Memphis World Memphis World Publishing Co. 1955-05-24 Raymond F. Tisby MEMPHIS WORLD 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 mall under the Act of Congress, March 1, 1870 Member of SCOTT NEWSPAPER SYNDICATE W. A. Scott, II, Founder; C. A. Scott, General Manager Raymond F. Tisby Managing Editor Mrs. Rosa Brown Bracy Public Relations and Advertising William C. Weathers Circulation Promotion The MEMPHIS WORLD is an independent newspaper—non-sectarian and non-partisan, printing news unblasedly and supporting those things it believes to be of 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) Would Be Firemen Get Those Applications In! The approximately 150 Negroes who took applications in the hope of becoming one of the first 10 Memphis race firemen owe it to themselves and the community to return the applications. Latest returns show that little more than 40 applications have been returned and Police and Fire Commissioner Claude Armour, Fire Chief Klinck and acting personnel director Seabrook explain that at least 50 applications must be returned before the examinations can be given. Let's give them no further reasons for delaying the examinations. Let's get ALL of those applications in! Tributes Well Deserved Recently Memphians were joined by others from near and far in paying tribute to two of our truly outstanding citizens, an educator and an honorary "mayor." J. Ashton Hayes, principal of Lester school who will retire at the end of this school year, was honored on two occasions by scores of former and present students, fellow workers and friends prior to his retirement which will culminate a noteworthy 43-year teaching career. The other honoree was Matthew Thornton, the sightless honorary "Mayor of Beale Street", who was honored on his 82nd birthday by friends of both races for his contributions to the community. Each in his own way has left his indelible mark on the asset side of the community ledger. These were two tributes well deserved! REVIEWING THE NEWS BY WILLIAM GOBDON It was immediately following the war. The occasion was a graduation in Memphis, Tenn. We sat there, listening to the usual routine of things until this elderly, graceful and yet dynamic woman walked slowly to the platform. This was the usual manner of Mrs. Mary McLeod Bethune before audiences, dramatics, certain and forceful. It is the way we like to remember her. Her message was simple and direct. The audience understood all of it, and the response proved beyond a doubt that every word, every sentence that she uttered, and even every breath she drew I while delivering it, went solidly home to remain there. "Stop running," she told the group assembled." Stop running away from what is already rightfully yours. Stop running and demand what is yours under the Constitution of the United States." It was the kind of message this audience needed. Many Negroes had just returned from the war in Europe and the Pacific, f Many were not able to return. Many of them died, because they felt that reality for them and their families had become more assured, and like all other Americans they gave their blood in order that their loved ones would hove a more abundant life. So the audience roared to every word Mrs. Bethune uttered. Mrs. Bethune was dramatic, real and genuine to every audience she met. She was made up that way. For her heritage was one which grew out of a long struggle of fighting for the principles of human dignity. All of her messages were pleas for the uplift of the common man. She could walk with kings and yet dine with the lowly. She never forgot the days when with only $1.50, she founded the little school "across the tracks." And the Almighty made it so possible that she could live to see this same "little institution" Bethune-Cookman grow to be one of significance in the nation. For those who question her right to greatness have only to examine the philosophy she held and fought for more than 50 years. "The right of all men is to live their lives and fulfill their destinies without the bitter handicap of malice and of prejudice," was the principle she held dearly. The life story of Mrs. Bethune is one proof that genius knows no color line, racial group or religion. Hers were achievements that came from what some might term the impossible. Her road was difficult, for she was a Negro. And the Negro, no matter what his or her ability, must always run twice as fast in order to get half as far. This is not right of course; but sometimes, it seems that the evil forces pf society take edge over the good, and many have to suffer for the benefit of the future. The life of this great woman experienced the same barriers, the difficulties and the setbacks common to