davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
THIS HURTS DEMOCRACY

l At Little Rock, Ark, a SOL
der, Sgt. Thomas T. Foster of the
92nd engineers, was shot and kill
ed by a white policeman, A. j.
Hay, in what witnesses say was
virtual murder City officials
sought to justify the staying, dia
not order Hay removed or sus-
pended Had this policeman slain q
white sergeant under similar cir
cumstances, the hue and cry raised
would have been audible III Berlin.
2. In Jacksonville, Fla, and
Nashville, Tenn, white teach
ers and officials bitterly fought
efforts of Negro teachers to
obtain pay parity. Considering
themselves superior, they could
not stomach the idea of Ne
groes with equal training and
doing equal work drawing
equal salaries. These teachers
and officials, significantly, are
in the upper intellectual strata.
S. Police in Detroit were forced
TO use tear gas to quell q new
white riot against Negro occupancy
cf the Sojourner Truth Defense
homes, trilt for Negroes by the
government. At the first riot, white
police ignored armed white pickets
and vandals who overthrow and
wrecked moving vans and instead
beat and arrested Negroes who
sought to defend their right OF
occupancy.
4. Despite publicity given a
threatened shortage cf manpoWer
and Roosevelt's now famed execu-
tive order, in Cleveland last week
the Ohio Crankshaft company con-
t;nued to turn down Negro appli-
cants for machine shop positions
who answered advertisements for
more men appearing in the daily
Dress.
(. Last week in California
evacuation began Of Japanese,
MANY of them American Citi-
zens and with sons in the U. $.
Army, from restricted areas.
The Japanese are MOngOliaDs
and therefore Of an "inferiOr"
race. No effort was made to
move out Germans and ItaI-
ians, although this nation is
also at war against Germany
and Italy. The Germans and
italians are Caucasians and
therefore "equal." What has
been done to American-born
Japs can be dcne to Negroes,
Mexicans and Chinese, say
thinking CalifornianS.
6. Certain writer's and COM
rnentators of large following still
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18

assuring. There is one thing all OF
us forget and that is, democracy Is
not so much a way of living as
way of spirit. AS DR.. Hooking OF
Harvard university said 20 years
ago, unless we have something ike
Christianity to go along with de-
mocracy it simply will not work.
And unfortunately for mankind and
for democracy we have not had and
do not now have that something"
like the spirit Of Christ.
England's attitude towards India
and Americas attitude towards its
Negro citizens show that these
nations may have democratic
language, but not the democratic
heart; and it is going to take the
democratic heart to save even what
we call democracy. The really sad
| thing about the situation is not
merely Japanese and German prop
paganda that is disseminated
among Negroes and Indians; it is
the truth of much of this propa-
aganda that is disseminated
democracy is to survive it must
be really democraticl There is no
halfway ground.
Unless the two great democracies
are willing to clean house" and
adhere to the spirit of democracy
they are doomed. These are hard
sayings but they are true and are
written by one who loves his country
in spite of its shortcomings. My
constant pleadings with my people
for "all out" support of the nations
war effort, are based upon the
hopes that tomorrow will be a
, brighter day than yesterday in the
realms of democracy. Nations that
want certain of their citizens to
be soldiers in time of war and only
I servants in time of peace cannot
lay claim to democracy. Such spirit
ultimately seals their doom. Yet
the Negroes larger hopes are tied
up with the ideals of democracy.
Let's fight and hope. ..
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18

Years they are, glorified by
struggle and conquest, and
illumined by a vision almost di-
vine, not yet realized, but still
lighting the pathway OF thirteen
million people who, having once
been slaves, are determined never
again to be wearers OF chains.
;Spelman, Clark, Talladega, Tus-
kegee Institute, Hampton, Friend
ship Baptist and the First Con-
gregational Churches, - these are
just few of the names that are
holding the spotli yh! in the news
in connection with 2olorfpl and
already held, significant annaver-
sarieS, either in the midst OF OBJ
servance or being planned for the
immediate future
Their achievements span one Of
the mcst thrilling struggles Of a
minority group for full citizenship
status in the midst Of a proud.
powerful and prejudiced dominant
race, in the history of mankind.
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
By L. BAYNARD WHITNEY

