Memphis World Memphis World Publishing Co. 1954-04-27 Mrs. Rosa Brown Bracy MEMPHIS WORLD AMERICAN'S STANDARD RACE JOURNAL The South's Oldest and Leading Colored Semi-Weekly Newspaper Published by MEMPHIS WORLD PUBLISHING CO. Every TUESDAY and FRIDAY at 164 BEALE—Phone 8-4030 Entered in the Post Office at Memphis, Tenn., as second-class mail under the Act of Congress, March 1, 1870 Member of SCOTT NEWSPAPER SYNDICATE W. A. Scott, II, Founder: C. A. Scott, General Manager Mrs. Rosa Brown Bracy Bracy Acting Editor The MEMPHIS WORLD is an independent newspaper—non-sectarian and non-partisan, printing news unbiased and supporting those things it believe to the interest to its readers and opposing those things against the interest of its readers. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Year $5.00 — 6 Months $3.00 — 3 Months $1.50 (In Advance) The Smell Of The Housing Racket If one looks at the housing scandal now unfoldina every day in all its smelly atmosphere, smeared in all sorts of graft and collusion from a party angle, it will be observed that it had its beginning under the Democrats. In this house, the loop-holes and the possibilities for its later existence were made possible. From the viewpoint as to how the innocent victims fared under what many of them thought was government directives with no appeal as to the high cost, will be disclosed in the authenticity of non-partisan investigators, now spreading out to the public. An instance is cited, for example, a builder would get a million dollar loan on an apartment house that would cost him only $800,000 to build. Then he would pocket the $200,000 as clear profit even before the ground was cleared. Furthermore to make his shakedown the more profitable, he would report this profit as a capital gain and pay a tax of only 25 per cent. On down the list to the smallest repair job such a shakedown was possible. This opened an inviting field and so prolific it was the modernization home racket became so widespread that organized groups of salesmen devoted their whole time to it. They traveled all over the country persuading the unsuspecting to sign contracts for the modernization of their homes, and since the government guaranteed the loans, the home owners thought they had to take the figure set by the salesman no matter how high. When one looks this in the face, it will be shown that the government itself has not actually lost the money on these deals and losses will occur only if the banks in making these loans are unable to collect them. It was not until late in 1950 that the Congress under Truman, stepped in to stop this juicy but legal means of rolling up profits for unscrupulous venders. Here is where the sordid dregs of the housing racket rests. The poor home owners are to suffer through the years with this added cost, in order to get somewhere to live and to own a home. During the last war, with lumber and building materials frozen, we ran into an acute housing shortage. On every hand people were literally piled up like sardines in a box in some of the worst slums imaginable. Many of them had means and desires to find better housing but this was impossible. When the building materials were unfrozen there came a wild scramble for homes regardless of price. All some people wanted to know was, what was the down payment. In that they were held up by all sorts of unmoral venders in their distress and desperate despair. In the case cited in the apartment, actually costing $800,000 to build, while the builder pocketed as capital gains $200,000, this had to be written off in high rents to the poor who must seek somewhere to live regardless of cost. We have thought all along that the high cost of housing was a penalty on the thrift of hard working people whose long desire has been to own a home. The government sought to ease conditions whereby they could come into the realization of their one desire. Along come those whose only motive was to chisel on this type of loyalty for their own personal profit. Through the years the victims must labor to redeem this high cost, which though egal might be far from being moral. Actually, the government loses no money and if any losses are incurred, it will occur only if the banks making the loans are unable to collect them. This is possible, but hardly probable—for there will always be found some distressed persons to step up and undertake to carry the burden. The Eisenhower administration is to be commended in its stepping up and taking the bull by the horns, and lashing from the flesh-pot of the poor those who would penalize thrift, exploit distress and levy a profit on poverty. Words of Wisdom Old-fashioned mosquito: "And to think when I was young I could only bite girls on the hands and face."