davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-24

people were Jews. Except for the
Indians, all of US are immi grants
or the children OF immi grants. No
Country and no people have a mo-
nopoly on virtue or culture or de-
cency. These are truisms-but to-
Gay, more than ever. IL is well TO
keep simple truths alive in our
minds and hearts.
Tolerance Is a way of life. II is
the American way. We cannot vio-
late II without insulting Americas
past and poisoning its future.
II you think you're entitled 10
more than your neigffbor you are
intolerant.
II you have ever said az other
human beings. They're all right
IN their place" you are intolerant.
II you will not permit another
human being 10 find a home in
your community. you are intol-
Grant.
II you will not permit other peo-
pic 10 live their lives in their own
way. so long as they do not in
terfere with your rights. you are
lnto,erant.
go further than that say that
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-24
FINDS HIRING NEGRO SECRETARY A SUCCESS|

do was done promptly and well.
Buyers recognized her courtesy
and intelligence. Miss Seals,
keenly aware that she had not
only to prove her own ability but
also to stand rs q credit to her
race. took the place to which her
capabilities entitled her and re-
sponded to friendliness with
friendliness, but never with even
. hint Of aggressiveness.
Another Racial Problem
With this pioneer step so well
established that IS or 20 other
firms in ST. Louis have followed
il, Mr.. Klein found himself faced
with opportunity TO take another
some months ago. Two Japanese
girls applied for work in the Mary
Muffet factory. He saw them talk
ing 10 the girl at the information
desk and asked her to send them
10 his Office. As he thought. they
were American-born but had been
unsuccessful wherever they had APP
piled for work.
Il don't know about employing
you he told them. Almost every
one over in the factory has a son
or brother or sweetheart in the
war-many in the South Pacific.
III have to ask them"
He did just that. He didn't use
the loud-speaker that reaches all
parts Of the factory either. He
called the workers together. stood
on . chair and explained the sit
uation Of these tive American
bern japanese. IT'S mp 20 you
whether or not we take them on"
he told the workers. but I think
we should invite those girls to
work here"
There was storm Of applause
and the girls went 10 work the
next morning. Later two more were
given employment and their CO.
workers learned that like other
Americans. these with japanese
names themselves had brothers or
sweethearts fighting in the United
States army overseas. And here at
home. the girls were having oppor-
tunlty 10 witness the American way
in practical operation.
CONDENSED from The Christian
Century,
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-24
A PLEA FOR tolerance

The subject will be brought; up at
some social gathering, or al a
luncheon meeting Everyone Will
say the proper thing. Everyone
VIII agree that tolerance is noble
Virtue.
Then the meeting breaks up and
some good ladies proceed 20 discuss
tina, awful foreign family" that
just moved into the neIghoorhood
We're you 10 tel! the muddled La
dies that they are belns intolerant
and oigotcd-;hat they are, indeed
a threat TO American freedoms
they would deny il Indignantly.
Unfortunately the fact that they
are not aware Of their intolerance
does not improve the picture On
the contrary IL means that they
have unconsciously become VIC
tins Of the race and group propa-
ganda 10 which all Of Us are ex-
posed in period like the present.
The only safety lies in conscious
opposition TO every preachment on
intolerance, whether u IS GARDEN
variety prejudice or disguised as
super patriotism
Christ was "a rcisney" and His
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-24

oCNiCtdiy VI w al
Mr.. Gibson. a Negro attorney
from Chicago, who has been in
Italy since Feb. % on a trouble
shooting mission that will take him
to other Negro units in other war
theaters. said he had found. no
reason to believe that Negroes as
race are less courageous than
other people. The 92d Division
labors under the handicaps Of ex-
cessive illiteracy and inadequate
training. he said. while Negroes
are always sensitive 10 incidents
which revive race prejudices. and
many of them lack a clear convic-
ton OF what they are fighting for.
A Postwar Factor
Mr.. Gibson said the War De-
psrtment is especially interested
in the problem because il is a
stumbling block 20 the depart
ments hopes for postwar univer-
sal military training legislation.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-24

