II isn't
generally known by the 1000 odd
members but the local branch Of
the NAACP Is seething with be-
hind-the-scenes politics. The SEEM
ing jealousy Of the Citizens Com
mittee on the part of certain MEM
bers Of the NAACP. along with the
antagonism Of members Of the
NAACP, was brought out into the
open at = recent executive board
meeting Of the branch at which the
charges flew right and left as the
meeting waxed hotter. Although
the fireworks started when the exc
eutive board was asked to divorce
the NAACP from the activity of
the Citizens Committee, II Is COM
mon knowledge that some Of the
old antagonism that existed during
the current salary raise contro-
versy Is, unfortunately, still rank
ling in the bosoms of too many
members of the NAACP. The board
was asked 10 rule that Current
no longer serve as secretary to the
committee which duty he performs
along with that of executive secre-
tary Of the NAACP, but the board.
knowing that the Citizens commit
tee does not operate as a COM
petitor Of the NAACP, vetoed the
idea. To prove that II is not a
competitive body, the committee
has turned over to the NAACP the
case Of the Ham.ramck Homes, q
case which should be the concern
Of the NAACP because, II won, II
will set a precedent for interra-
cial housing all over the country.
But no matter how the arguments
go. there's going to be a hot time
in the old town the night the MEM
bership elects Its next president
4; X X
OFF THE RECORD: What this
column likes about Mayor Edward
J. Jeffries is that he doesn'e mind
calling a spade a spade. When the
Committee for War Jobs asked his
honor to take a stand on discrim-
ination in local defense plants, the
Mayor was tempted to pooh-pooh
the idea but promised to investi-
gate and let the committee hear
from him in a week or so. But
before his time was up, the mayor
was admitting to the committee
that a short investigation had re-
vealed that conditions were worse
than he expected to find. If this
investigation continues and the
mayor goes to town as he did for
Sojourner Truth. theren be a lot
more Negroes working in defense
industry by the first OF the next
year.
IT'S THE TRUTH BROTHER: At
q recent gathering Of Negro leaders
and members Of the Detroit Coun-
Gil Of Churches. a suggestion was
offered that the council use lis
influence with local defense plants
which make no bones about dis
eliminating against Negroes. Al
though the suggestion was followed
II was not before w. A. Weber
(whitel had his say about the
church telling industry what a sin
1t is to discriminate when the
church itself leads the field in
discrimination and segregation.
The boys on the committee say
Weber offered his spiel as a sub
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-11-21
THE FACTS IN
OUR NEWS
By HORACE A. WHITE

responsibility for . serious problem,
at least we can know Il is not
new trick. Back in the days Of the
kings, when the responsibilities Of
the state became too grave, they
frequently called for the testers.
the clowns, and managed TO escape
from obligations. all too heavy for
their stature. by laushing-lAugh-
ing with the fools, laughing at the
fools. Today the king and the fool
have passed into oblivion.
This laughing it off is no new
experience for US who are Negroes.
Sometimes to laugh was the only
strategy our forcfathers could use
TO meet the hardships of slavery.
And some times since slavery, in
the csste-ridden Southland. it's
been laugh and take it-or COM
plain and get lynched. Today our
men are fighting to guarantee to
US and to all men that the need
for that kind Of laughing also passes
into oblivion.
Jobs in the war industries are a
serious business for US who are
black. It's win now or never for
us. It's likewise serious business
for America. It's her hour to live
her democracy or see it perish.
The day has come for US when
we expect to 60 to our leaders with
serious problems and get q seri-
Gus. dignifed hearing. The day
has >om- when we expect and in
sist that those OF our ranks who
go to speak for us shall demand
by the earnesrness and the insist
ency Of their own decorum that
ours is no business Of Laugh.
Clown. Laugh"
This Is what this incident means
10 US, MIR. White. What de you
think II means 10 His Honor the
Mayor?
A Serious Minded Worker
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-11-21
VETERANS OF WORLD WAR /
MET AT INDUCTION CENTER

