davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-10-28
STILL jim CROW

Fine ana dandy. Excellent. Good stuff.
Terrific. But Negro musicians feel that way. too
and won't forget some OF the scufflss they
used TO 90 through just to get . sandwich and
bottle Of milk.
say that this sort Of thing is the baloney
and worse anywhere. say it is downright in
suit to what we got into khaki for, especially
if we're musicians.
People say that just because Negroes are often
good musicians, that this doesn't mean that they
are capable of being treated as equals, that il
just means. "jgs has naturally got rhythm" Oh,
yeah? Did you ever stop to think that one Of the
reasons Negroes make such excellent musicians
is that they find out at a very early age that
there are very few fields open To them-and
when white boys are dreaming about being Babe
Ruths one day, senators the next, and movie stars
the third. Negro kids say to themselves, we'll, at
least can be a good musician-ihsrs at least
can get somewhere.
don't have TO tell you what think Of those
kids having 10 feel this way. But At least. LET'S
make sure that that THERE stays there. and
doesn't become another hollow mocksrY 10 aug
ment the troubled relations between the two
races
Small things like the Benny Goodman quartet
have probably done more good for race relations
than any other thing in the last ten years. Let's
make sure that we keep on doing this sort OF
thing, that the music business rids itself once and
for all Of the disgusting odor Of Jim Crow-and
I'm talking about the AIM and It's Jim Crow To-
Gals, not three other guys
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-10-28

their support of a permanent FEPC-but are
unwilling to equally commit themselves in sup
port of strong FEPC bill with teeth in it. This
goes for candidates for the House and Senate
alike.
AS you know, the bill to create permanent
FEPC was introduced last year in both the Sen
ate and the House. In the Senate, hearings were
held on the bill. In September it was reported
favorably by the Senate Committee on Education
and Labor. 1t is now scheduled for debate and
vote shortly after Congress reconvenes on
November IA
In the House, however the bill has not Jared
30 well. Partial hearings were held before
House Labor Committee in June. These are
scheduled to be resumed on November l6. After
this the bill must 60 to the Rules Committee
for decision TO when it may be placed on the
calendar for debate and vote.
Here lies the other side of the two-fold danger
to FEPC referred to above. The need for speed
is imperative. II these bills are not this year
enacted into law, the whole legislative process
will have to begin over again. For on mid.
night, January 2, lS45, the present Congress ex-
pires to make way for the new one to be elected
In November. No pending legislation can be
carried over from one Congress to the next. The
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-10-28
HISTORY and MIR. Dewey

OF spectator in great everts. More
over, it is too bad that at a critical
time for American democracy
world events distract mems minds
from the issues of the election.
For the peoples choice in Novem-
Der will have much 10 do with
whether we win a new world order
or merely win the latest and most
devastating Of wars Mr.. Dewey
has a great opportunity. in his
capacity as Republican candidate.
10 set forth the issues OF the cleo
ton in their historical context. Mr..
Willkie attempted as much in his
six-point program at the time OF
the Republican convention. For MI
Willkie is not a frivolous politician
and at the risk of his whole polit-
ical future he was true to his read.
ing Of history, to his conception OF
Americas destiny in q world that
has become one.
Quite otherwise Is the case with
Mr.. Dewey. He shows the chagrin
of . small time performer who re-
sents the fact that the big spot Is
shining somewhere else. Why
should Dumbarton Oaks be called
ut the time Of the Republican gov
errors conference. Why should
Quebec be planned 10 coincide with
his campaign tour? Why should
the smashing blows at the Siesfried
Line come at the very moment
when he makes the claim that
Roosevelt did absolutely nothing
10 prepare the American people for
war? There is something pathetic
about the rage of the little man
cold shouldered by history. There
is something indecent about his
fantastic attempts to establish
himself as history's escort C'now
that General Macarthur is no
longer q political threat to Mr..
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-10-28
CREW A LIVING
PROOF OF DEMOCRACY

