The Houston Informer (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 5, No. 31, Ed. 1 Saturday, December 22, 1923 Page: 1 of 16
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THE HOUSTON INFORMER
VOL. V—NO. 31
HOUSTON, TEXAS, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22. 1923.
COLORED POUTICAL'LEADERS ELATED
WITH REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE’S ACTION;
ALL SECTIONS ATTEND RECENT PARLEY §
(By the Associated Negro Press.) ^
Washington, D. C.—The republican party of the nation, ex- g1
pressing itsatf through the republican national committee as-
sembled here, has gone on record favoring a basic principle of 0
justice in representation at the republican national convention to
be held in Cleveland, Ohio, next June. ©T
The republicans acted only after long and serious consideration ®
in reversing completely a resolution adopted two years ago at a ^
session of the committee in Washington presided over by Will H. W
Hays, then national chairman. The committee acted then over
the protests of colored America; it acted this time “because it is
right and just,” to use the words of National Committeeman Heal-
ing of Indiana; but as a matter of fact, “because it is a serious
question in the voting states of the North,” to quote National Com-
mitteeman Hynica of Ohio. Results in elections since 1921, and
in the light of practical experience according to Senator Pepper
of Pennsylvania, prove that a mistake was made.
is another law of equity, just as an-
TWO SECTIONS—16 PAGES
53
The victory of the restoration of rep-
resentation came as a big surprise to
many people, even those who favored
it. A representative of the Associated
Negro Press discussed the subject with
responsible and friendly republican
leaders a week before the meeting
and they were all practically- unani-
mous in saying: “It is too bad the
committee acted as they did in 1921,
but it is too late to do anything now.”
Undercurrent at Work.
But there was an undercurrent at
work. The force of this undercurrent
was not known until the first afternoon
of the national committee meeting. A
host of representative colored men and
women, not only from the South but
from the North, were assembled in
Washington to place their grievances
directly before the highest tribunal of
the party.
The matter was first taken before
the subcommittee, of which Senator
Howell of Nebraska was chairman.
Senator Howell has been by his own
admission more than twenty years
fighting to reduce Southern represen-
tation from the South. Mr. Howell is
a United States senator from Nebraska
and the national committeeman from
that state. He was a progressive in
1912 and has been one of the seven
senators opposing the organization of
the senate this year.
The Historical Session.
The session was held in the ballroom
on the tenth floor of the New Willard
hotel. Hon. John T. Adams, chairman
of the republican national committee
presided. On all sides there was the
highest praise of the fine, judicial, pa-
tient and fair manner in which Mr.
Adams directed the session. The com-
mittee had voted to devote forty-five
minutes to the consideration, but al-
most two hours were consumed.
The first address was made by At-
torney Perry W. Howard, who urged
that the committee consider the sub-
ject in the light of human as well as
party fairness. Then followed Roscoe
Conkllng Simmons, who, by the gift
of his eloquence and knowledge of
facts, spoke for more than thirty min-
utes on the subject, actually holding
the committee and the big audience
of visitors spellbound. Simmons’ ad-
dress was a masterful appeal to rea-
son, both practical and sentimental,
ift declared: “Instead of driving the
colored people from the party, the par-
ty should run after us, for,” declared
Sipamons, “some day when civilized
Europe awakes to action if you do not
run after us, you will run with us.”
Following Simmons, National Com-
mitteeman Remmel of Arkansas, a
bank president and man of large influ-
ence, spoke on the subject of reduc-
tion. Mr. Remmel called “a spade a
spade” and said that the subject should
be looked at in honest and just fashion.
He declared that the colored people of
today are not the people of yesterday;
that from one end of the country to
the other they read more than 150
newspapers, and are as well informed
as anyone. He stated that in Illinois,
Indiana, Ohio, Maryland, New York,
New Jersey, Delaware, Michigan, Mis-
souri and other states election results
have proved that colored people are
now protesting with the ballot, and
the democrats of the North are flirt-
ing with them.
