davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-02-19

program for democratic action at home and abroad
can be stated further that the President accepted
this program with expressions of profound interest
Further recognition was given to the Negro
Press when Negro reporter representing the At
lanta Daily World and the Negro Newspaper Pub
fishers association given credentials to attend
the regular White House press conferences which
held by the President. Thus for the first time in
the ll7-year history of the Negro Press first hand
accounts of White House conferences will be made
available to readers of our newspapers.
In some respects the Negro Press is an anomaly
on the American scene. It's critics have been legion
and in recent years they have sought to discredit
its program and purpose, and when they found no
facts to sustain their attack they created them The
simple truth is that the Negro Press it's exist
ence to the antNegro bias of the majority press and
the Negro people demand the truths which the
majority press refuses to publish out of Difference
to popular prejudices Like the labor press and the
press of other minorites, the Negro Press serves
those whose interests are ignored by the regular
American press.
The minority presses, however, have tremen-
dous responsibility especially in time of crisis such
as the present The rising recognition of the Negro
Press believe, bears witness to the fact that the
Negro newspapers have shown themselves worthy
IF the public trust and have lived up to their respon
bilities. The most significant achievement of the
Negro Press during this crisis, in our estimation
les in the fact that the Negro newspapers have
brought home to the Negro people of America that
this is their war and not merely white mans war"
1t has been the aim of great numbers of Ameri-
can fascsts to dstort the aims of this war and to
make them conform to their own special interests.
The Negro newspapers have fought their efforts
day in and day out and in every sphere Of activity in
the armed forces in civilian life at home and
abroad. We are determined to make this peoples
war and we mean all the people, regardless of race,
creed color. It may we'll be that the tremendous
struggle of the Negro Press in this democratic effort
lis responsible for the recognition which it is re-
ceiving today.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-02-19
THE WATCHTOWER By ROY WILKINS

bounced upon by commanders.
They were the mistakes white boys
would make and have made in
both the Atlantic and Pacific thea
tres Of war. But the whisper got
around. A national magazine took
1t up The men who never had
wanted Negro filters thought the
idea was finally knocked out. Ar
mold was said to have been "con-
WINGED" that Negro fliers were q
mistake.
But the seth, meanwhile, had
been assigned to work with the
British 9th army In Italy and they
carried out their assignments well.
They never got a chance at COM
bat with the Nazis. but they did
effective blasting Of targets for
the British. Then once the Net
tuno beachhead below Rome and
the dog-fights OF January 27-28.
Our boys got their chance and they
did not fail With their guns blaz-
ing from the slow low-ceilinged
P-40 WarSawks, they brought their
own pressure on the War depart
ment for better treatment. Their
work in the slow Warhawks raises
a question as TO what they could
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-02-19
We~, The+
Negro
or WILLIAM L. SHERIFF