the service they were best suited
for; many went straight from the
reception center TO the division
without preliminary basic training.
Similarly. many requirements
have been sent 10 the division
without adequate infantry training.
and il is in units with the largest
proportion of requirements that
Gibson found the greatest tendency
10 melt away"
Gibson said experience showed
illiterates did not necessarily lack
native intelligence and could often
be made into excellent soldiers.
but they require special training
methods and cannot absorb COM
bat infantry training in a short
time.
War Department records show
46.4 per cent OF all Negro troops
to be in Class v Glliterate) and
IS per cent in Glass w NEARLY
illiterate) while only per cent Of
all white troops are in Class v and
Is per cent in Class Nv. The illit-
eracy rate in the 92d Division is
u per cent in Class v and IS per
cent in Class w.
Law Found Army Unready
Mr.. Gibson said the Army had
very few policies toward Negroes
in 1910, and was relatively unpre-
pared to handle the problem when
the Fish amendment TO the national
service act obliged it to accept
Negro draftees in large numbers.
Negro units had 10 be rapidly ex-
banded without adequate cadres OF
trained officers and without ade-
quate methods to meet special diff
ficulties.
A mixture OF white and Negro
officers in the same units causes
some hard feeling because, al
though the Army policy is opposed
to segregation. separate officers
clubs develop and incidents Of race
prejudice tend to be exaggerated.
In front-line units, Negro officers
are not put in command over white
officers. Negro promotions are
made by block system which
works hardships on individuals.
Mr.. Gibson said most Of the ed
Division officers killed in combat
have been Negro officers, which he
said. reflected more credit on their
courage than their judgment. The
best answer is to appoint officers
not because they are colored or
white, but because they are good.
and the division is trying to do
that, he added.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-24

X you are content 10 remain pas
sive and indifferent when others
around you are intolerant then
you share their guilt.
Intolerance. like smallpox, has
a way OF spreading. Unless you
act 10 quarantine the evil. it will
soon overtake YOU.
Ask yourself, in the still Of the
night: Am l contributing to the
fight against intolerance" II the
answer is in the negative. il you
are one of the sympathetic but
passive onlookers, the blood and
the suffering that result from intol-
ersnce will be on your conscience
as much as on those Of the actively
guilty.
| think ! understand. the heart O.
our America. know il to be good
and generous. That is evident in
the songs Americans love. II is
evident in the way they respond
10 every tug at their heartstrings
II they allow intolerance TO make
Roadway Notwithstanding. IL is
largely through neglect and indiff.
erence.
| don't call intolerance "un-
American because that is not 4
strong enough term. call il in
human. II cannot be fought with
laws. II cannot be dealt with at
conference tables. The place in
which to combat intolerance is
your own club. your own church.
your own mind.
Its a challenge 10 you and 10
me. TO every father and mother.
to every teacher. to every COM
munity leader.
II we are 10 have lasting peace
in the world. IL we are 10 conserve
those traditional freedoms We
proudly call American. tolerance
must prevail
Let's be Tfitoierant "a Uf%t,toI-
erance. Apply yourself to better
understanding OF your neighoor
Teach your children 10 respect
human beings. whatever their race
or religion or national origin. II
they repeat the clichcS OF intoler-
snce. set them right st'once. before
prejudice takes root in another
young mind.
All Of us who have our eyes
open know that intolerance is rife
now IN these United States. The
hardships Of wartime. the Sacri-
fees and losses and discomforts,
are always helpful 10 the salesman
Of divisive ideas. The more reason.
therefore. for raising your sales re-
sistsnce to propaganda Of group
hatred.
or what use will Il De for the
lights 10 90 on again all over the
world-if they do not 90 on in our
hec-.-
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-24

why. with practicng AmericaniSm and giving
everyone an equal chance.
have been accused in recent years of every.
thing from cXhibiuoniSu 10 trying burnt-cork
act la minstrelsy when l have tried to break
down baseball color line.
Sports writer's whom I work with and ad.
mirs see eye 10 eye with me on many things
but assume that vague look which generally
masks the face of baseball owners when try
10 find out just what's wrong with Negroes who
can hit and run playing organized baseball.
These same fellows ex,oll the virtues -aJ Joe
LOUIS and Armstrong Paul Robson Jr or
Beau Jack any countless number of Negro
athletes in other fields that YOU could name Yet
they clam up say 1t won't work when you
wonder aloud why similar athletes, because Of
their dark skin. aren't allowed TO break into or
ganized baseball
Whether that type of writer knows il or not.
the world is changing greatly and the undcrpriv-
legged are finally going 20 come in for some con-
sdcration
And that type Of baseball owner will know
H. too They will find out-abeit the hard way
more's the pity - that tolerance isn't a pretty
word TO be banded about at Sunday church
services and forgotten about until the next time
the rabbi, the priest or the minister makes II his
theme.
Its now a. work-a-day word and something
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-24
Reprinted from PM

