davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-03-27
Me-, The~
Negro
Nv an ia "A CUE OIL
or WILLIAM L. sHERRlll

ar entirely new attitude toward the
Negro and his rights as human
Being and American citizen 49,.
believe that the travel and con-
tact being experienced by hundreds
OF thousands OF Southerners who
had never seen outside their imme-
date communities in their lives. is
bound to bear fruit vixen these IN
and women return to the South
....., Seeing people in other parts
OF the world with differing cultures
and civilizations and seeing the
common humanity that unites us
all is compelled TO have its effect.
y u *
WHILE VISITING IN ARKAN-
SAS some few years ago I had this
experience: - Returning from a
fishing trip Il caught nothing) one
afternoon I stopped in a store on
the side of the "big road" and
asked the white man behind the
counter for a drink Of water Now
ordinarily in that section of the
country a Negro would be directed
around the outside OF the store to
the well or faucet ...... Instead Of
this, however. this white man came
from behind the counter. went out
side, brought in fresh pail OF
water and served me drink. When
| asked for a second glass he asked.
rs il cool enough? I can get you
some ice" .... All this hospitality
so surprised me that I could not
refrain from asking him il Arkansas
was his birthplace. YES" he an
swered, II was born and raised
about IS miles from here Why do
you ask" Because" I answered.
the graciousness you have just
shown me is not customarily shown
a Negro in these parts ...... This
vas his answer: You see. although
| was born and raised here. | have
travelled a lot have seen people
OF many races -. have been in
China. India. East Africa. South
America and lot OF other places;
and though I was as prejudiced as
any cracker in these hills when
left. before I returned I had lost
all that. have enjoyed the kindness
and hospitality OF Cinnamon. In
dams. Africans. etc. and II has
taught me that regardless OF differ
ences Of race. color or mode OF
living, We are all human beings.
good, bad. rich. poor. ignorant. wise
- bu:. nevertheless. human beings.
...... This is the redeem!pg truth
thousands OF whites now in the
service, will learn.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-03-27
DETROIT MERRY-GO-ROUND
By TONY VANCE


OF war and make money for Wayne
county al the same time Also under
consideration by this auditor ex-
officio is a 48-hour week plan and
reduction in personnel plan that
will not affect the performance of
the county government employees
and yet release some that are capa-
bic OF performing necessary war
jobs. Realizing his fitness for job
some day a political party that is
DESTROYS Of showing the Negro and
the community that democracy
means wha. il says in America
Will supper, and elect a man OF this
CALDER 10 tul:iii a public trust. A
gesture ot tbs type now would do
more than all the medals and
speeches in Congress 20 tell the
Negroes what they are fighting FOR
* i:
Two men, Senator Arthur Capper
OF ansas ard w f. B. Dubois OF
New York have presented two
widely different ideas. One pre-
sents the first step in better rela-
tionships among the races and the
other, strangely, gives the answer.
Dubois, when asked as 10 how he
would present the Negroes problem
to the white masses in reference to
the army's discriminatory prac-
tees, replied. Publish Hastie's
speeches 10 why he resigned in the
New York Times and other leading
daily papers over the country" Cap
per OF Kansas when confronted with
a similar question replied. We must
answer the entire question Of preju-
dice. We must realize that supe-
riority IS not a matter OF color. race
or religion and that prejudice Is a
war time sacrifice that must go
We must do more than legislate.
We must OF necessity have more
han q political democracy
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-03-27
DEATH TAKES TWO
n. p. BELOVED MOTHERS

Mrs. Edward Watkins, wife and
mother. passed Monday in the
Highland Park HOSPITAL after a Sc
rious illness. Mrs. Watkins will be
remembered because Of her indi-
viduality. yet she was a fine char
acter Her life was conferred around
her husband. home and children.
Her home was kept immaculate.
and she was gracious hostess.
You only needed her sweet smile
10 make your day perfect one. A
beautiful woman has gone 10 the
great beyond We will have her,
however. in the person OF her
daughter, Mildred. who is the like
ness OF her mother She leaves TO
mourn her passing her husband,
Edward Watkins. Sr: two sons Pvt.
Tedford Watkins. and Corpl. Ed.
ward Watkins. II: one daughter,
Mildred Watkins, and On infant
granddaughter. and host NJ friends
and neighbors.
MRS. MARY REED departed this
life Tuesday morning. March IL, at
o'clock. She was the wife OF Dea-
con Judge Reed. and had been a
resident OF Highland Park for about
twenty years Mrs Reed. a shy
little woman was known 10 be a
quiet, peaceful and loving wife,
mother. and neighbor. II was often
said OF her that she had the ability
10 bring peace out OF the most
drastic confusions be it In er home,
church. or among the neighbors
She leaves 10 mourn her loss her
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-03-27
BOOK NOTES
GERTRUDE SCOTT MARTIN

