Evansville Argus, Evansville, Vanderburgh County, 1 August 1942 — Page 2
AGE TWO
THE EVANSVILLE ARGUS, SATURDAY, AUGUST 1,1942
NATIVE SON
By Richard Wright Illjustratons by OL HARRINGTON
Gus was very still, resting on ■ “Shut up! It is late!” Bigger laughed so hard J ^ried.” Care-] his knees. Then, like a taut gow insisted commandingly. Bigger f u ]] y }, e dl .; e(} hls face on his coat . finding release he sprang to his , turned aside; then hearing a^sharp ' gl then stood for two whole
ieet, snaking loose from Bigger scrape on the floor, stiffened. Gus: .
and turning to get away. Bigger * sprang from the chair and grabbed j minu ^ es staring at the shadow of staggered back against the wall, 1 a billiard ball from the table and , a telephone pole on the alley pave
breathless for a moment. Bigger’s hand moved so swiftly that nobody saw it; a gleaming blade flashed. He made a long step, as graceful
threw it with
half , sob half
I
curse. Bigger flung his hands up ward to shield Ms face and the impact. of the ball struck his wrist.:
ment. Suddenly he straightened and walked on with a single expulsion of breath. “What the hell!”
New Eastview Baptist Church To Be Dedicated Sunday Aug. B
Successful Missionary Baptist \ Convention Held At Washington
By Rev. D. C. Weaver
The new Eastview Baptist church located at 619 Olive street, will be dedicated Sunday, August 9, according to word from Mrs. Isabel Slaughter secretary and Rev. G. W. Cole pastor. Rev. L. S. Smith,
CO. F. E. P. Checkup
Of War Plants
Brings Results __ Requests by the Carl L. Norden
Company of New York City and pastor
By REV. D. C. WEAVER |
WASHINGTON, IND.—The Mt. president
Olive Missionary Baptist Asso-[ ® r oup ciation of Indiana held its 2,8th Annual Session here at the Second Baptist church, July 20-24, with Rev. Frank Esteal, pastor, serving as host. Rev. M. D. Banks
of the Nazarene Baptist
AFRICAN GETS
BRITISH ARMY
as an animal leaping, threw out his (He had shut his eyes when he.!? 6 /tumbled violent ^ver a- tiny; pastor of liberty Bapliist-chpch ^
left foot and tripped Gus to the Iglimpsed the ball sailing through crack in t] i e pavement. “Goddomn” jwill deliver the dedicatory sermon the Titeflex Metal Hose Company church of Evansville, modera-
floor. Gus turned over to rise, but the air toward him, and when he he said. When he reached the end i Bigger was on top of him, with the [opened his eyes Gus was flying | 0 f the alley, he turned into a street!
knife open and ready. (through the rear door and at the
at 8 o’clock p. m. This sermon will |
climax a week’s program, starting
board, then he gazed abstractly
stopped again and placed ^/“fou* done" “sp'oiled ““things ! nt ? the street, thinking of how he ^ ag IS spe3ker for the ne xt nife at Gus’ throat. Gus „ T had felt when he fought Gus .m! meettng E . Arlington of St.
was relieved Louis was the visitor .
“Get up! Get up and I’ll slice
your tonsils!” Gus lay still.
“That’s all right, Bigger,” Gus said in surrender. “Lemme up.” “You trying to make a fool out of me, ain’t you?” “Naw,” said Gus, his lips scarcely moving. “You goddam right you aiirt,’'
Bigger said.
His face softened a bit and the hard glint in his bloodshot eyes died. But he still knelt with the open knife. Then he stood.
“Get up!” he said. “Please, Bigger!”
“You want me to slice you?”
He
the knife
did not move and his large black eyes looked pleadingly. Bigger was not satisfied; he felt his muscles tightening again. “Get up. I ain’t going to ask
you again.”
Slowly, Gus stood. Bigger held the open blade an inch from
Gus’ lips.
“Lick it,” Bigger said, his 1 body tingling with elaticn. Gus’ eyes filled with tears. “Lick it, I said! You think I’m playing ” '*■ Gus looked around the room without moving his head, just rolling his eyes in A mute appeal for help. But no one moved Bigger’s left fist was-slowly lifting to strike. Gus’ lips moved toward the knife; he stuck out his tongue and touched the blade. Gus’ lips quivered and tears streamed down his cheeks. “Hahaha!” Doc laughed. “Aw. leave him alone,” Jack
called.
