davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
Howard Law
Dean Will Sue
For Damages
Petition For
Courthouse
Assault Prepared

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -(SNS)-
In the face of the grand jury's
failure to indict Dick Fessey who
attacked Leon A. Ransom. acting
dean OF Howard University law
school and prominent member of
the NAACP national legal COM
nittee, and despite the fact that
more unprovoked assaults ON Ne
groes by enraged whites have
taken place in the Davidson coun.
ty courthouse here, Or. Ransom,
through his attorney, z. Alexander
LOBBY, is preparing a petition for
damages against Fessey.
On April 8, the grand jury re-
turned a mo bill'' on the charges
IF assault On Dr. Ransom, Febru-
ary 26, by the white former con-
stable in the corridor of the Dav-
idSon county courthouse.
The day after this attack. three
white gunnaen appeared in the hall
Nf the same courthouse and with
drawn guns, backed three Negroes
in q corner and searched them for
knives, Dr.. Ransom learned The
Continued on Page 81
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
FB| Reports
On Detroit Riot

WASTIINGTON-(ANP)- Crack
irg down on the Detroit situation
members of the FBI have turned
in their reports to the department
Of Justice, covering some 250 pages,
IN which they trace the activities
cf the Ku FIux K)an in the case
is we'll as other SubversiVe organi
zationS involved.
Atty. Gen. BidGle and Housing
Administrator Blardford will issur
a joint statement very soon, which
is expected to be an order to the
mayor of Detroit fer Negroes to
move into these houses without
further delay.
At the same time, indictments
are expected to be turned by the
Grand jury following the state
nents of the FBI. All of the report
is in the hands of the local Detro1i
authorities and the housing au
thority as well as the mayor will
lContiaued on Back Page)
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
White Physician Says 5
Bullets Were Fired Into
Body Of.Bhan1 Victim

BIRMINGHAM-(SNS)- Speedy
action on the part of a traffic Of
ficer put an end to the life OF
Henry Matthews, last Wednesday,
evening about $50, while bo;h
the officer and pedestrian were
standing on the corner Fourth
Avenue ard 18th Street in the
heart of the downtown business
section.
The coroner closed his ir1vesti-
CATION of the killing Saturday by
declaring that the sidewalk slay-
ing was "jlstifiable homicide"
Later Saturday the officer OF the
assistant solicitor announced that
the question of whether the slay-
ing was justified, Or not, would be
decided next month by the Jeffer-
son county grand jury. This action
was brought about largely by the
efforts TO DR. Frank E. Nabers,
prominent white physician. in
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
Navy Policy
Draws Praise
And Criticism
NAACP Officials
Differ on New
Move of u. S.

CHICAGO-A N P)-The new
navy policy toward Negroes has
brought forth both praise ana
criticism throughout the ma
tion from leaders, including some
sections of the daily press.
AS the NAACP national head
quarters in New York issued a
statement commencing the policy
"as progress toward a more en-
lightened point of view," the
Washington branch sent a tele-
gram to President Roosevelt de-
manding the custer Of Navy Sec
retary Knox, calling the new regu-
lations ''a deliberate insult to all
defenders of democracy" Leaders
of the Chicago NAACP branch al
So took issue with national Of
ficialS.
The statement of national
NAACP officials released last
Tuesday began:
"It is gratifying to hear Of the
modification Of navy policy with
respect to the use Of Negroes who
hitherto have been restricted to
service as messmen. ANY progress
toward more enlightened point Of
view is to be commended
WHAT ABOUT PICKENS?
Observers point out that this
attitude is similar to the position
taken by Dean William Pickcns in
commenting on the goth Pursuit
squadron at Tuskegee and the
army post at Fort Huachuca, Ariz.
However, the home office, led by
Walter White, executive secretary,
Immediately demanded the custer
of Dean Pickens as director CT
branches. 1t has not yet been ex-
planned why the national office
took similar position in the navy
matter.
Chicago NAACP officials an
nounced they were embarrassed"
by the official stand and said that
comment from New York should
have been withheld until the po-
Icy was clarified.
In special statement A. Philip
Randolph, president of the
Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Por-
ters, asserted:
"While this is a change in the
policy of the navy toward Negroes,
it is not a desirable change. It
accepts and extends and consoli-
dates the policy of Jim crowism in
the navy as well as proclaims as
an accepted, recognized govern
ment theology that the Negro is
inferior to the white race"
Discussing the navy decision to
Continued on Back Page)
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
Soldier Claims
He Was Shot
First; Girl Held
ATLANTA. Ga.-(SNSl-

