ADVOCATE EGISTE Volume 1 Portland, Ore., March 9, 1951 Number 15 JACQUET ORCHESTRA HELD OVER AT OZARKS All this week at Fred Bakers Oza.rks Supper Club the Music of Illinois Jacquet has been playing for the enjoyment of Portlanders. Mr. Baker reported that the Band will be held over for an additional week due to popular demand. They broadcast each night at 10 p.m. over KGON with announcer Sammy Taylor as M. C. Such numbers made famous by Jacquet are "Robins Nest" "Black Velvet" and "Flying Home". It is one of the most talked of aggregations in America today. Your genial host Fred and Laura Baker has went way out on that provervial 'limb' to bring you this top flight entertainment and promises more name bands and acts. Your old friends of the catering service include such favorites as George Mills, Wilbur Newsome, Mrs. Lawson, Blanch Golden, Opal Dixon, Sam Brown, Helen Lawson, Elizabeth Avritt, and Head Waiter Ivo Hoggatt. Jacquet was with Lionel Hampton in 1940 and also has been with Cab Calloway and Count Basie. When they leave Portland they play engagement in Seattle and concerts across Canada from Vancouver to east Coast· then back to New York. They came her~ direct from the Oasis in Los Angeles. The eight pieces are: Joe Newman, Russell J acquet, Johnny Ace on piano, Leonard Gaskin, bass, Lee Abrams, drums, Rudie Williams, baritone sax, Ernie Henry alto and Sid McKinney, vocal Illinois Jacquet say don't forget the truck driver, J. B. Strand. Important Meeting Notices NAACP Meetings-Every third Sunday of each month. YWCA Center, 6 N. Tillamook St., 4 p.m. ELKS-Billy Webb Lodge 1050 every first and third Sunday. Porters Hall (unless otherwise specified) 1:30 p.m. Dahlia Temple, first and third Tuesdays, 8 p.m. ODD FELLOWS - New Northwest Lodge 2554, first Tuesday, 8 p.m., Prince . Hall. · House hold Ruth 844, every second and fourth Tuesday, 2 p.m., Prince Hall. ELKS TO SPUR NAACP MEMBERSHIP DRIVE Exalted Ruler Chesley E. Corbett of Billy Webb Lodge 1050 announces that the lodge has undertaken to spur the current membership drive of NAACP. A booth will be set up at Broadway and Williams manned by Elks in regalia. Material about both organizations will be availabe. Your $2.00 for NAACP membership may be paid at the booth. Their slogan will be 2000 members in Portland. Each Elk brother has pledged himself to encourage one other person and to join himself. It was pointed out that any and every citizen regardless of race, creed or color is welcomed to join. Mail in now your membership to NAACP, 2101 N. Williams. Mrs. Anna Mae Lee is membership chairman. NAACP Asks Congress to Rush Wheat to India NEW YORK-Swift Congressional action to avert disaster in India by sending two million tons of wheat to that faminethreatened country was requested this week by the board of directors of the NAACP. DIXIE SCHOOLS ENROLL 1,000 RACE STUDENTS CHICAGO-More than one thousand Negro students are attending once allwhite e.niversities in the South to help record the biggest gain in United States race relations since World War II, says Ebony, Negro picture magazine, in its current issue. PHOTOS AVAILABLE Many people have written the Advocate Register asking information about the pictures and where they can be secured. We contacted Mr. Baltzegar of Baltzegar Photos, who was official Photographer at the First Citizen Banquet" and he informs us that many of the persons attending were included in a few good "shots". The pictures are available at his studio, 9 N. E. Halsey. If you want one or more, write a penny post card, or go to the address above or call EMpire 0979.-(Editor). BRIEFS ... A curprise party was given Richard M. N ·a! of Neal's Drug Store at the store Sundav by members of Billy Webb Lodge I 050. The lodge during a recess went to have refreshments at this new venture at N. Williams and Knott street. Boys, Mr. Neal says "THANK YOU." Mr. Neal, the lodge thought it a nice party. * * * N.A.A.C.P. dinner Wednesday, March 21. Place not decided in time for publication. Watch for the place in next issue. COACH RESIGNS Mike De Lotto, head coach for football at Roosevelt High School for the past three years, has resigned. Paul A. Rehmus, Supt. of city schols disclosed Tuesday; February 27 that the resignation had been accepted. De Lotto was envolved in a racial incident at the school Feb. 6. No coaching successor has been named as the Advocate Register goes to press. , BILL McCOY MARRIED Miss Gladys Sims daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Miller