scgregationist policy and have often
treated the natives with the great
est cruelty. The missionaries today
are usually sympathetic with the
natives plight but for the most
part white men in South Africa are
seldom outspokcn in de'ense OF the
native
In 1912 black labor In the Union
OF South Africa was recognized by
the government but blacks gre
excluded almost completely from
white unions. The poor white In.
South Africa is opposed 20 any
economic advancement for the
blacks and has fought TO have them
excluded from all skilled work.
Wages In The cities and IN the
mines are pitifully low and living
conditions everywhere are OF the
poorest
For the future. Mr.. James sees
more hope in the British Deepen
denotes. The Union OF South Afri-
On where conditions for the snatveS
are worst is independent ~ Brit
ian and improving the lot ~ the
native there will he FAR more
difficult task against the opposi-
tion ~ the Beers There as else
where Mr. James states that the
most pressing reform Is the rats
ing ~ living standards Health.
adequate food. good housing and
education would transform the Az
rican personality" Mr.. James sug-
gcsts that all colonial powersshould
be signatories 10 a Colonial Char
ter Incorporating the above-tre-
forms, charter countersigned by
important non-colonial powers like
the United States.
Mr.. James. who is foreign news
editor OF PM. has written a book
on Africa which cannot be equalled
i'm sincerity and truthfulness OF pre-
sentation The picture is not en-
rouraging -------------------
South Africa's position Is stra-
tegic in the war effort and the
menace OF her fifth column is great
Mr.. James program for the Inn
provemcnt Of the position OF the
native population seems sound. His
book is factusl and very readable:
| hope IL will be widely read and
discussed.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-03-27

Selwyn James in SOUTH OF
THE CONGO Random House.
New York City. 5000 has not at
tempted 10 gloss over the facts. He
states that the lot Of the blacks In
South Africa could not be any
worse under Hitler and that their
position is far worse than the Negro
in our South. Denied the fran
chise. rigidly segregated from the
whites. provided with little or no
opportunity for education, beset
with diseases the South African
black is still the victim Of the white
mans exploitation.
The white man. outnumbered by
the blacks fears his power II given
the slightest opportunity for self
betterment. The one demand OF
the blacks which outranks all 9TH
ers is Give us back our land" the
land which the white man has
taken from him.
Mr.. James traces historically the
differences between the English
and the Beers and the critical state
OF politics I'm South Africa today.
Gen. SHUTS. prime minister Of the
Union OF South Africa. although a
Boer. is in sympathy with the war
effort and was instrumental In the
Unions declaration OF war against
Germany.
The country is over.run by Nazi
agents and the Beers at best are
only half-heartedly behind the war
effort desiring as they do an Afri-
Gamer state released from British
influence. The fifth column Is SO
strong even today that the govern
ment is unable 10 strike AT IL ef-
fectively for fear that such action
might result in civil war Without
General SHUTS. Mr.. James believes
the government would commit
suicide"
The policy 81 the BFitisf-if Al
ricsn states under their supervis-
ion has been 10 give the native a
chance TO better himself. This ex-
pressed policy has not always been
carried out with any effectiveness
because OF the colonisls' fear Of the
rise OF tho natives. Even British
colonials however. are more hui
name than the Beers who push q
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-03-27
GROWING STRIFE

