The Houston Informer (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 4, No. 39, Ed. 1 Saturday, February 17, 1923 Page: 1 of 8
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VOL. IV.
$9,000,000 FOR IS
THE HOUST
HOUSTON, TEXAS, SA
NIL FOR 14TH-15TH
HARDEWAY RAPS LOYE—
C. C. PLANS BIG THINGS
J
, \
L? &
ai
CONGRESS SPENDS GIGANTIC SUM
FOR PROHIBITION AMENDMENT;
SUFFRAGE PROVISIONS EXTINCT
(By the Associated Negro Press.)
• ^
Chicago, 111.—The constitution of the United States is or it is
not; an amendment to the constitution is an amendment or it is
not an amendment, and all parts of the constitution should be
equally and impartially enforced, whether it be 14th, 15th, or
18th amendments, argues the Chicago Tribune, daily.
President Harding, members of Congress, and the National Anti-
Salpon League are placed in an embarrassing and delicate position
by the warfare being conducted at present by the Tribune for the
enforcement or rejection of the constitution. The Tribune is not
notable for its absolute fairness to colored America, but the argu-
ment it puts forth on law enforcement is unanswerable, and has
created nationwide interest. The Daily News, of New York, own-
ed by the Tribune Company, is carrying on a similar campaign.
TRUTH, IN FUTURE AS IN PAST,
WILL FINALLY TRIUMPH OVER
WRONG, HARDEWAY DECLARES
PROF, lee thanks LOCAL COMMERCIAL aue HELD
Under the caption, “Nullification As
Is and Why,” The Tribune, along with
many previous editorials on the same
subject, sends forth the following
“Magna Charta” on the subject:
“The executive committee of the
Anti-Saloon league passed resolutions
condemning The Tribune editorial
which said that the fourteenth and
fifteenth amendments had been nulli-
fied and that some day the eighteenth
might be in states which did not want
it. The Tribune in reply asked the
members of the committee, by tele-
graph, whether they favored enforce-
ment of the fourteenth and fifteenth
amendments as well as of the eight-
eenth.
Three replies have been received:
from F. Scott McBride of Illinois, P.
Fosdick of Massachusetts, and W. P.
Cochran of Maryland. They said yes.
No replies at this writing have been
received from L. B. Musgrove of Ala-
bama, Prof. H. B. Carre of Tennessee,
the Rev. A. J. Barton of Louisiana,
Bishop James Cannon, Jr., of Virginia.
J. H. Milbum of Texas, James A.
White of Ohio, J. Stanley Roberts of
Minnesota, or H. W. Tope of Penn-
sylvania.
The southern members of the com-
mittee are unanimous in sUence thus
far. They have not said that they
favor the appropriation of as much
money by congress to enforce Negro
suffrage rights as to enforce prohibi-
tion.
Measures are taken for the enforce-
ment of the eighteenth amendment by
congress and nearly $9,000,000 a year
is appropriated for that purpose be-
cause both congress and the national
administration are in favor of enforce-
ment.
Measures are not taken for the en-
forcement of the fourteenth and fif-
teenth amendments because congress
and the administration are not in favor
of enforcing them.. The northern
states, a republican president, and a
republican congress are not in favor
of upholding the full rights of the
Negro in the south.
Prevailing Opinion
The prevailing opinion in the coun-
try, reflected in official attitude, is
that the southern states should man-
age their own affairs in this respect,
The constitution therefore is nulli-
fied by these states. Congress ap-
proves. It does not obey the fourteenth
amendment and reduce the repre-
sentation of states nullifying the
amendment. General consent is given
to the annulment of the constitution.
If there were a president with firm
convictions that this was wrong and
a congress determined that it should
not continue, action would be taken
and money would be appropriated for
enforcement. So long as there is a
congress and administration believing
in the enforcement of the eighteenth
amendment and not believing in the
enforcement of the fourteenth and
fiftheenth there will be attempts to
enforce the one and no attempts to
enforce the other.
