Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 September 1944 — Page 1
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Negro French Troops First to Enter Paris
MOVE 477TH BOMBERS
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Change of Plans
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NUMBER 39
SATURDAY, SEITEMBER 2, 1944
POSTAL ZONE, No. 7
VOLUME XLVIII
Convict 2 White Girls
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NEW YORK, Aug. 31. (ANP) — MISS LOLA HAYES, internationly known mezzo-soprano who has sung throughout this country and Europe, is now on her own program over WNYC, Tuesday nights at 5:30 p. m. The program devoted to the music of Negro composers was honored with the guest appearance of Abbie Mitchell last Tuescay. Miss Mitchell was the wife
and protegj of Will Marion Cook whose music occupied the entire program. Hall Johnson’s music will be featured on next week’s program with Mr. Johnson as the guest of honor. Jonathan Brice will solo on the following program and will also accompany Miss Hayes in various contemporary Negro composer's music. —(ANP Photo.)
For Ignoring Jim Crow
BLACK SOLDIERS LEAD ALLIED MARCH INTO LIBERATED CAPITAL
TAX BOARD DEAF TO PROTEST ON JUVENILE HOME
Bulletin
PARIS, Aug-. 31. — Negro troops from Africa—veterans of the late Governor Felix Eboue’s French Equatorial
paris, France. — The first African army — were among
four American soldiers to enter Paris, met by War Correspondent Ollie Stewart, were Negro members of a company of drivers specially chosen to drive the DeGaulte party into Paris. They were: CpL Arthur Russell, New York City; CpI. Lawrence Dixon, Detroit: CpI. Len*--ard Demary, Chicago, and T/5 Freddie Brown, New Orleans. Demary told the correspondent, “We are assigned to French troops entering Paris. Two of us drove General DeGaulle’s party and others drove American liaison officers. There was bitter street fighting, but none of us
wbs hurt.”
DEWEY WOULD PROVIDE JOBS; NOT U. S. DOLES
the first Allied soldiers to en ter the liberated French capital of Paris this week. Members of the Second French Armored division equipped with modern American weapons, the colonials carried battle-taltered tricolors bearing the Cross of Lorraine in a parade down the world-famous Champs Elysees to honor the grave of the Unknown Soldier at the Arch De
Triumphe.
The majority were Senegalese Moroccans and native tribes recruited at Chad by Governor Eboue when he broke with Vichy and declared for General Charles DeGaulle’s Free French. Were Eboue alive today, he would indeed be proud, for it is these same black warriors, who accomplished a 1,700-mile march across jthe Sahara Desert from Chad to : Tunis under General Jacques Leclerc who paraded in Paris headed ! by their military hands playing 1 1.ie Marseillaise.
Marion county commissioners are going jubilantly about their business today of removing the county juvenile detention home from its present site on West New York street to the former Colored Orphans home at 25th and Keystone
avenue.
Despite the strong protest of spokesmen for groups of colored and w'hite citizens the state tax commissioners Wednesday approv ed the additional appropriation of $76,000 to establish and maintain the home at the new’ site. This .additional appropriation had previ-
NEW YORK.—Governor Thomas j Citizens of Paris poured into the E. Dewey struck close to the hearts streets and boulevards to give a of the masses of the American i wild welcome to these black sons people last week in a message to of the republic who responded to the State Federation of Labor -when the appeal of Eboue and rallied to he stressed the need of a ‘‘way the Cross of Lorraine in France’s of solving problems” that w'ould darkest hour. provide not doles, but jobs for all. Free French. Britons, Americans, Sandinavians, Poles, Czechs—men In New York, the legislature has 0 f a j] r aces. nationalities and colestablished a Post-War Planning ors —assembled in Soho cafes and Commission, which wdll have at sa ] oous to celebrate the liberation Us disposal a billion dollars worth 0 f Paris, historic cradle of liberty, of work in state and local projects equality and fraternity, to cushion the shock of the end-1
ing of war production. Just as preparations have been completed In the state to provide jobs for the men and women of the fighting forces and the many millions now engaged in war industry when hostilities cease. Governor Dewey has indicated he has plans for a similar program for the entire nation. The Governor called attention to the Job labor has done in the war effort in New’ York State, pointing out that, “This is a great record and it has been made by you through the responsibility and character you have given to the organizations you represent. I like to think the State Administration had made some contribution to that record by having an understanding of your problems and being prepared to co-operate realistically in the maintenance of industrial peace. “I know' of no reason.’ the Governor said, “why the stability which you and the New York industry and the State Government together have achieved cannot be duplicated nationally." Earlier this year Governor Dewey recommended, and the legislature passed a law establishing a Commission. Against Discrimination to study practices of discrimination because of race, creed, color, or national origin, and to make recommendations designed to enact laws to eliminate such discrimination. This move on the part of Governor Dewey, was a majo^ stroke to wipe out jim crowism in the State, and made New York the first state in the Union to take steps to bring into being a permanent FEPC.