step up here and get your cards"
was the announcement that came
over the public address system n
sharp. crisp words that cut through
the smoke like a knife.
The fellows from Local Board
No / did not get a call until after
l pm. In the meantime. you Just
had to sit on those hard benches
and chat about the war. the wealth.
er, and your chances OF being re-
jected. Or you could grippe abou;
various things, just as most Of the
boys were doing.
THE TRIP BEGINS
Finally comes the announcement
for the fellows from Local Board
No. l TO get ready for the trip
through the examining rooms.
Those called lined up in the front
Of the room and were handed the
papers from the draft board which
carries all the information the Sc
lectee has put on it when they
were sent 10 him Each man also
receives a card for his fingerprints.
He signs this latter card and then
proceeds through the door.
After you have been ushered
through this door you are greeted
by a hefty sergeant (There seems
to be more sergeants than privates)
who bawls you out because you
didn't know you should get behind
him as you hand him your hand
for fngerprinting.
This little matter over. you go TO
a table at your right and tell the
soldier you want the regular fur
Tough II you are inducted. You
also give your religious denomina-
ton, II you have one.
Following this little proceedings,
you disrobe for the big experience.
an experience that some OF US had
back in 1918 when We were pre-
pairing to fight a war to end all
wars.
SEARCHING FOR DEFECTS
From then on It's a continuous
round Of passing before doctors
who give you a stiff going over
as they search diligently for ply
steal defects. After the eye, cal
nose and throat specialist had
probed in your organs, you visit
the psychiatrists who quiz you
about your feeling about fighting
for OUR COUNTRY. You tel
them that you want democracy al
home as we'll as abroad. and thi:
brings the question: will you star
revolt in the army II you are in
ducted7"
! You answer. mo. but I still be-
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-11-21
By RUSS J. CowANs

There's nothing which gives one
greater pleasure than meeting an
old friend, especially a friend with
whom you had done a little stint
for Uncle Sam. back In those wan
Ing days OF the Arst world eatas-
trophe.
So you can imagine my surprise
when I entered the Army lnduc-
ton center, 1914 West Fort street,
last Monday morning, and ran
smack into Walter Jones, a friend
whom l had not seen more than
two OIL. three times since those stir
ring<eold autumn days when We
were attempting to determine what
a hard-boiled sergeant meant when
he said: Squads right"
OUR FIRST TRIP
Jones and l had been in the same
contingen. Of young inductees who
left the Michigan Central station
that bright morning OF Sept. rs.
1913, bound for Camp Custer, then
a small strip OF land with a few
barracks, a city Of white tents that
shimmered In the fall sun, and
wealth OF mud after each rain.
Jones spent about a month at Camp
Custer before he was transferred
10 Newport News, Va, where he
was when the Armistice was signed,
later went to Camp Sherman.
Just outside OF Chillicothe, Ohio, to
prepare for the overseas trip that
was halted by the downfall OF Kali
ser Bills empire.
During the rustic and hustle shat
besieged the building with the more
than 1000 selectees there for ply
steal examinations, Jones and /
chatted about those days at Camp
Custer. about how we used 10 lay
in the woods and dream about De-
troit About the day Bob Cole. now
a lieutenant OF detectives in Grand
Rapids, broke up a football game
when a member Of the opposing
side rammed a finger in Bobs eye.
He was Ike a raging bull
ANOTHER WAR VETERAN
We were later Joined by Kenneth
Shortridge. another veteran OF
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-11-21
SOMEWHERE
TODAY
BY BALLADON

| SIlhO(HSOt AA.-NhlNEy - olAty
thousand Negro teachers in the
United States shape the lives OF
two and a half million Of Negro
school children; $1,000 teachers ap-
plying the intricacies OF modern
methods OF instruction, shortcut
ting, refining the educatipe objec-
tive by scientific approaches. Guild
ance. Offspring Of psychological
analysis, reckoning beacon 10 blaze
restless youth from its maze Of un-
certainty; steering-gesr Of doubtful
possibilities, keeping youth in the
path toward the broad way OF at
tainment. Guidance. Noble effort.
sublime conception to aid those
whom 1t reaches. With US II az
fects possibly 100000, our hope for
the future.
But what OF the 1000, 900 school
children guidance wifiuever touch?
Two millions Of Negro children
leave, for causes, before they are
subjected to the magic area OF
guidance; two millions thrown up
on the world with but a crumb of
learning, to become overly-sophis-
ticated with a smattering of Gull
lure. to make the most contacts
where they hurt deepest. and thus
stigmatize whole race What can
60, 900 teachers do to alleviate this?
Guidance7 Certainly. But soon.
But early. Guide children back TO
the simple virtues Of life. Guide
them back from the jazz-age TO
the tranquil serenity Of our fore
fathers modest mode Of human
mingling. Guide them back to a
knowledge OF discipline; to an APP
probation Of values; 70 difieren-
tiation between values; back TO a
moral code; back to a sense OF re-
sponsibility; back to respecr for
the rights Of others in the face Of
their own desires; back 10 an sbid-
ing love for courtesy toward their
fellowman; and back to the fullness
OF living, rather than the dregs OF
crude existence.
Ingram these things inro chill
dren when young. and guidance
will become reality, instead OF
grand theory.
Somewhere today and every
where the Negro bends low be-
meath the burden of two millions
Of young members devoid OF the
simple, cardinal virtues Of life.
Says DR.. James Madison Wood.
president OF Hunter college, "A ma
jority Of our schools are not pre-.
pairing students for the every day
problems OF life and for RESPONSE
bih7ies OF citizenship in a democ-
racy."
An eminent Chicago educator
AYERS that our school systems and
some colleges are making students
stupid intesd Of teaching them to
think: further. that students who
come TO college, and those who go
on TO graduate school, in many in
stances have never been stimulated
TO Use their brains.
Sixty thousand Negro teachers
hold the power TO reverse this
score for the Negro by diligently
matchmaking into their charges a
lost and sl1nost-forsotten code.
A billion-dollar educational sys-
TEN that takes the fertile brain Of
childhood through its elementary
PAGES without stimulating II to a
higher plane Of thought can only
be pronounced a hapless failure
and an utter delusion.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-11-21

