davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Phoenix index., 1942-08-29
Spike Story

Continued from rage -
ceded by these interested in the
progress of FEPC, that it has be-
come a political football of a sort,
shunted into McNutt's lap when
the going got rough.
SOME APPREHENSION
Feeling that two units similar
in nature, as far as could be as
certained, were doing work which
overlapped, the FEPC in its general
plan for reorganization outlined
plan whereby it would absorb the
entire personnel, staff, files and
organization correspondence OF the
Weaver group, however, with the
services of Weaver.
There has been some apprehen-
sion OH the part of each other
as to which of the units would
ultimately be the winner in the
jockeying for position in the ad-
ministration.
When first broached, a bitter but
quiet fight was staged to prevent
FEPC from taking over Weaver'S
group, which now has been 1nte-
grated into the local area offices OF
the manpower commission and
does not now function as an en-
tire unit.
DR.. Weaver declared he was not
adverse to taking post with any
group or under any supervision, al
though it had been bruited about
he would not work with the FEPC
since Mr.. Cramer would be the
executive secretary. Questioned on
this DR.. Weaver denied the veracl-
ty of the Statment.
BOTH AID WAR EFFORT
Each group had its own 1ndlvld-
ual functions, it was pointed out,
with the Weaver outfit taking care
of seeing that Negroes were placed
in industry. Cranier'S group was
assigned the task of eliminating
discrimination when Negroes were
refused employment or held back
on account of color.
Both were important adjunctS to
the rapidly expanding war effort.
That there was no harmony be-
tween the two was shown in the
early days. The Negro supply and
training branch of the WPB is
the oldest with the first staff.
Comes the -FEPC with another staff
and definite duties and functions.
Making Investigations and holding
hearings, the FEPC was soon the
center of attraction and held the
limelight until the famous transfer
order to the manpower commission
under Paul v. McNutt.
STORIES DON'T HELP
Fast work backstage was the con-
slant belief among lookers-on who
felt that the two strong organizations
would clash eventually. DR.. Weaver
insists that no personal element
enters into the clashing organiza-
tions and Mr.. Cramer is equally as
positive he merely wants to get his
job done.
The Phoenix index., 1942-08-29

American forces have moved
against the enemy with the OBJ
jective of expelling him. The
theatre of action is the Solomons-
q chain of islands and steaming
jungle through which the Japanese
line of communication flankS Aus
tralia. Australia is one Of the many
fronts on which American Negro
troops are stationed.
From its very start this first
American offensive indicates the
need for redoubling our production
effort on the home front. There
are, fortunately. indications that
the home front offensive is being
intensified. Increased activity on
the part of some local offices Of
the United States Employment
Service in seeking full utilization of
our labor resources is one such in
dicatiOn.
The USES in IIIlnols. for in
stance, is now distributing a 512 by
BIZ inch replica of the Executive
Order 1902 poster Fair Employ
ment Practice in Defense Indus
tries" in an effort to combat re-
strictive hiring practices. The pos
The Phoenix index., 1942-08-29
Keeping Watch On The Home Front

ter can be folded into a booklet
which states: .-.-...
- your sons, brothers, fathers,
husbands, sweetheartS-battling
to preserve American beauty
will never ask the race, creed,
or color or national origin OF
those building the ships. planes,
tanks, guns needed to win"
The second page of, the poster
booklet declares:
"The man at the bench may diff
fer from you in race, color OF
religion. but he's working fo1
Victory just as you are. to save
the home, that America has made
for him. Remember: There are
100000 Jews in America, there
are 100000 aliens, there are H.
100000 Negroes, there are 21,OOO-
900 Catholics, there are 36,0O0,OOO
ProtestantS. -.
"When you bar one group from
working you pave the way to
barring all such groups from a
purSuit-America can't afford the
loss of single workers skill and
willingness to help the country
that has helped him..
"a Nazi conquest means land
filled with hate. with intoler-
ance and oppression. race against
race. religion against religion.
color against color. -, the opposite
of every American ideal. Don't le
it happen!"
The Phoenix index., 1942-08-29
Soldiers Show
Continued from Page II

