Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 20 January 1945 — Page 1
Business Leader OK’s Permanent FEPC
U. S. C. C. HEAD SAYS FAIR PLAY IS NECESSARY The voice of big business was added to the forces working to secure enactment of legislation to establish a Per manent Fair Employment Practices Commission (FEP C) last week when Eric A. Johnston, dynamic presidem of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, announced that he would support “something like a permanent FEPC” on the grounds that “we must have some thing like it to protect the
people.
WASHINGTON. D. C. (NNPA)— ( Kric A. Johnson, president of the conservative U. S. Chamber of Commerce, gave warning last week | that America must face and light ; the racial, religious and economic intolerance which is “increasing to an alarming degree” and is being '.‘stimulated by deliverate “pro paganda.” He was speaking on n l«ane! on “The Myth That Threat ens .America” at a meeting of the Writers’ War Board of New York. Johnston emphasized that intolerance and discrimination in employment are bad business He
said:
“Wherever we erect barriers on the grounds of race or religion, or of occupational or professional status, we hamper the fullest expansion of our economic society. Intolerance is poor economy. Prejudice doesn't pay. Discrimination Is destructive.” Continuing, he said: “There is a tendency to soft-pedal the spread of alien doctrines of intolerance. The theory, 1 suppose, is that the best way to treat a disease is to pretend that It doesn’t exist. That is a cowardly theory and w-orse. a futile one. “It seems to me that honest diagnosis is the first and indispensable measure in meeting the challenge of propaganda and whispering campaigns directed against foreigners, against Jews, against Catholics, against Negroes.” Fie said, race riots in Detroit or Harlem, or “racial antagonisms” in Boston or Brooklyn were easily brushed off as “local incident*.” hut that “these episodes of violence are symptoms of pressure and emotions and maladjustments which are hatiori%Id®. 1 *'* Race hatred, he said, is not only a threat to the minority it .affects directly, but to the whole country, and that “only 600.00 German | Jews suffered through the triumph 1 of Nazi barbarism—but that nonJews who suffered from it include rhe more than 70.000,000 Germans!” There are some in our eountry.” he said, “industralists, white-collar workers, laboring people, who hold ; to the myth that economic progress can he attained on the prin-! ciple of the unbalanced see-saw. J They think that if some groups • can be forever held down, the others will forever enjoy economic | privileges and prosperity at the end which is up. "Fortunately, it does not work that way—The withholding of jobs «Ld business opportunities from some people do not make more jobs and business opportunities for others.”
<* 10
C EVERYWHERE Per Copy Progressing With The Nation—Helping To Build The Peace For A New World
VOLUME XLIX
Postal Zone No. 7
SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1945
NUMBER 5
As! GOP to Re-Win Negro. Vote WAt, UNIT TO BE
SENT
OVERSEAS
•ll ''' /•• 3%, < ,, '<■
FORT WAYNE, ind.—Marrella Chambers, 12, years old, and her baby daughter born at the St.
Joseph Hospital, Fort Wayne. She is believed to be the youngest mother of Fort Wayne.
KOKOMO CADET COP CHIEFS TO GETS PROMOTION HEAR PLAN FOR WINNING NEGRO
A : m life, ns
above, has been promoted from aviation cadet to the rank of soeond lieutenant, according to word received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Foster, 920 North Purdum street, and his wife, Mrs. 'Betty J. Hardy, lieutenant Hardy was graduated a bom-bardier-navigator from Midland, Tex^ with the class of ’44-53-B. His brother, Charles (Dick) Hardy is somewhere in the South Pacific oiv duty with the < U. S. Marine corps.
ROBERT WEAVER AT YM SUNDAY Robert Weaver, stormy petrel in
WASHINGTON", Jan. 18. (ANP)—A five-point program designed to recapture for the GOP the votes of Negroes will be layed before the ReI publican National Committee ; when the group meets in Indiananolis on Jan. 20 to surthe political scene and strategy for the next four year years, Perry W. Howard, committeeman from Mississippi, said this week. Howard declared that were it not for the loss of this vote, “we would be inaugurating Dewey instead of crowning Roosevelt.” He felt that the party was ^primarily at fault i in not Having done mor?’ earlier to alienate more Ne-1 groes from the Democratic
party.