Since the constitution is sacred and
imposes the highest moral obligation
upon citizenship this is a dubious
course to pursue, but there can be no
dispute as to the facts and the nation
does not feel that in compromising on
Negro suffrage it has been untrue to
itself. Yet you could not get the north-
ern states to consent to the repeal of
the fourteenth and fifteenth amend-
ments. The solution has been consent
to nullification.
It may or it may not be that some
day there will be a congress and a
president convinced that constitutional
prohibition Is wrong. If so, the eight-
eenth amendment will not be repeal-
el, but that congress and that admin-
istration will not enforce it and states
will do with it just as they do with
the fourteenth and fifteenth amend-
ments.
On this point the southern members
of the executive committee of the
Anti-Saloon League have not enlight-
ened us, and we do not see where it
will be any worse morally for Illinois
and New York to do under the eight-
eenth amendment what Alabama and
Louisiana do under the fourteenth and
fifteenth. In the one case we may have
fowl and in the other red herring,
but we don't see it.
IDEAL MANAGEMENT
THANKS THE INFORMER
FOR RECENT ARTICLE
Houston, Tex., Feb. 14, 1923.
Houston Informer,
City,
Gentlemen:
Please accept our sincere thanks and
appreciation for such a lengthy article
as appeared in the last week’s edition
of your splendid paper, in behalf of
the New Ideal Theater.
We appreciate the same highly, es-
pecially the emphasis that you put on
the fact that the New Ideal Theater
has always been and is still owned and
operated from stem to stem exclusive-
ly by members of the race. At present,
there are eight members on the offi-
cial Ideal Theater family roster, one
more having been added since your
last count.
For the benefit of all concerned, let
us say that we attribute our success
as much to the co-operation of our
efficient working staff and the wonder-
ful influence of our advertising In
your paper, as to our own personal ef-
forts and designs.
We are still trying to make the Ideal
i one of the twit places of amusement
in the state for our race by installing
the latest and best equipment and
showing only the best pictures that,
money and experience can obtain.
Thanking you for all past courtesies
jjpd influence, we are,
Yours for Continued Co-operation,
NEW IDEAL THEATER,
Elmo Martin, Prop.-Mgr.
Y. W. C. A. NOTES.
The annual meeting at the centre
Sunday afternoon, at 3 o’clock is a
very important event. Reports of all
departments will be heard, and the re-
sult of the election of the heads of the
various committees will be announced.
Mrs. H. Masterson, (white) will speak
on “World Fellowship,” and Mrs. F.
M. Burkhead, (white) on “Inter-racial
Relations.” Everybody is invited and
urged to come. The committee of
management will meet Tuesday after-
noon at 4 o’clock at the "Y” resi-
dence.
Mrs. Anderson will present her pu-
pils in an aesthetic program at the
Y. W. C. A. Centre, February 22, 8
p. m. This promises to be a most
charming affair and will prove very
interesting to all who witness it.—Mrs.
T. M. Fairchild, Chairman of Publicity.
In an article published last Saturday
in a local race paper, the statement
was made that Sam Jones said, "If
you throw a hrick in a bunch of dogs,
the dog that hollers Is hit.”
Mark you, we did not name nor per-
sonate the one who wfote the article
referred to above, but judging by the
noise he made, he must have been
knocked down. Hollering loud and long
enough to write a double column space
almost the-length of the front page, is
breaking the record, don’t you think?
There is a. vast difference between
an intelligent debate or discussion and
simply making noise or trying to
evade the question.
For instance, we stated some plain
facts in our signed article last week.
Among them were: We did not rent
the Community Center, 714^ Prairie
avenue, to gamblers, knowingly, at any
time and that we 'had no personal
knowledge of the law being violated
in the hall, as had been insinuated by
a certain editor, and that all of the
tenants promised to conduct their busi-
ness in.an orderly and lawful manner.
The above facts have not been refutet).