Racial strife in Detroit is rapidly approaching
a critical stage which not only threatens the peace
of the community hut meHaceS war production itself
Within the fortnight Khan inspired white workers
staged demonstrations and strikes against the plac-
ing of Negro workers in new jobs at l. :. Rubber
and the Packard Motor Co. Unrest among aggrleved
Negro workers led to strike at the Highland Park
plant of the Chryser Motor Co., and workers of
Alcoa Aluminium walked out in protest aga INST the
biased employment policy of the management.
Couple these labor disturbances with such en-
plosive incidents as the brutal treatment of colored
woman at Goodwins Apparel store and the man.
handling of another woman standing in line to pay
her income tax at the Federal building, one begins
to recognize the necessity for positive action now
that will avert riot and forestal violence in our
community. The incidents are portents of serious
conflicts to come and no hoodwinking of the facts
nor any attempt to play them down. will resolve
the growing tensions between our people and the
subversve white elements of the city who are seeking
to destroy the basis for real unity.
Neither the local government nor the Federal
agencies in this have apparently appraised the
extent of the unrest among the masses of the work
ers and the low morale which subversive elements
have produced. Three weeks ago we called public
attention to the attempt of the Khan and their sooges
to block the integration of Negro workers in local
plants. we III pldHtS WHERE Willie
workers stopped production and protested against
the upgradng of Negro workers there was evidence
of careful and calculated action. These stoppages
not acts inspired by spontaneous resentment of
whites against Negroes Fascsts, Klansmen, and
enemy agents seeking to seize control over the
workers and they are working hand in hand with
ant-Negro and ant-abor industriaists who are
:. l1sing the war effort for their own ends
Despite the flag-waving and patriotic rabble-
rousing Detroit is the center of fascist activity in
this country. Defeatists appeasers and soationists
are sitting high in the councils of management and
Khan organizers active among the white rank
and file. Absenteeism, low morale and racial fric-
ton be traced to the operation of these nsidous
elements who are working for fascist America in
which Negroes and Jews would be relegated to serf
dom and unions would be noexistent. We have called
for Federal probe of the Khan in this area and we
believe that the responsible leaders of the city should
take their heads out of the sand and face the real
ties of the present crisis AS the incidents of racial
friction and labor unrest multiply, our war effort
suffers and the little moe-hils of conflict become
mountains which loom athwart our path to victory.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-03-27
MOTHERS CLUB PLANS A
ROUNDED PROGRAM
FOR THE YEAR

Al meeting held Thursday.
March IL. at the home Of Mrs. Pau
letta Powell. the Mothers Club
planned and interesting program.
One of the projects Of interes, will
be a banquet for the June graduates
and students OF exceptional merit.
Negro Health Week program in
April and a Father and Son SLIP
per for the entire community. Mr..
Harvey c. Jackson, Counselor. is
working hard on these projects and
looking forward for a great success,
which can only be mastered by the
full cooperation OF the parents OF
the community as we'll as the menu
bers OF the Mothers Club
Happy birthday to cute little Mar
gsret Ann Cooper, who celebrated
her birthday quietly at home with
her parents the Grover l.. Coopers
on Kendall. Mamma Cooper sad.
Due 20 the War her tiny daughter
would have to sacrifice her usual
party
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-03-27

Il SLEPT. DREAMED. I seemed 10
climb a hard ascending track;
And just behind me labored one
whose face was black.
pitied him, but hour by hour he
gained upon my path.
He stood beside me, stood upright.
and then I turned in wrath.
Go back. cried, what right have
you 10 stand beside me here?'
/ paused, struck dumb with fear. for
10, the black man was not there
But Christ stood in his place!
And oh, the pain, the pain, the pain
that looked from that dear
face"
* X *
MOST HISTORIANS AGREE that
even il there had never been a
Civil War the South would have
abolished slavery in another genera
ton. Wise men in the Southern
states were beginning 10 realize
that from sheer self-interest the
institution could not be preserved
There was little though about the
harm being done the Negro but
there was keen realization OF the
increasing harm being done 20 the
whites OF the South.
Now the wise ones OF the South
should 60 a step further today and
realize that their attempt 10 keep
the Negro citizen in economic and
political slavery in the South Is
handicapping and doing much harm
10 TIE South today. -.
II Is extremely difficult 10 de-
velop civilization and culture, un-
der democratic forms. in any com.
muni,y which harborsa helot class
...... No. have not orgotten'tha.
the Greeks did il, but there Is no
indication that Athens. Ga; is Likely
10 duplicate the glories OF her
srcient namesake.
X :, *
THE AVERAGE SOuTHER N
WHITE viii go a long ways with
NeSfo who knows his place" -
but IL is the "bigiiy" Negro. the
'upp.iy" Negro, the smart Ne
gro that srouses his ire ...,. In
other words. Southerners stand
with individual Negroes bu, stand
against the Negro as a group.
And behind all Of the keep the
Negro down" policy in the South
IS the bug boo" social equality
..... Being committed 20 purity
OF me white strain. Southern whites
,remble a. the though. OF anything
which suggests possibility OF sd.
mixture OF the races .... Well
the South nigh, as we'll face the
truth namely. tina. sdmixture OF
me races in America Is inevitable
- t. destroy or hold back he
South in en- a;,e1,p: 20 stay the
inevitable. is silly indeed.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-03-27
DIGGS BILL NEEDED
EX-OFFICIO AUDITOR
DUBOIS TO CAPPER
Raa dine Time. A min n sec.