Howard is going to ask that $200,000 he allowed a?inually for the next four years by the national committee with which an educational campaign might be carried on anions colored voters. Of this amount he would allocate $100,000 to Negro newspapers which he described as a “conduit’’ for such a campaign. He expressed confidence in achieving this point since the committee already is discussing informally the possibility of a mil-,
lion dollar annual budget to wage cminte< j t h e enlightening experience
war upon the Democratic party.
15th AAF IN ITALY.—Post >€x- , change Section of the QM. CL? —
Cp. Detachment. Left to ami S/SGT. Frank K. Gtover, T/3rd, age 23. PAGE, age 25, 1832,'/ 2 Martin604 E. Pleasant St., Mt. Vernon, dale Ave., Indianapolis.
Ohio; Garfield Ringer, Pfc., age 23, 321 Washington St., Dayton,
War Hero Gives Bilbo New Idea of Negroes
TRAIN COLORED WOMEN FOR ANY OVERSEA DUTY WASHINGTON. (Special.) —The War Department announced Monday that a Women’. 1 ! Army Corps unit, composed completely of Negro WACs, is being formed for overseas duty. The unit, the War Depart- ■ ment said, will be sent to a i foreign theater of war upon i completion of field training. They will form a postal battalion. The group, composed entirely of volunteers, is now being assembled and will be the first group of Negro WACs trained for overseas
! service.
They will be gent overseas, was mid, flutter ^the/ ni i Negro WAO officers! Nearly two years ago. the first units of white WACs arrived in ; overseas ports to take up duties there, and they are at •present I serving on all continents where
Dewey Renews Fight ■For Equality Pledge
*
NEW YORK.—Governor Thoma-^ E. Dewey in a letter to Cleveland G. Allen, journalist, on the occasion of the celebration of the 82nd Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, which was held at the St. Mark’s Methodist church. ! on Monday afternoon. January 1 j praised the Negro for the progress he has made since emaritipation | and said that as the Governor of j New York he will devote his ef- j forts against discrimination, and ; -for full equality for all the citizens I In his letter to Allen. Governor !
Dewey writes as follows:
MANY STARS TO APPEAR AT BALL
“I am happy to greet the observation of the eighty-second ajinfver- j sary of the Emancipation Procla- i mation at St. Mark’s Methodist ! church. Monday afternoon,^ Janu- j ary first. It is highly fitting that you should gather together to pay j tribute to -the Emancipation Protlamtion. one of the documents in the struggles for human liberty, and to the unforgettable President j
Lincoln who issued it.
Plans for the ninth annual President’s birthday hall for the benefit of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis are nearing completitkm, Dr. Benjamin A. Osborne, chairman of the committee
has announced.
The ball will be held in the Walker Casino. Saturday night, January 27, to permit the largest possible attendance by all classes of the population. Dr. Osborne ex-
plained, adding:
‘‘No amount of time, energy and ?xpense have been spared to make this year’s ball one of the greatest ever held in Indianapolis. We have gathered one of the finest array of radio, screen and stage
of our armies are to
.stars through the cooperation of many public spirited citizens. Heading the gala affair will be Bob Womack and his famous or-
'whT.T chestra, supported by two mam-
R nft.th floor showm from Ruby Shelton’s swanky 440 Club revue and William Benbow’s “Creations of
elements be found
While me white WACs have j been abroad for the last two years.;
“He wrote it while the country was rocked by a cruel domestic war war between neighbors —
[many of Uuam broth-
issued It he challenge^ the opinion of the world. The succeeding years and the progress made by the Ne- 1
gro have proved how right „„ was williams, 440
in face of all objections. It is
fitting that we should celebrate emcee ability. A queen of lu ♦ , e li?,r vrio!- , , the ball will be crowned and a that Proclamation eveiy year, t. awarded. The queen’s
remind us that all victories for 1 * " .
i freedom are won only by sacriHee cont<,9t 13 sponsored by the Enep
and devotion.
he’d
WASHINGTON. Jan. 17. — Indefatigable Drew Pearson, in his
widely syndicated column, Wash- eoiored
ington Merry-Go-Round, today re-
several positions in tho'Roosevel, | P- 3 f 'aner ,he m Administration, will be the Mon- * *
ev>m , , of a young white soldier just reThe Waahmgton lawyer and pol ; , from oversea8
According to Pearson, members jof the Mississippi congressional delegation met last week to welcome one of their state’s heroes.
itico observed that not since lfl32 when Negroes deserted the party has the GOP been able to elect a
we are
have to wait, but seeing a army captain sitting be-
hind a screen, demanded to know why he could not sit at his table.