of Chattanooga, Tenn was wed to Bill McCoy, former candidate for State Representative (Democrat) February 28, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Friends were invited to attend the reception in the evening at the Church's school library. Many attended to give their best wishes to the couple. MRS.WYMAN PASSES Mrs. Margaret Wyman, long time member of Portland Branch NAACP died after addressing a woman's meeting. Funeral services were held in Vancouver, Wash., the home of her son. Private internment was held in Portland. Since it was impossible for many of her friends to attend funeral services, it is hoped that a memorial will be arranged. Perhaps after NAACP meeting Sunday, March 18 at Williams Ave. YWCA Cen1 ter, 6 N. Tillamook. The meeting begins at 4 P.M. We Are Not Going To Quit But ... Dear Reader: We need your subscription. To keep the Advocate Register alive we must have FUNDS. Your voluntary contributions or your subscriptions are more than welcomed. Your comment or criticism also Advertisement from your business, congratulatory announcement or an ad from your merchants. Every~ne needs publicity. We can give it to them in a field that is untapped. YOU CAN HELP KEEP THE ADVOCATE REGISTER ALIVE ... We are not going to quit. 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ADVOCATE REGISTER (Designed to Read) Published by Oliver Smith News Agency (Established 1943 OLIVER E. SMITH, EDITOR Office 1453 N. Williams Ave.-EM. 7266 ATwater 2551, 3411 S. W. First Avenue, Portland 1, Oregon Free from Services of Any Specia1•Intere5ts The News As We See It. The Editorials Are Our Opinions IN MY OPINION TWO SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT By 1 ohn S. Holley I The selection of a "Negro First Citizen'' in Portland takes on a considerable degree of significance when persons of the humble sincerity of Mrs. E. W. Smith and the courage of Raleigh Washington are chosen for the award. Assuredly, both of them have proved themselves deserving of special recognition. But the ritual of selecting a "Negro First Citizen of Portland" is a reflection upon the pattern of democracy in our community which should not go unheeded. Certainly any open designation of a "White First Citizen" would draw ringing protests from hundreds of advocates of democracy and brotherhood. I believe that it is only a feeling of charity for a minority group beset by many unjustified societal pressures that prevents many of these same people from protesting the designation of a "Negro First Citizen". But this latter designation is equally as unwarranted as would be the former. Such an award mmust either imply that: ( 1) non-white citizens are not given the same consideration in the selection for high honors in this community as are Caucasians, and th~t it is therefore necessary to set up separate awards on the basts of racial origin in order that deerving Negro citizens may receive the honors justly due them, or it means that: (2) Negro citizens of Portland are basically incapable of competing on th,e same basis as other citizens and must therefore be adjudged by separate standards. The first implication is a direct indictment of the policies of selection eii\ployed by the Realty Board in choosing its "First Citizen of Portland", as it would assume that only Caucasians are considered by the Board for this honor. The second implication is a gross libel against Portland citizens of Negro origin, including the two recipients of the 'tward. If the inferenc against the Realty Board is true, then serious soul-searching is m order for the sponsors of the "First Citizen" award as well as all other citizens who have given comfort and support to such bias. Obviously such a policy should be corrected. If the inference is not true, the sponsors of the "Negro First Citizen" award owe it to the Realty Board and the community to recognize this and to desist from such an implication. At any rate, the public has a right to know the truth of the matter, and the sponsors of both awards might well take the responsibility to clarify their policies and aims. Additional honors in recognition of worthy achievement and meritorious service are always in order in our society, and are essential to the maintenance of high ideals and standards. But the objectives of this "honor system" are thwarted in cases where the public is left in confusion as to the basis and justification for the "honor". 