—Spike. The merchant who doesn't advertise has nothing on the man in jail. He isn't doing anything either.—McDowell (Marion, N. C.) News. Ralph Bunche, director, Trusteeship Division, United Nations: "It is right to believe in one's self, but it is wrong ever to take one's self too seriously." OLD FASHIONED Old-fashioned mosquito: "And to think when I was young I could only bite girls on the hands and face."—Spike. The merchant who doesn't advertise has nothing on the man in jail. He isn't doing anything either.—McDowell (Marion, N. C.) News. Ralph Bunche, director, Trusteeship Division, United Nations: "It is right to believe in one's self, but it is wrong ever to take one's self too seriously." SIMILIAR Old-fashioned mosquito: "And to think when I was young I could only bite girls on the hands and face."—Spike. The merchant who doesn't advertise has nothing on the man in jail. He isn't doing anything either.—McDowell (Marion, N. C.) News. Ralph Bunche, director, Trusteeship Division, United Nations: "It is right to believe in one's self, but it is wrong ever to take one's self too seriously." Three GALA NIGHTS of FUN-FILLED Food Festivities At The Biggest PARTY Ever IN THE CITY of MEMPHIS APRIL 28th, BEGINNING AT 6:30 P.M., AND APRIL 29th AND 30th BEGINNING AT 7:00 P.M., AT THE BEALE AVENUE AUDITORIUM The Following Name-Brand Products Can Be Won At The Karnival: Grennan Cook Book Cakes Shurfine Canned Goods Godchaux Sugar Kellog Cereal Products Taystee Bread Evergood Bacon Pepsi-Cola Nix Deoderant Gran Hunko Shortening Evergood Frankfurters Curtiss Candies Suds Ezy *All products can be purchased at your WEONA STORE! FREE BEAUTY KITS FROM NIX COSMETIC COMPANY, Plough Inc., Lucky Heart Company, and J. Strickland Company for the first 100 women; and Free Pal Injector-Matic Razor Set from the American Safety Razor Company to the first 50 men. Gigantic Home Appliance Exhibit on the Stage Through the courtesy of JET HOME APPLIANCE COMPANY, 1036 Florida and THE CRENSHAW COMPANY, Inc. GAMES — MUSICS — PRIZES — FUN for the entire family! TEN CENT DONATION TICKETS MAY BE PURCHASED FROM MEMBERS OF THE VARIOUS CIVIC CLUBS AND AT 378 BEALE AVENUE! KITCHEN KARNIVAL PARTY APRIL 28th, BEGINNING AT 6:30 P.M., AND APRIL 29th AND 30th BEGINNING AT 7:00 P.M., AT THE BEALE AVENUE AUDITORIUM The Following Name-Brand Products Can Be Won At The Karnival: Grennan Cook Book Cakes Shurfine Canned Goods Godchaux Sugar Kellog Cereal Products Taystee Bread Evergood Bacon Pepsi-Cola Nix Deoderant Gran Hunko Shortening Evergood Frankfurters Curtiss Candies Suds Ezy *All products can be purchased at your WEONA STORE! FREE BEAUTY KITS FROM NIX COSMETIC COMPANY, Plough Inc., Lucky Heart Company, and J. Strickland Company for the first 100 women; and Free Pal Injector-Matic Razor Set from the American Safety Razor Company to the first 50 men. Gigantic Home Appliance Exhibit on the Stage Through the courtesy of JET HOME APPLIANCE COMPANY, 1036 Florida and THE CRENSHAW COMPANY, Inc. GAMES — MUSICS — PRIZES — FUN for the entire family! TEN CENT DONATION TICKETS MAY BE PURCHASED FROM MEMBERS OF THE VARIOUS CIVIC CLUBS AND AT 378 BEALE AVENUE! FREE FOOD BASKETS EVERY HOUR APRIL 28th, BEGINNING AT 6:30 P.M., AND APRIL 29th AND 30th BEGINNING AT 7:00 P.M., AT THE BEALE AVENUE AUDITORIUM The Following Name-Brand Products Can Be Won At The Karnival: Grennan Cook Book Cakes Shurfine Canned Goods Godchaux Sugar Kellog Cereal Products Taystee Bread Evergood Bacon Pepsi-Cola Nix Deoderant Gran Hunko Shortening Evergood Frankfurters Curtiss Candies Suds Ezy *All products can be purchased at your WEONA STORE! FREE BEAUTY KITS FROM NIX COSMETIC COMPANY, Plough Inc., Lucky Heart Company, and J. Strickland Company for the first 100 women; and Free Pal Injector-Matic Razor Set from the American Safety Razor Company to the first 50 men. Gigantic Home Appliance Exhibit on the Stage Through the courtesy of JET HOME APPLIANCE COMPANY, 1036 Florida and THE CRENSHAW COMPANY, Inc. GAMES — MUSICS — PRIZES — FUN for the entire family! TEN CENT