east IS EAST and West is
West, and ne'er the twain Shall
met" This old saw cuts no more
wood in the world today as proud
Britain bows to the will of the
humble Ghandi and strong Nehru
the English we'll nigh begging III
dia to accept her own indepen-
dence.
Although India is a collection of
as races, 200 languages, 2,400 castles
with more than 60,000,00 people
blacklist as "untouchable' they
are as one in demanding freedom
from yoke of England. And Pandit
Nehru and Indian leaders were
certainly right in demanding ac-
tive representation in any defense
of their country.
Devades Ghandi, son of Mohan-
daS K. Ghandi, declared in the
Hindustan Times that the Con-
gress was "bewildered that one so
sensible, so honest and so broad
minded as Sir Stafford CrippS
should have lulled himself into the
false belief that a scheme based OH
complete control Of midas defense
by the British Government would
prove acceptable to Indian opin-
ion"
Now the twain must meet, ere
"the East shall see the West to
bed"
ALL-TIME CHAMPION
If anything whatsoever should
bring to a sudden close the ring
career of Joe Louis, his record
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
Calvin s Digest
The Twain MUST Meet

up to the present moment would
go down in history as the greatest
of them all, no exceptions. Joe's
constructive propaganda through
lighting for Navy and Army Re-
lief has put his white brothers o.
Fistiana "on the spot"
Hype Igoe, ace sports writer and
colllmnist of the N. Y. Journal
American, recently had this to say
to all CHAMPIONS: Let me put
my title on the line, like Private
Joe Louis. What the big fellow did,
I can do and with pleasure at be-
ing able to swell Army and Navy
Relief. Let them know at Wash
ington that boxing champions will
not fail cur comrades loved ones"
Igoe makes it plain that the
white boys hate to part with their
dough for sweet charity, when he
said:
'fPrivate Joe Louis, soldier, pa
triot. champion, having laid his
title on the line in the name of the
two sweetest charities OF all, twice,
for NOTHING, it would seem
that EVERY champion, no matter
what his class, should follow the
great Brown Boy. To peek and
pine, pout and protest, haggle and
remain hesitant under such cir.
sumstances, would ruin such title
holders with the public and brand
them forever more as ring idols
who had taken fearful fall from
grace"
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
Secrecy Shrouds
CONTINUED from Page y

Woldike, public relations officer,
lists as dead: MP Mamie Strouth,
white, of Honeycamp, Va, Corp.
w. =. Hall, Conyers, Ga, and Pvt
Isaac Brown, Henderson, Tenn
Those wounded were Pinkey Reed,
Summit. Miss, Wilbur Evans,
Wayneshoro, Miss, John Robinson,
Augusta, Ga; Ivy Martin, Green
wood, Miss, and Millotte Ham,
mond whose address Is not given
AS to how the trouble started,
no one is quite certain. Army Of
ficials say it started over the use
of phone booth. The story goes
that colored and white soldiers
were waiting to Use the telephone
at Gus Waldron's Sports palace
when a white soldier, presumably
Of the south, objected to the pres
ence of a colored soldier in front
OF him. sz
l;7ssGete out of my way, niger" he
Is reported to have whispered. 'If
] had you back home you wouldn't
dare stand in front, OF me-" MP
Stroutll and MP l.. Q. Hayhoe,
both white, we're asked to "get
the niger out of here"
Strouth is then said to have
grabbed the colored soldier to pull
him out of line. Hayhoo, OF
Lansing, Mich, backed away, say
ing, 1--WE can handle this thing
without abusing each other, fel-
lows, so all of you. step aside and
let's. settle this without disturbing
the line"
But Strouth was said to have
stated. sI know how to handle
those darkies. Let me take care OF
1t my way"
Just about that time, colored
soldier walked up to Strouth and
attempted to snatch his revolver.
Strouth hit the soldier on the Jaw
and the free-for-all began.
. Another colored soldier knocked
Strouth down and dared him to
get up. x think you're anxious tc
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
From Ny Study Window
By REV JOHN c. WRIGHT
Anniversary Day

ALWAYS INTERESTING and significant, whether they
in the lives of Individuals Institutions nations,
they they roll around this fateful year of
1912 Few will have to struggle to remember the annveT
sares occurring this year From whatever has been the
past Of the persons groups observing the moentous
and revolutionary the events currently transpng that
this year will in all probability mark turning point in the
thinking and policies of both and Institutions.
1t is interesting to note too. how many of the annver
sares being observed this year the sevenyh espe
ciay in the histories of churches and colleges 1t
that three whole generations stand between and the
founding of many of the agencies for moral religious and
economic advancement which have had such profound in
fuence upon the remarkable development of racial group
in America.
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
Balance Sheet For Democracy

