The Houston Informer (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 42, Ed. 1 Saturday, March 6, 1920 Page: 1 of 8
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HOUSTON'S LEADING
AND BEST EDITED
RACE NEWSPAPER
THE HOUSTON INFORMER
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YOL. 1 NO. 42.
HOUSTON, TEXAS, SATRUDAY, MARCH <i, 1920.
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C. F. RICHARDSON, Editor-Pi
——
AMERICA’S GREAT FINANCIAL
PUBLICATION DRAWS PARALLEL
ON NEGRO-M QUESTIONS
Leonard Wood For President
(Publicity Department)
(By Associated Negro Press.)
New York.—The Wall Street
Journal, the greatest and most
influential financial publication
in the country, draws the “dead-
ly parallel” in discussing the Ne-
gro and Irish questions. It says:
“With no intention of comparing
the supersensitive) Jrishman to the
Negro, but to draw an instructive in-
ternational parallel, it is necessary to
supplement the merely business com-
ment made in these columns on the
attempt to raise money for Irish
propaganda by means of receipts for
subscriptions improperly and decep-
tively called ‘bonds.’ That our im-
mense present strength in the world
protects us from British resentment
of what is nevertheless an offense
against international good feeling
goes without question.
"But let us imagine a close parallel.
Let us suppose the Negroes of the
former slave states, intelligently and
unscrupulously led, resented the fail-
ure to enforce the 14th and 15th
amendments to the constitution. Let
us suppose that they formed a party
for agitation, at home and abroad. Let
us further assume that they kept the
loyal white minority in constant costly
uncertainty and alarm. Let us sup-
pose that they called this party of
agitation a ‘republic’ and sent repre-
sentatives to stir up feeling in England
against the American government.
“Substituting, purely for supposition
of course, ‘Negro’ for ‘Nationalist,’
substantially in the same position as
DeValera and his following now oc-
cupy in the United States. There
would be exactly the same appeal to
sympathy, because to offset the Irish
in America, there are colored races
presumably in sympathy with our
Negroes, greatly outnumbering them
even as our Irish are said to outnum-
ber the present inhabitants of Ire-
land.
“Exactly as the Irish agitator here
pleads that the Ulsterman, a convinced
supporter of British rule, should be
ignored because of a voting minority,
so the Negro agitator in Britain might
demand that the white minority of the
population of the former Confederate
States should also be ignored in the
process of what he would undoubtedly
call, like Mr. DeValera, “self-determin-
ation.’
“It would be absurd also to tSIl the
Englishman that he was unable to un-
derstand a purely domestic problem,
like that our American Negro pre-
sents. Not only could he tell us, with
considerable truth that he had been
successfully governing colored races
before we were weaned. He would
only need to point to the all-pervad-
ing red on the map of the world to
prove his case.
“Under British law no such Negro
bond issue could even be offered to
the public. Under British good faith
such an issue would not be tolerated
even if it were legal. Fortunately we
are in no danger. But there is an old
parable about a mote and a beam
which we might more frequently ap-
these delegates in England would be j ply in our international relations.”
NEW FRATERNALPETER OGDEN’S
INSURANCE COMPANY
GRANTED A PERMIT
The Modern Americana, a fraternal
benefit society, organized under the
insurance laws of Texas in Houston
February 20, 1919, has received a per-
manent certificate and charter, under
date of February 24, 1920, from the
department of banking and insurance
at Austin.
The liberal terms of its policy and
other features connected therewith
place it in a high niche among the
fraternal insurance organizations do-
ing business in Texas. Their policy
combines the fraternal, old line and
industrial features in one policy. The
early maturity of its policies, adequate
rates and cash payment at the age of
70 years, together with cash equities,
surrender values, etc., substantially
place it in the forefront of institutions
of its kind.
The leading offiicals are: F. L. Ar-
tis, supreme director, Gonzales; J. D.
Artis, supreme scribe, Houston; Wm.
Bennett, supreme vice director, Edna;
T. M. Fairchild, supreme treasurer,
Houston; J. H. Dorn, supreme mar-
shal, Houston; Dr. G. M. Wilkins, su-
preme medical examiner, Victoria; J.
Palmer, supreme chaplain, Houston;
H. C. Grant, supreme junior sentinel,
San Antonio; Miss Grace Grant, su-
preme recorder, Victoria; Mrs. F. A.