ATLANTA, Ga.-(SNS)-
/, Because radio pat1olmen, who ar
rested her as material witness in
the Saturday night shooting of a
white carnival concessions operator,
failed to report it to detectives, IT.
year-old Ethelene Black, of 1918
Harwell Street, was being held in
communicate at city police head
quarters Monday.
Meanwhile, Paul Comena, "a
year-old military policeman of
Camp Wheeler, was being held
without bail on charge of shoot
ing John Thomas Asher, white, ope-
rator of what was described as
roll down" game at carnival on
the West Side. Asher's condition
continued critical at Grady Hospital
where he has been given several
transfusions, according to reports.
The 17-year-old girl held as ma
terial witness is the daughter Of
Mrs. Mollie Black, a widow and
mother of eight children. Mrs
Black reported that she had tried
in vain to see her daughter at head
quarters Sunday. Ethelene is a soph-
omore at Booker T. Washington
High Night school, her mother said.
Detective H. c. Newton, who is in
vestigating the shooting along with
his partner, Detective Preston, said
Monday afternoon that they did
not know the girl was in Jail until
they talked with Comena late Sun
day. He said he knew nothing of
community reports that the girl had
been the victim of brutality at head
quarters. The detective stated that
he would talk with patrolmen who
arrested the girl and determine
Monday night whether she would
be held further.
Meanwhile, it developed Monday
that Major Lord, provost officer for
the city Of Atlanta, would hold
military hearing on the Comena
case this morning. The closed hear
ing is set for ten o'clock at Fort
Continued on Page 81
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
TeIegrams Sent
President By
D.. {. Leaders
Training Awaits
Establishment OF
Separate Bases
By ALVIN E. WHITE

WASHINGTON, D. CAMP
Sec. Knox Of the navy depart
1ent has brought down on his
lead criticisms demanding his re-
noval from his official post as
"esult of the startling annQupce-~
nent of the new naval b1licy,
made last Tuesday at his /presa
'orference. *
Hailed by some as one Of tAe
hardest Won victories for the Ne
rro. the limitations set forth Lih
he secretary's statements elicited
condemnation from the local
NAACP which through it's presi-
lent, James E. Scott, sent the fol-
owing wire to the President:
TERNED INSULT !
"Of1cial statement Of secretary
# navy issued today announcing
'lanS for organization of segregat.
ID Negro naval labor units is a
deliberate insult to all defenders
u democracy Such a proposal
may well be death knell to the
efforts of all thinking Negroes and
whites Of good will to unite all our
1eople behind the war to destroy
faScism. This demonstration of the
aNazi attitude by capnet oficer
strikes at the very roots Of our
American system
Sec. KnCx's statement climaxes
a term Of office In which he has
clearly demonstrated his Jack of
the necessary capacity to serve our
country IN this perilous period.
This blow to the morale Of the Ne
gro people will be deeply appre-
ciated in Berlin, Rome and Toxic.
Its effect on the Hindus and
Moslems may be reflected In the
negotiations at Delhi. We believe,
however, that this is not a race
var but one being fought to secure
and protect the rights of all men.
We Americans do not need the
services of leaders who do not un-
derstand this and who desire to
use the services of black men in
nenial capacities only.
ASK KNOX'S REMOVAL
Therefore we respectfully re-
Continued on Back Page)
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18

whose home Mr.. Matthews worked
as butter.
Or. Nabers informed the solici-
tors office that he had examined
the body of his employee and
found five bullet wounds all in the
back of the victim.
In seeking the facts in the case
the press had its usual difficulty
in getting witnesses, TO state
Just what happened. However, two
Negro ministers, a mail carrier
and another bystander, with the
help of DR.. Majors and his vito
have given the mcst authentic pic
ture of what happened:
MRS. NABERS' STATEMENT
The statement she issued charged
Matthews was shot in the back
after having been tripped by the
officer and thrown to his knees
Continued on Page 3)
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
Douglass Grandson
Takes His Own Life

missing. A note by DR.. Douglass
stated he had taken an overdose OF
sleeping tablets.
Physicians estimated that he had
been dead for IL hours. Mrs. Dou-
glass, pretty and talented daugh-
ter of Booker T. Washington, II,
was distraught and could offer no
explanation for her husbands rash
act.
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
The Honest
Attitude.
BY HORACE MOORE
Supt. Ariz. Highway Patrol