RASEBALL-the great American pastimc.
~ called, and also the only major sport which
has made it policy. unwritten but eloquent to
maintain the Jim Crow line--might lose some of
the fuddy-duddiness which louses it up by look
ing to, of all things the boxing racket.
For years, you know. fight promoters SHE'D
away from matching two Negro kids in big
fights, on the basis that it wouldn't draw or that
the boys wouldn't be trying. How they explained
that matching two white boys made il all differ
ent is something else again.
Finally, because talent was not as plentiful as
innormal times. matches between two Negroes
IN the bright-lit ring at Madison Square Garden
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-24

and smiled. In Chicago he rushed
TO telephone and called his home.
Later. in Des Moines. her repeated
the call. At other stops he made
more long distance calls until
his money was all gone. But be
felt better.
The home he called was the
Riverdale Children's Assn. home.
II was the only one he had ever
had, for until drafted he had
spent most Of his life there. He
didn't know much about his par
ents - but he had . home that
was just as important to him rs
one In which q mother and faith
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-24

self with the utmost dignity and
consideration. Mr.. Klein recalled.
She always managed 10 be in the
locker room when the other girls
were not there. She had no thought
of joining them when they had
early lunch together on Saturdays
in one of the Office rooms.
II was not long. however, be-
fore Mr.. Klein observed that the
girls invited Miss Seals to join
them on these occasions. accept
ing her without regard to race or
color. Statesmen who came in
learned that work given her TO
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-24

Industries of ST. Louis.
The employment of Ruth Seals
three years ago was the culmina-
ton of Mr. Kleln's desire 10 pioneer
in promoting better race relations
in the city and his activities as a
member OF the Urban League, ma
tional organization of whites and
Negroes devoted 10 this purpose.
He recognized the fact that il would
require intelligent understanding
not only among workers in his
Office but also on the part of the
Negro woman whom he engaged
for the place. He was successful in
enlisting these from both. and Miss
Seals Is now an accepted member
OF the secretarial staff-one whose
ability and application to her work
have established her in her posi-
ton.
Consults Associates
Mr. Klein's first step in his plan
to include Negro woman on the
Office stan was TO consult his asso-
cstes. They recognized the value
or the experiment His next step
was 10 consult the Urban League
and ask this organization 10 recon-
mend a Negro woman qualified for
the place not only by education
but also by individual Characters
tics which would enable her 10
meet difficulties that would in
evi;aoly arise. Two applicants were
interviewed and rejected. Miss
Seals was the third. She was gwen
the position and assigned 10 a
desk directly in front OF Mr.. Kleir's
Office door This enabled him 10
observe tho attitude Of other work
ers toward her and hers toward
them -.
Miss Seals. understanding the in
st.nc;tve prejudice some Of her CO.
workers might feel. conducted her.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-24
He GETS AROUND

STOCKHOLM, March l5-The
newspaper Express said yester-
day that Stockholm mother
who had just given birth TO her
NTH child found out that two Of
her wardmAtes had given birth
to twins. By pooling their infor-
nation the three women discov-
cred that all five babies had the
same father--the husband of the
Singleton mother.
The newspaper said the wom-
an decided TO keep her husband
on the understanding that he
would stay away from the twins
and their mothers.
Pm
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-24

pIOPciiy SohSSihcN opOut ~.
The grievances of these men
go back almost two years and
they have been patient and
loyal. Now they want action.
They want conditions cor.
ected.
This outfit has spent n
months overseas in the South
Pacific. Veterans of Guadal-
canal, Tulagi, and other &C.
tons in that theatre. From
the very beginning they have
had discrimination and mean
treatment thrown in their
faces. On the ship taking them
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-24