Artis, supreme directress, Gonzales;
Will Giles, supreme outer guard, Vic-
toria; Mrs. Z. Jackson, supreme vice
directress, Houston; R. A. Jackson,
supreme senior sentinel, Houston.
BISHOP COLLEGE.
Well, that’s not so bad after all.
Didn’t we beat Texarkana when they
came down here? What’s all this fuss
about, anyway. Oh, nothing much; we
P were just saying that it is all right If
|| We did lose to Texarkana High 9 to 10
|last week; we beat them, when they
Ewere down here, 10 to 5; and, too,
they say that we are the fastest basket
ball team that ever visited Texarkana.
{Signed) Pendleton, Oliver, Crawford,
Finney and Buchanan.
We are always glad to have such
men as Profs. Washington, president
of Guadalupe College, Bledsoe of Tyler
Rev. Griggs of Palestine visit us.
They^re tyaes of men who are mak-
| ing room on top lor the young men
r and women of today.
The Inter-Church World Movement
i Is the coming event that is causing
■ much concern for the next few weeks,
aln the movies were weli attended,
he play was “The Hoosier School-
aster” and was a good one.
NATAL DAY HONORED
BY LOCAL LODGES
Tuesday night will long be remem
bered by the Odd Fellows, Households
of Ruth and their friends, who cele-
brated the birthday anniversary of
Peter Ogden, founder of the order. An
excellent program, followed by a swell
spread, constituted the evening’s pro-
gram. The occasion was held at St.
James M. E. Church, corner W’iison
and Andrews streets, and the capacity
of the house was taxed.
The following program was exe-
cuted: Song, “America," audience;
prayer. It. P. Palmer; song, choir;
welcome address, Perry Mack; re-
sponse, Mrs. H. P. Harmon; ode,
members; oration, “Peter Ogden,"
Pastor W. D. Lewis; duet, Mrs. Ada
Dorswell and Miss Julia Hicks: violin
and piano duet, Master J. H. Harmon
and Miss Orella Reeves; song, choir.
Those in charge of the event wish
to express their gratitude to all who
aided in making the affair successful.
H. B. Washington, master of cere-
monies; W. M. Wyndon, chairman;
Miss E. E. Cobb, secretary; Mrs. F. H.
Hart, reporter.
Special to The Informer.
Chicago, 111.—Every member of the race who attended the big
annual convention of the Lincoln League of Amerida here Febru-
ary 12 is still talking about the fair-and-square speech made by
Major General Leonard Wood before the convention.
It was one of the frankest expressions of the vitetjjs of a great
public man on the problems confronting any section of the citi-
zenry of America that has ever been presented. Furthermore it
impressed every delegate with the absolute conviction that uen-
eral Wood, despite his candidacy for the republican presidential
nomination, was not making his talk merely for vote-getting pur-
poses, as has often been the case in the past, but absolutely from
a sincere desire to see justice done at all times foxtail the people
that he may be chosen to govern. *
“I believe in upholding the Constitution of the United States,” was his
first declaration. “And that means that all the laws should be obeyed
by all, and that ALL citizens should enjoy the privileges Bnder the con-
stitution.
“Law and order come first in my mind as essentials foy the stability
of the government and the happiness and contentedness of every citizen,
white, red, black or yellow. We must have neither ‘border nor breed nor
birth’ as far as our government in an honest, sincere fashion may be ef-
fected. The constitution guarantees freedom of life and property and
we must see to it that the constitution is our guiding force, in peace and
war, in all our actions toward our people.
“I am absolutely opposed, and always have been and always will do ev-
erything in my power to oppose the iniquitous lynch law. Ife is barbarous,
thing in my power to oppose the iniquitous lynch law. It is barbarous,
inhuman; it is a relic of savagry and should be so treated* It is against
the finest traditions of our great country. It violates thtf splendifj tra-
dition which gives everyone, regardless of any outstanding feature, the
right of trial by a jury of his peers, the right to protection under every
branch of our law until he is adjudged guilty.
“The colored soldier was one of the bravest fighters In the great war
that the conflict produced. He always has been so, in the affairs of
the United States. I want to call particular attention t*'the work of
the Tenth Cavalry, which once it was my pleasure to
any of my old soldiers in this audience?”