LEADERS TERM SPECIAL ISSUE VALUABLE AID
ously been approved by the county council and was attacked by Atty. Frank R. Beckwith, representing a number of civic organizations which opposed location of the detention home in the residential sec-
tion of the East Side.
These groups contended property values in this section w’ould be lowered by the transfer, and as a serious ^consequence, tax revenues
APPEAL VERDICT UPHOLDING RAGE SEGREGATION
War Dept. Transfers Airmen from South
ATTERBURY ARMY AIR FIELD, Columbus, IncL, Aug. 30.—The celebrated 447th Bombardment Group, already the object of serious concern by the Negro public has been split again by a War Department order which transferred the 618th and 619th squadons of the outfit from Godman Field, Fort Knox, Ky., to the Atterbury Army Air Field at Columbus, Ind., last Tuesday. Although this group, the only one of its kind for Negroes, was formed just last February, its existence has been marked by a series of developments that indicate that the War Department is concerned about the
EVANSVILLE, Ind., Aug.
welfare of its Negrro
bardment Group.
Bom-
Part of the only Negro
T w ° white college girls, Bombadrment Group in the convicted and fined for refus- Army Air Forces, these two ing to leave a jim crow sec- squadrons are under the subtion ot a bus station, filed an base command of Lt. Gol. John appeal Wednesday in the Van- b. Pattison, Jr., of Chicago
(Continued on page 2, First see.)
“GO BACK TO SCHOOL!” Taking the advice of Maj. George Spencer Roberts, former commander of the famed 99th Pursuit Souadron, these young students of Armstrong Technical High school, Washington, D. C., are returning to their classrooms next week where they can learn to make model airplanes for the U. S. Navy. In an appeal to all high school
students to return to their classes this fall, Paul V. McNutt, chairman of the War Manpower Commission said, “The opening of school this fall is your D-Day in the struggle for a better world. I hope everyone of you will meet its challenge wholeheartedly, just as your older brothers are meeting their challenge all over the world.”
derburgh Circuit Court on the ground that an Indiana law prohibits race segrega-
tion.
The young women, Miss Frances A„. Rog^r, Gkir eagb, student of Northwestern university, and Miss Eleanor Guttman, 19, Bowling
with Col. Robert R. Selway, Jr., group commander at Godman Field. Ky., as the squadrons are a part of the 477th
Bombardment Group.
•• •
Asked the reason for the move, Lt. Col. Pattison stated that with more room and bet-
ALLIED ARRIVAL IN PARIS STIRS DEEP EMOTIONS
By OLLIE STEWART (War Correspondent)
Inside Story of Army AirCommand*s Brutal Treatment of Negro Flyers
Green, Ky., student at Gouch-: ter equipment, better work er college, Baltimore Md., were 1 might be expected from the convicted Monday by a jury men. He averred that Godof six in City Court and fined man Field was not suitable
$100 each, after Prosecutor for the necessary
Owen Williams charged they at- "'Inch the men would have to un-
i dergo in their final training as (Continued on I .-ge 2. First Sec.) j bombadier pilots and fighters.
With a commissioned personnel which is over half Negro, the tw T o 1 squadrons are under the immediate | command of two white officers, who to use the words of one colI ored corporal, are “swell." Capt.
WITH ADVANCED AMERICAN FORCES' m FRANCE—The first time I saw Paris, her hearr : waS old, not very well fed, but Oh, how gay. The heart of France in fact was mad with joy because
Americans had arrived.
I entered along Avenue De Fontanebleau Saturday morning at 11 o’clock with Cecil Carnes of the Saturday Evening Post, Tom Hen-
irfcucfe ry . Washington Star, and Dave Bay-
lor, Cleveland’s radio station
WGAR.