Bigger watched Gus with lips twisted in a crooked smile. “Say, Bigger, ain’t you scared him enough? 1 ’-Doc asked. Bigger did not answer. His eyes gleamed hard again, pregnant with
another idea.
Gus swallowed and stretched hishands high along the wall. “Leave ’im alone, Bigger,” G? H. called weaklly. “I’m doing this,” Bigger said. He put the tip of the blade" into Gus’s shirt and then made an arc with his arm, as though cut-
ting a circle.
“How would you like me to cut
your belly button out?”
|G!us did not answer. Sweat trickled down his temples. His lips '
hung wide, loose.
“Shut them liver lips of yours!” Gus did not move a muscle. Bigger pushed the knife harder into
Gus’s stomach.
“Bigger!” Gus said in
whisper.
“Shut your mouth!”
Gus shut his mouth. Doc laughed. Jack and G. H. laughed. Then
same time he heard the ball hit the
! walking slowly in the sunshine,
j i, . r. j • i his hands jammed deep into his floor and roll away. A hard pain , ^ throbbed in his hand. He sprang P oc kets, his head down, depressed.
Monday, August, 3 at, . 8 2
forward , cursing. “You sonofabitch!” •He slipped on a cue stick lying in the middle of the floor and tumbled forward. That’s enough now, Bigger’ Doc said, laughing. Jacl: and G- H. also laughed. Bigger rose and faced them, holding his hurt hand. His eyes were red and he stared with speechless hate. “Just keep laughing,” Bigger said again taking-out
his-knife.
“Watch what you’re doing now,” Doc cautioned. “Aw Bigger,” Jack said backing away toward the rear
He went home and sat in a chair by the window looking out dreaming. “That you Bigger!” his mother called from behind the curtain. “Yeah,” he said. “What you, run in here and run out,for, a little while ago?” “Nothing. “Don’t you go and get into no trouble, now, boy.” “Aw, Ma! Leave me alone.” He listened awhile to her rub- | bing clothes on the metal wash-
o> j ^ findings made against them by the
p m | President’s Committee on Fair The Baptist iMinisjjeis and Dea- Employment Practices have been cons Union (convbiled With ’the new granted by the Committee, LawEastview Baptist chur'ch, Monday rence w. Cramer, executive secre-
with Rev. M. D.. Banks, acting
tary, announced recently.
of Newark, N. J. for a review of | tor, is serving as presiding of-
ficer, and Rev. W. E. Clark of
Terre Haute, secretary.
fA large crowd gathered at the church for the opening services of the Sunday School convention Monday morning with Mrs.
moderator,’' presiding. ' ’Rev, C.', A. «*—TT — ,^ith Dixon of Prtaceton vice Lamon conddcted the opening sler- [ The companies; both of which | president of. the organization,
vices with singing and reading M , njunufacture war products, had the Scripture. been cited for discrimination The following churches reported ;; ^g a jjjg^ j^ e g roes alld Je-s^s in vio-
lation of Execultive Order 8802, by the President’s Committee after its New York hearings last Febr-
after singing by the under thef direction of
Mrs. Edna Isom. The topic dis- OFFICER POST IN
cussed: “God Cares for His People.” Rev. G. E. Johnson
preached a Doctrinal Sermon 1 The first appointment of a West with the aid of alternate. Rev. African to the rank of officer in H. C. Curlin. 'the British Army has just been Officers elected for the^year. Council! on African Af-
fairs learned today. Sergeant Seth K. Anthony, a Native of the Gold
Mrs. Esteal, president; Mrs. L. Ricketts, first vice president; Mrs. Julia Greathouse, second
Mrs. Flora Ed- Coast, and a student of Achimota
Little Hope, St. Paul, Corydon, Ky. Nazerene, Independence and Liberty. Ministers present: Revs. M. H. Alston, M. D. Banks, D. C. Weaver, C. A. Lamon, G. W. Cole, C. G. Brown, S. B. Dulin and L. S. Smith. The Rev. M. P. Mason lectured the Sunday School leson. There was no sermon for, the day. Rev. J. M. Caldwell was se-
now," G. H. said. “I reckon that
was what you wanted'. .