Th^ first, and practically the only,
opposition to the consideration of the
subject came from Senator Howell,
who arose to state the caw as he saw
it, basing his entire TJt>pomion, osten-
sibly, on the “unjuat representation
from states that cast so few votes.”
Mr. Howell declared that it was all
in accordance with an ancient law of
equity that justice must be given. To
this Mr. Remmell remarked that the
place for the senator to begin his re-
duction is in the senate of the United
States, of which he is a member.,
Henry Lincoln Johnson spoke on
the legal right of the national commit-
tee to- open the case at the session.
Mr. Johnson acquitted himself most
ably on the technical points, and paid
his respects to Senator Howell on the
subject of equity by saying: “Th^re
cient as the one to which the senator
from Nebraska refers, and that is, ‘He
who comes at the bar of equity, must
come with clean hands.’ ”
Vote Following Day.
The vote took place on the second’
day of the session following an ex-
tended serious, and at times acrimon-
ious, debate by members of the nation-
al committee. A motion was offered
by National Committeeman Hilles of
New York to reconsider the action of
1921. This passed, a resolution was
presented by Senator Pepper of Penn-
sylvania restoring the representation
of 1920, and giving an additional three
votes to all the statJl that gave their
electoral votes to President Harding.
In leading the fight for his resolu-
tion, Senator Pepper proved himself a
statesman and a master mind of wid-
est influence. Senator Howell and
Senator Boursom of New Mexico plied
him with questions which Senator Pep-
per answered with such charming pre-
cision and dignity that the opponents
looked every bit like the proverbial
“thirty cents.” When Chairman Adams
finally called for the vote, following
an effort of Senator Boursom, which
was not seconded, to send the resolu-
tion to committee, the yeas were over-
whelming, and Mr. Adams amidst deaf-
ening applause of members of the com-
mittee and the visitors present, de-
clared the resolution passed.
Later Senator Howell issued a state-
ment declaring that it was a backward
step, would be taken before the na-
tional convention, and may be the
means of splitting the party in 1924.
Practical political leaders, however,
regard it as the wisest move that
could have been made, a deliberate
admission of the political importance
of it North as well as South, and a
desire of the party leaders to steer
close to the moorings of human justice.
Race Leaders Present.
The following are among those pres-
ent at the various sessions, and using
their influence to bring favorable ac-
tion: B. J. Davis, Atlanta, Ga.; Oliver
Randolph, Newark; Walter L. Cohen,
New Orleans; Arthur G. Froe, Welch,
W. Va.; W. T. Andrews, Baltimore;
Roscoe Simmons, Phil A. Jones,
Nahum D. Brascher, Chicago; Charles
Robinson, Shreveport, La.; Rev. A. J.
Brown, Vicksburg, Miss.; Thos. I.
Keys, Ocean Springs, Miss.; Edward
W. Barnes, Canton, Miss.; W. C. Mat-
thews, Boston; L. L. Lindsay, Lincoln,
Neb.; Dr. W. H. Harris, Athens, Ga.;
E. P. Booze, Mound Bayou, Miss.; E.
L. Patton, Jackson, Miss.; Dr. S. D.
Redmond, Jackson, Miss.; Dr. George
E. Cannon, Jersey City; J. R. Pollard,
Richmond, Va.; Mrs. M. Church Ter-
rell, Mrs. Robert Pelham, Mrs. Monen
L. Gray, Mrs. Ida Plummer, Liston,
Ind.; Mrs. L. A, Pinkney, Mrs. Julia
Mae Hamilton, Mrs. M. M. Cook, Mary-
land.
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(Jtatitritjr
(By FATHER W. P. STANLEY, Vicar of St Clem-
enta P. E. Church.)
And there were shepherds in the same coun-
try abiding in the field, and keeping watch by
night over their flock. And an angel of the Lord
stood by them and the glory of the Lord shone
round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid, for
behold, I bring you good tidings of great Joy which
shall be te all the people: for there is born to you
this day in the city of David a Savior, which is
Christ the Lord. And this is the sign unto you:
Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,
and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was
with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the
highest, and on earth peace among men, In whom
He is well pleased.