That Negro youth and thou.
sands like him - had a home be-
cause the Riverdale institution has
been caring for neglected children
for 100 years.
More Of the children grow up to
become good citizens. A few,
though. cannot adjust themselves.
They are the disappointment.
Not Many Are Brilliant.
But They're Good Children.
Official of the institution can
tell OF many who are surprisingly
successful. They are the proudest
Of one young man who is now on
the police force He walks a beat
in Harlem and studies law at
night. In spare time he raises
money to support the home that
helped him so much.
We have just average children
says Mrs. Robert DeVecchi. the
new president of the association.
Not many OF them are brilliant,
but they are good children. We
help than 20 grow up and then
they leave US and become teachers,
( BARRIERS. policemen, mechanics, res
taurant workers. nurses or take
civil service positions"
For more than 100 years the
home took only Negro children.
Now white children. are also ad-
mitted. And they get aleng hne."
notes Mrs. Devecchi. who has
been on the board Ave yearA
Hopes In Time 10 Place
Children In Foster Homes
She succeeded Mrs. Willard Park.
er. for so years active in the affairs
Of the institution and a pioneer
in social service in the city.
Were going ahead as in the
/ past. explains Mrs. DeVecchi. but
in time We hope 10 place most OF
the children in foster homes so we
can avoid the Institutional pattern.
After al. real homes are bet ".
although | believe most of the chill
dren are happy at Riverdale"
Some believe the children in the
home are orphans, That is not true.
They are homeless or neglected
children-mostly the latter.
AuClG dlG @OO ~ ZIG
institution most Of the time, and
400 are placed in foster homes.
They aren't admitted until they are
SIX years Old and IL they aren't
sent TO foster homes they remain
a, the home until they are IS years
old.
They Live In Cottages:
Accustomed to Group Action
When they're l8 now many OF
the boys go Immediately into serv-
- ss-GasgNFso,, peySe4s sxplsins,
Some believe that iNunfortunate.
but don't believe that is true.
They soon adapt themselves 10 the
new life ard When they come back
they'll DC good citizens.
The children are accustomed to
action IN groups. since the cottage
system is used at Riverdsle Be-
tween 20 and p children live in
individual cottages on the grounds,
/ play together, work together and
are like big family together.
They aren't all perfect. though.
Mrs. Devecchi would De the frst
TO admit that. She tells the story
OF one bad boy" who broke most
OF the windows IN one building
soon after he arrived. He couldn't
be controlled. The other children
didn't like him because he was 20
boaStful. My nom is in Holly
wood and pops on a yacht" he said
proudly--and nobody believed him.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-24
BY JOHN cHABOT SMITH

ROME, March IA = The War Department Is making
special effort to find out why the 92d Infantry Division
and other Negro combat units have made unsatisfactory
showngs and to work out methods dealing with
the particular problems Of Negro troops. it revealed
today by Truman X. Gibson Jr civilian adviser to the
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-24
By JESSIE ASH ARNDT



Three years ago 1t was an experiment. Today it is
not novelty to the statesmen buyers and other bust
patrons Of the firm of Mary Muffet Inc, find among
the office workers there able young Negro who
secretary to Samuel c. Klein the companys secretary
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-24
SCOTCH DATING

Then there was the Scotchman
who called up his sweetheart 10
find out what night she was free
La. Tribune
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-24
THE WATCHTOWER

TsHE BIG NEWS of the past two days has been
l. two-day hunger strike Of 1000 members of
the saith Seabee Battalion at Port Hueneme,
Calf. This is the most dramatic and intelligent
protest that has been made by our men in service
since the war began and the Navy department is
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-24
IT'S HOME, SWEET HOME
trhs Of the Ryerdals
children white find haven't

BY DEXTER TEED

II the first time he had been away from home
Drafted the Negro youth route Army camp
the West AS the train which he riding approached
Chicago he looked the strangers around him and felt
lonely that his head sank in his hands.
Then a thought to him and he raised his head
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-24
THE WEEKLY DIGEST
Army Studying More Effective Negro Training

NOTE The following interview with Truman Gibson civilian
ouEhout the country
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1945-07-19