DONATION TICKETS MAY BE PURCHASED FROM MEMBERS OF THE VARIOUS CIVIC CLUBS AND AT 378 BEALE AVENUE! REVIEWING THE NEWS BY WILLIAM GORDON Managing Editor, Atlanta Daily World Apathy and relaxed interest may account for some of the shortcomings inherent in human society. This being true, we certainly have acquired our share of the latter. The following may be an explanation: Recently, a young social worker, interested in the program of voter registraton, entered the establishment of a small businessman. "Have you been to the court house to register," he asked the man behind the counter. "Register for what,?" the man asked in rather unpleasant terms. "To vote in the coming primary election," the social worker replied. Apparently stunned by the quick reply, the man stood almost perfectly still for a few minutes trying to collect his wits while puffing nervously on a big cigar. He finally broke the silence by moving to the far end of the counter where he flicked the ashes from his cigar. With this, he moved slowly back to where the young social worker stood and leaned across the counter. "Whites have been running things all along, why should I waste my time running to the polls?" What he said rang with a familiar tone reflected in every community today. Coming from a Negro, this statement would be astonishing to any member of another minority group. Justification for the lack of group interest and group action, poses a question hard to answer in cases where we are concerned. This behavior often reflects itself in our whole pattern of life, social, political, economic and otherwise. Most people, getting their freedom, for the first time, would never lose the opportunity to take advantage of their voting rights. But what this man said is frequently said among our highest in professional, business and educational life. They just can't see the need of exercising a privilege that men and women have lived, died and suffered for. Some pose the question that perhaps our suffering and humiliation have not been sufficient to stimulate action. By contrast let's take a look at another group of people, those in India to be more specific. Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, writing in her recent book on "India and the Awakening East," tells of her conversation with Prime Minister Nehru who gave her a vivid story on the Indian election following their freedom from English imperialism. A vast country with over 360 million people, India represents many casts and social groups. But group differences serve no barrier to political action. There are over 176 million qualified voters in India. Out of that number 90 per cent of them exercised the use of the ballot and the task was not an easy one. Nehru tells of the plight of Indian voters. He said many of them virtually illiterate, pauperized and ill—clothed, spent days traveling through tiger-infested jungles to vote. Some of them were primitive tribesmen who traveled miles across the deserts. Many of these people perhaps knew they would never return to their homes alive, but they put value of life beneath that of duty to country and nation. They knew full well that many of them would not perhaps enjoy full benefits of this election, but their children would. Here a group of people, long enslaved by the yoke of imperialism with much of the population still entrenched in ignorance and poverty, but with enough pride to fight, not with violence, but with the ballot, to rise above the level of a common heritage. The question remains: Could we say the same for the man behind the counter, who still represents a large segment of our Negro population? Operation Voting, And The Man Behind The Counter BY WILLIAM GORDON Managing Editor, Atlanta Daily World Apathy and relaxed interest may account for some of the shortcomings inherent in human society. This being true, we certainly have acquired our share of the latter. The following may be an explanation: Recently, a young social worker, interested in the program of voter registraton, entered the establishment of a small businessman. "Have you been to the court house to register," he asked the man behind the counter. "Register for what,?" the man asked in rather unpleasant terms. "To vote in the coming primary election," the social worker replied. Apparently stunned by the quick reply, the man stood almost perfectly still for a few minutes trying to collect