It is in the above words “more exquisite
than any idyll to Christian Ears,” that St.
Luke writes of the nativity of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.
Notwithstanding the centuries which have
intervened between the first writing, the
dramatic sense of St. Luke is still thrilling
and the account ever increasingly soul-throb-
bing!
But infinitely more happy is that individu-
al who, while feeling the dramatic appeal,
patterns his life after the life which the
Christ-child came to bring.
Men are still deceiving each other, though
calling it business expediency.
Society is yet safe for the caste system,
based upon color, though calling it a social
necessity; society is still unsafe for the genu-
ine practice of universal brotherhood of man,
though perfunctorily preached from pulpit
and broadcasted by radio and press.
There can not be, there never will be, peace
on earth until God is pleased with men.
To some, Christmas is a feast of Bacchus;
to others, a festivity of Epicurus; to a few,
it is a festival of huqfiility and spiritual re-
freshment.
Christmas is not primarily an opportun-
ity to exchange gifts, with the usual culmina-
tion of subsequent financial embarrassment;
but a season of yielding our hearts, minds,
souls and strength to Him, who came that
our thraldom from sin might cease and a
new, abundant life in spiritual freedom might
begin.
To those who have this conception of
Christmas, comes not mental fatigue, nor
physical degradation, but that peace which
the world can not-give and can not take
away.
“Glory to God in the highest and on earth
peace among men, in whom God is wel pleas-
ed!”
SERVICE COMPANY BUYS CONTROLLING
8 INTEREST IN THE MISSISSIPPI LIFE
INSURANCE CO. PAYING $120,000
Special to The Informer.
Memphis, Tenn.—The Service Company of Atlanta, Ga., acquir-1
ed the controlling interest in the Mississippi Life Insurance Com-
pany on December 10th.
Details of the transaction have not been obtained in time forj
publication. It is learned, however, that the largest amount of
cash ever paid in one sum, in a business transaction between col-'
ored men, was paid to W. C. Howard, Mrs. M. M. Cox and M. B. j
Burnett, which amount aggregated the total sum of $120,000.00.
Heman E. Perry, president of the Service Company, with his as-
sociates, J. A. Robinson and VV. H. King, were in Memphis repre-i
senting the Service Company in closing the deal. The transaction
was handled through the law firm of Metcalf & Metcalf.
The Mississippi Life Insurance Company is one of the largest
insurance organizations operated by colored people, with a total
insurance in force around twenty million and assets over a half
million dollars, giving employment to over six hundred (600)
young men and women of the race.
The Service Company is an organization owning and controlling
fourteen (11) of the largest Negro enterprises in the country, hav-
ing combined resources of over eight million dollars. Its princi-
pal office is in Atlanta, Ga. Among the organizations is the Serv-
ice Realty Company, which is building now a large number of!
homes for colored people. The Atlanta white press has recently I
given much publicity to this phtise of their activities. It was learn-
ed that their intention is to make Memphis one of the important
centers of their operations.
MIXED BOUTS ARE
BANNED BY COMISH
IN PENNSYLVANIA
(By tile Associated Negro Press.)
Philadelphia, Pa.—The aftermath of
the great Lincoln-Howard football
game has brought considerable criti-
cism on the management by some of
the friends of the game that the whole
matter may lead to a scandal that will
be detrimental to the big annual event
that has become nationwide in inter-
est.
Among the chief criticisms are the
facts that the manager, Dr. W. G.
Alexander, for Lincoln, failed to have
tickets on sale in Philadelphia until
just a short time before the game.
"Such a huge affair can not be man-
aged from another city," said one Phil-
adelphian, a Lincolnite. There were
not enough policemen nor a sufficient
number of gates opened and ushers.