When the steward suggested the
young white officer would not want to sit with a Negro the former re-
plied:
“Why not? I've fought with colored men—why shouldn’t I eat
ster meeting speaker Sunday, Jan - j ' f J^w^rd”wants^heTiattenal com- “» r J d S1 - a * ^ P leaver has , mi “°* a . 0 appoint an organizer who el l- »!>«•“"»' | will be on a full-time basis worka fleeting Negroes -end has made |, to deve , 0 voleB „ mone Nv . - -««“• a ''-P-lf" 0 " >or h.msell as ^ , p P r opo B ing a full-time I a dynamic end honest speaker His! * ubl|cit uirector. ,be establish-
The Dnlted States Civil Service I sohje- t will be, Negroes Musi . mem of aI) advlaor> . committee. Commission has announced that ! wye. ! and the hiring of com p e t em Ne-
WILL YOU HELP!
Lt Van. T. Barfoot of Carthage, with them?” He said he sat with Miss., who had been awarded the j the colored officer and enjoyed a
Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and <ine chat.
the 836th AAF Specialized Depot ! The speaker at the State Fairgrounds is in crit- [philosopher
leal need of persons to fill the following positions in order that sup piles can be shipped overseas as expeditiously as possible: Warehousemen. Freight Handlers, Tug and Light Truck Operators, Stationary Boiler Firemen, Patrolmen,
and Typists.
Persons not now employed in
essefitial industry at their highest skill are asked to apply at Yhe
office of the U. S. Civil
rhe Purple Heart.
Lt. Barfoot-had never been out of Mississippi before entering the army in which he was in service in Africa, Sicily, and Italy. Asked by the Negro-baiter. Senator Theo-
feaver. is o Activiund. In
[ At the present, the Coordinator fo ties of the Rosenuiald
. this position, he fVjlpfng exten-; K ive
f-wwvvwicziwn *94 ,8ive ref, carch work to provide eriu- tion (ommi. sion, Room 5_4 <.£,^0,^1 material and techniques
for use by various interracial com- j | mittees seeking to build racial amity. The speaker will bring a new approach to the overall proh- 1
!Jems of human relations.
Music for the occasion will be ! supplied by the ‘Melody Makers.' 1 a mixed ‘group of reputable singj ers. Miss Carsoll Johnson will also
appeal as guest soloist.
building. Indianapolis, Ind. RADIO CLERIC TO
WED RICH WIDOW
is neither a social gro clerical assistance tp make the dore Bilbo- if he had much trouble an idiologist but educational campaign effective. with Negro soldiers over there.
The final point in his program ! the young officer rocked Bilbo on would commit the party to work I his heels with the answer: for a reduction in the number of Mr. Senator, i found out after members of congress from the!! did some fighting in this war south “where the ballot is not fair- that the colored boys fight just ly used.” This condition, he as- as good as white hoys. I have sorted, is not “in consonance with changed my ideas a lot about colthe federal constitution.” Howard nred people since I got into this believes that the success of the war, and so have a lot of other attempt would almost certainly boys from the South. We’ve found the Republicans representa-yfhe colored hoys all right.” from South Carolina. Missis- | The Lieutenant said coming up • to Washington on the train he (Continued on Page 2—1st Sec) found the diner lu' and was told
nor
is a profound thinker who deals with the practical aspects of living. Though his subject implies interest in the ‘living of Negroes,' he is an American first and is concerned about the ‘living’ of all
Americans
Senator Bilbo tnen launched into a long talk about how r much he liked Negroes, what a great friend of them he was and how he proposed sending American Negroes back to Africa. Congressman John Rankin, who insists Congressman Powell shall never sit in the house, was not present to hear Lt. Barfoot.