now bars non-whites from men,
bership. The Ohio State university
chapter is currently suspended be-
cause it thought so much Of de-
mocracy it took a Chinese and a
Negro in as members.
4. In New York DIR. AlonzO F.
Myers, chairman of the New
York U. higher education de-
partment, publicly stated that
anybody who was good enough
to fight for his country was
good enough to fight beside
him, as he asked for a mixed
division. Previously the war
department had been asked by
the NAACP and Negro editors
tn form such a unit. Many in
CiividuaI whites have stated
they would be glad to serve In
democratic division, cOmpOS-
ed of all races, cOlOrs and
creedS.
). The City College School Of
Business and Civic Administration,
New York, has adopted regiment
Of colored soldiers guarding strate-
eic points within the city and will
provide athletic, educational and
social facilities fer the diversion OF
these troops.
g. IN Minneapolis. Gov. Stas-
sen swore in Samuel l.. Ransom as
= major on the governors staff OF
the Minnesota Defense force. He
is understood to be the first Negro
attaining this honor in the history
of the state.
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
PLATFORM

To give the cored people that they feel
they their views all potica
socia religious and economic questions which face the race
To awaken racial conscience especially business to the
extent that well job seekers
3. To instruct boys and girls in the art of thrift .
Fathehood God and the brotherhood OF
ss To build firmer racial foundation for posterity.
business the colored must COM
We technique
dealing whit Above all must render
dependable efficient all times; that we
be Therefore
INDEX shall all give heed
readers regard render
ing a better service.
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
Sergeant Is Still

Continued from Page u
sergeant exclaimed. His prophecy
proved partly true, for although Sgt
Johnson is an Al soldier with a
fine record, the nickname stuck and
today he still is "Cruit" johnson.
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18

The instances cited are not all
inclusive of democracy's failure
and successes of recent date. But
they do show that the Negro has
much to be thankful for as well as
condemn. He has foes who spend
more time trying to keep him sub
dued than in fighting the axis
powers; but at the same time he
has powerful and articulate
friends
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18

world be redeemed. Out from cur
churches and schools whose ar
niversarieS we are now i'll the
midst of celebrating, must con-
tinue to flow that ongoirg stream
OF enlightened goodwill which
will safeguard the future, as it has,
in a far larger measure than pres
ent conditions in the world would
indicate, determined the past
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
Is Democracy Doomed?

ficial is our general appreciation OF
impending dangers. Congress has not
yet laid aside it politics ana
business has not laid aside It's pro-
fit motive; and the truth Is, we are
being hard pressed by the Japs ana
Germans. Our present plight Is
uncalled for.
1t is bad enough to be Inundated
for good reasons; but it is depress-
ing to be Inundated without them.
England and America the worlds
greatest so-called democrac1es are
fighting a war for which neither
was prepared. just how two major
powers could commit such blunder
of unpreparedness is a wonder. we
talk about France but the only
thing that saves us from the plight
of France is the Russian army.
If, as we hope, in the near fu-
ture, we can get ourselves together
and deal a knockout blow to Ger
many and Japan, we must not TOOL
ourselves into believing that our
victory is attributable to the
"ability of democracies to rise to
an emergency" We must instead
see that we were saved by the pre-
paredness of Russia. If democracy
is saved, Russia will be the real
savior. The man who holds the
robber and tussles with him until
we can awake up and rub our eyes
as we snap out of morning after"
stupor is the real hero and not the
fellow who is protected until he
gets ready.
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18

weekly shall be published each in which your
question of local national
personal and shall not
reflect in anyw the opinion of The PHOENIX INDEX
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
kilograms Sent
CONTINUED from Page ~

quest that you immediately remove
Knox from his important post in
the interest of our war effort. Fur
ther, we request Of you, as COM
mander in chief Of the army and
navy, that you Immediately issue
an official directive countermand-
ing Knox's abortive order. There
after a command by you that Ne
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
PAPERS OPINION