his wits while puffing nervously on a big cigar. He finally broke the silence by moving to the far end of the counter where he flicked the ashes from his cigar. With this, he moved slowly back to where the young social worker stood and leaned across the counter. "Whites have been running things all along, why should I waste my time running to the polls?" What he said rang with a familiar tone reflected in every community today. Coming from a Negro, this statement would be astonishing to any member of another minority group. Justification for the lack of group interest and group action, poses a question hard to answer in cases where we are concerned. This behavior often reflects itself in our whole pattern of life, social, political, economic and otherwise. Most people, getting their freedom, for the first time, would never lose the opportunity to take advantage of their voting rights. But what this man said is frequently said among our highest in professional, business and educational life. They just can't see the need of exercising a privilege that men and women have lived, died and suffered for. Some pose the question that perhaps our suffering and humiliation have not been sufficient to stimulate action. By contrast let's take a look at another group of people, those in India to be more specific. Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, writing in her recent book on "India and the Awakening East," tells of her conversation with Prime Minister Nehru who gave her a vivid story on the Indian election following their freedom from English imperialism. A vast country with over 360 million people, India represents many casts and social groups. But group differences serve no barrier to political action. There are over 176 million qualified voters in India. Out of that number 90 per cent of them exercised the use of the ballot and the task was not an easy one. Nehru tells of the plight of Indian voters. He said many of them virtually illiterate, pauperized and ill—clothed, spent days traveling through tiger-infested jungles to vote. Some of them were primitive tribesmen who traveled miles across the deserts. Many of these people perhaps knew they would never return to their homes alive, but they put value of life beneath that of duty to country and nation. They knew full well that many of them would not perhaps enjoy full benefits of this election, but their children would. Here a group of people, long enslaved by the yoke of imperialism with much of the population still entrenched in ignorance and poverty, but with enough pride to fight, not with violence, but with the ballot, to rise above the level of a common heritage. The question remains: Could we say the same for the man behind the counter, who still represents a large segment of our Negro population? Letters To The Editor Dear Sir: Enclosed you will find a copy of the program for the Memphis Cotton Makers' Jubilee, May 10th through 15th, 1954. The Memphis Cotton Makers Jubilee is not international in its scope, in that it's embassy of goodwill, the "Spirit of the Memphis Cotton Makers' Jubilee" for 1954 is visiting Haiti, Cuba and Canada on her tour. The type of program the Jubilee is presenting, plus the participants, is unusual also very beneficial in creating better international relationships which is so necessary at this time. The favorable responses the "Spirit" and her chaperone receiv ed during the 1954 tour is an evidence of the success of the Jubilee's goodwill program. We think that the South is the garden spot of America, the land of opportunity also the probing grounds for human relations all over the world. We also think that cotton is the king of human benefits and Memphis is the Queen of the Mid-South. Any assistance or cooperation you may be able to give to this program will be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Yours, DR. R. Q. VENSON, General Chairman. FASTEST KNOWN RELIEF FOR STOMACH SUFFERERS Thousands upon thousands of stomach sufferers have received relief from sour and acid stomach, heartburn, excess stomach acidity, which caused them much misery and discomfort and gave them that run-down feeling. Most doctors will tell you these ailments are due to the need of an anti-acid preparation and a mild laxative combined. This old, famous formula, INTERSTADE, promotes more normal stomach activity; thus helping to digest food better so