St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1945-08-31

lectual Negro front has come
program that will apply to all Ne
groes, that will be simple and I'M
derstandable as well as workable.
This is the result of plain confusion
and a lack of understanding, plus
a reluctance to face critical issues
as they exist.
There are some Negroes who adj
vocate steps and measures on the
part of the Negro that are de-
signed, supposedly, to integrate
him into American life in every
aspect. There are some who COM
promise the situation by advocat-
ing measures and programs de-
signed to keep the status-quo,
while they live as closely and COM
fortably as possible under the
shadow of the almighty white
mans wing. There are other Ne
groes who believe in racial divi-
sion; setting themselves apart
from the rest of their people into
little cults which are supposed to
create halos around their heads and
entitle them to blessings that ordi-
narily would not go to them as
Negroes.
We Look to Intellectuals
1t might seem indicative and
odd that these pieces have been
directed against the intellectual
Negro and the things that he is
doing, but the fact remains that all
Negroes, including the great
masses of US, have been schooled
to look to our intellectuals for
guidance and for practical and con-
crete ways out of the confusion
that exists, surrounding our pres
emit and future. The little Negro,
and there are millions of them, as
compared to the comparatively few
intellectuals, has a right to expect
something definite out of the peo-
pie who have assumed leadership
over him, and this should be so =. {.
right now more than at any other
time, because of pressing issues
that confront us on all sides.
In Harlem, N. Y.
Here in Harlem, the incident that
illustrates this argument took
place at a restaurant in 125th
Street, which is in the heart of the
Negro district. The restaurant in
question is Franks, which for
years refused to allow the Negro to
darken the door, and then, when
Harlem started filling up with
migrants from the South and from
other sections, the management ac-
copied Negro patronage but segre-
gated it by seating all the Negroes
over behind a partition. In the
days of the partition, which were
only four years ago, our best Ne
groes could be found standing in
line, waiting for tables. They were
artists, writer's, politicians, preach
ers, school teachers, professionals,
heads of colleges, and musicians.
They seemed to think it a great
honor to dine under such condi-
lions.
Menu Most Varied in Harlem
The point raised by some would
be that Franks offers a cuisine I'M
matched anywhere else in Harlem.
In measure this is true, or was
true. Franks is huge place, with
plenty of floor and table space. It
has long and beautiful bar sep
arated from the dining section. Its
walters, all white, with years of
experience in serving, were compe-
tent in their duties. The menu was
and is perhaps the most varied of
any offered in Harlem. During
business hours one can order and
get anything on the menu with
reasonable speed. The place is al
ways fairly well kept as regards
cleanliness, and altogether it is
ideal for dining.
Later, Franks changed hands
and instead of the Italians who
owned it through its long years of
jim-crow, Greeks took over. Ne
groes now go there in droves. They
line up on the sidewalk waiting for
tables. All classes go in, but pre-
dominantly the so-called Negro in
tellectual and socialite, who exceed
in number the other Negro patrons
There are, of course, about 1919