Our arrival ended three days and nights of camping on the outskirts of the city, waiting the mopping up of the last pockets of German resistance. . . Along board boulevards we'saw many vehicles overturned and
Two outslinding leaders in the Negro life of Indiana see in the -oecial Edition of The Indianapolis Recorder to he published next nonth a valuable contribution to-the progressive thought and liberalism tf the state and nation. J. Chester Alten, South Bend attorney and co-ordinator of Negro ictivities for the Indiana Defense Council, declares this pretentious venture on the part of The Record•r. “A worthwhile contribution to the progress of the race, the community. and to the war effort. For many years a definite need has been felt for an authentic history of the progress of Negroes In the Hfe of Indiana. Such a work will show us clearly from whence w’e have come, and indicate the path for the future.” Sections of the special issue will bo devoted to a comprehensive survey, with revealing pictures, of the important phases of modern civilized life, including business, industry, and labor; agriculture, civics and government, women’s affairs, politics, fine arts, education, religion, health and recreation. Viewed against the background of the most crucial war in the nation’s history, the events chronicled will indicate the course the
CPL. STEVE PERKINS of Indianapolis, Indiana, sends his love to his fam:;y and many friends here in the home town, and hopes to be able to return home soon from overseas. CpI. Perkins is very active in sports, • n the Last B'xing season of this area he was representative of his organization, and ids best and most beloved sport is t; nnis.
Washington Bureau Negro Newspaper Publishers Association NEGRO BOMBARDMENT GROUP IS BORN (Editor's Note: The following story is the first in a series, written by the Washington Co» - respondent of the Negro Newspaper Publishers Association after four days “on the spot’’ at Godman Field, Ky.. where the 447th Bombardment Group is preparing for overseas duty. The many stories and rumors of low morale, crushed spirits. and delaying tactics led the NNPA to send a man to the scene to bring you this first-hand account. TV; entire series will appear, one each week, in THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER.)
! Rajmond E. Sehreck of California. sa nd-bagged, which the enemy had is in charge of Squadron 618, while „„ barricades in their last Ulaj. Wilmpr McDowell of Wash- ^^“^w pla^s wh.M ."Ston heads fhe emh Squadron. road blocl!8 had been we „ w
— — ——i Captain Sc hi ec k told RECORDER WO rkmen already making repairs.
I | reporters that it was telt that with Dl , mmv r-ermans were hnneed
Air Force when it lacks confidence want Negro personnel. Resistance the better means for recreation in 0 ffi^vinVwn niaLo W aU oifno in its supervisors, instructors, and hron cw ofHf„no w. i*^„ I—., ! m in two P laces but a11 sI S na
commanders?
bred of that attitude has been met ’and the other factors conducive ever since. Moreover, even now. to a happy state of mind, the men
of organized resistance has disappeared. Americans in armored vehi-
of the interior
Can a group of men with the j the Air Command views the use | could give their best to training ! pf"'in rnntrni nf certain high intelligence required for sue- i>f the Negro as an ‘experiment' : * a ctics. It seems that at Godman ! w hiie in ntbpr«s the tt'em nr
cess in the air corps—-among both , designed to determine whether he Field the men couldn't “stretch 1 officers and enlisted men — be can do this or that in the field of .-nit.” to- use the words of Captaii treated like children and yet be aviation. . . . The tragedy is that • Schreck. He added that upon inexpected to fight like men? by not wanting the Negro in the vestigation, it was discovered that These are the question-marks ov- j first place and by doubting his there were at least fifteen men in
ershadowing the 477th Bombardment Group now stationed at forsaken and isolated Godman Field. Ky..—the first Negro unit of its
kind in Armv history.
(Continued on Page 3. First Sec.)
By HARRY McALPIN
WASHINGTON. D. C. (NNPA)--Can an efficient bombardment team, capable of Holding its own in combat overseas, be developed under a condition that crusaes the spirit of officers and enlisted men, destroys their morale, puis them on the verge of psychoneurosis, and makes them hate the guts of
their comm-incmg officer?
Can such a group continue to
Those circumstances and the resultant reactions which give rise to these questions are the subject of this and a series of articles to follow, written from first-hand observations and interviews by this correspondent at Godman Field. To understand fully the implications of the facts, opinions and criticisms which will be revealed in this series, one should know something of the historical background of the Negro in the Air
Forces.
No less an authority than Judge William Hastie, former civilian aide to the Secretary of War. declared in a statement accompanying his resignation from that po-
rnaintain the top-ranking safety | sitlon on February 1, 1943: “It record, maintenance record and should be understood from the beflight per plane record in the First ginning the Air Command did not
life of the nation is. and will con- , tinue to take. A fundamental knowl- J edge of the past and present is in- i dispensable to steady progress in
the post war period.