We have been the lessee of the said
center for more than two years, and
have paid from $80.00 up to $150.00 per
month rent, during that time, exclusive,
of other expenses. And yet, some
folks seem to think It was a crime for
us to rent the hall to others at $200.00
per month for a few months. We do
not understand why some people be-
come so very greatly excited just by
thinking of a little money, unless per-
haps, they are not used to handling
much of it.
The owners of the building leased
the third floor to us, from time to
time, on our personal responsibility,
and did not require us to give a bond
or any othe rkind of security for the
payment of the rent. We have receipts
showing the rent is paid in full up to
Feb. 1, 1923, when we gave up the
lease. What has been said to the con-
trary regarding the non-payment of
rent by us, is absolutely untrue.
We sub-rented the hall to Miss Dag-
mar Lee all of 1921 and part of 1922.
So you can clearly see and understand,
that we did not especially hunt pro-
fessional gamblers for tenants, as has
been alleged by the modern Brutus.
Regarding the colored Y. M. C. A.:
Ask the pastors and members of the
different churches and the officers and
members of the various secret orders
what would they do, if some outsider,
non-member, should have the audacity,
nerve and gall to attempt to dictate
to them, who should and who should
not be elected a* officers of their or-
ganizations? We think they would tell
such a person, in plain words, to shut
up and mind his own business, unless
they had good reason to believe him to
be light in the upper story, and in that
event, we think they should pity him
and consider what he might say as
being out of order and not worthy of
their notice.
■Behold the man, "the chief of sin-
ners,” the would-be advocator of good
morals and righteous living, whose
real life falsifies his words, who is
not only a non-member and outsider,
but is not eligible to become a member
of the Y. M. C. A. He must have a
double portion of audacity, nerve and
gall to attempt to dictate who should
and who should pot be elected as offi-
cers of the “Y”. What should be done
with him? We leave it to public opin-
ion to make the application above, or
any part of it that may seem right and
just.
1 have been unjustly attacked, “stab-
bed in the back,” without cause, by a
character assassin. If he thinks he
can successfully) attack my character
and busine|^.r4|rt(tai;i()n,_ i, challenge
him to do his * st, and I shall con-
tinue to defend m/self in any manner
which I may decgn proper.
When truth gets a hearing its op-
posers will receive their just dues.
J. J. HARDEWAY.
HOUSTON PEOPLE
FOR DONATIONS
The Informer is in receipt of a let-
ter from Dr. J. R. E. Lee, extension
secretary of the National Urban Lea-
gue of New York City, in which he
thanks the colored citizens of Houston
and Galveston for the splendid finan-
cial and moral support they gave him
during his recent visit to his mother
state.
This distinguished educator and wel-
fare worker states that the executive
secretary. Mr. Eugene Kinckle Jones
and entire board are very much grati-
fied by the interest shown by the citi-
zens of Houston, as evidenced by their
contributions.
Dr. Lee also expresses deep interest
in the Houston Colored Commercial
Club, of which he was made an hon-
orary member, and states that he is
expecting “very substantial results
from this very splendid organization.
1 hope the men will live up to their
obligations that the organization im-
poses upon Its members.”
The tut&l^ amount of contributions
received from Houstonians amounted
to $1062.66, the council of the Ancient
Order of Bllgrims heading the list with
$200; American Mutual Benefit Ass'n
$50; J. M. Frierson, Jas. D. Ryan, J.
B./Jrigsby, $50 each; American Wood-
men, $77.25; R. T. Andrews, $25;
POPULAR WIDOWS’ CONTEST
AT MT. VERNON M. E. CHURCH
ON MONDAY NIGHT, FEB. 19
Three dashing and petite widows
have entered the Popular Widows’
Contest, which will be given under the
auspices of the Ladies’ Aid Societies
of Pilgrim Congregational and Mt. Ver-
non M. E. churches at Mt. Vernon,
church, corner Clark and Burnett Sts.,
fifth ward, Monday night, Feb. 19. The
most popular widow will be awarded
a valuable prize. Contestants: Mmes.