terfuge. but they cannot deny thai
he was telling the truth, the whole
truth and nothing but the truth,
SO help him, etc.
A TALE OF TWO CITIES: I first
knew this fellow back In Albany,
N. Y, when that city thrived in
some lines OF sport in spite OF
the depression. He was che kind
of fellow TO whom work was an
aversion-his wife and three chill
dren notwithstanding. He spen,
all day trying to get something
for nothing and all night trying to
figure out who his next victim
would be. Three years passed and
l never saw him again until last
winter while attempting to cover
the police beat, He was the pic
ture of poverty and could hardly
walk, for a few weeks before he
had been struck by an automobile
somewhere downtown. l asked him
why he didn't write home and he
said he had two reasons-one that
he could nor write and the other.
his wife couldn't read. One Of the
local lawyers had instituted suit
against the man who banged into
him and every day he was expect
ing a settlement. Because l am
human to a fault | often slipped
him a piece Of change which caused
me to postpone nor few meals.
Maybe it was fate, or retribution-
but two weeks ago the party de-
cided TO settle the accident claim
for $1,000 Offering check in pay
ment But our wise guy was too
smart TO take a check and demand
ed from his sick bed in a flop
house that the payment be made
in hard cash. Two hours later
when the man returned with the
currency-he found the fellow
dead by Ave minutes. He had
spent seven months trying to get
$1,000 and then died before it was
laid in his hands.
X 4. X
THE TOWN IS TALKING
ABOUT: The storekeeper on Brush
street who won't sell coffee unless
you spend at least 81, and then
rations about = quarter Of q pound
at 20 cents The family that
moved to So Rosedale, was asked
to move out by Nordics on the
street and had their dog poisoned
when they refused The man
on the street car who raised Cain
because the conductor wouldn't
change a IS bill and was as calm
as a cucumber when he found that
the Negro who was telling him to
stop holding up the line was one
Of our largest police men The
custer proceedings against the Re-
ceiving hospital nurse accused Of
sleeping on the job because they
can't afford to accuse her Of what
they would like TO Louise
Blackmon AwoL from the wAACs
Mildred Bennett who works
all day II a restaurant and spends
her spare time writing 10 soldiers.
The mrevealed story behind the
dismissal OF Eddie TOlan The
ads for Santa Claus The
rumor that the WAAC recruiting
station may be switched from the
Federation club house TO the
Y.W.C.A.s. Uncle Sam rejecting
Barton Beatty.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-11-21