‘ You go to hell!” Bigger shouted, drowning out G. H.’s-voice.
Doc’s poolroom. He
and glad that in an hour he was going to see about that job at the Dalton place. He was disgusted
Doc bent down behind the count- j w ith the gang; he knew that what and when he stood up he had had happened today put an end to
something in his hand which he did not show. He stood there laughing. White spittle showed at the corners of Bigger’s lips. He walked to the
PASTOR’S CONTEST ENDS Finals in this City-Wide Popularity contest, with Revs. H. O-. McCutchin, H. H. Sink, J. W.
R. Waters and M. S.
iie»u pu i an enu i,u i Appleby C
his being with tfen on any more j McCaule ’ y ag principalS) wm be
jobs. Like a man staring regretfully but hopelessly at the stump of a cut off arm or leg he knew
billiard table, his eyes on Doc. Then | that the fear of robbing a white he began to cut the green cloth on man ha-d had hold of him when he the table with long sweeping sturted that fight with Gus; but he strokes of his arm. He never took‘knew it in a way that kept it hiS -eyes from Doc’s face. I from coming to his mind in the “Why $ou sonofabitch!” Doc form of a hard and sharp idea. His said. “I ought to shoot you, so- confused emotions had made him help me God. (Get out, before I call Ifeel instinctively that it would be
held Sunday, August 2nd at St. John’s Methodist church, EVans and Cherry' streets at 8:30 o’clock
p. m:
uary. r The Norden Company and the Titeflex, Company will be given opportunity to argue on the record of, testimony before the Committee in its Washington office on July 21. At the same meeting, the caseof the Schatz Manufacturing Co. of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. will be heard. This company has been called to answer charges of discrimination against Negroes in employment. At its July 6 meeting the President’s. Committee refused the request of the Reynolds Metal Company pf Richmond, Va., that it be permitted to retain the disclosure
This contest sponsored by a ! of religion and color on its job ap-
better to fight with Gus and spoil the plan of the robbery than to
a cop!”
Bigger walked slowly past Doc, looking at him, not hurrying, and
holding the open knife in his hand But he kept his knowledge of his He paused in the, doorway and "fear thrust firmly down in him; looked back. Jack and G. H. were his courage to live depended upon gone. “Get out of here!” Doc said, how successfully his fear was hidshowing a gun. “Don’t you like it!” den from his consciousness. He Bigger asked. “Get out before I had fought Gus because Gus was
committee, composed of representatives of St, ' Jahn’s Methodist church, Hooi’s Temple A. M. E. Zion, Cleaves Teriplp C.. M. E., Alexander A. M. E. and Cumberland Presbyterian, has been in progress for three weeks and has been one of, the most heated ever
shoot you!” Doc said. “And don’t you ever set your black feet inside here again!” Doc was angry and Bigger was afraid. He shut the knife and slipped it in his pocket and swung through the door to the street. H e blinked his eyes from the bright sunshine; his nerves were so taut that he had difficulty in breathing
confront a white man with a gun. in t he city.
The winner will be known as
Evansville’s “Most Popular Minister.” The committee in charge of affairs has outlined a very entertaining program, consisting of soles by the five contestants in addition to short talks. The general
public is invited to attend.
late; that was the reasons his emotions accepted and he did not try to justify himself in his own eyes, or in the eyes of the gang. He did not think enough of them to feel that he had to; he did not consider himself as being responsible to them for what he did, even tho’ they had been involved deeply, as he in the planned robbery. He
Halfway down the block he passed j felt that same way toward everyBlum’s store; he looked out of the one. As long as he could remember corner of bis eye through the plate {he had never been responsible to glass window and he saw that'any one. That moment a situation
plication forms. The Committee has an established policy calling for the elimination of this item on pre-employment forms which, it feels, is a necessary means for reducing discrimination based on religion and color. The Committee modified its direction in the case of the Fairchild Aviation Corporation of Jamaica, N. Y. The company was excused from making a monthly report on the 1 number and classification of new workers by race and religion. The. company bad been cited for discriminiation against ‘ both Negroes and Jews.