Roosevelt it would seem appropri-
ate that his magnificent talents be
given greater scope and recogni-
TOM. But it is most revealing Of
all to see him turn his back on his
tory and return with obvious relief
10 folklore-to the Washington
wasters, the WPA for the world,
the Roosevelt defeatism, the bu-
reaucratic amateurs. History does
not bother him there, and the po-
litical advisers seem TO approve.
For them the time-tired themes are
best. They have worked before;
they will work again. Americans
are not much concerned with his
tory, not much aware OF history.
Their memories are short. Re-
member 1910 and l94l and the
Republican fght against the AID.
ministration's preparedness meas
ures! Remember the mid-thirties
and the Administrator war
against want and insecurity! Re-
member Hoover. the days Of the
apple? Remember 1920 and the loss
of the peace! No, we don't re-
member. brother. History! To
hell with history!
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-10-28

than smattering of information here and there,
OF Negro fighters.
The War Department has arranged for Negro
war correspondents to 60 TO the battlefronts
These correspondents sending back news Of
our fighters TO the Negro press. The Negro
public knows what our boys ar doing and il is
proud and angry by turns. The Negro public is
stimulated NOR, and more to demand full citi-
xenshp on the basis of the sacrifices and per-
formances of dark fighting men overseas. The
Negro public very properly is more and more
resentful of determinations and injustices II
thinks of what its men are doing Tensions rise
Trigger situations increase.
These tensions increase in part because the
white public does not know what the Negro
public knows about black fighters. II is, there
fore, Indifferent or hostile or ignorant Not all
white people are inclined to analyze and inquire
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-10-28
The TRUTH:

The few changes" federazed old and survival IN
surance These "few changes" had the effect OF putting
into effect $50 900 600 Of life insurance which IS quite
accomplishment when we keep mind that the total OF
ali private life insurance is only about $13O,OO0OOO0oo
The few changes had the effect of extending cover
age to maritime workers. bank employees and some agrcu-
ura workers we'll employed persons over 65groups
totalng about 100. 900 workers.
The few changes provided for aid to children ana sup
benefits 10 aged wives Of annuans and also
provided for the calculation OF benefits the basis OF the
insured persons rather than his total
Government war risk insurance amounts TO only
800 OOO Together with the insurance put into enect
by the ew changes OF 1889 the total Of Federal Life In
exceeds Of all private forms OF life insurance
Source: Annual Reports of the Social Security Board
pm
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-10-28

admit that when was first
offered the job. last year. Of exec
utive secretary OF the Harlem
Riverside Civilian Defense Council,
was at once challenged and ter
rified. My only personal contact
with a Negro had been our maid.
Negroes did not 60 10 the same col
lege proms or football games /
went 70. They never appeared in
downtown night clubs or restau-
rants. Ny family never had any
Negroes to dinner.
Just never came into contact
with a Negro boy or girl. man or
woman. who. having the same edu-
cational background or Interests as
I. might conceivsbly have been my
friend.
AS a sociology major at Vassar,
7 had learned from an intellectual
standpoint some OF the injustices
and humiliations that Negroes suf-
fer. remember being disturbed
by the facts was taught, but il IS
easy 10 forget unpleasant facts II
your only contact with them Is the
printed word or speech by a
prominent Negro lecturer.
So, with interest. bur a great deal
OF trepidation. I accepted the job.
As I hurried 20 my first meetins
with . group Of Negroes was
beset with grave doubts. II was a
suspected vague difference" be-
tween black and white that had me
worried. Did they react" like
white people, Would we have
anything at all 20 talk about?
As a matter Of fact. the few dis
tin gushing racial characteristic
between whites and Negroes were
often the subject for friendly jok
| ing. A friend and !. having beauty
psrlor appointments for the SAM
day, were amused 10 think TIA
she was going to have her hair de
kinked" while I was 10 have min
kinked up a bit
The reaction Of my downtown
friends vas interesting "Wher
are YOU working now" polite
middle-ased friend Of the fsmil
would ask. In Harlem | woul
answer bluntly There would 10
low either an embarrassed silens
or some one would hurried
change the subject II was ooviol
that the dinner guests could hard
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-10-28