“One here!” came a cry from one corner
Wood saluted and was saluted in turn by
command. Are
r--
of the big hall, and General
the former warrior. Several
Editor Mitchell was one of the
delegates who attended the Lin-
coln League convention in Chica-
go, and had an opportunity to
compare Gov. Lowden and Leon-
ard Wood at first hand. He was
frank to admit that Lowden
side-stepped the important is-
sues, and General Wood spoke
out on them like a real Ameri-
can.
Chicago.—There has been
much rejoicing among the col-
ored people of Chicago and other
parts of Illinois, since Col. Wil-
liam Cooper Proctor, manager of
the Leonard Wood campaign for
president, has announced that
General Wood will enter the pri-
maries in a contest for delegates
to the national convention.
There are thousands of voters
of this section who have longed
for an opportunity to vote their
preference for Leonard Wood,
because they know where he
stands. The Illinois fight will be
watched by the entire country,
and will doubtless be a big sur-
prise to those who underestimate
Leonard Wood’s popularity.
PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANTS ARE
SENT SET OF QUESTIONNAIRES’,
OUR PAPERS TO PRINT REPLIES
*
■ M
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Houston, Texas.—There has
been considerable interest mani-
fested this week in the recent
editorial appearing in the Hous-
ton Informer, under the caption:
“Americanism the Dominant Is-
sue.” The editorial says in part:
“The recent national ses-
sion of the Lincoln League
of America, which met in Chi-
cago, was addressed by four
noted republican leaders; two
presidential aspirants, the na
other men sprang up and indicated that they, too, were in the brave
Tenth outfit and were recognized by their beloved former commander.
At the conclusion of his speech General Wood was forced to
submit to an impromptu reception in the street outside the hall,
so enthusiastic were all the delegates for him.
His reception was in marked contrast to that accorded Gover-
nor Lowden of Illinois, also a presidential aspirant, who has
close connections with the millionaire Pullmans who instituted
the Pullman car system and made millions from it.
Leonard Wood undoubtedly is the right candidate for the color- ______________r_______„_______
ed people of America, at least as far as one can gathtSpYrom the ‘'iional chairman and the; mayor
way the Lincoln delegates, from all over the country, received him. of the Windy City.
“Three of these distinguish-
ed citizens, General Leonard
Wood, Hon. Will H. Hays and
Mayor William Hale Thomp-
son did not mince words in
making Americanism the dom-
inant issue before the citizens
of this country at present.
They stand for law and order
and the rendering and main-
taining of America safe for
all its citizens.”
Among the rank and file of
the people the question is being
asked: “How can we support
St. Louis, Mo.—The effort of
Congressman L. C. Dyer to have
a resolution passed at the 12th
congressional district convention
endorsing Governor Lowden was
frustrated by the alertness of J.
E. Mitchell, editor of the St.
Louis Argus, one of the most
prominent newspapers in this
section. Editor Mitchell pro-
tested against the endorsement
on the ground that Gov. Lowden
had not “acted with the spirit of
the square deal during the East
St. Louis riot.”
Congressman Dyer endeavor-
ed to defend Lowden, but with-
drew his resolution after the
caustic comment of Mitchell,
who declared that Gov. Lowden
failed to act when first appealed
to, and “later must have gone on
a fishing expedition, for he could
not be found.” Mr. Mitchell was
backed by W. G. Matthews and
W. H. King.
1
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tes.
Ban
iks.
Red
eems Me
mnd
Bayou
HARMONY CLUB TO
APPEAR AT WESLEY
The Harmony Club, Mrs. G. L. Bird-
well, director, will stage a musicale,
March 30 at Wesley Chapel A. M. E. [
Church. The club will be assisted by |
Miss M. E. B. Isaac and her dramatic t
class. The public is assured, from the
character of the promoters, a program
worthy of their support. No admis-
sion fee will be charged, but all are
requested to bring an offering.
On the same night a contest among
several young ladies will be closed,
the successful contestant being award-
ed a trip to St. Louis, where the Gen-
eral Conference will meet.
MASONS PLAN TO BUY
FOURTH WARD PROPERTY
Heights Lodge No. 280, F. and A.