difficult days ahead in keeping
our eyes and hearts attuned to the
cause of the high calling" until
we come home again."
Chaplain Roe says:
"I wish to tell you the expert
ence of 1t. Col. A.. M. Lawrence,
our commanding officer, concern
ing the influence of the Bibles you
gave his men, 9th Colored Battal-
ion, Ft. Eustis, Virginia. Each man
was given a Bible for his own use.
when order came for these men
to be moved. they took their
teStaments with them, and Col
onel Lawrence accompanied them
on their travel, During the travel,
while on the train they read their
Bibles instead of engaging in nom
essential activities. Colonel Law
renee stated it was good to see
these men take such an interest in
the Bible.
Colonel Lawrence wishes me to
express his thanks to you for the
gift of Bibles to these men under
his command, and the help they
brought, and may join with him
in expressing gratitude for the fine
work you are doing for God, and
for the men of our armed forces"
The Phoenix index., 1942-08-29
Teachers Must
Continued from Page y

Continued from Page -
alumni fund, plus $22. .21 toward
the purchase of electric fans for
the college dining-halls.
Following Dr.. Caliver's speech,
President MacLean conferred de-
greeS upon the graduates, who were
presented to him by R. OHara
Lanier, Dean of Instruction, and
William M. Cooper, director OF the
summer school.
FIRST M. S. DEGREE
Among the graduates was PauluS
G. Taylor of Burkeville, who re-
Ceived the first Master OF Science
degree ever granted by the college.
A graduate from Hampton 1nsti-
tute i'll the class of 1910, Mr.. Tay-
1or was instructor in biology at
Henderson Institute in 194O-4l,
and student fellow at Hampton
last year. He will continue to teach
biology at the college this 1all.
Nine students received the Mas
ter of Arts degree. and the Bache-
lor of Science degree was awarded
to the remaining 72.
The Phoenix index., 1942-08-29
BY DEAN GORDON B. HANCOCK

from fear than from love of cause
just as the German soldiers are
afraid not to fight lest the gun in
their sides explodes.
One of the finest augurieS for
the cause Of the allies is this self
same policy OF Hitler to keep the
threat of the firing squads ever
fresh in the minds of the soldiers
ON the battlefield and of the civ
ilianS behind the lines. Victories
cannot be won permanently un-
less the victors believe in their
cause and the righteousness there
of. We are not saying that men
cannot fight confused; we are not
claiming that battles cannot be
Won III spite of confusion.
SOME QUESTIONS
What we are saying is, nations
cannot go "all out" for war while
confusion is tco rampant. 1t is diff
fiCult for men to become enthuS-
ed over issues that are confused in
their minds. The average man
will ask why not business as
usual? Why not business as usual
if the country is committed to its
hold-the Negro o-back p o il cy as
usual? Why not profits as usual
when we have our lynchings as
usual? Why not fun as usual when
we have our racial elements, of
discrimination as usual? Why "all
out for war" when We still have
our "all ins for the Negro?
"Ali out" for war is incompatible
with "all in" for certain raciai
elements. This inconsistency serves
as depreSsant tC our war efforts
when We need stimulation of the
kind. When Negroes
therefore plead for a square deal
in this war they are pleading the
cause of their country; for this
country could make no more heroic
effort to stimulate the morale and
enthusiasm of the people that by
taking stern measures to make "all
out" for war equivalent to "all out
for everybody!
The Phoenix index., 1942-08-29

This is their heritage, long '
I can think of no other epistle, no
other document that "was made
to order" for American Negroes,
especially in the south, than THIS
anniversary explanation by the
Office of War Information. These
Negroes are not yet dead, but
they are dying fast. About the only
one of the four they enjoy is, Free
mon of Worship, and in recent
years, the ugly spectre Of jim
Grow has raised it's head among
members of the Methodist Episco-
pal faith and forced the southern
Negroes to pray in a little jim
Grow corner to themselves.
Freedom of speech and express
sion the Negro knows little of. He
has his press and his organizations.
But did they not try to close up
his papers few days ago? Have
they not said his NAACP should go
out of business? AS to freedom Of
expression, his limit is prescribed.
His Constitution gives his ballot;
his south amends the Constitution
and so maneuvers rules and techni-
calities that he has no expression
in his government, be it local or
federal. Besides this, where in the
South, can a Negro express himself
freely on problems, which must in
clude the two races, without re-
The Phoenix index., 1942-08-29
The United Nations Look At India