those who by heritage, have a different pigmentation. But she overcame these obstacles. Her star broke through he dark clouds of bigotry, prejudice and hate to shine out in the heavens of goodness. She lived a full life. It was resourceful, challenging and without flaw in the eyes of those who knew her the world over. Few have left so great a monument to decency and democracy, arid that is the way millions will remember her. The Way I Like To Remember Her BY WILLIAM GOBDON It was immediately following the war. The occasion was a graduation in Memphis, Tenn. We sat there, listening to the usual routine of things until this elderly, graceful and yet dynamic woman walked slowly to the platform. This was the usual manner of Mrs. Mary McLeod Bethune before audiences, dramatics, certain and forceful. It is the way we like to remember her. Her message was simple and direct. The audience understood all of it, and the response proved beyond a doubt that every word, every sentence that she uttered, and even every breath she drew I while delivering it, went solidly home to remain there. "Stop running," she told the group assembled." Stop running away from what is already rightfully yours. Stop running and demand what is yours under the Constitution of the United States." It was the kind of message this audience needed. Many Negroes had just returned from the war in Europe and the Pacific, f Many were not able to return. Many of them died, because they felt that reality for them and their families had become more assured, and like all other Americans they gave their blood in order that their loved ones would hove a more abundant life. So the audience roared to every word Mrs. Bethune uttered. Mrs. Bethune was dramatic, real and genuine to every audience she met. She was made up that way. For her heritage was one which grew out of a long struggle of fighting for the principles of human dignity. All of her messages were pleas for the uplift of the common man. She could walk with kings and yet dine with the lowly. She never forgot the days when with only $1.50, she founded the little school "across the tracks." And the Almighty made it so possible that she could live to see this same "little institution" Bethune-Cookman grow to be one of significance in the nation. For those who question her right to greatness have only to examine the philosophy she held and fought for more than 50 years. "The right of all men is to live their lives and fulfill their destinies without the bitter handicap of malice and of prejudice," was the principle she held dearly. The life story of Mrs. Bethune is one proof that genius knows no color line, racial group or religion. Hers were achievements that came from what some might term the impossible. Her road was difficult, for she was a Negro. And the Negro, no matter what his or her ability, must always run twice as fast in order to get half as far. This is not right of course; but sometimes, it seems that the evil forces pf society take edge over the good, and many have to suffer for the benefit of the future. The life of this great woman experienced the same barriers, the difficulties and the setbacks common to those who by heritage, have a different pigmentation. But she overcame these obstacles. Her star broke through he dark clouds of bigotry, prejudice and hate to shine out in the heavens of goodness. She lived a full life. It was resourceful, challenging and without flaw in the eyes of those who knew her the world over. Few have left so great a monument to decency and democracy, arid that is the way millions will remember her. MY WEEKLY SERMON REV. BLAIR T. HUNT, PASTOR MISSISSIPPI BLVD. CHRISTIAN CHURCH, MEMPHIS "And Terah died in Haran," Gen. 11:32 It is graduation season. In one of is In one's life there are three dignified and formal occasions: His graduation his wedding, his funeral. This is the season of graduates. For years, the youth has struggled ... for years the fond parent has sacrificed that son or daughter may receive the coveted diploma. The tragedy is that so many graduates will stop right here to get lost in the crowd. So many will be side-tracked, rather they will side track themselves. Like Terah of old, they will die in Haran. Our text, "And Terah died in Haran," pictures the tragedy of a life and chisels the epitaph of a soul that did not arrive. Terah of the long ago had a call from God to leave Ur of Chaldea and seek "a city which hath foundations whose builders and maker is God." Terah set out as a pilgrim from Ur to Canaan, but he never reached Canaan. Terah started, but he stopped ... stopped on his way at Haran. Graduates, don't stop ... but keep on keeping on Terah trudged on his pilgrimage from Ur ... But