you won't have gas, heartburn, and sour stomach. Then, with stomach activity, improved, you can eat the foods you like without fear of after-distress. Don't be discouraged and hopeless. Try a bottle of INTERSTADE at your favorite drug store. Ellabella Davis claimed by the press of three continents. Don't miss the opportunity for such a thrilling experience. Miss Hazel Pyles, patron subscription chairman, says that a few subscriptions are still available. Mrs. Helen N. Waterford, basileus, states that Zetas are happy to present another cultural program benefiting their eyeglass and scholarship projects. It's NEW! It's EXCLUSIVE! It's FUN! PHILIP MORRIS KING SIZE ZIP —THE TAFE SNAP —IT'S OPEN PRESTO —IT CLOSES AGAIN TO KEEP CIGARETTES FRESH! This means no torn messy packs... no tobacco in pocket or purse! Snap open the pack... and enjoy the cigarette with MORE VINTAGE TOBACCO! VINTAGE TOBACCO PHILIP MORRIS has the new "Snap-Open" pack... the fastest, easiest opening pack in the world! It's neat—clean— convenient! It's the result of years of research. It's the greatest advance in cigarette packaging in 50 years. ! And PHILIP MORRIS ... King Size and Regular... gives you than other leading cigarettes. Try a carton—! PHILIP MORRIS PHILIP MORRIS KING SIZE CALL FOR PHILLIP MORRIS PHILIP MORRIS SNAP-OPEN PACK PHILIP MORRIS KING SIZE ZIP —THE TAFE SNAP —IT'S OPEN PRESTO —IT CLOSES AGAIN TO KEEP CIGARETTES FRESH! This means no torn messy packs... no tobacco in pocket or purse! Snap open the pack... and enjoy the cigarette with MORE VINTAGE TOBACCO! VINTAGE TOBACCO PHILIP MORRIS has the new "Snap-Open" pack... the fastest, easiest opening pack in the world! It's neat—clean— convenient! It's the result of years of research. It's the greatest advance in cigarette packaging in 50 years. ! And PHILIP MORRIS ... King Size and Regular... gives you than other leading cigarettes. Try a carton—! PHILIP MORRIS PHILIP MORRIS KING SIZE CALL FOR PHILLIP MORRIS Mount Olive is superintendant of the Lay Activity department; J. A. Hamlett Jr., editor of the Western Index; and Mrs. Rossie T. Hollis, Women's Missionary departments. Committees have already been set up to handle the meeting. Mayor Prank Iobey, Colonel Roone Waring, president of the Memphis Chamber of Commerce, and District Attorney Millsap Filzhugh will serve as honorary members of the entertainment committee. Mrs. Ella Belle Raines, the Rev. C. E. Chapman and Prof. James G. King are working along with the Rev. Mr. Alcorn in public relations. Bishops Stewart, Porter, and Hamlett are serving as hosts to the conference. COMMITTEES ARE SET UP is superintendant of the Lay Activity department; J. A. Hamlett Jr., editor of the Western Index; and Mrs. Rossie T. Hollis, Women's Missionary departments. Committees have already been set up to handle the meeting. Mayor Prank Iobey, Colonel Roone Waring, president of the Memphis Chamber of Commerce, and District Attorney Millsap Filzhugh will serve as honorary members of the entertainment committee. Mrs. Ella Belle Raines, the Rev. C. E. Chapman and Prof. James G. King are working along with the Rev. Mr. Alcorn in public relations. Bishops Stewart, Porter, and Hamlett are serving as hosts to the conference. Gala Three-Day will have the exclusive appliance display on the stage of the auditorium. Tickets for this history-making event may be purchased from members of the various civic clubs, and at headquarters, 378 Beale Ave. Members of the committee in charge of the Karnival are: Attorney B. L. Hooks, Chairman; Mrs. Mary L. Davis, Mrs. M. Robinson and E. Bernard Cotton. Bands from Manassas High School and Douglass High School will render one hour concerts each night of the Karnival. Lincoln University Is Host To Business Officers Lincoln University (Mo.) will serve as host to the 15th Annual Meeting of the American Association of College Business Officers May 2-4. Elaborate plans for entertaining the 15-year-old organization of Chief Business Officers, Superintendents of Buildings and Grounds and designated delegates are being executed by a heat committee W. A. Hamilton, Businss Manager; L. W. Hatcher, Supt. of Buildings and Grounds, and Cletus Stamper, Assistant to the Business Manager. The five-session meeting will open Sunday, May 2, 7:00 p. m. and close Tuesday afternoon. Outstanding features will be addresses by Donald A. Dicason, Director of Non-Academic