M„ which meets at Harmony Hall, on
Saulnier Street near Bailey, every sec-
ond Thursday night, laid plans at a
recent session to start a realty organi-
zation and purchase property in the
Fourth Ward. All Masons of the same
craft are invited to join them in this
laudable effort. Mr. Joe McDonald is
president of the association; Mrs. M.
J. Sigh, secretary; Mr. John Weath-
ersby, treasurer.
(Tampa. Fla., Bulletin.)
In these days of Industrial uncer-
tainty and chaos, it is indeed pleasing
and intensely encouraging to note
through press reports the masterly
come-back of the great Negro town
Mound Bayou.
Negroes everywhere will read this
news with unusual interest and racial
pride. Al! of this magnificent prog-
ress in bringing these things to pass,
especially with reference to the finan-
cial leadership of the man that Dr.
Booker T. Washington, said in his
book, was the exponent and embodi-
ment of real financial genius. We re-
fer to the Hon. Chas. S. BankB. Banks
has shown remarkable constructive
ability and foresight. Many shook
their heads in doubt, many turned
their backs to him, many went away
In utter discouragement, but he nev-
er for one moment faltered, but with
that faith that is to be found only in
the bosom of leaders Divinely sent,
and inspired, fought on to the goal
which meant the complete and per-
manent rehabilitation of this great
Negro center. It is very hard in-
deed for the public at large to realize
what a task rested upon this man.
The bank which for numbers of years
had been the backbone went down in
the depression of 1913-14, the large oil
mill, which was the pride of every
Negro, was seriously retarded and
every large business that required
large sums each year, was handicap-
ped beyond measure, In fact the whole
town went to pieces. Not only did
Banks bring new life, not only did he
put all of the above named institu-
tions back on their feet, but he put
them back stronger and more in keep-
ing with modern financial methods,
forever Insuring their future perma-
nency. In this momentous task he
has given himself unstintingly, as the
great Sage of Tuskegeee did, to make
a fit place for the intelligent and
worthy of our young racial group. It
is said by those who are in a position
to know that Banks actually used a
large part of his personal fortune In
putting new life and new hope, not
only in the town proper, but in many
numerous race enterprises, foreign to
this little berg, but having a large
racial bearing. This is not all; while
he was thus engaged In this rehabili-
tation, he took over and set up for
complete operation two of the largest
plantations owned anywhere in the
South by Negroes, thus giving to a
large number of Negro farmers a
chance that they did not have before.
During these trying times when
many other leaders have lost their
heads and gone upon the rocks of ex-
treme radicalism and petty complain-
ing, this great and unselfish soul has
translated his whole thought and
word into deeds that will live in the
hearts and minds of generations yet
unborn.
Those are the acts that attract the
attention, these are the types that se-
cure the telling support of thoughtful
America, be they black or white,
hence Banks is in great demand now,
and is called in by many whites and
Negroes to settle their numerous labor
troubles, and without running away to
the North to say it, he tells the white
planter in words not to be mistaken
of the right way in which the worthy
Negro should be dealt with, and that
past methods will never be tolerated
by the new Negro who is now upon
the scene. It seems to the writer that
we need more Negroes of this type,
who are unselfish, who, though they
walk with the mighty, yet remain in
the atmosphere of sweet humility.
This is so true of this man, for any
humble man or woman can see him
at any time during the day. None go
in but what come out of his office
with their burdens lifted and a broad-
er hope, a newer determination to live
and grow into what the Master would
have them be. In this beautiful and
constructive atmosphere, Charles
Banks breathes and works, not to be
ministered unto, but to minister each
day to those less fortunate than he.
In this he finds his great happiness.
In this he will find his greatest re-
ward.
Special to The Informer.
New York.—The National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People, 70 Fifth Avenue, New York, announces that a
questionnaire has been sent to every man prominently mentioned
as a presidential possibility, asking him to state his views on a
program for bettering race relations in the United States. The
replies are to be published in the Negro press throughout the
country.
The questionnaire is as follows:
If elected president:
1. Will you favor the enactment of laws making lynching a Federal of*
fense?
2. What is your attitude towards the disfranchisement of Americans of
Negro descent: (a) will you advocate that Congress enforce the 14th amend*
ment and 'reduce the representation of states which disfranchise their
citizens or (b) will you advocate the appointment of United States Commis-
sioners to enforce the 15th amendment?
