The Omaha guide., 1947-01-25
WE BEEN
AROUND
NEW YORK
1T WAS THE CT JIvE-MAN ALIvEi
By TED YATES

1T WAS THE CT JIvE-MAN ALIvEl @vx$REsS
There were any number of stories told by CT vets returning
from overseas that would fill a column But a very interesting one
that should rate a handshake i a tale of prejudice in an Army camp
called it quits. r
1t happened near Columbia, South Carolina. at one of von
Uncle Sanmys embarkaion points. The ironic twist to this story
is that Negro troops were not admitted to the barracks where whites
were housed-on the very same soil which these Negro boys had
had helped to build on this very land. True, some of the colored
boys were from the NOrth-but they were all Negroes.
There was the time when one of the alLNegro name bands,
on a USO tour OF Army camps, and naval stations stopped
off here to thrill our boys"
A number of Negro troops mingled viii the musicians after
Mess. They hailed from various sections of the country-the boys
in khaki making inquiries of their loved ones back home" had
looked upon this moment as a thrill outa this world!
In the group there was a white soldier, Private Lester Finver,
of New York. FInyer va solid" with the Negro troons H.
knew music and musicians and like his feIow-buddes this meeting
up with some-ofthe-boys was eoPeseic. But it was shortlived.
An MP sauntered up and shouted. Break it up, you guys!'
The Negro soldiers not knowing what was in store for them
made a bee-Ine for auditorium where they knew the band was
slated to give out with rhythm.
A commanding officer in company with several other brass
hats called out to the MP Cat this moment several other MP@
white. Of eourse-aPPeafed on the scene). The co yelled out,
Get those Coored boys out of there and order them to their
barracks. What the hers going on here, anyhow"
Just then a Negro sergeant walked up to the officer. He was
accompanied by Private Finver.
"Sir." he said, our boys want to know why they can't see
the show tonight
1T is not right to deny them of entertainment, Officer (. "
address me as Captain. your and he looked at Finver, And
for your information. Sarge, I'm not letting the boys see the show
tOn1gnC. lou also can inform your commanding officer to that
effect. That's an orderT'
The Negro noncommissioned officer and Finver were broken
hearted. disguised. There was much ~grumbling among the Negro
troops. Still they would not let this crackpot Cracker officer cause
them to riot. 1t would Just mean giving the Axis an opportunity to
weld more severe attacks on our Allies by the delay of the departure
OF more American troops. Our boys knew this would happen so
they chose to be orderly.
Finver protested vigorously the next day at GHQ.
His reward was a threat to be placed in the brig if he was
ever seen talking to a Negro soldier in camp.
Do you realize that you could have started a Race riot?"
said one ofHer.
Never let it happen again, Private Finver," commanded another.
There was nothing that FInver could do. Discrimination ruled
In a US. Army camp. The Just cause which brought about the
drafting OF men into the Servoe-to protect a citizens rights, to
abolish prejudice and do away with discrimination was all mockery.
Finver thought to himself.
lrked he decided to do something about it.
1t was a dePlorabe situation and he wrote his other two
brothers In the service. He told them about the incident and of
other conditions that prevailed in a us. Army camp where men
who were lighting tor democracy were being denied their rights
their ulzenry was being taken away from them. Out in the open
they were beng disseminated against. Southern officers were wapinp
a revival OF the Civil War and making soldier slaves" of Negroes.
Colored troops were serving ID the capacity of servants for brass
hatS-and to top it Oft, Negroes were denied entertainment that
for the most part, and at this particular camp, consisted of Negro
talent.
He wrote to his two brothers and at the end of the War.
should God spare US, we have got to do something to make music
available to Negroes in the South"
naf Master-Sgt. Lawrence Finver served at Fort Edwards, Mass,
and his brother. Capt Joseph Fnver, was stationed at Governors
Island, N. Y.
The trio met at the end of the war and discussed the problem
that involved the Negro Race as a whole. Lawrence and Toe
decided to combat this evil the best way they knew how. They
formed a partnership and established a mail order record company
dealing exclusively with Race records and that dear readers
was exactly how ~Caver-Hampton Company, 506-62nd Street.
Brooklyn 20, N. Y, was formed.
A Handshake to all three of them-LeHer Lawrence and
Joe. They are doing their part to make Democracy work in
America. -a.szaxas.
The 81 Jiye-man alive! You know that tooa 7313fES7
- tms agE.aseM1z
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