it is many a mile from Ur to Canaan. Terah's feet were blistered by the hot sand of the desert. His brain was nearly baked by the broiling sun. He came to a place called Haran. Here, he would rest awhile. It is very hard to keep up one's origina lenthusiasm. The strain of continuous plodding is terrific. Here at Haran, Terah could lay up a while. Here, he could buy and sell. Here, he could have pleasure. Here, he could remain on a sidetrack. But Terah lingered and died in Haran. He failed to reach Canaan. He never saw the goodly, country he set out to reach. To the May and June graduates, don't stop at Haran ... Don't lay up a-while at Haran. Listen not to the deceitful witchery of Haran. The devil is a tireless Haran builder. To stop at Haran may be to die at Haran. Remember who you are Remember what you cost. And-make it to that "city that hath foundations whose maker and builder is God." Graduates, remember you art somebody. You are living spirits with God's image on your brow, the quest of truth in your heart, divinity in your soul. Remember what you cost in dollars and cents, in the prayers and heartaches of your parents. Remember what you cost in the life blood of God's only be gotten Son Jesus the Christ. You are somebody, and you cost too much to tarry at Haran! Don't be a zero with the rim knocked off Remember you are somebody and you are on a journey. The crown is to him who endures to the end. Graduation is not arrival. It is simply opportunity ... a point of departure. It is a waystation on the highway of success to the mountain peak of eternity. Graduates, you have not finished ... you have only begun!!' This is your, commencement, not Finished, just begun. A MESSAGE TO OUR GRADUATES REV. BLAIR T. HUNT, PASTOR MISSISSIPPI BLVD. CHRISTIAN CHURCH, MEMPHIS "And Terah died in Haran," Gen. 11:32 It is graduation season. In one of is In one's life there are three dignified and formal occasions: His graduation his wedding, his funeral. This is the season of graduates. For years, the youth has struggled ... for years the fond parent has sacrificed that son or daughter may receive the coveted diploma. The tragedy is that so many graduates will stop right here to get lost in the crowd. So many will be side-tracked, rather they will side track themselves. Like Terah of old, they will die in Haran. Our text, "And Terah died in Haran," pictures the tragedy of a life and chisels the epitaph of a soul that did not arrive. Terah of the long ago had a call from God to leave Ur of Chaldea and seek "a city which hath foundations whose builders and maker is God." Terah set out as a pilgrim from Ur to Canaan, but he never reached Canaan. Terah started, but he stopped ... stopped on his way at Haran. Graduates, don't stop ... but keep on keeping on Terah trudged on his pilgrimage from Ur ... But it is many a mile from Ur to Canaan. Terah's feet were blistered by the hot sand of the desert. His brain was nearly baked by the broiling sun. He came to a place called Haran. Here, he would rest awhile. It is very hard to keep up one's origina lenthusiasm. The strain of continuous plodding is terrific. Here at Haran, Terah could lay up a while. Here, he could buy and sell. Here, he could have pleasure. Here, he could remain on a sidetrack. But Terah lingered and died in Haran. He failed to reach Canaan. He never saw the goodly, country he set out to reach. To the May and June graduates, don't stop at Haran ... Don't lay up a-while at Haran. Listen not to the deceitful witchery of Haran. The devil is a tireless Haran builder. To stop at Haran may be to die at Haran. Remember who you are Remember what you cost. And-make it to that "city that hath foundations whose maker and builder is God." Graduates, remember you art somebody. You are living spirits with God's image on your brow, the quest of truth in your heart, divinity in your soul. Remember what you cost in dollars and cents, in the prayers and heartaches of your parents. Remember what you cost in the life blood of God's only be gotten Son Jesus the Christ. You are somebody, and you cost too much to tarry at Haran! Don't be a zero with the rim knocked off Remember you are somebody and you are on a journey. The crown is to him who endures to the end. Graduation is not arrival. It is simply opportunity ... a point of departure. It is a waystation on the highway of success to the mountain peak of eternity. Graduates, you have not finished ... you have only begun!!' This is your, commencement, not Finished, just begun. Funeral Rites Griffin, Benjamin J. Mitchell, Ahthony Stephens, H. H. Harper, Joseph Harris, Jerome Burgman, Louis T. Marsh, W. S. Snead, Sr., W. L. Coursen, Dr. Norman Williams, Edward Van Poole, Charles