Miss Lena Lambert is spending a
weeks vacation in Baltimore
Miss Mary KahI cadet nurse, at
the Jackson Memorial hospital, Miami.
Fla, is visiting relatives here.
Mrs. Walter f. Dawson, Washing
ton, d. c., is visiting at the home of
her parents-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. W.
". Dawson, Alder street.
Mrs. Sara n. Greer, of Pennsboro,
W. Va, is a guest at the home of her
brother-in-law and sister, Mr.. and
Mrs. John Khare, Liberty street.
Mr.. and Mrs. R. NJ. Wittig, of Hy-
attsville, are visiting relatives here
for a few days. Mrs Wittig is the
former Miss Clara McRobie, daughter
Of Mrs J. H. McRobie.
Mrs. William H. Babylon returned
to Oakland yesterday morning from
Hollywood, Calf, where she had been
to visit her sister, Constance Worth,
movie actress, who had been i'll.
Miss Alma Scherr and her brothers.
Milton and Henry Scherr, of Silver
Spring, will arrive here today to
visit their sister, Mrs. j. c. Renninger.
at her home on Secondd street
Mrs. A. G.. Hesen. who underwent
an operation in University hospital,
Baltimore, last Saturday morning, is
improving. Her sister, Miss Gertrude
Carney, registered nurse, from Massa-
chusetts, returned to Oakland on Mon
day night. Mr. Hesen returned to Oak
land last evening, after having re-
manned there since last Saturday.
Master Sergeant F. McRobie, Mrs.
McRobie and two children. Of Phila-
delphia, Pa, are visiting relatives in
Oakland. The sergeant is son of
Mrs. j. H. McRobie, of Oakland. and
after weeks visit will return to his
base. Mrs. McRobie and children will
remain here for a longer period. They
have quarters at the Fike Boarding
House, Seventh and High streets.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1945-07-19

Mrs. W. B. Love. the past week.
Mrs. Francis Fike was taken to
Memorial Hospital, Cumberland. on
Tuesday for treatment Mrs Fike
has not been well for some time. and
it was found necessary to take her to
the hospital at once.
Mrs. H. e. Hamill and children.
Bruce and Nancy, Of Detroit, Mich,
and Mrs. Charlotte Pyles, Of Cleve-
land, O., spent last weekend with
Mrs. Belle Nine and sister, Mrs. Stella
Schooley.
Mrs. Robert See and children, of
Roanoke, Va, are spending the sum
mcr with Mrs. Sees mother, Mrs.
Mabel Brock. Mr.. See is attending a
special summer course at Columbia
University. Miss Edith Brock. who
was here for some time at her home.
has returned to Cleveland Ohio, be-
ing accompanied by her mother, who
will visit in that city for short
time.
Mr. and Mrs p. W. Holyfeld and
their granddaughter, Margaret Ann,
Coebum, Va, are guests Of Mrs.
Holyfeld's sister, Mrs. Timothy Moon.
Mir. Moon, who has been quite i'll, is
now much improved
Miss Mary Isabelle Love is spend
ing several days in Pittsburgh.
The Mountain Lake Civic Club met
last Friday at the Community Center.
This was the first meeting of the year.
A number of residents joined the
club. Plans were made for the annual
benefit Library Tea to be held next
Friday at the Community Center
Miss Ruth Rudisill has as her guest
Miss Elinor Rambeau, of Baltimore.
Miss Rambeau will be remembered
as the daughter Of Professor Ram
beau, who, during the Chautauqua
days, taught languages at the sum-
iiIti oCHool Hcle' hdIeI llle hdhlDeduS
purchased property here and for a
number Of years were summer resi-
dents
Forrest yelling, son of Mr. and
Mrs. Wiley yelling. a member Of the
armed forces, who has been in Eng
land for some time, is here on fur
Tough. He is being greeted here by
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1945-07-19

Bernard Glotfelty-A quiet wedding
was solemnized last Thursday eve
ming, July II, when Helen Louise
Glotfelty became the bride Of Virgil
Loren Bernard, at the home of Rev
Reece Burns. at Mt Lake Park.
Mrs. c. NJ. Calhoun, mother of the
groom, was the matron Of honor, and
c. NJ. Calhoun was best man. Other
attendants were Mr.. and Mrs Dale
Sanders of Oakland, and Mrs James
Mulvey, of Pleasant Valley.
Mrs. Bernard is the daughter Of
Mr.. and Mrs. hardwood GIotfelty, of
Table Rock, and was formerly en-
ployed at Glenn L. Martin Alplane
plant at Baltimore.
The groom is the son of Mrs. c. NJ
Calhoun and the late A. T. Bernard.
After being prisoner Of war in Ger
many for three months he was liber-
ated and returned to the States in
May to spend siXry-day furlough,
which ended July Is when he reported
to Walter Reed hospital in Washing-
ton, for further assignment.