Trula Williams, Viola London and Ar-
die Clay. A high-class musicaie will
precede the contest. Public invited. Ad-
mission only 10c. Mmes. C. A. Scott
and L. P. Dalton, managers. Don't miss
It!
Prof. C. H. Waller, Prairie View,
head of the colored extension work
in Texas, was a pleasant caller Tues-
day and left us a nice Valentine gift.
Thanks, “professah!” Call again.
TRADE WITH INFORMER ADVER-
TISERS—They appreciate and solicit
your business through race medium.
GRAND MASTER BLEDSOE DUE AT
ST. JAMES M. E. CHURCH TONIGHT;
HOUSTON PUBLIC IS INVITED
According to Mr. Perry Mack, only colored member of the pres-
ent Harris County grand jury and active force in local U. B. F.
circles, Hon. W. F. Bledsoe of Marshall, grand master of this
order, will talk to the business, professional and other members of
the race at St. James M. E. Church, corner Andrews and Wilson
Streets, Friday (tonight), February 16. The program will begin
at 8 p. m.
This visit of Grand Master Bledsoe is not in the interest of the
order as much as in the interest and welfare of the colored citi-
zenry of Houston, and since Mr. Bledsoe has a special message and
perhaps proposition to put up to our people, it is hoped that the cei™TTromIIMre. s'
auditorium of the church will be packed on, this occasion.
An interesting program has been prepared, which will only
serve as an appetizer to the main event of the evening. Thus far
the grand master has not divulged the nature of his proposition,
but speculation is rife that he has something up his sleeve that
Houston can not afford to lose by default. \
Especially are the business and professional men and women of
the city invited to be present, as well as all members of the col-
ored group interested in racial progress, advancement and soli-
darity. Let's give the “chief” a rousing welcome and ovation.
while churf-hes, fraternities aqd indl- ev«nln« werejhe adoption of the cpn-
viduals Drought up the remainder. stltutlon anttHo-la^s and the report of
the advisory committee, wVcb made
recommendations for the year's pro-
gram in part.
The constitution was finally adopted,
Galveston colored citizens contribu-
ted $411.25, Dr. L. M. Wilkins head-
ing the list with $25. In all, Dr. Lee
realized $1473.91 for the league's ac-
tivities in these two cities, which is
concrete evidence that the colored
man is fastly learning the doctrine
of self-help, as this money will be
spent for social service work among
our people in the industrial centers
of the east and north, with tile con-
templated invasion of the southern
cities in the immediate future.
CALVERT CITIZEN,
RESPECTED BY ALL,
ANSWERS SUMMONS
Calvert, Tex.—Mr. Jno. W. Walton
died at his residence Monday morning,
January 29, 9:30 o’clock, after an ill-
ness of three months, and was buried
Wednesday, January 31,. Funeral ser-
vices conducted from St. Paul’s M. E.
Church as follows: Solo by Miss
Cathern Lucas; Scripture reading by
the pastor, J. W. Maye; invocation by
Rev. R. B. McDonald; biography by
Prof. A. W. Young, song by the choir;
resolution, behalf of church, Mrs. Ida
Dorsey; resolution, behalf of G. U. O.
O. F., Mr. F. T. Coleman; on behalf
of his citizenship, Mr. H. H. Poohle;
song by choir; telegrams, paper clip-
pings, letters on condolence read by
the pastor. Poem, composed by Mrs.
lone Walton Greer, subject, “A De-
parted Father,” was read by Mrs. O.
C. Edwards. Song by the choir; me-
morial sermon by Rev. L. H. Richard-
son of San Antonio, Tex., text, Job 3:
17, “There the wicked' cease from
troubling and there the weary be at
rest.” Subject, "My Soul’s Resting
Place.” Solo by Miss Jewel Thomp-
son; remarks by Rev. P. R. Humber,
Rev. M. L. Covington and Rev. R. B.
McDonald.