1--WE believe there are numerous
American Seamen, of white and Of
Negro blood, whose loyalty and
patriotism would rise above preju-
dice and permit service together.
.. If this nation is faithful to its
democratic principles, they (the
Negroes) will have the opportunity
to fight in this war, by sea as by
land, and to be ranked according
to their worth as individuals.
Said the st. Louis Post Dis
patch editorially Thursday:
"The navy, and its related
branches of service, have MOI
exactly thrown entire doors wide
open, for there is yet no plan to
commission Negro naval officers.
Furthermore, the units to which
Negro volunteers will be assigned
are reserve units, though they
should soon be assigned to active
service. But the change is a long
step in the right direction.
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18

in maritime activities around shore
establishments in navy yards and
in the navy's new construction
crews and companies which will be
employed in developing bases out
side the United States continental
limits" the announcement read.
This latter probably marks the
introduction of Negro labor units
in the navy similar to the labor
units the army used during the
last war.
The chances for Negroes becorn-
ing officers and attending Annapo-
lis remain the same, the assistant
secretary said All Of this depends
upon the mans ability and quail
fications.
The marine corps is to recruit
enlisted men and will train them
separately as is being done in the
army. There was nothing said
about where they are TO be train
ed. OF whether special camps were
to be built for the Negro trajneeS
The total enlistments are to be
based upon a figure, not yet es-
tatlished by the navy department,
which may be from 1000 to 5000
men.
MANY ENCOURAGED
Training is to start as soon as
the camps and bases can be set up
with the recruits going through the
same rigid mental and physical
tests. given white recruits.
Few details have. as yet been
worked out. according TO Mr.
Walker, but the navy hopes to
give more detailed information in
the very near future as its plans
and how they are to be executed.
Many call the opportunity a
great one and hope for more to
come of the development, while
others are equally as disgusted at
the tone of the announcement and
the utter disregard for the COM
plete breaking down of the racial
carriers aboard the big fighting
ships and in the air corps Of the
navy department.
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
FBI Reports

Continued from Page y
sooll receive Instructions that Ne
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
ROLE NOT ASSURING

Such wonderful things have been
said about democracy and such
dreams of democracy have been
dreamed, but the fact remains that
the role the democracies are play
ing in this present crisis, is not
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
Navy Policy
Continued from Page u

(COntlnued from Page u
keep crews separate and to allow
Negroes to rise no higher than
petty officers, the New York
Times, considered the nations
leading daily newspaper, said edi-
torially Thursday:
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18

THE FUTURE OF democracy is
neither assuring nor assured. The
calamitous blunderS and blunderingS
of the democracies provoke serious
doubt as to democracy's survival.
This column made bold to predict
ten years ago that slOW-moving de-
mocracies could not compete with
the fast moving Relationships. More
recently we have commended that in
order to meet the nazi nations in
the arena of war, many of our
notions about democracy would have
to be revised and especially would
many of our democratic preroga-
tives have to be foregone.
Just why I, political layman
could see this, and our political
leaders could not, goes to show that
the rugged individualism" of de-
mocracy blinds it's devotees to the
stern realities of critical situations.
We have clamored about freedom
of speech until the Wheelers and
LindberghS have found our nation
about a thrall of complacency that
threatens to destroy us. We have
emphasized individual liberties un-
til the saboteurs and fifth column
lists have a strangle hold on the
vitals of country. Labor and
capital each is so bent on bettering
it's bargaining position that Japan
and Germany are running away
with the war, while we higgle over
industrial niceties and vagaries of
the whole labor question.
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
NOT AROUSED YET

It took Pearl Harbor to stir us
out of our stupor of money-getting
and business as usual" and even
now, we are not aroused to fight
ing fettle. Mr.. Roosevelt says we
need more parades and brass bands
and fan fares. He knows how super
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-01-13
'CWiI Service Repeal
Sought by JobhoIders
linn. stan Correspondent

LANSING. Jan l3- The civil
service amendment 10 The state
constitution faces attack. Atty
Gen Herbert J RuShton revealed
today a, he said certain indi-
vduals and groups had asked
him 10 draft a repeal proposal
RuSh'on said the groups we're
disturbed oyer the appointment
OF Louis II Minis. a Democrat, As
commissioners Of revenue. although
he admitted some Of tho repeal adj
vocateS were Republicans who
feared they might lose their Jobs
He SAID hc advised the repeal adj
NocateS 10 consult a private at
torncy for a draft OF the proposal
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-01-13
CO.(DrdinaGeal Defense
Urged by Go Chiefs

The Michigan Go Council. 5
executive board declaring that
our freedom as human bong, is
at stake - today recommended a
co-ordinated defense program for
general adoption by the states
Go membership
Naming unemployment as the
greatest menace 10 our effort IN
the war the program called for
liberalization Of state uneTlploy
ment compensation laws and closer
cooperation with UAW-CIO ac-
tiViticS.
Plant protection committees 70
guard against attack from with
out, sabotage from Within and frD
were recommended for each uni0r
local.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-01-13
WOMEN DONATING FOOD