Hale, L. D. Land and others. The young men of Bethune-Cookman will form the honor guard and the ladies will serve as flower girls. Dr. Bethune will be buried in a huge mound, covered with natural grass, which was erected in her yard by the city and county officials. Douglass Senior "Youth Faces Its Problems." His versatility has rewarded him immensely. Besides being recipient of the above-mentioned scholarship, he has been offered scholarships from Morehouse in Atlanta; and a 4-year full tuition scholarship from LeMoyne College. For his qualities of leadership, The Danforth Foundation of St. Louis, Mo., entered his name on the I-Dare-You-HonorRoll and The Readers' Digest has awarded a complimentary subscription of one-year to him for past accomplishment arid anticipation of unusual achievement in the future. The Readers' Digest Association has presented these awards annually to senior high schools throughout the United States and Canada to the highest honor graduate of the graduating class. Alphonso is the son of Mrs. Mozelle Starks of Memphis arid a member of St. John Baptist Church, Brookins and Chelsea Streets. The brilliant youth is anticipating a bright collegiate future with a major and minor in mathematics and science respectively. Lee Only Wanted population (2,178,914) but only approximately 20,000 registered as voters. He rapped the recently passed Mississippi amendment which requires voter registrants to "explain the duties and obligations of citizens under a constitutional form of government to the satisfaction of the registering officer. He believed that none of the Mississippi registers could adequately make such an explanation and conjectured that this requirement might eventually prove "embarrassing" to Mississippi in the event subpoened to make the state show cause as to why the explanation of a white voter registrant was satisfactory and that of a Negro onsatisfactory. Mr. Wilkins denounced the recent suggestion submitted by the Jackson, Miss. Advocate Editor Percy Green to Michigan's Freshman U. S. Congressman C. C. Diggs, Jr., recommending that Congress pass legislation recognizing, "voluntary segregation" as a "waste of words, effort and postage" and asserted that the "vast majority of Negroes don't want segregation of any kind let alone volunteering for segregation." "This Thing," he declared referring to desegregation, "has got to come and those, both Negro and white, steeped in a background belief of white superiority who find it hard to believe that their world is about to end they got to go." The NAACP secretary explained that the meeting was not "held in hatred" and said the NAACP is "fighting ideas, not people." He concluded with the assertion that the Negro will use every legal method, without resorting to violence, "to attain the rights enjoyed By any other American citizen." In a press conference following his talk, Mr. Wilkins said the NAACP doesn't believe the white citizen's councils ordered the death of the Rev. Mr. Lee but inferred that their actions might have indirectly caused the slaying. Elaborating he explained that when the "respectable" whites, such as bankers, lawyers, businessmen, etc., announce plans of "keeping the Negro in his place," purportedly with violence, then the "lesser" element "which believe the Negro can only be kept in his place thru violence" will then turn to violence not on the orders of but apparently influenced by the Citizen's Councils, he explained. He further explained that even if Rev. Lee's death would prove tohave been affected for other reasons that his militant voting stand the NAACP would not drop its movement in Mississippi in thefight for increased Negro voter registration. He felt that the Citizen's Councils are "secondarily" interested in the school integration issue and that their primary interest is the disfranchisement of the Negro as a voter. Commenting briefly on the school integration question he felt, that the argument that integration of schools will lead to intermarrying as "bankrupt" and expressed "surprise" that Southern white women haven't revolted against this argument since he said, those who use this argument are "saying in effeet" the white woman is so anxious to marry the Negro that the only thing holding her back is the law. Following an appeal by Dr. C. C. Battle, Indianola physician, who reported that he too has been intimidated but who avowed "if I have to die in order that my two year old son might enjoy a life with the rights denied me, then I will gladly die." A total of $1,200 was raised. Mrs. Ruth Hurley, southern N. A. A. C. P. field director from Birmingham, said the meeting reflected "serious interest" and shows that the Negro is not running