THERE IS A STORY going the
rounds which runs thus: An old Ne
gro who had worked for a certain
barrel factory down South many
years and whose weekly salary all
these years had been very meager,
opened his pay envelope one Sat-
urday and saw about twice as much
money as he was accustomed to re-
ceiving.. Feeling sure that there
was some mistake or that the white
folks were in some way trying TO
trick him, he returned to the office
and explained that too much money
had been put in his envelope.
NO" replied the foreman, that is
your weekly pay ow....You see,
fellow called Hitler has started
lot OF trouble in the world. He
wants to whip everybody and make
himself master Of the earth. so
we have decided to stop him..
To do this we need everybody to
make barrels to carry oil and pro-
duce overseas and the President
says that as long as We work on
government contracts we must pay
everybody the same pay for the
same work. SO you see we must
pay you the same pay we have
been paying the white folks.
Thank you sir, | understand now
the Negro said as he turned to leave.
Then examining the money deep
in his pockets and pulling his cap
tight on his head, he rushed along
his way home saying to himself,
Thank Cor for Hitler. Thank God
for Hitler"
NOW THIS OLD MAN had no
love for Hitler nor could he posi-
bly, be in favor of Hitler's preach
ments. But he did realize that had
not Hitler started this world
trouble" perhaps he would not be
receiving a white mans pay" for
the Job he was doing.
Isn't it a pity that our white folks
bypass us until they get into
trouble, then suddenly they realize
that we are brothers-citizens-hu-
man beings. ETC., entitled 10 the
same pay-same treatment and con-
siderations they themselves receive?
Think how much more healthy
our democratic institutions would
be today IL they could have under.
stood long before Hitler challenged
the world that I'VE are Americans
too. We would not now be vast
ing Congress precious time over the
soldier vote. Southern Congressman
would not be looking for a trick
bill to keep the Negro soldier from
voting. They would be giving
their maximum time and energies
To the business OF defeating Hitler
and Toto instead of burning up the
| peoples money and wasting weeks
in filibuster to save the poll tax and
prevent Negro citizens exercising
their franchise. I'VE would not be
maintaining the expensive system
OF jim-crow in army and civilian
life which demoralizes both the
jim-crower and the jim-crowed.
Race riots would not be endangering
the unity and solidarity OF our
country.
y * *
IN SPITE OF WHAT they haven't
done the fact today is. that our
white folks are more concerned
about US today than ever in the
history OF our country They are not
only concerned but they are wor.
ried about the Negro American
They are asking questions ."Wha'
does the Negro think about white
folks?" Where does he stand or
the war effort7" What will ht
90 when a grave crisis faces tht
country7". ..Of course II be knew
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-02-19

atlOn SHOWS Signs OA SeltlhS aeh-
nitely better.
First there was the release Of
news and pictures about the train
ing of Negro twin-engined bomber
crews at Hondo field. Texas, and
Mather field, California. Although
this training continues the pattern
of segregation begun at Tuskegee,
it does represent progress. Now
that we have come from single-seat
fighters to medium bombers, we
can 60 on to four-engined For
tresses and Liberators. And the
next step is navy flying. IL our
lads can fly Airacobras and Mus
tangs for the army. they can fly
Corsairs and Hellcats for the navy.
And then there was the Won
derful news from the Italian front
Of our Goth fighter squadron shoot
ing down twelve Nazi planes in
two days. This performance rated
as cablegram Of congratulations
from General II. Fl. Arnold OF the
Army Air Forces to 1t. Gen. Eaker
under whom the Goth serves. Be-
hind this message from Hap" Ar
mold lies a story. Arnold was not
sold" on Negroes filters. Very
few army men were. In the early
days OF the 99th overseas service in
North Africa and Sicily the boys
were watched like hawks and some
Of the mistakes they made were
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-02-19

the Negro he would not be worried
about the answer to these questions.
But he does not know U.S.. up
to now we haven't counted. But
today, with the threat Of danger
from without. our white folks are
beginning to count US. The rank
and file as well as the leaders Of
the white world are busying them
selves to learn what the Negro is
thinking-what he is doing - and
what he wants.
PROOF OF THIS can be seen In
every direction. Southern white
groups have organized to study the
Negro. White editors have asso-
ciated themselves with movements
to abolish discrimination and Jim
crow. :. Leading magazines and
periodicals are giving deal Of
space TO discussions pertaining to
the Negro. his achievements and
ambitions :. Hollywood Is casting
him in more realistic roles. News
papers twhite) are opening their
columns to the telling of what the
ANSslO <lItlCl lNdIi 10 oOih6
sports, art, education and labor.
There Is q definite effort to sell the
Negro to America in spite OF the
loud mouthings of the Bilbos.. "A
small minority Of sincere whites
whose numbers are increasing day
by day, are leaning backwards in
their efforts to tear down the walls
of race-prejudice, which have too
long kept America weak and di-
vided.. :. /. Hitler's attempt to set up
a world on the basis of superior
and inferior peoples has brought
about a radical change in the pop
ular conception of "super-races"
People are seeing the foolishness OF
racial hates. If Hitler's tom
foolery" makes America see the
error OF her ways. II it makes her
see the foolishness OF discrimina-
ton and Jim crow, Hitler will be
an ill-wind which blows us Ameri-
cans some good. For there is no
tragedy like that OF Negro stand.
ing at attention when the flag goes
by. for in his heart there are tears
for the many hopes his country, de-
MES him.. This Is wrong!. And
| thank God for whatever is re-
sponsible for making America more
liberal toward her Negro citizens.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-02-19
LETTERS TO
1.-THE EDITOR
TO THE NEGROES WHO
ARE STRIKING AT
THE WAR PLANTS