CATHOLIC COMMITTEE DEMANDS FAIRNESS TO SEPIA WORKERS
Bigger stepped back and looked at Gus with a smile. “You clown,” he
Blum was alone and the store was empty of customers. Yes; they would have had time to rob the store; in fact, they still had time. He bad lied to Gus and G. PI. and Jack. He walked on; there was not a policeman in sight. Yes; they could have robbed the store and could have gotten away. He hop-ed-the fight-he had had with Gus covered up what he was trying to tense bide. At least the fight made him feel equal to them. And he felt the equal of Doc, too; bad • he not slashed his table a.nd dared him to
use his gun?
He had an overwhelming desire to be alone; he walked to the mid-
became so that it exacted something of him, he rebelled. That was the way he lived; he passed his days trying to defeat or gratify powerful impulses in a world he feared. * * *' * Outside his window he saw the sun dyipg over the roof-tops in the western sky and watched the first shadows of dusk fall. Now and then a street car ran j e.st. The, rusty radiator hissed at the far end of the room. All day long it
The National Catholic Committee report on employment issued recently demands that colored workers be treated like any other
workers. It says::
“Unemployment Is a national evil. The colored man who is capable of going into industry must be absorbed into it just like any other capable, worker. The direct result of any other policy is fatal. “The basis of justice is simply the worth and Capability of the individual, t means • that each individual worker should be judged for precisely what he is able to do, or for what he can be trained to accomplish, and be given an equal opportunity along with all other
had been springlike; but now dark citizens f91 ,, emplo y ment and t?ain .
clouds were slowly swallowing the sun. All at once the .street lamps came on and the sky was black and
said. Put your hands down and get t d ] e of the next block and turned . dose to, the house-tops
on that chair.” He watched Gus into an alley* He began to laugh sit. “That ought to teach you not softly, tensly; lie stopped still in to be late nextime, see?” bis tracks and felt something warm “We ain’t late, Bigger. We still roll down his cheek he brushed
got time.
breathed. “I
ing, in the light capacity.”
of his' individual
COURTEOUS Efficient Service ALWAYS W. A. GAINES and Company FUNERAL DIRECTORS Phone 2-6921 618 Mulberry St.
in charge.
At the evening session, Rev. V. L. McFarland, pastor of Bethel Baptist church of Evansville, was elected president. • .^Other officers elected: Mrs. Edith Dixon, vice president, Mrs. Betty W r i,g h t, recording secretary Miss Lorraine Hathapay, assistant secretary, Miss Elizabeth Wisdom, . corresponding secretary, Mrs. Helen Mooue, treasurer, James Lacy, pianist, and Zola M. Cooksey,, directrsss. Genevieve Dock and Miss Flora; Edmindson were elected members of the board. The introductory sermon tor Monday night was delivered by the Rev. J. R. Overett of Indianapolis,
Ind.
BLACK HEADS B.Y.P.U. Proceedtegs of the Baptist Young People’s Union occupied the greater part of Tuesday with presentation of the state BYPU queen, highlighting the day’s activities, presided over by its president, W A. Black of Evansville. Mayor Samuel H. Smith of Washington'gave the welcome address Tuesday evening, with responses by Rev. J. B. Duncan of Terre Haute. Other highlights of the service: election of officers for the year and deliverance of a. sermon by Rev. E. B. Phillips of Ter^e Haute. Officers elected: president, W. A. Black; vice president, Mrs. E. B. Phillips, Terre Haute; recording secretary, Miss Lorraine Hathaway of 1 Evansville; assistant secretary, Miss Barbara Dixon of Princeton; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Dale Cottee of Washington; pianist, James Lacy of Evansville; directress, Mrs. Lilliam Watkins of Evans-
ville.
HOLDS BIRTHDAY RALLY A novel arid, interesting event was staged Wednesday during the sessions ’ conducted by the Woman’s Missionary and Education convention. The affair, conducted by Mrs. Eva Saunders was titled, “A Christian Birthday Rally.” ^le annual address to-the members in attendance was delivered by Mrs. Minnie Esteal,
vice-president;
mondson, recording secretary; [College, Accra, has successfully Mrs. Gertrude Lovan, assistant completed training at an Officer secretary; Mrs. Iva Saunders,*Cadet School in England and has corresponding secretary; Mrs. C.jbeen granted the rank of Lieuten-
Robinson, treasurer; Mrs. G. E. ant.