Negro WACs have been retained j Let us on . this occ ^ si ®“ llete ' ’ for service in the territorial Unit- ; ™ ne *<> continue as brothers lined States only, and in camps and i ^ er C'O'd- th© .* a ^P r , . OD „ ) .P0 in headquarters in various cities ©quality and triends ip The fact that a difference had l^ 1 VeoT>\e. You may be assured been made in the assignments 0 f I that as t ^ ie ^°' ern01 ,°. f Y P r v Negro and white WACs to acth-! m y efforts against discrimination duty caused a furore on the home! a pd for full equality will co tmi.' front. Manv organizations took up ! Wltl1 undimmished vigor and I be the fight for full recognition of lieve we . ma ^ e conspicuous Negro w’omen as an integral part | P r °K rpss again in the year a ea
of our armed forces.
It was felt that pressure from the South played a large part in in the decision of the War Department to retain Negro WACs on the home front only, and the resultanj discussion and publicity given the matter had a lot to do with the falling off of enlistments of Negro women in the corps. At press time, the War Department had still refused to reveal the names of the WACs who have volunteered for special training
for overseas duty.
getic Builders club.
The 440 Club show, donated by Shelton is scheduled to begin at 9 p. m. Dancing will Continue until 1:30 a. m. Advance tickets,
among I $1.20, can be found at the usual
business places. Tickets at the door are $1.50. Call Riley 4600 for
reservations.
Dimes Provide Them With Care
DISABLED VETERANS BAR NEGRO, JAP VETS HERMISTON, Ore.. Jan. 17—A strong undercurrent of racial intolerance was disclosed here today when the Hermiston post of the Disabled American Veterans barred Negro and Japanese war veterans from membership. The post suggested that Japs and Negroes stay to themselves and form organizations of their own.
CHICAGO. Jan. 18. (ANP)—Mrs Jean Starr Jones, widow of the late McKissack McHenry Jones and the Rev. Clarence Cobbs, pastor of the First Church of Deliverance will he married sometime this summer, according to an announce ment last week during a party at Mrs. Marva Louis' home here.
Six Bills For FEPC Introduced In House WASHINGTON. Jan. 18. (ANP. —Up to last Saturday, the flow of hills introduced in the house of
Mrs. Jones, a former actress, is ! representatives providing for crea-
the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Williams of Columbus, O.. and is a native of that city. Her late husband was one of the three multimillionaire Jones brothers, often Identified as policy barons. McKissack, president of the Ben Franklin department store here, was
killed in an automobile
last year.
Rev. Cobbs, widely known for his radio church programs, has been pastor of the First Church of Deliverance for 15 years. Preneration for the wedding will begin when Rev. Cobbs returns from i West coast speaking tour, he said.
tion of a permanent FEPC totalled six. Following the action of Rep. Charles LaFoilette (R. Ind.) who Introduced his measure on Wednesday. opening day of the new session, three other Republicans and two Democrats have dropped similar measures “into the hop-
accident i per.” AJ1 the bills ar#» referred to
committee for preliminary consid-
eration.
The five other sponsors of permanent FEPC legislation are Reps. Dirkson (111), Clason (Mass.), and Baldwin (N. Y.). all Republicans: and Dawson (111.), and Mrs. Mary Norton (N. J.)," Democrats.
Joe Louis Pittman, James Smith and Paul Crossley, three little polio patients at the State Polio Clinic at Jackson, Mississippi, receive their noon-day meal. They were among the thousands of victims claimed by infantile paralysis in 1944. The Clinic is supported in its work by The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis and its local chapter with funds given to the March of Dimes* t "
Promises No Jim Crow Inauguration WASHINGTON. Jsin. 19. (AND — There will be no racial discrimination in connection with the actual inauguration of President Roosevelt tor his fourth term on Jan. 20. William H. Hastie, president of tbo local branch of the NAAOP. has been informed, but physical limitations and the already announced intention to curtail the opportunity to view it. Hastie bad inquired a month ago about the possibility of discrimination. His letter was sent -to the White House where arraffgeinents are lieing -handled, hut was later referred to Col. Edwin A. Halsey, secretary of the senate, who normally handles such arrangements. Col. Halsey’s reply to Hastie was verbal and carried the assurance at it relates to the White House ceremony, but did not carry to any other activities which may or may not be public in nature.