A lot Of us are not entirely hon
est about this reckless driving
Hr0blem.
We are quick enough to criticize
careless or unskillful driving or
the part Of others. but We are ex-
tre.nely lenient with our own driV'
ing mistakes. When we do tht
wrong thing, we seldom curse our
selves.
Of course, that is not an homes
attitude We should be at least as
critical of our own driving as that
Of others on the road.
Maybe we had better cast the
beams from our own eyes first.
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
White Texan Pois0ns Man
For Love Of Negro Woman

ATHENS, Tex. CAMP The mur-
der of Patton Bradley, IS year old
Athenian, by Tommy Hobbs, 72
year old white farmer, here on
Easter eve, brought to light the
love of this man for Bradley's wife
Dora, 38. Bradley was given a
dose of strychnine in glass of
water, and then burned to death
in a large barn. Both Hobbs and
Dora Bradley are being held in
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
Sergeant Is Still
Known AS 'Cruit'

CAMP FUNSTON, Kas., -(ANP)
He's been in the army % years
but his fellow troopers IN the 10th
cavalry still call him "Cruit" John
son. The veteran recruit" is Sgt
James A. Johnson, regimental sadd-
Ter.
Here's how he acquired the
strange nickname: During Johnson's
first enlistment, his platoon SER
geant was giving rifle instructions
and the young soldier, misunder-
standing a command, fired before
the proper time.
you'll always be a 'cruit as long
as you're in the army!" The irate
Continued on Back Page)
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
Frederick Douglass Grandson Ends Life
PROTEST new NAVAL POLICY
CoIored People
Receiving Call

Groundwork for participation of
colored citizens in the civilian de.
Tense program was laid at a meet
ing Thursday night in Tanner
Chapel, African Methodist Church
attended by representative colorec
citizens of Phoenix and officials OF
the Arizona Civilian Defense Co.
ordinating Council
Maj. Milton T. Deane of San
Francisco, former instructor at
West Point, who now Is racial
relations adviser for the Ninth
Civilian Defense Region, was
principal speaker.
He stressed the need for every
individual to take part in the
civilian defense program and urged
registration of every colored per-
son in the city in the volunteer
movement
Major Will Return
Organization OF the local colorec
population under the civilian de-
tense setup will be effected in about
three weeks when Major Deane
will return for a longer stay here
He left Friday for Tucson, where
he will meet with state Civilian
defense officers, going from there
to Douglas.
Wade Hammond, former
chief warrant officer at Fort
Huachuca and first cOlOred
bandmaster in the u. S. Army,
also addressed the group
briefly.
He spoke at $3.50 o'clock Fri
day night at meeting of the Ari-
zona Unity League for Better Gov
ernment at COS Jefferson street.
Others Attend
Council representatives attending
Thursday nights meeting were r
G. Stanford, state co-ordinator; Maj.
Gen. A. M. Tuthill, field director;
E. D. Newcomer, field representa-
tive, and Pauline Bates Brown
state public relations chairman.
D. Kelly Turnet, assistant re-
gional sector director for the Ninth
Civilian Defense Area, also was pres
ent.
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18

the county Jail, pending further
proceedings.
The circumstances evolving
around the affair were said to
have their beginning when Mrs.
Bradley was 16 years old. Hobbs,
who formerly was a big farm
owner at Marvin Mills, little
settlement about seven miles from
here, said he had been in love
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
Secrecy Shrouds
Probe OF Fort
Dix Shootings
Stories Conflict.
On Number Who
Were Killed

FORT DIX. N. j. (ANP) Secrecy
surrounds the investigation of the
outbreak which occurred here re-
Gently causing the death of two
colored soldiers and white MP.
The start of the probe was begun
last week with the arrival Of Brig.
Gen. B. o Davis and other high
ranking army officials. To date.
however, little cooperation from
soldiers involved has been receiv-
ed.
Actually, it is said soldiers are
in silent revolt. Although they will
obey commands given by superior
officers. they will not tell what
they know of the tragedy. Inves-
tigating officers say they are not
aware of this as yet, but will prob
ably be before the investigation is
over
Then too, the number of soldiers
repeatedly slain in the clash con-
flict. 1t was originally said that
only three were killed, but the
current story claims otherwise. IN
stead of the one white MP slain,
soldiers say four whites were shot
to death.
COUNTED BODIES
ST know what I'm talking
about" one soldier said, because
I helped to take their bodies to the
morgue. They can print all they
want to about one white boy being
killed"
On the other hand, Maj. A E.
Continued on Back Page)
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
NY. Times Has
Faint Praise
For Naval Policy
Says Secretary's
AnnouncementGood
AS Far AS It Goes