Britans stern and stubborn refusal to accede to the
demands of India for Dominion Status at this time
matter, longer the of England only, but Of
all the United Nations By the very nature of alliance
with each other and by the force moral and social of the
much talked Atlantic Charter the struggle merits the
sympathetic interests of all democraces For the New
York Times stated he struggle drew the attention of all
the free world 1t had become of greater Importance than
fight between Indian and Indian indian and Englshman
At the gates of India stood the Japanese broadcasg
the roers waiting perhaps for the cooler
weather Of Autumn before attempting invasion There
fear that if the anagonsm allowed to mount the
Japane would receive the fifth column help in In
dia t 2ceived from the lat-rcs of Malaga and Burma
The Phoenix index., 1942-08-29
Hampton Makes
Continued from Page II


mentS. ~.
Two mems dormitories on the
campus will be leased by the Navy
to accommodate the trainees, and
remodeling work on the two -
James Hall and Pierce Hall - is
now under way. One OF the three
college refectories, Cleveland Hall,
will serve as the seamen's mess.
New buildings contemplated for
the NavyS use here include large
field house complete with executive
offices, gymnasium, indoor drill
hall and a swimming pool, in addi-
ton to a one-story Diesel engine
and machine-shop building. The
latter is to supplement present ia
cilitieS of the trade school, which
will continue to be used by the
regular students at the institute.
The Navy also may repair the
docking facilities at the college, in
order to accommodate pulling-boatS.
and small power crafts which wilr
be used for the physical training
and recreation of the trainees.
The Phoenix index., 1942-08-29
BETWEEN THE LINES
"AH Outs VS.. All ms!

the victory won that millions were
disilluSioned.
During the current war the task
Of welding the nation is being
made difficult by the knowledge of
what happened during the last.
This as nothing else explains the
lack of enthusiasm that is so
lanentable in this critical hour.
Neither whites nor Negroes believe
that we are fighting to make any
world safe for democracy. They all
believe that this war like the last
one is just to entrench certain
powers and elements of the nation
and world indefinitely.
One of the most hopeful! signs
in this present war is the unWill-
ingness of the nations to get en-
thuSed about a war that is fought
in the name Of democracy but in
truth is war to keep hundreds Of
millions enslaved. Men are not
willing to make the supreme sac
rifice for anything short of real
democracy and brotherhood. The
Russians believe in the thing they
are fighting for and there IS an
element of mightiness in their
courage that spells intimate doom
for Hitler.
MANY ARE CONFUSED
It is difficult for men to be con-
fused and enthused at one and the
same time. There are thousands
of white men in the armies and
navies of Britain and the United
States who are not satisfied to
fight to perpetuate the subjugation
of ether peoples. In the nature Of
things they cannot be enthusiastic.
There are thousands Of Negroes
and darker peoples in these same
armies who cannot become en-
Unused about winning war that
may mean their indefinite sub
jugation. These are fighting more
The Phoenix index., 1942-08-29

whose winter SHOWS irrigate the spring, and
whose dead leaves, fermenting, rebuild the
soil for summers yield.' Number one is,
Freedom of speech and expression. The
Second is, Freedom to worship God in our
own choosing Number three is, Freedom
from want and number four, Freedom from
fear"
President Roosevelt says, "the four
Freedoms are as much elements of mans
needs as air and sunlight, bread and salt.
Deprive him of all these Freedoms and ne
dies-deprive him of part of them and
The Phoenix index., 1942-08-29
7,5OO,OO Is

Continued from Page y
cry of the fortune.
The money which is now tied UP
in litigation might be taken to the
United States Supreme court or
appeal of the four oil companies
which are protesting q state dis
trict judges decision that award
ed the estate to a Claremone, Ok
lahoma, widow and two Kansas
City, Mo-, packinghouse work.
erS.
The Phoenix index., 1942-08-29