Approximately 500 Negro workers
a. the Chrysler Highland Park plant
have walked out with what prob
ably will prove 10 be The greatest
issue o. d.scrimina;ion yet 10 be
laid on the doorstep OF the FAIR En-
ployment Practice committee. The
open revolt OF 80 percent OF the
Negro workers in the plant came
when Negro women were placed on
mental Jobs that demanded the
strength Of a man This evidently
is the issue. but underneath he
surface is the continuous work OF
the Citizens committee fighting dis
elimination in war industries Ac-
cording TO reliable sources there are
less than Is Negroes employed
operating machines and that better
than 70 per cent are in the mop and
broom department. The remainder
charged with carrying out The Job
OF distributing stock which is prob
ably of no greater value than that
o. an errand boy Unless favorable
results are obtained Negroes in
labor and industry as we'll as civic
| leaders will begin 10 ask WHAT
PRICE DEMOCRACY?
The passage OF Senator Charles
{. Digs snti-discrimination bill in
industry would definitely outlaw
these types OF discrimination and
abuse. The bill now in the house
could be supported by sending tele-
grams to Governor Kelly.
X X X
! Rumors in the County Building
have it that County Auditor Friel is
peeved with former favorite son.
J Sen Stanley Nowak. over the part
the latter played in getting bill
through the senate. now awaiting
the governors signature. that will
force Frel TO run in 1914 along with
Auditor Haflee. Other reports have
il that Friel will take his appeal 10
the Supreme Court preferring 10
warm his auditors chair a LITTLE
longer before CHANGING a run for
popular approval Friel's term does
not expire until 1916. but with the
passage OF the bill Friel and Haflei
will both run for the first time in
1914 Both these men were filling
unexpired terms OF Schneider and
Williams. convicted in the county
graft grand jury.
X X X
AL Pelham. budget director FOR
the second richest county in the
United States. Wayne county. is
rapidly ascending 10 the place oil
prominence held by his father, Ben
Pelham. scion OF county govern
ment for over 40 years, probably
the most powerful man ever TO seek
the limelight In the history OF
county government Apparently the
magic wand has blessed young A,
Pelham. who, along with his other
problems. has devised ways of in
vesting the county's money TO both
help the government during time
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-03-27
WINGS OVER JORDAN
TO sANDERSvILLE

SANDERSVILLE, Ga. - Wings
Over Jordan" Americas great Ne.
gro choir and radio artists. will
make their frst appearance In San.
dersvilie Friday night, March 20.
AT the Springfield Baptist church.
The choir comes here under the
auspices OF he Church OF God In
Christ, Tennille church.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-03-27
Reflect Holly To Outlook
League Post For Sth Term

CLEVELAND. Ohio-The Future
Outlook League. militant organiza-
ton tina: has opened hundreds OF
avenues Of employment, 10 Negroes.
has reelected JOHN o Holly pres.-
dent for the eighth consecutive
term.
Miss Beatrice Stevens was elected
secretary OF the group.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-03-27

Editors Note, The views and
opinions herein expressed by Mr..
Vance are not necessarily the
opinion OF the Michigan ChrOni-
cle. ---
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-03-27

husband Judge Reed. S.. Sons are:
Earl, Lyman. and Junior. Daulh-
ters: Mrs. Herde Hartman. Mrs.
Pearl johnson. Mrs Clara Bran
non, and fifteen grandchildren.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-03-27
WHILE THERE MAY BE TEN
pnRApY CLASHES ard naipf,,I

FOHNHI ObNoIIEo HIIu pdIIIIu'
per DDS in me South directly FOL-
loving he close 81 this war fael
hat on the whole ,tere must OF
necessity come forth in the South
Imperial Valley press., 1943-06-16
Jap Preference in
Purchase of Food
Disclosed in LA.