move to the chant of FURNISHED,
pulsing shafts in the rich odor of
oil like incense. and you come on
the painted medallions. They stand
out on the clear aluminium color of
the boiler fronts, warm as the roar
ing flames within. They are the
vision of Red" Herrick. white
lrtist who once tended these boilers
s an act Of faith and love. risking
his body in the perilous enterprise
Il war. Of watch, he spread out on
he blank, tempting surface of his
boilers the dream that filled him.
he dream of brothers.
Booker T. Washington looks out
from one, the sad but strongly be-
lieving face and the book he wrote,
up from Slavery" A white hand
shakes a black hand in another.
Intent dark faces bend over desks,
with books. Men climb, white and
black together, up tortuous stairs.
behind banners, toward shining
habitations. Here is the secret OF
his ship, explosive as one Of the
big bombs in the forward hold on
its way to blast fascism. more pow
erful than the pent-up steam in the
high-pressure cylinder.
CREW A LIVING
PROOF OF DEMOCRACY
Whatever port we touched - for
I was privileged for more than q
year to be a part Of this ship. q
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-10-28
Reprinted from The Nation)

thlPhhhsG4 AASAAs 49,
History is the arch interloper at
Mr.. Dewey's feast. All the good
things from the fields and vine
yards and orchards OF Republican
free enterprise weigh down the
tables, all Mr.. Hoover's delicacles
except the apples. History
name is on the black list-hasnt
the date OF the Roosevelt de-
preston been set al 1888 and
wasn't the Roosevelt Administra-
ton and not the Republican oppo-
sition responsible for the delay IN
war preparedness? but history,
the ugly customer, has shouldered
his way past the politcos and
bouncers and Is sitting expectantly
waiting 70 be served
Now. Il seems that the young
man from Owosso has always had q
dislike for history. It was not
necessary to a successful career. IL
is difficult TO read and understand.
It's conclusions sometimes conflict
with political aims. II is cramp-
ing 10 the style Of a conventional
Republican politician well-versed
in the folklore OF the hinterland
and the equally unhistorical leg
ends of the club car. Most OF all.
Mr.. Dewey Is chasrined that he
has not been called upon TO assist
in its making. that the boy with
the bayonet ut the Westwall. the
marine on the beach ut Peleliu, the
peace planners at Dumbarton Oaks,
and the strategy makers at Que
bee all play . role denied to him
Il n an awkward position for .
young man who aspires to be
President.
Normally we would have great
sympathy for a man in Mr.. Deweys
position. and IL is not 10 his DIS
credit that he must play the role
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-10-28

conclusion on one side or the other.
Those strsddling guys who say
they see both the white man and
the Negroes side and then stop
dead. and don't see that one is
more right, and the other wrong.
are unthinking saps. Heaven only
knows how the human race could
have ever moved forward out OF
caves IL all OF our prehistoric an
cestors had been unbiased on the
dinosaur. for instance. Keep hght-
in and keep smilin' regards
FREEDOM RALLY at the Olympus
be saeina yon
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-10-28

citizen Of this new world - we
shook men to their foundations. Not
by preaching. though we were
sometimes accused Of carrying on
agitation" but by simply being.
Everyone had said ii couldn't be
done. Here was the living proof.
We who sailed under Captain
Hugh Mulxac were no band of
saints, no select company Of fanatic
volunteers, but just the common
run Of men. We were white, black
and brown mostly Americans.
though we included Brazilians,
Filipinos. Scandinavians, Spaniards.
Persians. West Indians, Peruvians
Among US were white men, born
and bred In the South, who took or
ders from Negro officers, slept
alongside Negro shipments, went
Ashore In foreign ports with Ne
groes and on occasion knocked
down those who wanted to make
something of il.
am still too close 10 the expert
ence to connect everything up, and
the war still imposes its limitations
on what can be told. but these
blank sheets, like Red Herrick' s
boiler fronts. seem to be made for
medallions.
Mac. the Negro third mate, and
I both in our brass-bound officers
uniforms, after hike up and down
cliffs by the Mediterranean, stray
into a small bar for a beer. The
place Is crowded with CTS all
white. who are quartered nearby.
They look US over with disbelief,
never having seen the like, a white
and q Negro officer drinking to-
gether and talking with complete
/ unconstraint like any two friends.
HOSTS AT DANCE
IN FRANCE
The people are so damned agains'
the doors Of the big hall that we
who are the hosts. have to make up
flying wedge to crash through
Bruce. our Negro bos'n who a,
"Babyface Johnson" used to fgh
as a heavyweight in the Garden
spearheads the drive. We have 20
to get in there to welcome people
Inside. our French friends, tn
trade-union leaders who are givin
the dance with US, rush up an
grab our hands. care you sur
these people won't object TO mixin
. the races?" the Army Special Ser,
: ices officer had asked the CaptAi
: and me when we applied for Pc
J mission to use the halD
Our French friends tell US ther
hasn't been such q gala turnout i
town since the beginning Of tn
war. Why haven't Americans don
something like this before. to sho,
they really mean what they sa
about unity with their allies?
The place is already packed wit
people - girls in their pitiful war
best (most Of these people wer
bombed out and lost everything
French sailors with their red
tasseled caps and blue collars, Bri
fish soldiers. American sailors m
CTS. French workingmen in thei
patched and shiny suits. On tn
stage are two orchestras. on
French and one hot band from
a Negro anti-aircraft OUTFIT Bacl
Of tf,em are the massed flags o
the United Nations and big ban
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-10-28