Telegrams were received from the
following: Andrew Foster and wife,
Chicago, 111.; L. W. Woods, Mr. and
Mrs. O. P. DeWalt, Houston; L. Hamp-
ton, Ft. Worth; Prof. T. H. Brawley,
Longview; Rev. J. W. Weakley, O. R.
Brasmon, Dallas; Mr. and Mrs. C. P.
Johnson and Mrs. 8. B. McGee, Mar-
shall; Mrs. W. A. Cook and Mrs. A.
Wallace, Marlin; Mrs. Maggie L,
Clark, Little Rock, Ark.
Beautiful floral offerings were re-
Streeter, Ft.
Worth; Mr. and Mrs. O. P. DeWalt,
Houston; Bethel Baptist Church and
others. Out of town friends present
were Mr. and Mrs. James Robert
Greer and little son, Marshall; Mrs.
8. Streeter, Ft. Worth; Rev. L. H.
Richardson, San Antonio.
Decedent was a member of the U.
B. F., K. of P. and G. U. O. O. F. and
Standard Life Ins. Co.
o
Biography.
John W. Walton waa born In Milam
County, near Port Snllirsn, May 20,
GREAT MEETING MONDAY NIGHT;
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE LAUNCHED
Meetings may come and meetings may go, but it will be a long
time before the business, professional and potential business and
professional men of Houston will hold another such meeting as
was staged at the Colored Carnegie Library Monday night by the
Houston Colored Commercial Club. It was a meeting unlike any
ever staged here and was full of thrills from the moment Attorney
J. Vance Lewis sought to raise a question of legal jurisprudence
until Prexy Newman Dudley, Jr., announced the meeting adjourn-
ed until next Monday night, February 19, at the same place, be-
ginning at 8 o’clock.
Not that there was any bickering ; the matter was deferred for later ac-
or strife (for there was not even a j Hon during the evening’s meeting,
cross word uttered), but since politics i When it came up after the adoption of
offers practically no field for a dem-' t^/,°n8tltUt'(!"\ the °PPonents engin-
” , jeered some filibustering tactics that
onstration of our smart knowledge and would have done credit to the south-
parliamentary usages, points of order
and adding substitutes upon substitutes
and amendments upon amendments,
the brothers simply took advantage of
the situation to release some of the
surplus gas that had naturally accumu-
lated through the years, it was indeed
a rousing meeting, and when the hour
of adjournment came, many left re-
luctantly.
The two major propositions of the
;et/>.' a
pwular
>y(Li for
with amendments, and Is really the
best work of its kind ever presented
to a colored organization in the city’s
history.
The main opposition developed to
the recommendation of the advisory
committee concerning a budget
possible $2000, to be raised by
subscription and to be employ
“securing, equipping and maintaining
club headquarters in the downtown
district.” There was and is nothing
obligatory about the payment of the
sustaining fee, the matter being left
purely optional with the individual
member.
After much discussion, during which
time some of the big "Bertha Krupps”
fired (among which were Prof. Jas. D.
Ryan, O. P. DeWalt, J. B. Grigsby, H.
L. Mims, Dr. F. F. Stone, Dr. C. A.
Jackson, W. L. Davis, L. H. Spivey,
J. Vance Lewis, Homer E. McCoy, Rod-
ney D. Hardeway, Dr. W. J. Howard,
H. P. Carter, Prof. W. J. Smith, J. M.
Frierson, Emmett P. Harrison et al)
ern solons in congress opposing the
Dyer anti-lynching bill, but the report
of the advisory committee was finally
victorious by a vcjte of 21 to 20, several
not voting and several having depart-
ed before final consideration of the
report.
The passage of the advisory commit-
tee’s report launches an intensive
membership drive among the business
and professional men of the race and
others engaged in honorable vocations^.
The opposing leaders or directors are'
H. P. Carters of the “Reds” and C.
F. Richardson of the “Blues.” This
campaign and other unfinished busi-
ness of the Houston Colored Commer-
cial Club will be taken up at the meet-
ing next Monday night, Feb. 19.