3. Will you endeavor to bring about the abolition of “Jim Crow” cars in
Interstate traffic?
4. Will you withdraw armed or other interference with the Independence
of Haiti?
5. Will you urge national aid to elementary education, without diserlm-
ination against Negro children?
6. Will you pledge the apportionment of Negro soldiers and Negro of-
ficers in the armed forces o# the United States in proportion to their num-
ber in population?
7. Will you abolish racial segregation in the civil service of the United
States?”
The questionnaire was sent to the following men: Herbert
Hoover, Wm. G. McAdoo, Gov. Goodrich of Indiana, Nicholas Mur-
ray Butler, president of Columbia University; Attorney General
A. Mitchell Palmer, Senator Hitchcock, Governor Cox of Ohio, Sen-
ator Pomerene, James W. Gerard, Senator Underwood, General
Wood, Senator Warren G. Harding, Gov. Lowden of 111., Senator
Hiram W. Johnson, Senator Poindexter, Gov. Coolidge of Massa-
chusetts and General Pershing.
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anyone but Leonard Wood? He
has the courage of his convic-
tions, and this is not the time to
take chances.”
-O--
New Orleans, La.—Indications
point to the fact that Leonard
Wood will have the entire Lou-
isiana delegation in t^e national
convention. Waiter L% Cohen,
who has been a close and care-
ful observer of the political
trend of events, has returned
from Chicago, where he heard
Leonard Wood speak, filled with
enthusiasm for the great admin-
istrator.
Mr. A. Wash, who has just returned
from his run to Kansas City, Mo.,
came by and subscribed for The In-
former and stated that the people are
wild about the paper wherever it goes.
NEW MAGAZINE
FOR WINDY CITY
(By Associated Negro Press.)
Chicago.—Announcement is
made that within the next month
there will be issued an edition
the most unusual magazine ev
produced by our racial gr
The name of the magazine is
“Tomorrow” and it will have fea-
tures dealing with the racial con-
ditions of the present time such
as they have not been treated
anywhere else in the land.
Claude A. Barnett is director and
Nahum Daniel Braschear is edit-
or-in-chief. The magazine is en-
tirely independent of the Associ-
ated Negro Press.
■
m
■ ■
GENERAL WOOD CHAMPIONS
CAUSE OF COLORED AMERICANS
■/ii
BY EDGAR G. BROWN,
dianapolis, Ind., Mar. 1, 1920.
The immortal Lincoln was the
first great American to deal
justly with the black man. He
set us free, but the assassin’s
bullet pierced his brain before he
could give to us all the instru-
mentalities for our advancement
as full-fledged American citi-
zens.
In our generation the late Col-
onel Theodore Roosevelt opened
wide the door of equality to his
colored brother when he stood
for a square deal to all men re-
gardless of race or color. Booker
T. Washington dined with him
even though the whole country
put up a howl. But now he has
been taken from our midst.
God in His wise providence,
however, has not left us without
a champion. He has raised up
General Leonard Wood, the
greatest living American to lead
His people. You know we need
never be disheartened for we are
God’s children.
Leonard Wood publicly ad-
dressed us at the Lincoln League
saying: “Today the important
thing is law and order. There is
no group that stands for law and square deal.
order more than you colored peo-
ple. You should be protected
from mob violence. You should
have equal rights. There should
be no class legislation, we should
have a free and untrammeled
United States.” J: J
Not since the days of Lincoln
have such words been uttered by
a man seeking presidential hon-
ors. He tells us where he stands
and any candidate for president
who does not publicly state his
position on the race question
can not expect the colored vote.
General Wood will be the next
great republican leader if two
millions of colored voters have
anything to say about it. fA
second Teddy, folks! a second
Teddy 1” ^ <1, v
Any man or woman 21 years
old can organize a local Wood
Club by writing first to the Na-
tional Colored People’s Wood-
for- President Club, Indianapolis,
Indiana, for literature, buttons
and other free instructions. This
is an opportunity for colored men
and women to prove to General
Wood that they want a man for
president who will give every
American, black or white, a
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Richardson, Clifton F. The Houston Informer (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 42, Ed. 1 Saturday, March 6, 1920, newspaper, March 6, 1920; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth523729/m1/1/?q=%22~1~1~1~1%22~1&rotate=270: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; .