The Rev. C. H. Bell, pastor of the Mt. Faran Baptist church, and ! a high official in the Indiana State | Baptist convention, recommends j this monumental work as an aid | in community activity for both j races, in that it will treat the Ne-
In the Name of Justice
Make Plans to Aid Man Facing Ga. Chain Gang
NEGRO FLIER HONORED — Lt. John F. Briggs, age 24, colored, this city, P-51 Mustang Fighter 'Pilot, was
the outfit who not only played musical instruments but had them with them. In view of this fact. Captain Schreck said that a band will be formed for the recreation of the men, under the direction of Lieutenant Alexander of Squad-
ron 618.
Several Indiana men are in the outfit, hut because it was only their second day there, it was impossible to get full data on these men. However, it was learned that Indianapolis has at least three men in the squadrons. Capt. George Knox, Lieut. Richard Highbaugh, and Lieut. Louis G. Hill. Another Indianapolis man was there, but his named could not ue -.earned. Lt. Col. John B. Pattison, for his 31 years, has already had a career in the Army of which he might well he proud, having started his training with four years at the U. S. Military Academy at West Point after two years at the Armour Institute of Technology in his native Chicago. Incidentally, Lt. Col. Pattison recalled his close friendship with Col. Benj. O. Davis. Jr., who was one year advanced over him, having graduated from
the Academy in 1937.
After a while at flying school (he failed to say which one), he in Panama ' two years, from
Fighting French were in charge.
Beautiful women dashed into the streets to kiss dusty GI lads, threw flowers and offered wine and fruit. Thousands of bicycles filled the boulevards, crowds lined thestreeta to wave and shout welcome. We set out to enter Paris on Wednesday, but were held up about fifty miles away and slept Weda ^sday night almost in the laps t ' the enemy. Thursday we tried again, hut had to turn back, so we ook over a deserted chateau.
'Continue^ Pare 2. First Sec.)
FINDS GERMANS MADE CAREFUL DEFENSE PLANS
By OLLIE STEWART (War Correspondent)
A public mass meeting under ; prominent speakers with Bell, the sponsorsb *T > several religious father of five young children, and
gro life of the communally as part and civic organizations will hear ! the support of his mother and bqby
of a whole in which all are vital-■ ^Y^^ am B e H an d his
ly concerned. Advance orders tor the Special Edition may be placed now with The Recorder to assure delivery upon publication. Advance price is fifty cents per copy (entire six sections of 192 pages) and price at issue, $1.00. Send your order
NOW!
fight to prevent return to the Georgia chain-gang where he was sentenced to serve three to four years on his “conviction” for stealing a pig seven years ago worth $2.50
in Americus, Ga.
At the meeting to he held at the Seventeenth Street Baptist church, Sunday, Sept. 3, at 3 p.m.,
sister, are expected to tell the circumstances that led to his predica-
ment.
Last week, two officials from Georgia presented an extradition warrent to a local court in an attempt to secure Bell’s return to the Southern state on the charge
(Continued on Page 2, First Seb.»
has been awarded the Oak Leaf 193s t c 1940, coming hack to this Cluster to an Air Medal, according country to be in command of the to a Fifteenth Air Force announce- 17tll an( j 90th. 44th and 335th :
ment in Italy. He is a member of the first All-Negro Fighter Group in the Army Air Force. The Oak Leaf was awarded to Lt. Briggs for
Bombardment Groups at Barksdale Field, La., then to Tampa. Fla., as squadron commander and deputy group commander over the
"Meritorious achievement in aerial q^ini Air Forces
flight while participating in eus- j n re i a ti 0 ns with Negroes, the 1 ^nemy/^ lSfme 3 ^^!^patchaf a yes^ 9°^ Pa f t ^ son might be creditd i < ^'!^?n an ur e ^ y „ Pl ^n^^ r ^ Z t™ trained 0 the first’ group of Negro Falker, 2233 Franklin street, and B-25 pilots - at Mather Field, in lived with his uncle before enter-1 Sacramento, Calif., where the first Ing Tuskegee University to train as twelve Ne S ro officers to re-
ft pilot two years ago.
ADVANCED AMERICAN FORCES, FRANCE. — Final, complete surrender of St. Malo, the citadel in the bay disclosed the elaborate defense pattern of the Germans during their four years in France. St. Malo was built during the reign of Louis XIV, and Is one of the oldest cities in France, had an almost impregnable network of forts for coastal defense, hut our assault from the rear flanked the Germans out of position. I talked to French inhabitants at St. Malo who cried when they had to evacuate and left only on direct order of the German general when our shelling threatened the entire city with destruction. Nazi forts had immense stores of food, ammunition, with guns pointing out to sea. Cut off from the rear they were soon helpless. I left the vicinity of the cost.
(Continued on page 2, First sec.) (Continued on page 2, First sec^.
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