Evidently, from the official figures,
thousands of people got in free, while
many thousand who had tickets were
crushed through the gates without the
tickets being taken. There was not
a score board and the huge crowd was
actually puzzled on the final score.
To the Associated Negro Press Dr.
Emmett J. Scott said: “There is one
thing that we should like to have dis-
tinctly understood—that the manage-
ment of the Howard game is under
officers of Howard University. But
we all regret that there Ls any neces-
sity for criticism and we assure the f
public that we will be on guard next
year.”
SEVERAL COLORED
PUBLISHERS SAW
‘TURKEY DAY’GAME
(By tlie Associated Negro Press.)
Chicago, III.—It is claimed that there
"’ere more Negro press representatives
at the recent Howard-Lincoln football
game than were ever before gathered
at an event staged by Negroes. Ac-
cording to figures compiled by J. A.
Jackson of the Billboard, there were
Lester Walton of the New York World,
N. D. Brascher, editor in chief of the
Associated Negro Press; Frank Youitbj
sporting editor of the Chicago Defend ’
er; Messrs. Abbott, Chestnut, Morgan'
and Pierce of the Chicago Defended
New York office; Robert Vann of the
Pittsburg Courier, accompanied by
Messrs. Lewis and Nunn, and Miss
Julia B. Jones of his staff,, all of whom
were members of the “Steel City Spe
cial,” brought to the game by th
Vann crew, which also brought along^
10,000 of the latest Couriers; J. Fin-
ley Wilson of the Washington Eagle;
the Washington Tribune staff, with a
special train; the Sentinel of the same
city, the ejitire staff of the Baltimore
Afro-American with a special train;
Seymour Jordan of the New York Tat-
tler, and seven carloads of fans; Fr
Moore and William Clark of the Ne
York Age; Fl^yd Snelson, aggressivi
publisher of Gotham's youngest paper'
the Observer, and many others, total-
ing in all some 76 special press repre
sentatives.
VOICE FROM ARKANSAS.
SPECIAL XMAS MUSIC
AT ANTIOCH SUNDAY;
CANTATA AT NIGHT
The choir of Antioch Baptist Church
will render special music Sunday, De-
cember 23. The morning program will
include a solo, “My Guiding Star,” by
Miss Ada Johnson,x and a quartette,
“Sing to the Lord a Glorious Song,”
by Mf. and Mrs. M. W. D. Sledge and
Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Mitchell.
At the night service, commencing at
7:30, several numbers will be giyen
by the orchestra and the choir will
render Petrie’s beautiful cantata, “The
Light Eternal.” The cantata consists
of 14 numbers—solos, duets, choruses,
etc. The following soloists will be
heard: Mrs. Birdie Whiteside, Mrs. Ida
B. Lewis, Miss Ada Johnson, Mrs. Car-
rie Lee Pope, Mr. E. D. Pierson, Jr.,
Mr. Edwin Gray, Mr. J. L. Mitchell,
Mr. M. W. D. Sledge.
A cordial invitation is extended to
the public to attend. Mrs. M. W. D.
Sledge, director; Mrs. M. B. Smith,
organist.
DR. CROSSLAND GOES
TO, VETS’ HOSPITAL
AT TUSKEGEE, ALA.
(By the Associated Negro Press.)
Washington, D. C.—Conditions at
the United States Veterans’ hospital at
Tuskegee Institute are not perfect yet,
by any means, according to direct in-
formation given here to the Associated
Negro Press from both official and
unofficial sources, but there is a se-
rious effort being made to work out
the program satisfactorily.
Director Hines informed the A. N.
P. that the government is watching
closely the state of affairs at the hos-
pital. There have been complaints
about the housing of the doctors, and
the salaries of the employes of the
hospital not being the same as that for
similar positions in other hospitals.
This matter is being investigated.
It can be stated on tBe highest au-
thority, on information gathered at the
White House, that the administration
favors giving the hospital a fair trial
at Tuskegee, and if it is finally found
that there can be no permanent and
satisfactory adjustment, then the hos-
pital will be moved.