The women Of RCdford Town
Sk5p-aEp donating food - hg
ratified AZ the dance and the old
World War | fund stunt OF selling
kisses Will be- revived.
Increasing activity in the out
county districts have pushed the
total donation, in those areas 10
SlS157 81 ont Of a $4,000 quota
The following amounts have been
collected Wayne. IS 900. Ply
mouth 50 2OO Flat Rock. So 600
PeUcy,lle 81 $50 BEDFORD Town
ship 81 33s 0S: Worthwhile. ST.
as 70 TAYLOR Township $500.
RomghSS S527lS Garden City.
5000 Grailc' Township. sos
NcNIrdaio S103 Canton Town
ship 500. Allen Park 81 SIS
G'hcr recent contributions We're
the Eartart Foundation. SIS nQls
Employees 81 EN-Ccll-O Corpora
ton. SIZE addition from en-
ploycS Of Detroit Edison Com
pany 81 $50 Bonn Aluminium and
Bras Corporation, $1,000: Ma
tional Casualty Company 1000.
District Association Of American
Legion. 81 600. Employees Of Hos
X ms Manufacturing Company
Ss9S Employees of Great Lakes
Engineering Works S9SS En-
ploycS Of Industrial National
Bank Of Detroit, S627 Nh and
Mrs Richard \ Colt. $500. Dial
las s. Kelsey, $500
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-01-13
Siren on Record
Proves Success
Copyuort b, Detroit Times Ar r,oh,, reserved
AIN,L, HL,rIRDIT REAInLACL,

Detroit official, Of the Office Of
Civilian Defense today have at
least "A glimmer Of success 10
crown thcirmonth-long search for
an cffcctNe air raid siren.
II consists OF a photograph re-
cordlng of siren and officials
expressed some satisfaction when
i' was tested on the simplifying
system IN the bolfry of the Cen
trail Methodist Church at Wood
ward and Adams avenues
Better location and equipment
will double the volume Of sound
William J ScrIpps. deputy ali
-raId Marden. sad
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-01-13
Auto SwerVes, His
Ford School Sailors

Three United States sailors
stationed a the Ford Naval Train
ing School IN Dearborn were
struck by a car as they walked
near the Ford Rouge plant and
are in serious condition today IN
Henry Ford Hospital The mon
are Second Class Seamen W. c.
Clark. T. VI. Gilmore and r. j.
Downs.
The accident occurred Al
SChaefer highway and Gate II OF
the Ford plant when The driver
of the car. Robert " Ball of
2206S East Virginia avenue said
he was forced 20 SWcryc 10 one
side 70 avoid an onru>hlng auto
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-01-13

labors rights. the plan proposed
q Uniform policy OF overtime and
Sunday work and warned against
forfeiture or CNIrtnE 1a1UT t5YTS.
In view Of increased industrial
speed and resultant threat of acct
dents campaigns were recon-
mended 10 famihariZe- workers
with industrial safety. workmeu.>
compensation laws and the state
unemployment compensation act.
Finally, the program called for
rent control. debt moratorium anc
consumer protection Legislation
and constant Go vigilance fol
bcltcr Government
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-01-13
REMINDED or Committee

The council reminded all Go
officials Of the establishment Of
the unions Allied War Relief
Committee directed by National
President Philip Murray 10 dis
tribute relief 10 "Our fellow work
erS IN foreign lands -
Under tho heading preservation
OF labor gains and extension OF
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-01-13

With a 3--ycar-old camera which
he picked up in pawnshop Dayio
r. Law 10 Of l22S Lawrence AYR.
nue. today made hu~,,i a neat
So 30 proit
Using the autgIa'ei camera
bellows mode. and q homemade
flash bulb c0nttaptlun. DaN0
snapped p.-fatr ri Sonia firuU
as Sac was leaving the Eook-Cadl-
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-01-13
buy a bomber
Nursing Courses Offered

Red Cross courses in home nurs-
ing viii be organized at the st.
Clair Recreation Center, Wednes-
day Early registrants will be
given their choice of classes, now
scheduled for two-hour periods
Wednesdays and Fridays for -
weeks
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-01-13

Taylor avenue.
who has been
ON duty RI tho
army recruiting
Office here too
!daN was notI-
fed tNat BOO has
been commits
stoned a second
Lieutenant and
q SSIgD o. q 20
Fort BcnulnC
Ca for train
ing Nafe is a
.grad uatc Of