Manpower Is only one of the
problems on the home front i'll Our
battle for production however. Last
week, Elmer Davis, Director of the
Office of War Information called
attention to the need for an in
crease in the production of raw
materials. He declared that we
must develop new processes, and
waste, and-Something in which
every American can help-"presS
for full salvage by every citizen OF
the land" .----
One of the great shortages,
q shortage which must be over
come if we are to win this war,
is a shortage of steel. This
shortage was cited in the clos
ing of the Higgins Shipbuilding
Yard in New Orleans where sew
eraI thousand Negro workers
were to be trained and employed
in all skilIs. This shortage is
already slowing production in
other factories in which Negro
workers are now employed. 1t
is indeed a shortage which every
American must tackle. We must
do better job of collecting
iron and steel scrap.
Materials and more materials
is the desperate need. This is a
war in which tanks are destroyed by
hundreds in single action on a
single sector of one front. And yet
into a tank of the General Grant
type go 26 tons of steel, some six
hundred pounds of copper, more
than five hundred pounds of
chromium and more than six hun
dred pounds of manganese, alumni
mum, lead and zinc.
The Office of Price Administra-
ton denies it plans to add new
commodities to the rationing pro-
gram. The rumorS arose from OPA's
plans to prepare a rationing book
which, placed in the hands OF
every citizen in the country, could
be used for the rationing of any
commodity or article in which a
shortage occurred. More than 1000
Negro recruits now are being train
ed at the Great Lakes Naval
Training Station and 300 Negro
Coast Guard recruits have been
assigned to active duty. -. You
can't buy railroad watches any
more unless it is an army order or
you work for the railroad. Admi-
raj William D. Leahy, the Presi-
dents Chief of Staff, in radio
speech: This is the time to make
our stand. We dare not be
reckless with the fate of our own
country-We dare not throw away
the fate Of the world"
The Phoenix index., 1942-08-29

EDITORS NOTE-"On the
Home Front" is one of num-
ber of features which the News
Bureau, Office of War InfOrma-
ton, has made available to Ne
gro newspapers weekly.
WE ARE NOW on the offensive
FOR the first time in this wa
The Phoenix index., 1942-08-29
The need FOR CHANGING
By JOHN McCRAY
The Freedom We Seek

Somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean, President Roose-
vet and Mr. Churchill signed the ATLANTIC Charter on Aug
1941 Last week took time out to pay tribute TO
this post war; worldwide plan it's first anniversary
Set forth in the purpose OF this charter the Office OF
War Information explains the four Freedoms which it
saws are as closely related dependent the other
The Phoenix index., 1942-08-29

A State Senator is Trust Officer
selected by the people. Disraeli
said :. all power is a trust, we
are accountable for its exercise; that
from the people and for the people
all springs, and. all must exist"
Re-elect Kirby l.. Vidrine to the
State Legislature as MaricOpa
County Senator.
My four years in the Lower
House where l fought for cOnsti-
tutiOnaI government qualities me
for a Senate seat.
The Phoenix index., 1942-08-29

ithheld."
prisals? The Ku Klux Klan is ever
watching him. He moves and lives
in aching silence.
Freedom from Want and Fear are
things he has. never heard of. His
has been life of trouble. "He is
always in trouble" Miss Lillian E.
Smith, editor of The South Today,
so eloquently wrote recently. He
wants economic security, he wants
good jobs, good public education.
He wants to walk the streets and
feel that he need not move off the
sidewalk, take off his hat and bow
to the waist each time he sees a
white man. He wants, more than
this, to be a man himself-to be a
free man. And Fear-he lives life
of fear-fear for reprisals, fear for
harangues bloated Drained white
politicians hurl at him.
But these freedoms have been
promised now and he anticipates
them with tfie anxiety of the
young child at Christmas time.
Will they be brought to his door,
or, will Versailles again shut the
door in his face?
The Atlantic Charter? Well, have
it that way if you wish. But, its
embodimentS are the best tonic for
reforming the south and releasing
its Negroes that could be adopted.
The Phoenix index., 1942-08-29

benjamin. ]. Davis, Jr., Conn
muniSt candidate for Attorney
General of New York State, be
came the only Negro to head
county political organization i'm
New York, with his election Mon
day as chairman of the New York
County Committee of the COmInist
Party. A graduate of Harvard Law
School and of Amherst. where he
played football, Mr.. Davis, son OF
Benjamin J. Davis, Sr., a former
Republican National Committee
man, has long been active i'll Negro
work in Harlem. He was the unanl-
nous choice of the county commit
tee for the cffice.
The Phoenix index., 1942-08-29