Do you think 1t Is very patriotic
to hold up material that will sup
ply the desperate needs Of ammu-
milton to the boys on the front?
When you strike you are helping
the Japs to murder your husband,
son, father. or any OF your other
relatives.
You are sacrificing more hours
and much shorter pay than what
you have been receiving. and that's
why you strike.
Remember the one whom you
hated to see 60 and would have
done anything to bring him back.
You were bringing him closer to
you. when you were turning out
material that he could use to bring
the fight closer to victory.
Then you must have forgotten
about him, for you stopped work.
ing because the factory asked you
to work longer hours for the same
pay or a little increase.
You forgot about the one who
was sleeping In a muddy foxhole.
counting each minute for the next
one may be his death moment. You
forgot about the one losing his life
for someone who is too good 10
lose a little sweat for him
You started out helping him and
you're ending up making this q
one-man fight, he can't fight with
out your help And we can't win
without his help
So any time you feel you have
done enough. think OF the one sac
rificing his life for you.
BY Calvin Agee,
374i Brush Street
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-02-19

do in P-38 Lightnings or PAP
Thunderbolts.
Another bit OF good news IL
buried in the Senate. II is q bill,
sponsored by the War d .partment.
TO enlarge its powers and give it
control over clashes between civil.
ians and military personnel This
will enable the department to take
more positive action In protecting
the Negro soldier I'm the southern
states. This action In long over.
due. for the mistreatment Of Negro
fighting tpen In Dixie has been q
disgrace and the greatest single
cause Of bitterness among colored
Americans.
Finally. there Is the announce.
ment by the Navy that II Is training
Negro commissioned officers. The
toughest and meanest barrier in the
entire armed forces thus IL
preached. How great or how per-
manent the victory will be remains
TO be seen.
So. brothers and sisters, pro-
gress is being made. Who knows
but that IL Rome holds out until
July 4th, We may have a mixed
division7
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-02-19
PUBLISHERS AT WHITE HOUSE

Last week committee of Negro editors and
publishers representing the Negro Newspaper Pub
fishers association were the guests of President
Roosevelt at the White House. The remarks made
by the President were "off the record" but no one
doubted that this conference was result of the
rising recognition of the part the Negro Press is
playing in promoting the war effort and in cham
pioning the just causes of the people it represents
The publishers presented the President with twenty
one point program which may be described as a
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-02-19