Dr. J. R. A. Crossland, who has been
connected with the Veterans’ Bureau
in Washington, has now been perma-
nently located at the hospital in Tus-
kegee.
into the “olde home towne” during the
week. His many local friends are glad
to see him. He expects to spend the
holidays here. Mr. Lomax, who is
one of the owners of the Orgen bar-
ber shops, has other extensive realty
holdings here.
Editor Houston Informer.
---j Lewisville, Ark., Dec. 13.—This i;
Dr. T. M. Shadowens, wife and son,' J«»t to say I am receiving The Inform
T. M., Jr., will leave Sunday for Nash
ville, Tenn., to spend the holidays witli
Mrs. Shadowens’ relatives. The doctor
will visit Cleveland, Ohio, while away.
They plan to return to Houston after
the holidays.
er weekly and certainly enjoy reading
it. It always has plenty of worthy
while reading in it. I am hoping youj
subscription list of 1924 will be muc|
larger than 1923. Sincerely,
MRS. DAN LEWIS.
LUCIUS LOMAX HERE.
Lucius Lomax, former Houstonian,
now residing in Oakland, Calif., blew
MERRY, MERRY XMAS
THE
HOUSTON
INFORMER
TAKES
THIS
METlfOD
TO
EXTEND
THE
SEASON’S
GREETINGS
TO
ITS
%IANY
READERS,
ADVERTISERS
AND
FRIENDS
IS OUR WISH TO YOU!
STORM NO BARRIER TO CHICAGOANS BENT
ON HEARING HAYES’ WONDERFUL SINGINI
(By the Associated Negro Press.)
Chicago, 111.—Chicago was added to
Edward Moore, writing in the Chi-
cago Tribuhe, asserts: “He needs no
, ,, , , . t , apology from any point of view. Hi
the list of conquered cities, subdued )s a glnger am] an artlst He g|KI,
by the witchery of a great voice, when j splendid German and French, and Enf
Roland Hayes, foremost American ! 'bsb that can be understood anywhere
tenor, appeared \i/„u i in the hall.
nesday night.
in recital here Wed-1
Mr. Hayes made his
Glenn Dillard Gunn, music critic
„ , - „ , the Chicago Herald-Examiner, haste]
pearance at Orchestra Hall, one of the |fid from 0alil-Curci and the Chicago!
Opera Company to
largest and most finely-appointed au-
ditoriums in the city.
It was a credit to the Negro music
lovers of Chicago that they formed the
majority part of the audience of sev-
wha't he termed
"the real artistic venture of the eve-j
ning," noted the many loyal colore
patrons there, and concluded, “It
„ ______„_______ safe to say that when he sings agail
eral .thousand on a night when fording f*e’ 1)6 ^ear<* by a gathering mori
one's way through the streets of this: broad|y representative of the city-
1 musical public.
city might have been compared to
Mr. Gunn continues: “The voice na-
ture gave him he has improved by
study under the world’s best mastec
and by contact with the most critic
stumbling through a German forest in
a storm. Mr. Hayes was preceded to
Chicago by a steady volume of press
notices which the critics of the middle,
west have learned to cast off with a publics. His art is now in many
nonchlance that would break the heart; pects a thing of exquisite beauty. Un|
of an ordinary man. The best of the j John McCormick sings them again
music authorities in this city all take do not expect to hear finer interpreta-]
pride in the boast of Missouri—you’ve Rons of such examples of classic son^
got to show them. They capitulated as ‘Would You Gain the Tender Cre
under the charm and perfection of thejtur®?’ or Handel or Bach's ‘Bist dud
singing of Hayes. j bei mlr-'
FOOTBALL BISHOP VS. PAUL QOINN, WACO, XMAS, 2:30 P.M
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Richardson, Clifton F. The Houston Informer (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 5, No. 31, Ed. 1 Saturday, December 22, 1923, newspaper, December 22, 1923; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth523791/m1/1/: accessed June 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; .