Despite differences of opinion (and
they are needed to attain the desired
results, prospects are bright for a suc-
cessful career for this much-needed or-
ganization among our people here and
unless you want to be considered a
back number, better meet us at the
Carnegie library next Monday night.
The sweet aroma of imparted Hava-
nas transformed the atmosphere of
the library and many of the men felt
like Peter did on the mount of trans-
figuration, "It is good for us to be
here.”
The constitutional Committee waa
composed of J. W. Hubert, chairman,
who was III and unable to be pres-
ent; R. L. Isaacs, T. L. Barror, H. L.
Mims, H. Kempner, J. E. Armstead.
Advisory committee: O. P. DeWalt.
J. B. Grigsby, H. L. Mims, J. W. Hu-
bert, W. J. Smith, W. L. Davis, C. F.
Hlchardson, chairman; N. Dudley, Jr.,
chairman ex-offlcio.
1869. At an early age he moved with
his parents to Aberdeen, Mis*., where
they remained several years, after
which they moved to Calvert, Texas,
where he remained until his death.
He was joined in matrimony to Miss
Ellen Dials, August 26, 1890, and three
children were born to this union; one
boy and two girls. He professed a
hope In Christ and joined St. Paul M.
E. Church under the pastorate of Rev.
L. H. Richardson, Sept. 1899, and
lived a consistent Christian life until
his demise,. He served as class lead-
er, steward, trustee, trial of appeal,
Sunday school superintendent, and at
his death held the office of district
steward. He served well In any place
he was called on to fill. He departed
this life Monday morning, January 29,
at the age of 53 years, eight months
and nine days. A wife, three chil-
dren, George A. and Miss,Marguerite
Walton and Mrs. lone Greer, and a
brother, Robert B. Walton, survive
him. ’
-o-
“A DEPARTED FATHER.”
(Composed by Mrs. lone Walton
Greer, Daughter.)
My fondest hopes, my most cherished
dreams
Are but as naught,
When on my dead father’s form I gaze.
No more to rest in those fond arms.
No more to press in sweet caress.
The lips of that proud face.
No more to listen with attentive ear
To the slow, but light unfaltering steps
Of him, whose word, whose every wish
was his command.
No more when in illness rio listen
To those tender words of “how’s pa-
pa’s darling
This moraine,” or “how’s papa’a
baby?”
No more! No more! No more!
God! God! Thou unchanging Diety,
Give us strength, these burdens to
bear,
Give us grace, these sorrows to share.
Give us peace of mind to rest at ease.
Give us wisdom to know:
Thy will be done!
Foley's Bargain Basement
Has Some Real Offerings
For Thrifty Shoppers
The Bargain Basement department,
operated by Foley Brothers Dry Goods
Company, Is a new departure in mer-
cantile circles and is proving a very
popular mecca for thrifty shoppers and
those in quest of honest-to-goodness
bargains.
In this basement store every article
is underpriced; the cash and carry
policy obtains, which insures cheaper
prices; and automatic reductions oc-
cur periodically—all these things work-
ing to the advantage of the buyer.
For the last two months this store
has been advertising this department
in The Informer, not because of the
management’s desire to sell our people
cheap” goods in the generally ac-
cepted use of that term; bat to ac-
quaint the colored patrons with the
genuine and dependable bargains of-
fered in their basement store and
thereby extending them an invitation
through a race publication to visit
and take advantage of the reall offer-
ings from time to time.
Read these ads that appear in The
Informer weekly and you will join the
large number of customers who have
made Foley Brothers’ Bargain Base-
ment the mecca tor those in Quest of
sure-enough bargains.
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Richardson, Clifton F. The Houston Informer (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 4, No. 39, Ed. 1 Saturday, February 17, 1923, newspaper, February 17, 1923; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth523721/m1/1/?q=%22%22~1: accessed June 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; .