Most books on India seem to take
for granted a certain amount OF
knowledge Of the country and give
little OF the background to explain
the forces at work there today.
Such is not the case with INDIAN
CRISIS by John S. Hoyland tThe
Macmillan Company; 60 Fifth ave-
nue.; New York City; 5000 in
which the author goes to the root
OF the situation In India as regards
religion, politics, and economies. He
succeeds in doing this in a book
which is remarkably short and re-
markably complete.
INDIAN CRISIS Is a strong IN
dictment of English rufe. The con-
dtion of the masses of the people
is desperate and Mr.. Hoyland states
that the poor are getting poorer.
Indian peasants work often for no
money payment and wages IL paid
are miserably low. Even primary
school teachers in rural parts OF
Bengal are often paid only one
shilling and four pence week. In
Cawnpore il was reported a few
years ago that domestic servants
were paid one shilling week with
out keep and that the municipal
scavengers were receiving from two
shillings to three shillings and nine
pence per week" "a shilling is
worth approximately" twenty-five
cents In American money!
The tremendous growth In popu-
lation-l5 per cent every 10 years
serves TO aggravate the overcrowd-
ing and unhealthy living conditions
in the cities. Many leave the farms
because Of the hopelessness OF their
condition there only to find greater
poverty In the city slums. The
poverty OF the Indian masses Is in
shocking contrast to the vast profits
which England has derived from the
country. and still does. Mr.. Hoy
land states that Englsnd's invest
ment in India has been repaid 100
times over. He says further: 1T has
been reckoned by prominent
economist that every fifth man in
Great Britain Is dependent, either
directly or indirectly, on our In
dian connection for his livelihood"
There are few bright signs: a
gradual rise in literacy from per
cent to IL per cent in the ten year
period from 1891 TO l94l. The In
dian National Congress governments
elected In 1885 showed that progress
could be made In relieving the mis-
cry of the people but in 1899 these
governments resigned when India
was thrust into the war by the
viceroy. Mr.. Hoyland served as re-
lief administrator during the fam
inc Of 1921 and he points out what
a program OF public works did at
that time to alleviate the suffering
although much more could have
been done The news Of the recent
deaths by the thousands in India this
year from starvation highlights Mr.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-02-19
HIGHLAND
PAR K
O. BY AUDREY BOULDING
OPEN HOUSE WELCOMED
MRS REED

On Feb. 3. Mrs. Nettie Thompson,
president Of the Desconess Board
Of Thomson Avenue Baptist church.
was hostess with open house in her
home on Ford avenue 10 welcome
Mrs. Anna Mae Reed, wife OF the
Rev. S. S. Reed. ABB B. ID. to the
community.
Mrs. Thompson's arrangements
were pretty and honey. She laid
her guest table with a cream lace
cloth and used large silver dish
filed with fruit for centerpiece
II was a pleasant afternoon for Mrs
Reed. who Is an attentive listener
and is, also quite cOnversable The
invited guests we're. Mesdames
Anna Bankhead. Mabel Davis. B
Netherlands, Liza Williams. Jettie
German. Alberta Cole. Helen Muse
r. Pit,man. s Swan. Mamie Love.
Dora Wilson. Georgia Williams and
Alice Monroe.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-02-19

optimists w h o
always look on
the bright side
often do the
race as much
harm as the
cynics who see
n o p gr Q -
anywhere.
God k n o W 3
the War and
N avy depart
ments have not
done right by
the dark broth
ers. but it does
seem fair to say
that in the past
month the stu
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-02-19

In this race relations business 1t
is just as harmful to clap hands and
shout too loudly over the little
things as ii is to gnash the teeth
over the bad things. The Pollyanna
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-02-19
STUDENTS AID POsTMEN

TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE. Ala =
For the past several years. AT the
request of the postmaster a. Mont
gomery. group Of young men stu
dents have been sent to that city
10 assist the regular postmen In
Tire city carrier Christmas work.
Evening star., 1944-07-23
DIZMesMNRE;

One soap for everything in today's extra
heavy wartime wash! That's Proctor &
Candles new kind of soap, DUZ! Watch
DUZ chase dirt from grimy overwhelming
towels back to snowy whiteness. NO soap
made can do those two big jobs better!
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-02-06
Well Send Ii On

II you would rather send them
to this writer first, we will see
they are forwarded. Serving on
the committee are Harold Lille of
Lansing, Edward F1ack of Sag
NAV and George Wheeler Of Mt.
Pleasant.
Many suggestions have been
made by we'll meaning citizens
and sportsmen.
One of the most frequent is that
hunters be required TO stand an
examination the same as one seek
ing an automobile drivers license.
On the face of il, this sugges-
ton seems good, but no one has
ever explained just who would
conduct the examinations. One
who is to sit as judge and jury on
whether a hunter is qualified in
the safe handling of firearms must,
of course, be oroughly ac-
quainted with the subject.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-02-06
Officials Open
Pin Entry Drive

