The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1947-05-17
Dave Egan, The Colonel, Says:
ROBINSON NOW ABASEBALL MARTYR

He may be described to you by the polyannas of the
press and the rooes of the radio as an idol of the youth
of but off the record and not to be quoted your
average professional ball player ignorant clunk with
feet of clay and head to match.
That never has been more obvious than in the past
few days when an abortive attempt made by mem
bers Of the ST. Looey Swftes to engage in stdown strike
against Jackie Robinson Not because he is uneducated
he's college graduate Not because he had perforated
eardrum as quite few of athletes did; he's war
veteran. Not because he is lush kepomaniac or
rowdy boor, than in the major leagues
are he has an excellent character. Not because he can't
up to the standards of skill demanded in the
National League; it evident that he Simply
because of the color of his skin.
This of is deep, dark ignorance the basis of
all bigotry Fortunately for all of u.s. it is confined to
small abd minority in this beseducated of all countries
say fortunately for all of would hate to have missed
the voice of Marian Anderson and the tapping feet of
Bill Robinson and the lean legs of Jessie Owens and the
brown fists of Joe Louis and the remembered running of
Fritz Pollard.
BRANCH RICKEY KEEPS HIS WORD
We would have missed all this and much more too, if
the chunks in this country could have their AS it is
Josh Gibson has lived and died without receiving an
opportunity to play where he belonged though qualified
baseball pronounced him better catcher than Bill
Diekey. AS is Satche Paige has spent long lifetime
transforming up and down the land without eceiv
ing offer to pitch in the major leagues.
One man in baseball finally, has caught up with the
first day of January 1863 when the emancipation proc
lamaon went into effect. He has caught up with the
stage and the boxing ring and the football field and the
board track and the great of science not to
ton the draft board which also treats all equally
AS you know he is Branch Hickey of the Dodgers. Ell
Cheapo fellow insists upon calling him. The devious
deacon, another used say. This time month ago they
predicting freely that this mamie long has had
picture of Abraham Lincoln in his office--woud give
Robinson the genee brusho and drop the hot potato he
holding But he lived up the picture that hangs on
his wall He is going down the line with Robinson And
this another great victory Hitler and his repusve
doctrine of Nordc supremacy
The attempt of the world champions-they are cham
pions of small and grabbed and bitter and sulen world,
aren't they?-to liquidate Robinson has backfred COM
pletely. They succeeded, instead, in making of him
martyr lone black fighting an unequal fight and
displaying unusual quality of both physical and moral
courage Fair play is essential Ingredient of the
American character and particularly the field Of
sport Result that folks who did not give boot whether
or not Robinson made the grade, long he had the
opportunity now sympathze with and root for him to
succeed Which not what the dsgruntled Cardinals
had in mind at ALL
THROW OUT THE COLOR LINE
This dirty chapter still can be brought to a clean and
glorious finish only Is citizens of the United States will
realize and act their responsibilities That is what
now has narrowed down o-the Is men who control the
40 MAYOR league teams which, to date have shown not the
slightest inclination wipe out the color line They can't
duck It much longer They can't hide behind slken
tam OF silence Hickey has challenged them go and
likewise and the shrewd eyes of nation are upon them
colored player every major league squad,
writes the authoritative Dan Daniel of the WorldTele
gram IN New York, would put the dafies in their
places Words of that same general nature have ap-
peared and will increasingly appear in the papers of the
nation They will put the pressure Tom Yawkey and
Lou Per here in Boston, Larry MacPhai and Horace
Stoneham there in New York on Is men who acting
sngy or acting together strike ringing blow against
intolerance.
The major white leagues should come to an agreement
WIN the major black leagues and draft their players just
as white players are drafted later it must be
and Will be done and the sooner it done the better it
VIII be for the conscience of the entire nation This is
Godgiven opportunity for Ii men, and hope that they
are big enough to take advantage of it,
AMNIIOI EVHInIr AAIn nnA%nAA