WOMAN'S STORY OF ROBBERY PROVED A FAKE
An angry woman's statement to two emergency police that <he had l*ecn kicked into the near-zero cold of early Sunday morning after he ing robbed ,by an unknown motorist who pretended the Good Samaritan. started a chain of events that ma\ lead to serious consequence* to her and one of the police officers. Ozzie King. 30, 20,37 Boulevard pi. .was disiuisscd in Municipal Court Room 3 by Judge pro tem Edwin McClure Monday morning when Mr*. Martha Ann Taylor. D-tO Bright st., failed to substantiate a charge that King had robbed bet of two .$50 federal allotment checks $27.50 in cash and three $25 war bonds. Emcrgegney Police officers Garland -Tones (525) and James Rogers reported that Mrs. Taylor ap-V prachcd them in front of the Anderson Foundation. 403 TV. Michi gan st.. shortly after midnight saying she had suffered a fall on the icy sidewalk in the 600 Block North Blaekfor* sts. which dazed her She said a motorist, unknown to her stopped and offered assistance, faking her home in his «nr. After r?dng a «hort dVtance. she said the man look herymrse containing the valuables forced her out and fled. However, sbe said.
LAUDS CLERICS FOR SUPPORT OF LABOR MOVE
EDWARD ‘CHIP' LEWIS DIES
Edward (Chip) James Lewis,ae- ■ five for more than half a century j in business, sporting and political circles, died at his home, 734 West North street, Sunday evening fol-
lowing a long illness.
Funeral services were held Wednesday at C. M. C.jWillis and Son
Imlianapolis inintslsrs and .-<1 ! “Ji‘^e^tl.Von^S
church of which Lewis was a member. officiating. Burial was hi Flor-
al Park cemetery.
Born in this city when both the colored and white populations were much smaller than at present, Lewis became a widely known figure during the 76 years of his life. He had reached that age on Jan-
uary 13 of this year.
For many years he was active in Democratic politifcs and served under the board of park commissions during the administration of
ing citizens were praised by A. Phillip Randolph, presidenl of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters for getting behind the move to organize this city's laundry
worker*.
In a meeting of the Citizens Labor committee ih tne YMCA last Tuesday afternoon, H. R. Mitten, business agent for the Laundry Workers International union had Randblob of the fine cooperation of the community leaders and the
willingness of the laundry workers | Jo8eph Belh From 1915 to 192 o he
(Continued on page 2, First see.'
to seize now the golden opuortuni ty to advance their own interests and that of colored people general-
ly.
' Randolph made a plea for support of the National Permanent FEPC committee which is seeking passage, of a bill in the present congress. A state branch of the committee has been set up here, he said, as in other states in the ef fort to mould public sentiment and raise funds. $100,000 would be needd to secure passage, he estimated. Members of the committee en dorsed the organization of the Indiana Permanent FEPC committee by Randolph. Included in the business session o fthe Citizens Labor committee was election of an executive committee and general officers. Those elected were: Rev. J. T. Highbaugb. president; Rev. I. A. Moore, vioe. preoidenf; Rev. Calhoun, and Rev. Toliver, secretaries.
\
The conumflttee is supporting a petition of the workers of the Wash-Rite laundry for an election under the NLR to be held next Wednesday, January 24.
operated the Red Onion Gate, one of the most pretentious places ever open to colored residents of the
city.
Lewis’ versatility and irrepressible energy easily embraced a live interest in baseball and horse racing, a most significant feature of his various activities was his contribution to the sport of boxing as manager and trainer of ‘ Jack Blackburn, the late trainer of world heavyweight, champion Joe Louis. Blackburn, a fighter of great ability and skill, was unbeaten at the time of his retirement from the ring. As operator of the Douglas Boxing club, X<ewis performed another invaluable service to the sport in that his organization was the only influence operating for many years to keep alive interest of Negroes in the boxing sport which has since given them Joe Louis with the indirect aid of Lewis. One-Round Bess succeeded Lewis as the local patron saint of boxing. Surviving are: a son. William (Ted) Lewis, proprietor of the Northwestern Fish Market: a , brother, Charles Lewis; a grand- ! son, Ralph Lewis, two nieces, one of whom is Mrs. Jewell Sams, and ; a sister-in-law. _ _