Out 10 repeat with the largest
tournament in the country again
this season officials Of the Detroit
Bowling Association viii launch an
entry drive for their 32d annual
city event this week.
As in previous years the city
tournament viii be conducted m
TWO establishments. The team
rolling VIII be held at the Palace
Recreation. starting April Il
Doubles and singles are listed for
Sam Ravine's Vogue Recreation,
beginning April 10.
With the entry deadline March
I. officials will have only little
more than thee weeks time TO
better the 2.547 teams, 2.95S dou-
bles combinations and 5,21S indi-
viduals that competed fora record
S26,72l prize fund last year
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-02-06
81 Women Teams
In Chicago Classic

by making Sic and winning the
singles.
Named IN the various lists Of
coptestants are Kay Sontag. Rose
Posa, Norma Carol. Ann Keppen,
Elsie Hornbeck. Edna Wilbur,
Elizabeth Hunt. Hester Anderson,
Rachel Shufeldt, Sophie Hoagg,
Ruth Coughlin, Audrey GentA,
Joan Sheldrick and Sally Collins
OF the high average group are
Constance Powers of Vernors,
whose two consecutive series Of
600 Or-over in the N0nen's Major
League stand as one Of the sea-
sons unusual feats. Lois Hoffman
and Hattie Wooster of Enterprise.
Mrs. Wooster is one of y women
10 score a 300
Five OF Detroit's championships
are IN various classes of the team
event, SIX in doubles, seven in
singles, and three in all-events.
Detroit victories 90 back 10 1888
when Ann Wells won the class B
singles on SEQ. Bea Howard also
won the B all-events that year on
1880 Natalie Reading was the
Class r winner in 1910 on 1878.
Rita O'Connor, 1881, was + win
ner in 1871.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-02-06

Gun accidents afield will occur
as long as sportsmen go hunting
and sportsmen will 90 hunting as
long as there is game 70 hunt.
But what can we do to cut
down the eyer-increasing fatali-
ties that occur each year during
the deer hunting and small game
seasons?
Something must be done imme-
diately 10 end this outrageous
slaughter OF human lives which
last year resulted in the death Of
81 and injuries 10 So.
Mr. Sportsman, have you a sug-
geStion 10 offer? Have you a plan
TO cut down gun accidents?
II so, why not send it 10 p. J.
HoffmaSterr director of the Aiefff-
gan Conservation Department at
Lansing, and his committee of
three now investigating causes of
hunting accidents and how to
curb them.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-02-06
TO Help
For Polio Fund
BY EDGAR HAYES

Leading amateur boxers from
all parts OF the country will COM
pete at Olympia under the au-
spices Of The Detroit Times-ClO-
WXYZ Infantile Paralysis Fund,
Feb. %. The entire profit Of the
show will go 10 the fund under
the direction of Abner Larned,
state chairman.
Charles II. Brennan, secretary
OF the Michigan A. A. L., IS ar
ranging the bouts. He has con-
tacted the leading associations TO
get the best boys they have
available, A number of service
men will be among them il is ex-
pected. The program will call for
at least II bouts in all weight
classes.
DetroitS best boys will he pit
ted against the invaders Detroit
has long been the capitol of the
amateur boxing world and from
It's ranks have come Joe Louis,
Charley Hayes, Harvey Dubs and
numerous other stars of the ring.
A new crop will be sent in action
at Olympia on the night Of this
show.
The tickets will be on safe late
this week. They'll be available at
Olympia and The Detroit Times
office. They'll be priced at 1920
rlngside 70 So cents in the ball
cony. All seats will be reserved.
Michigan Is one of the lead
ing states in the union In col
lection of funds for this great
cause" Larner said. IF this
show Is as big a success as we
hope, II will put Michigan very
close, IL not at the top of the
az states In the Union.
This cause ranks with the
greatest in the world. Here Is
a grand chance TO help IL and
at the same time see an excel
lent boxing show. We all know
how good Michigan amateurs
are and this should be one OF
the best ever held here. All are
cooperating to make IL one of
the top sport attractions OF the
wear"