NEW YORK-Very faint praise
boardering on criticism was voiced
editorially by the New York Times
April 8, for the Navy's revised poll
cv on the enlistment of Negroes.
The Times editorial said Secre-
tary Knox's announcement "is good
as far as it goes" and continued
IF this nation is faithful to its
democratic principles, they NE
groes will have the opportunity to
fight in this war. by sea as by
land, and to be ranked according
to their worth as individual"
The complete editorial:
THE NEGRO AND THE NAVY
Secretary Knox's announcement
Continued on Back Page)
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18
HOLDS YOUTH ASSEMBLY

WASHINGTON - CAMP The
Fifth Annual Youth assembly, un-
der the auspices of the 18th street
Branch YMCA convened at thai
institution Saturday and Sunday
of this week, with an Unexpectedly
large attendance. The theme of
the conference was planning to-
day for tomorrOwS world.
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18

Reversing previous plea, Wal
ter Sutton pleaded guilty yester-
day to rape and will be sentenced
at 10 a. m. April 20 by Superior
Judge Howard C. Spearman.
The Phoenix index., 1942-04-18

Continued on Page 81
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-12
By ELMER c. WALZER Limited Press Finlncia1 EditOr)

New York, Aug. l2-UP)-stocks advanced irregularly today after an opening featured by a break in ChrysIer. Trading frightened.
 ChrySler opened 1000 shares at 60 of 3-4, feel to 50 Ia, and ral- lied to 60 1-2. The general list meanwhile had been balancing of small gains and losses-most of them no wider than Ia point.
 Weakness in Chrysler, an after math of directors action after the close yesterday in cutting the divi- dend from $1 to 75 cents 8 share, failed to perturb the main list, al- though there was no particular de- mand in any section. An exception Warner Brothers-was active after a string of $500 shares turned over. The issue held at the previous close of 7-8, the 1942 high.
 Steel issues strengthened. Rails came back from small losses and around noon a majority of them had small net gains. Oils were firm, util- ities steady, and mercantiles easier. Coppers had small net gains.
 Several issues made new highs, including American Safety Razor, American Sumatra Tobacco, Holland Furnace, and Minneapolis Honey well. Columbian Carbon, National Dist Hers and Socony-Vacuum equaled their tops. Phoenix Hosiery preferred lost 5 points and Com mercial Credit preferred was down points.
 Cotton Futures
 New York, Aug. 12-(UP)-Cotton futures sold off about 50 cents a bale in quiet forenoon dealings today.
 Around noon the market was down 9 to 12 points after opening 4 to 6 points lower.
 Continued favorable weather re- ports and technical considerations following yesterdays advance of more than $1 a bale influenced a light liquidating movement. Buyers operated cautiously.
 The official weather report said crop progress was satisfactory, par ticularly in the central and eastern portions of the belt.
 Wool Market
 Boston, Aug. 12-(UP)-Demand
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-12
ing parents, and blood banks.

ing parents, and blood banks.
 Part II suggests an exhaustive inventory of your town and tho surrounding area that the town serves. It takes up seemingly every thing from taxes to tourists, from the reason that your town sites was chosen in the first place to the reasons why probably some or all of these original forces have been weakened by social and economic change.
 Along with this survey are hints on catching up with the times, if you haven't done so already.
 Rather than being a theoretical treatise, the Small Town Manual" is practical and level-headed as a grange meeting. It appears to offer rural communities, "the backbone of America" a workable method of stiffenin~ tr- national spine.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-12

Papers in connection with the fol- lowing real estate transactions have been filed at the office of the town clerk:
 MORTGAGE DEEDS
 Vito Angelone to Nicola Montefus- colo, property on Baldwin street, $2,0O0.
 Leo E. and Grace Freeman to First Federal Savings & Loan Asso- citation of Waterbury, property on Anna avenue, $4,500.
 George Gibbons and Constance M. Gibbons to First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Waterbury, property on Anna avenue.
 Park City Auto Finance Co.,, Inc. to Waterbury Savings Bank, prop erty on Middle street, $6,800.
 WARRANTY DEEDS
 John Petraroia to John Orsatti, property on Hill street.
 Wesley s. Rasmussen and Floyd H. Rasmussen to Leon and Grace Freeman, property on Anna avenue. Floyd H. Rasmussen and Wesley s. Rasmussen to George and Con- stance M. Gibbons, property on Anna avenue.
 QUIT CLAIM DEEDS
 Ernest J. Rasmussen and Signe Pasman to Floyd H. Rasmussen and Wesley s. Rasmussen, property on Anna avenue.
 Waterbury Savings Bank to Park
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-12
Marriage Intentions