from the NAACP." She believed that the Lee incident "could be the straw that breaks the Citizens Council's back." Platform guests included Dr. A. H. McCoy, State NAACP president; Dr. Aaron Henry, State vice-president; Madgear Evers. Mississippi NAACP field director and Mrs. Rosebud Lee, widow of the slain minister. The Rev. James P. Blackmore, pastor of Greer Chapel Church in Memphis and a member of the LeMoyne NAACP Chapter attended the meeting as an observer. More vintage tobacco makes PHILIP MORRIS so popular with younger smokers Maybe you've noticed it yourself...PHILIP MORRIS seems to have a way with younger smokers. That's because their fresher, unspoiled tastes are quick to appreciate the special qualities of gentleness and delicate flavor that vintage tobacco offers. Follow Young America's lead. Enjoy PHILIP MORRIS — King Size or Regular — in the convenient Snap-Open pack. Panama Names President Arnulfo Arias, MD), was expected to sign the decree confirming the appointment of William A. Gibson to the consul-generalship of Jamaica, BWI, following the recommendation of several influential persons in the local consular service who are familiar with the appointee. This appointment was considered of great significance in the life of Panamanians of West Indian origin. It is said to have opened the door wider for integration of this group of Panamanians into the national life. President Arias said on making the appointment that he favored the idea as he was set on selecting the most qualified persons for any position which may be vacant in his administration. Qualification and competency were the yardsticks he intended to use, color and caste and racial origin would bear no in fluence in his consideration of appointees to government posts. Gibson, 38, is a graduate of the Pan-American Institute of Panama City. BETWEEN THE LINES Albert Einstein is dead! Of all the conspicuously laudatory things said about him was that "He saw farther than the telescope and deeper than the microscope." But is is the same age-long story that where the spider gets his poison there the bee gets her honey. So the same genius that led toinconceivably bewildering discoveries for good, leads to inconceivably devastating possibilities for evil. Just whether the more evil of the possibilities be realized rather than the more beneficial possibilities, remains to be seen. The hope that the good will ficial possibilities, remains to be seen The hope that the good will exceed rests upon the further hope that somehow Jesus Christ and His Spirit will possess mankind, while it is day, or else the fatal night cometh; and no man can be saved. The greatest need today, is not for more genius, but for some divinely guided power to channel genius into the ways of life. Fortunately or unfortunately as the case may be every possibility for genius for good is paralleled by the possibility of genius for evil, and herein resides the hope for the peace of the world. The genius of mankind has driven the sons of men to their laboratories, where they are laboring day and night to bring forth new ways and means of life upon this planet. Through these laboratories genius has wrought miracles, but along with the mircles, possibilities of disaster. Unless some way is found to turn men into praying closets, even as they have been turned into their laboratories, mankind is heading for a fall and great will be the fall! The need of the hour is for a spiritual genius to parallel scientific genius, so masterfully riding mankind of the 20th century. Kroeber in his Anthropology says that the tragedy of genius resides in the fact that nature is so constituted that only one person in a million is a genius; and that socity is so constituted that 90 percent of these are lost. Of course, he was deploring this sad commentary on society's conservational set up. As a matter of fact, unless some way can be found to assure mankind that genius can be Christianized, it were better that there be ho further additions to the current genius of the world. Better not have the genius than to have GENIUS IN REVERSE, as expertments in atomic research suggest. To date, it must be admitted that our atomic explosions have shown destructive possibilities, while the constructive possibilities have been lacking. Better a thousand times no more genius, than in reverse. The social and economic maladjustments of the age somehow hinge about genius in reverse. The world wars we are fighting and the death struggle between capital and labor and the progressive deterioration of the human physique are all related to the genius in reverses. The reign of crime in this our native land is largely to be explained by genius in reverse. Our prisons are