wait to discuss this weird phenom.
enon among themselves.
But 10 Il weird" TO have lunch
with q friend and discuss his
chronic troubles with the draft
board? Is il strange to call .
friend at o'clock on an unbear-
ably hot afternoon TO suggest that
we quit work and 70 UP TO the
Kin ssbridge pool for a swimi
Aeeosted Once by White Man
Ny job required lot Of evening
work and I was often in Harlem
after dark. My friends were con-
cerned. Aren't you afraid to be
on the streets of Harlem at night?"
they would ask. Or. Mary. think
you're crazy to 60 up there" can
only say that the whole time was
in Harlem. I was accosted on the
streets once, and that was by
white man. did not wander
around dimly lit streets, but J
would not do that anywhere In
New York City.
| am not saying that Harlem Il
safer AT night than Park Avenue
and Fiftieth Street. for Harlem IL
BY and large, poor community
But the public Is far more aware
OF Negro crime waves" than Of
the efforts of decent citizens 10 bet
ter Harlem conditions.
Needless - say, cemmntAng -
tween the white and Negro werla
! lived . violent summer enc
tionally. MY days In Harlso were
very satisfactory. ] was weSkino
with people when I liked snA ~
spected. anA Together ws were
striving fer semething wssth Wills
Because the werk was hard an ~
hours were leng. n was snly seeo-
sienally that I had Q chance - go
downtown" frienAs fse . eeekta6l
or dinner.
Arriving tired and hot. but happy
after Q good days work, va
usually greet with. We'll. how srt
you and the nigSers coming slc,gl
When are you going 70 stop I'M
nonsense On. how that hurt An
yet my downtown" friends wef'
people OF good win who, " the1
, ever had the chance 20 bearu q!
, facts emotionally % wsll - iDee!
, leetuslly. would nsvss ~ 80
thinsA
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-10-28

Joking. He sincerely Is asking
why, if Negroes are fighting.
80 little is known of what they
are doing.
This column has been harp
ing on this theme for months
because we believe il to be of
major importance in the whole
job of race relations. The bald,
blunt truth Of the matter =
that white America Is not be-
ing told the story of what
Negro soldiers are doing in
this war. There must be mil
lions of whites like Mr.. Berke-
lev who have never had more
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-10-28
Fall, but we wouldn't bet on
May be one yeti
AND FDR WILL SPEAK
AT THE RALLYi

We've been seeing a lot OF stuff
about folks not having any ''bias"
on the race question or other cur
rent issues. Being so-called "ob-
jeetive people" Well. we think
that's the lowest form OF intellec-
tual behavior. This world Is one
in which we humans must live by
our decisions; it's OK. 10 be OBJ
jective about the facts but we've
got 10 use the facts to draw q
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-10-28
Books
Continued from page O.