The following couples have filed marriage intentions at the bureau of vital statistics
 George w. DiPietro of 1O2 Fran els street and Martha Lucy Ian nucci of 151 Geddes terrace.
 Maurice Freer of 1 Glenridge street and Flora Kenny of 17O Grove street.
 Charles Russo of 16 Griggs street and Josephine M. Pugliese of 95 Woodbine street.
 Edward J. Smith of 661 Cooke street and Martha Ann Hartigan of 147 Savings street.
 FlourbeI J. How'd of 658 East Main street and Marjorie E. AL bon of 151 Cornwall avenue.
 Clement Philibert of 596 South Main street and Catherine Grif- fin of 632 Baldwin street.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-12
VOLUNTEER GIVEN
 HIS PREFERENCE
1000 Seek Admission to Officers Training School
 -3O9o Infantry

Boston, Mass, August 12 - h. fantry and the Quartermaster Corps have been the principal choices of the 1000 Volunteer Off cers Candidates who have been in- ducted into the Army since March it was announced today at head quarters of the First Service Con- mand.
 Approximately 30 per cent of the candidates asked for training which upon successful completion, will result in commissions as Second Lieutenants of Infantry, while 18 per cent chose Quartermaster Corps schools. The administrative service of the Air Forces was desig- mated by 14 per cent of the candi- dates and the Armored Force by six per cent. The remainder was di- vided into small percentages among the other arms and services.
 Volunteer Officer Candidates must be from Class 3-A Selective Service Registrants who have been deferred for dependency only and who colunteer for induction for the cypress purpose of competing for ad- mission to Officer Candidate Schools Like all other officer candidates, unless specially quail fled, the men must serve at least three months in an enlisted status after induction before becoming eligible for appointment to an Off, ficer Candidate School.
 Tn the event taht any candidate is not selected to attend a school with in four months after industion, he may, upon request, he relieved from duty and returned to civilian status until such time as other selective service registrants in his class are called.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-12
Market In Irregular
 Advance Of Stocks
ChrysIer Made Break at Start But Recovered Some
 SteeIs Strengthened Rails Came Back From Drop

for domestic wools was slow in the Boston wool market, the U. s. AgTi- culture department reported tcday.
 Some small sales of fine stf f~'e wool were made at $118 clean bz-.S. Offers of 50 cents grease basis VIC 2 received for bright graded thiae thre eights wool, but little was avail able at this price.
 Sales of secured pulled wool type B were made at SLOT.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-12

prehensive list of problems in which almost any town should find sound and helpful advice for it's particular needs.
 The general subjects taken up in Part I are farm labor shortage; town labor shortage; transportation and deliveries; salvage and scrap collection; the home battlefront; shortages of machinery, parts, seed, etc; idle machines, plants and equipment migration of skilled work CTS from your town; bond sales and other patriotic drives; housing; helping neighbors through war hard ships.
 Under "the home battlefront" are considered such things as sal wage of fat and grease, better nu- triton. victory gardens. increased
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-12

profits from unncorporated busines- ses and farms on the one side: and the prices of goods and services which everybody must buy on the other side. In this study MT. and Mrs. American Public are presumed to share the nations cash income from all sources and spend their money according to typical budg- ct.
 Mir. and Mrs. Public receive in- come from wages, salaries, invest ments and other sources in propor- tion to the national distribution of such payments. Their living expen- ditures likewise are those of average householders. Their real income, or buying power, is their actual abil- ity to purchase regularly needed goods and services.
 Real income" Is not mere sub traction of cash income from cash outgo, which would be an index of savings rather than real income, but an average relative figure of in- come and outgo designed to show how the cost of living affects the adjusted dollar income.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-12
RELIEF CASES IN
 STATE DECLINE

General relief cases in the states five largest cities were 42 percent fewer last month than in July of 1941, State Welfare Commissioner Robert J. Smith reports.
 Relief cases in Waterbury are es- timated to have declined about 48 percent or more during that period. Locally, as elsewhere, relief costs have also dropped.
 The average decrease from June of this year in number of cases in the five largest cities was TT per- cent,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-12
BOY HAS LEG
 BROKEN BY CAR

Naugatuck, Aug. 12-Clifford Rus sell, 6. of Field street suffered a fracture of the left leg last night about 9 o'clock when he was hit on Field street by a car driven by Kenneth Anderson, 20 of Oxford road. Naugatuck, Is was learned from police today.
 The boy was treated by Dr. Clif- ford z Pine and was later taken to She Waterbury hospital, here he $ now . patient.
 4 technical charge of violation of the motor vehicle laws was placed against Mr. Anderson.