Personnel, University of Illinois; President Sherman D. Scruggs, Lincoln University; D. J. Leslie Bayless, Dept. of Marketing, University of Missouri; Don A. Davis, Comptroller, Hampton Institute, and S. V. Jeter, Business Manager, Clark University. Current president of the organization is J. B. Cephas, TreasurerBusiness Manager, Virginia State College. Advance registration indicates the 50 member schools will send approximately 75 delegates. Program arrangements include a banquet Monday evening and interspersed social affairs for the entertainment of guests. Officiating were: C. M. Roulhac, Jr., starter; Melvin Conley, coach of the Melrose track team and R. W. Hunt, timekeepers. Miss M.J. Jenkins was official scorer. AND STILL ANOTHER VICTORY Coach Johnnie Powell's Booker T. Washington salwarts very nearly made a clean sweep in all events of the three—way track and field meet between Washington, Manassas and Geeter High Schools in Melrose Stadium Thursday evening. The Washington tracksters won first place in all of the track events and scored impressively in the field events. While the sun played peek-a bob behind the cluods and the thunder roared threatingly in the distance the Washington trackmen led by Henry (Native Dancer) McGhee won the opening 100 yard dash in 10 seconds flat. Washington's Charles (Speed Demon) Liggett was second and Manassas's Allen, third. The mile run was won by Coach Powell's trackmen in 5 minutes and .04 seconds Bringing in the Washington colors was Herman (Creeps) Adams, followed by Hampton of Manassas. The 440 was copped by the Washingtonians in 54 and .01 seconds by Walter (Fleet Toes) Morgan and Paul (Dash Away) Holley, first and second respectively. Childress of Manassas was third and Rogers of Geeter also ran (fourth.) The 800 relay was taken by the Washington foursome Duke (Galloping Ghost) Knox, Clarence (Swoosh) Hoffman, Ernest (Tipping Sunday) Reed and Floyd (Lone Ranger) Taylor in one minute, 37 and .01 seconds. Taylor was anchor man for the Washington team which defeated Mentors Jones, Johnson and Barber's Manassas team of Carpenter. Garner Jones and Salle Salle was anchor man for Manassas. In the 880 yard run the BTW team of George (Catalina) Wil liams and Willie (Night Train) Vaughn, coming in first and second, defeated the Manassas team of Campbell and Bear in two minutes, 10 and .02 seconds in the 440 relay McGhee handed to Knox who handed to Taylor who handed to Liggett who brought another victory to the steady winning Washingtonians in 45 and .09 seconds. The Manassas team of Garner, Sallie, Carpenter and anchor man Jones tried hard. In the 220 dash the team of Hoffman and Carl (Scat) Record brought another victory to Washington in 24 and .06 seconds. Smith and Jackson of Manassas sought vainly to keep another victory from being added to BTW's list. In the final track event the sprint medley, the Washington trackmen tallied 100 per cent when the team of McGhee, Liggett, Taylor and Morgan won out over Manassas' Bear, Garner, Jones and Childress in one minute and 40 seconds. Manassas and Geeter who fell before the power of Washington in the track events, came into their own in the field events Manasssas Floyd Bolton toook first place in the high jump with a 5'8" leap; Richmond of Geeter was second with 5'7," and Thomas Lott of B. T. W., third wth a leap of 5'6." In the broad jump coaches Hicks and Brack of Geeter could finally claim a victory when Scott of their team scored with a 19 ft:4 and 3-4 in leap. McGhee of Washington was second with 18:6 and 1-2. In the shot put and discus throw the Washington team again came to the forefront with a heave of 16 ft:4 and 1-4 in. Frank Hunter of BTW was first in the discus throw, challenged by another Washingtonians. James Williams who tallied 7:3 Manassas' Clarence Phillips reached 89.2. The shot put was a toss-up between James Ware and Clarence Hoffman, both of Washington, who tied with a 39:10. Officiating were: C. M. Roulhac, Jr., starter; Melvin Conley, coach of the Melrose track team and R. W. Hunt, timekeepers. Miss M.J. Jenkins was official scorer. RUBBER-FACED — Although Chief Alvin Williams (left) lost this recent bout in New York's Eastern Parkway arena, he had the satisfaction of sinking his glove to rock bottom on the vsunted chin of Olympic heavyweight champ, Floyd Patterson. Rubber-faced as he appears here, Patterson went on to win the decision.