filled with men of genius—with genius in reverse. From the above the conclusion is forced upon us, that the great need of the age is not for Einsteins but for Billy Grahams and Scweitzers and Livingstones and missionaries, such as swarmed o of the North to live and die among the newly-freed Negroes of the South. The genius of those early missionaries has never been fully told to the world. They, were in very truth God's noblemen and noblewomen. They were the finest flower of Christian knighthood. That was genius such as the world has seldom seen. The world needs more Good Samaritans rather than more Einsteins! GENIUS IN REVERSE Albert Einstein is dead! Of all the conspicuously laudatory things said about him was that "He saw farther than the telescope and deeper than the microscope." But is is the same age-long story that where the spider gets his poison there the bee gets her honey. So the same genius that led toinconceivably bewildering discoveries for good, leads to inconceivably devastating possibilities for evil. Just whether the more evil of the possibilities be realized rather than the more beneficial possibilities, remains to be seen. The hope that the good will ficial possibilities, remains to be seen The hope that the good will exceed rests upon the further hope that somehow Jesus Christ and His Spirit will possess mankind, while it is day, or else the fatal night cometh; and no man can be saved. The greatest need today, is not for more genius, but for some divinely guided power to channel genius into the ways of life. Fortunately or unfortunately as the case may be every possibility for genius for good is paralleled by the possibility of genius for evil, and herein resides the hope for the peace of the world. The genius of mankind has driven the sons of men to their laboratories, where they are laboring day and night to bring forth new ways and means of life upon this planet. Through these laboratories genius has wrought miracles, but along with the mircles, possibilities of disaster. Unless some way is found to turn men into praying closets, even as they have been turned into their laboratories, mankind is heading for a fall and great will be the fall! The need of the hour is for a spiritual genius to parallel scientific genius, so masterfully riding mankind of the 20th century. Kroeber in his Anthropology says that the tragedy of genius resides in the fact that nature is so constituted that only one person in a million is a genius; and that socity is so constituted that 90 percent of these are lost. Of course, he was deploring this sad commentary on society's conservational set up. As a matter of fact, unless some way can be found to assure mankind that genius can be Christianized, it were better that there be ho further additions to the current genius of the world. Better not have the genius than to have GENIUS IN REVERSE, as expertments in atomic research suggest. To date, it must be admitted that our atomic explosions have shown destructive possibilities, while the constructive possibilities have been lacking. Better a thousand times no more genius, than in reverse. The social and economic maladjustments of the age somehow hinge about genius in reverse. The world wars we are fighting and the death struggle between capital and labor and the progressive deterioration of the human physique are all related to the genius in reverses. The reign of crime in this our native land is largely to be explained by genius in reverse. Our prisons are filled with men of genius—with genius in reverse. From the above the conclusion is forced upon us, that the great need of the age is not for Einsteins but for Billy Grahams and Scweitzers and Livingstones and missionaries, such as swarmed o of the North to live and die among the newly-freed Negroes of the South. The genius of those early missionaries has never been fully told to the world. They, were in very truth God's noblemen and noblewomen. They were the finest flower of Christian knighthood. That was genius such as the world has seldom seen. The world needs more Good Samaritans rather than more Einsteins! Citizens Group Hears Dr. Jones Dr. T. Edward Jones, former surgeonin-chief of Freedmen's Hospital, was the principal speaker at the first annual banquet of the Nauck Citizens Association at the Veterans Memorial YMCA here last Friday evening. Louis Lautler, NNPA corespondent, also spoke briefly on his observations at the Asian-African Conference held in Indonesia in April. Greetings were brought by James B. Browne from the Hoffman-Boston PTA, Mrs. Mary Hicks and Mrs. Phyllis Costly of the Langston Civic Association, Mrs. Velma Watson of the Drew-Kemper JTA and Thomas Monroe of the Arlington NAACP.