Johnson, ilield agent; Mrs. Ed- West Africans while rejoicing in na Isom; directress; Mrs. Elsie,the new spirit which is gaining Cooper, 5 pianist; Mrs. Mattie ground over the old policies of dis
Russell, Sisters Dixon and Gordon, members of the Board. DELIVERS SERMON ON TEMPERANCE The Thursday session of the association was presided over by its moderator, the Rev. M. D. Banks and Rev. W. E. Clark as secretary. The Nazarene Baptist church of Evansville and the Second Baptist church of Washington, were represented by choral organizations, who appeared as directors of the devotionals. Rev. C. W. Saunders, vice moderator, delivered a prayer “The Missionary Spirit in Time of War.” Mrs. C. W. Saunders and Mrs. Thelma Johnson sang solos. Rev. Banks listened patiently to favorable reports from the district moderators, after which Rev. V. L. Me Farland, with the assistance of Itev. W. M. Harris, alternate, delivered a, thought-provoking sermon on “Temperance.” MODERATOR MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS At the closing sessions of the association, Moderator Banks made several recommendations for the good of the organization and delivered a masterful annual address. Rev. J. D. Garrett preached a missionary sermon after making a report from the different missions. Rev. Garrett is superintendent of the
missions.
The representatives of Mt. Pilgrim and Olive Branch churches directed the devotional period and Rev. V. L. McFarland led in prayer. Topic for discussjioin during ■ the session; “The Churcli and a Just and Durable Peace.” Rev. Banks Was reelected moderator. Others elected: Rev. H. C. Curlin, vicemoderatbr; Rev. W. E, Clark, recording secretary; Rev. J. B. Duncan,' corresponding secretary; Rev. G. L. Cooksey, treasurer; Rev. J. D. Garrett, superintendent of missions; Rev. D. C. Weaver, statistician of churches; Rev. V. L. McFarland, histofian; Rev. B. J. Boozer and Rev. E. B. Phillips, members of
the board.
crimination and which their participation in the United Nations struggle against fascist enslavement is bringing about, look forward to greater changes for the
freedom of their continent. This was clearly expressed in
the farewell message of five Africans from Nigeria who left recently ’for England where they will join the Royal Air Force. Addressing their fellow countrymen they expressed their determination to fight as “living parts” of the United Nations for victory over fascism. “West Africa,” they declared, “must take her place in the post war world, not as she used to do, in total submission to her master, but taking an equal share with other great nations in world af-
fairs.”
SCIENTIFIC SWEDISH MASSAGE
Medical Gymnastic Facial Baths
• Physio-Therapy
DR. PRINCE SIYADOORW (Experienced Graduate Masseur) • TREATMENTS in home Phone for Appointments DIAL 3.0322 505 E. Cherry St.
Inside his shirt he felt the cold metal of the gun resting against his naked skin; he ought to put it back betweeen the matresses. No! He would keep it. He would take it with him to the Dalton place. He felt that he would be safer if he took it. He was not planning to use it and there was nothing in particular that he was afraid of, ibut there was in him an uneasiness and distrust that made him feel that he ought to have it along. He was going among white people, so he would tage his knife and his gun; it would make him feel that he was the equal of them; give him a sense of completeness. Then he thought of a good reason why he should tage it; in order to get to the Dalton place lie had to go through a white neighborhood. He jhad not heard of any Negroes being molested recently but he felt that it was always possible. Far away a clock boomed' five times. He sighed and got up and yawned and stretched his arms I high above his head to loosen the muscles of his body. He got his I overcoat, for it wasTgrowing cold outdoors; then he got his cap. He tiptoed to the door wanting to slip ] out without his mother hearing him. Just as he was about to open it, she called, “Bigger!” He stopped and frowned. “Yeah, Ma.” “You going to see about that
job?”
“Yeah.”
“Ain’t you going to eat?” “I ain’t got time now.” (To Be Continued.) I
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Announcement! DR. EARLE U. ROBINSON announce the removal of his offices from 757 LIN COLN AVENUE to 615 Bellmeade Avenue
EADES’ H0LSUM BREAD ASK YOUR GROCER! Baked in Evansville By Union Bakers Alvin Fades Bakery
Air-Cooled STELLA'S Chicken Shack Miles South of Henderson, | Just Off Hi-way 41-S
OFFICE HOURS:
10—12 A. M. -
7—9 P. M.
2—4 P. M.
Except Wednesday P. M. and Sunday Telephone 2-5768
i