World War l. Kenneth served IS
months in France with the seth
Ambulance Corps. 377th Sanitary
Train. The three OF US were re-
jected for various reasons
But John Blair. who was q class
mate OF Petry Fisher al Hampton
institute and played with the late
Jim Europe's band at Camp Meade,
was able 70 pass the rigid physical
examination and was indue.ed into
service.
But back TO the selectees. The
center was a beehive Of activities.
a place where thousands OF civilians
have been, and are still being, con-
verted into soldiers within a Pc
riod Of few short hours. In fact.
these hours seem like fleeing
minutes.
There are men from every walk
OF liie-lawyers, pharmacists, car
penters. musicians. defense work
ers. gamblers. and many others
all herded in this building TO await
the decision OF the examiners as to
their fitness for service In the
armed forces.
ARRIVED EARLY
The batch from Local Board No
l arrived at the center at $50 am
trooped into the big reception room
and were ordered to take seats
on the benches at the extreme south
end OF the room. There are four
rows Of benches and approximately
Is benches in each row, and each
bench will seat seven or eight msn
There we're other selectees from
Pontiac, Flint, Monroe. Grand Rap.
ids and other cities In Michigan,
all awaiting their turn TO proceed
through the doors which held their
fate.
A sergeant was shouting names
through a public address system,
and as each name was called a Sc.
leetee would answer and move up
TO the long row OF tables where
they were given the proper ere.
dentials which entitled them to be
examined.
THEY WILL GAMBLE
A crap game lowered and flour
ished for a few minutes. but was
soon squelched by a stern sergean,
who threatened TO keep the par
Elephants all night II they did moi
disperse and take seats. However
there were numerous blackjack
games, although the players had %
keep their money hidden.
IAN right men, I'm going ID
start calling names. and everyone
must answer promptly when called
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-11-21
WHAT PEOPLE SAY OR THINK
tBy william Henry Hun for AMP

II can satisfy myself and God
1 will have done my duty;
I measure b. no other rule or rod.
In others there's no beauty.
| care not what the people say or
think,
Their words and thoughts are
narrow.
For in their line OF gossip there's
kink
And in their bones no marrow.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-11-21
POETS
CORNER
GHANDI IN PRISON
v Lanfston HUGHES For AMP

The British said 70 Ghandi,
We're tired Of you running rour
loose.
We're going to grab you
And cook your goose.
Ghandi said 20 the British,
That may be-
But you'll have a tough goose
II you cook me.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-11-21
PLEASANT MEMORIES

With pleasant memories OF conlS
busting warming their time tickers
the three Fighting Demons" Pvts.
Hepcat Willie Goodguy. Jerry
Downs and Richard Edwards dug
in but solidly in their determine
ton to get hep to INK SANS army
1--WE and become the best soldiers
in this nations fast growing army.
Twas really a swell shindig and
was on the all rect side until fare
thee well time came round" Jerry
Downs oft repeated as visions of
the wig blowing time he'd had in
Detroit on his furlough came to re-
lieve his off duty hours at Fort
Custer.
Really a swell dish Of sweetness.
with all the fine trimmings" was
the way Richard Edwards, young
est member OF the three buddies
described his furlough fun TO any
one who would listen during near
sleep time in the army barracks
on the long winter evenings.
A country boy, Private Edwards
couldn't quite get over the grand
reception he'd received at Pvt.
Hepcat Willie's homecoming party
several weeks ago.
The leading hepcat OF all the SOL
diers at Custer, Hepcat While never
said much about that homecoming
party back in Detroit. He was
used TO such breakdowns and took
such stuff in his stride. But II
gave him a sense OF being a regu-
lar fellow with The other Cats
whenever Jerry and Richard told
about what a great guy Hepcst Will
lie had been back in Detroit
But time, as It has a habit Of
doing. flew by on swift wings
HEPCAT LEAVES FOR
FOREIGN LAND
And all too soon, the three
Fighting Demons knew they were
headed for other points OF army
locale. Something was In the wind.
They didn't know exactly where
they were going, but they knew
that soon they'd be on their way.
Then at last the great day came.
Their destination is a military
secret. However, Pvts. Willie
Goodguy. Richard Edwards and
Jerry Downs soon became accus-
toned to their new environment,
the new customs manners and
characteristics of the strange peo-
pie at their new army base.
Here in this strange land, where
the people were so much different
from those back home in the states,
the three buddies at first had a hard
time finding ways to get their kicks
on their few of leave hours.
But as usual il was Pvt. Hepcat
Willie. with his winning ways and
smooth 1--WE who always dug up a
bevy OF fine talent with which the
trio could while away a few hours
in all that makes for fun between
a man and a maid.
TRIO FIND NEW
FRIENDS ACROSS THE SEA
Bust my vest II she don't come
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-11-21
TRIO FIND NEW
FRIENDS ACROSS THE SEA

Bust my vest II she don't come
on like Sue Sweet that frantic
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-03-16

Dcnby High School 1890 Kelly
road
Jefferson school $50 Selden
avenue.
Nolan School, 1850 East Lantz
avenue.
Central High School 2425 TUX
edo avenue.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-03-16
Plumbing Repairs Get Rating

WASHINGTON March 10
dUP). - The War Production
Board today assigned a medium
high priority preference rating 10
maintenance and repair materials
needed 10 keep existing plumbing
and heating facilities in operation
IN farm homes. residences, office
and apartment buildings.