LOS ANGELES, June 16. (UP)-
Japanese evacueeS at the Manzanar
relocation center are geeting pref
erence over American citizens in
the purchase of food, witness tes-
titled today at hearing of the Dies
subcommittee investigating the
camps.
Thomas l.. CaVett. former inVeSti-
gator of the relocation centers for a
state legislative committee, said
that the 9l43 evacueeS at Manzanar
were getting an average of 10000
pounds of beef, 5000 pound of pork
and 25O0 pounds of lamb and NUT
ton each week.
Where is this procTed?' asked
Congressman Karl E. Muudt, Re-
publican, South Dakota.
BOUGHT BY ARMY
TT is purchased by the army"
Does that mean that the Jap
anese are getting a preference?'
Yes, that's true replied Cavett.
Every pound of beef purchased by
the army for the japanese means
just that much less for civilians"
Then the Office of War Infor-
nation ought to beam this informa-
ton to Japan to let them know that
their people here are getting better
food than our own citizens Mundt
commented.
Cavett offered the following as a
typical daily menu at Manzanar.
Breakfast - Stewed pruneS, rice
and frankfurters, hot biscuits and
oleomargarine, coffee and fresh and
evaporated milk.
Lunch - Macaroni salad, baked
hash, stewed carrots, bread and
jam.
Supper-Split pea soup, carrot
salad, sukiyaki (made with meat
rice, pickles, tea and jam.
Imperial Valley press., 1943-06-16
Overtures Said
Put TO British
Through Neutrals

ANKARA, June 16. (UP)
Reliable British sources
said today that Rumania had
made tentative peace over
lures toward the British.
The feelers were understood to
have been brought to the British
ambassador here, Sir Hughe Knatch-
bull -Hugessen, by neutral am
bassador normally stationed in Bu-
chareSt.
The suggestion was said to have
been advanced that the Rumanian
government headed by Gen. Ion
Antonescu would lay down its arms
if Rumania were allowed to recover
parts of Bessarabia, Bukovina, and
Pennsylvania after the war
The proposals were understood
to have taken no concrete form so
far. They were believed to have
been received with cold reserve by
the British embassy in Ankara, in
view of the unconditional Surren-
der" declaration by President Roose-
welt and Prime Minister Winston
Churchill.
Imperial Valley press., 1943-06-16
aS @ w @ 6
: ! n rks
v @ : ters
Vote Yes
Against 1913 Noes,
TabuIation Shows

Overwhelming approval of
the Imperial Irrigation dis
trict's second bond refund
ing plan was given at the
polls Tuesday when 1757
votes were cast in favor of the issue
as compared TO 1913 against it, a
final tabulation on Wednesday
showed.
District directors and other Of
ficials expressed gratitude for the
huge majority given the plan as
they mapped plans to put the pro-
gram into effect by issuing refund
ing bonds amounting to Sl3,8l5, 900.
Funds derived from the sale of
the new bonds will be used in buy
ing up outstanding bonds and war
rants which carry a much higher
Continued on Page 6, Col. Az
Imperial Valley press., 1943-06-16
Russians Cain i'm
Northern Attacks
On German Lines
'Soviets Confirm
Reports Of Big
Assault on Nazis

MOSCOW, June 6. (UP)-
Fair-sized Russian attacks
north of Orel have carried
across a strategic river bar
rier and penetrated German
defenses to a considerable depth in
some of the heaviest fighting of
the summer on the Russian front,
field dispatches said today
A battle of indeterminate scope
and possibilities was reported raging
30 miles northeast of Orel Russian
assault forces which wedged deep
into the German positions we're
said to have held all their gains
against determined counter attacks.
FIRST CONFIRMATION
(The dispatch gave the first Rus
sian confirmation to Berlin radio
reports of the last several days that
the Red army was attacking IL
some strength in the Orel sector
and conceding it some measure of
Success)
tRadlo Lenlngrad said the Red
army was preparing a crushing
blow on the eastern front to COIN
eide with an Allied invasion of
western Europe)
Stormovik assault planes took
over the Red air forces offensive
against enemy bases with a raid
on northern port, where a trans
port and two smaller boats were
sunk, warehouses, and piers set
afire and two intercepting Messer-
schmitts shot down.
DOWN 8 PLANES
Naval planes attached to the
northern forces were credited with
shooting down five MeSSerschmitts
and four Focke-W 1905 in
three-hour battle with at least 80
enemy planes attempting to attack
a valuable Soviet CONVOY.
Soviet filters also carried out a
series of raids in the Ukraine, start
ing large fires and touching off big
explosions among military trains
and ammunition dumps south of
Balakleya.
Imperial Valley press., 1943-06-16
End Refunding Plan Gets
Overwhelming Approval
JAPS USEGAS
IN CHINA AG AIN

A japanese ship unloaded so tons
of gas shells and 100 cases of gas
containers near Shanghai on Mon
day, the spokesman said.
1t was the fourth time this year
that the Chinese had charged the
Japanese with using poison gas
The spokesman reported that be-
tween June 4 and IA, about 100000
Japanese troops were roused from
the Yangtze river front in Hupeh
province.
Chinese forces are maSsing for
an assault on Hwajung, key Jap
anese base in the Tung TING lake
area. Chinese dispatches said.