delight that knows no wsne. they
can always say no. Many uncom-
plimentsry things have been said
about the institution OF marriage
(some OF them by mel. but even its
strongest deiractors don't claim
that it's compulsory"
Miss Halsey is highly entertain
ing. witty writer who combines a
sparkling style with a wide-awake
social consciousness. Her writing is
earthly and in one or two instances
borders on crudity. but the sum
total is a fast-moving book which
will keep you chucklin.
Some OF My Best Friends Are
Soldiers" by Margaret Halsey:
simon and schuster; New York
City; 1914. $3.50.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-10-28


Neither candidate has. how
ever, stated that he will fight
for a real FEPC with legal
enforcement powers. Like
many other candidates for
public office who voice sup
port of FEPC they have left
their thoughts on this UNI
spoken. And therein lies one
aspect of a two-fold danger
that we face today on the
FEPC political front. The first
of these has already been sug-
gested, that is, that candidates
for Office of both political par
ties are often ready to state
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-10-28
PARTISAN FRANKS

For while there the Presidential
campaign seemed listless, but now.
at last. the atrocity stories begin to
appear. A Chicago taxi starter tells
pair 81 travellers, Ladies, hell
will freeze over before you get .
cab while wearing those Dewey
buttons" And In one II the nicer
Of New Jerseys suburban towns
the pro-Roosevelt children are
stoned home from school by Re-
publican children
N. Y. Times
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-10-28
By JOHN BEEcHER
CONDENSED from THE New RepubIic")

In the medieval world, men often concealed the heart
of their faith in the cryps OF their churches Coming down
dark winding stairs fnd In the shine Of candles
glorious MOSAIC some fresco bursting with fe chseled
capitals spelling out dream OF hope On the SIS Booker
Washington climb down the long steep engine
ladder, gripping the handras nearly unbearably hot
down under the level Then feet the plates
polished and clean. lifting and falling with swell You
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-10-28
VASSAR GIRL WORKS N HARLEM
BY MARY DRAPER
a white girl tells her experience IN Hariem)
(Condensed from N. Y. Herald Trfhuns)

isn't funny the white people spend so much time
in the trying their skins brown ours are!
young Negro high school student asked sat sip
ping midaernoon cokes. had not thought Of sunburn-
ing that before but after working in Harlem for some
months had realize that there many things
had thought about before
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-10-28
Dewey DISTOR7S
DeWey:

In 1886 our Social Security Act was passed by non
partisan vote of overwhelming proportions Just once IN
the nine years then has there been any attempt 9.
improve and extend that social That was In 1889
when few changes were made" Gov. Thomas < Dewey
at Angeles Sept r. 1914 reported in the New YORK
LINES. Sept. q. 1914.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-10-28
McAlpin-
Continued from page 81

paper field. In no other way
would feel I was shouldering the
responsibility that goes with the
printed word written for public
consumption
An me! The life and problems Of
q rsportsrl But I love III
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-10-28
DEWEYS TRIBUTE
De,uey's Tribute

Gen Marshall and Adm. King are both doing superb
lob Thank God for both Of them" Gov Thomas {. Dewey
in his acceptance speech at Chicago June e. reported in
the New York lines June %, 1914.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-10-28
The WATCHT0WER

A STARTLING LETTER, written by white
IA man. has just appeared in the Richmond. Va.
Times Dispatch. one Of the distinctly better
southern dailies. The writer, well-known at
torney, asks, in effect: "Are Negroes Fighting in
this WARP" Attorney Charles c. Berkeley Is not
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-10-28

DRESIDENT ROOSEVELT and Governor
Dewey are both on record In support of the
establishment of permanent Fair Employment
Practice Commission for the abolishing of dis.
elimination against qualified workers of minor
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-10-28
To President Roosevelt

In naming Gen. Marshall as Chief Of STAFF President
Roosevelt passed him 20 major generals and IA bga-
generals who senior TO Marshall Sources Current
Biogra Apply October, 1910.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-10-28
ChrOnicler-


Continued from page 81
Mayors Interracial Commission In
Chicago resigned last week. Res-
sons are being kept quiet but
Confucius bets il was cause Bob
couldn't move as fast as he wanted
90 on this race problem thlngl
WHERE? WHY THE
FREEDOM RALLY. MISTER!
It's been thought that there won't
be any Negro generals made this