THE WAR DRAGS on. Nine
months after Pearl Harbor we are
still trying to get ourselves to-
gether for finish fight. We still
are not completely snapped out OF
our stupor of democratic security
We still are not ready for the
sacrifices the emergency is calling
for. We still lack that enthusiasm
that must parallel our billions for
defense. One of the Saddest COM
mentaries on our unprepared STATE
of mind was the Presidents state
ment that we need more parades
This was virtual acknowledge
ment that even Pearl Harbors do
not suffice to arouse nations which
are wrong in the major premise.
Nations like men do net live
through their heads but through
their hearts; hence men cannot
fight their best unless their hearts
are in their fight and there is too
little tc indicate that the heart of
America is in this fight. 1t is safe
to conclude that the enthusiasm
for this war is far below that OF
the last war at this same stage.
The Phoenix index., 1942-08-29
PLATFORM

weekly shall be published in which
views be question of local national
Such be opinions and shall
reflec in the of The
The Phoenix index., 1942-08-29
MILLIONS DISILLUSIONED

There is reason. During the
last world war the nation went "all
out from the very beginning.
Many went so far as to actually
believe that the world would be
made safe for democracy; and
many others even dared tC think
that this democracy was to in
clude Negroes. Fortunately for the
cause of complete mobilization, the
general belief in. the sincerely of
the country's call made for rapid
unity of thought and purpose; and
soon we were welded into one
mighty fighting phalanx. 1t was
not until the war was over and
The Phoenix index., 1942-08-29

part of him wtherS These FreeuoS are Ue IIgHVS VI
men every creed and race where ever tney i've
This is their heritage long WthheldD
The daily monitor leader. [volume] (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1942-19??, 1942-05-06
WOMEN ARE GOOD

Before the end of next year. say the
experts, we shall see four million
women working in war production. That
is six times the present number.
A lot Of employers ore going to have
TO waive their prejudices against wom-
en- in factories. Pioneers have been
pleasantly surprised. In many opero-
tions, they have found women superior
to men, where skill and effectiveness
ore more important than what New
EneIonders coll main strength and
stupidness."
But many stotes must loosen I'D on
regulations Bit for the duration Of
the war, if women ore to replace men
colled to the armed services or needed
in heavier work.
The daily monitor leader. [volume] (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1942-19??, 1942-05-06
o McKENNY ON BRIDGE

Of them is Pat Murphy, newly
elected president Of the Central
New York Bridge Association.
| recall a rubber bridge game
in which Pat and l were part
ners. He was sitting South and
made a bid, which although
difficult for me to interpret,
neverthe ess resulted in a good
score. He opened with one
heart and l responded with two
diamonds. His raise 10 three
diamonds puzzled me.
This raise of a minor suit, in
place Of heart rebid or a bid of
no trumps, is very rare. Was he
asking me to bid three no trump
if | could stop the black suits?
Was he temporizing in the hope
that | could now show neutral
heart support?
I decided that, in any event,
the bid showed his top tricks
were mainly in diamonds. We
might have 10 solid tricks in the
red suits. / could not gamble on
no trumps, so l bid three hearts.
Pat went to game, which was
made through the fortunate split
in hearts.
The daily monitor leader. [volume] (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1942-19??, 1942-05-06
. BEHIND THE SCENES
IN WASHINGTONs

her usual rubber supplies from
the United States, has been
sending rubber buyers into 3D.
Iivia to scout for native crude
rubber, in competition with y.
s. buyers. To beat the Argen-
tinos, several attacks might be
made. First, Argentina might
be guaranteed O certain per-
centoge Of her normal manu-
foctured rubber imports from
the u. s. Or, u. s. buyers might
make q deoI TO buy oil the rub
Der Bolivia can produce, thus
freezing Argentina out Of the
market, Or Iong-term con-
trocts must be offered BoliVi-
an producers by u. S. buyers,
at prices higher than Areen-
tina can pay and with bonuses
for amounts delivered over
contract quotas, to encourage
production and make the Ar
eentine buyers work more diff
ficuIt.
See History Of Economic War
for Survival, yet to be written,
as to how it all comes out, and
O thousand other bottles Just
like it, only worse.