'The Negro First Citizen Committee owes us all an explanation for this obvious contradiction of principles-if it has one. And if the Comlmittee really intends no reflection upon the community pattern by its action, then I suggest that it avoid the appearance of such by changing the title and basis of its awards. If it is in keeping with its objectives, the Committee might choose to honor "the best example of achievement despite the social handicap of race" (which would obviously open the door to members of other minority races, who also suffer discrimination, and clearly indict the biased element of the majority group); or future honorees might be chosen on the basis of "the citizen contributing most to interracial understanding". Such a basis for selection would eliminate the racial exclusiveness implied in the title "Negro Frst Citizen" and allow any ndividual who made such a contribution, Negro or not, to become eligible. In the type of community we are working to achieve (and it is vital that we achieve it speedily) there will be no place for double standards or racial exclusiveness. 1 ohn S. Holley, 3923 N. Moresby, Apt. 8 To The Editor: In my opinion Mr. Holley is confused in reference to not honoring a most outstanding Negro First Citizen annually. Because of the so-called "click" and "in the know" attitude which has predominantly taken hold of our research and fact-finding agencies, it is only proper that individuals should initiate some type of event or organization which is free from certain interest; yet is most helpful and progressive in bringing about better racial understanding. The public is not concerned with irrelevant observations of which he complains; on the contrary-the people are interested mainly in one alternative-that is to stimulate races for the purpose of achievements and at the same time establishing. a1 more wholesome society in which to live-The recognition of the First Citizen in this respect certainly plays an advantageous role. His writing is such pompus, lengthly and confusing criticism; for the average layman is unable to grasp his convictions in the main, when they are revealed in the manner that Mr. Holley presented them. Eddie G. Harris, 3533 N. Palmyra, Apt. 10 BOZARTH WRITES Mr. Oliver Smith Editor, Advocate-Register Dear Oliver: I am really very sorry not to be able to join with you and so many other of my friends in the Negro First Citizen dinner. As you know, if it were physically possible for me to do so, I would certainly be there to add my smallvoice in praise of Mrs. Smith and that fine young lad Raleigh Washington. My associations with Marie Smith go back over several years. I have had the pleasure of knowing her both professionally as a frequent guest on my radio broadcasts, and one of the several local citizens we regarded as authorities on matters of race relations-and also socially, as one of the most charming and sincere of friends. Her warm compassion for people of every racial background and every situation have endeared her to all 6f us. Her quick understanding, her. very great patience, her calm and serene confidence in goodness and right and her very able direction as President of the N.A.A.C.P. during the past year make her one of our first citizens indeed-without the need of limiting it to either 1950 or to "Negro". I have had the pleasure of speaking from the same platforni with Mrs. Smith, of working with her and closely observing her efforts to help make ours a better and a richer world. I am convinced that people such as this first citizen will succeed in that task for I know the world is brighter and more hopeful because she walks among us. Sincerely, Rene' Bozarth
MRS. SMITH'S SPEECH Your Honor, Mayor Lee, Oliver Smith, Publisher of Advocate Register: Mr. Binns, Honored Guest Speaker, Mistress of Ceremonies, Friends and Neighbors: I am lost for words to express my heartfelt and deepest appreciation for the honor you have seen fit to bestow upon me. You, who hav,e worked with me in our community; in fact in the City of Portland are the rightful ones to evaluate the things I have done and confer this great honor of Negro First Citizen upon me. Just having finished celebrating Negro History Week; for which so many White groups, such as U.C.L.A. as well as others held Negro History Programs are becoming more aware of the part we as Negros have contributed to the Culture of America. No right thinking Negro could not help from being proud that he is a Negro. At this time it would not be fair to you if I did not try to explain to you the reason or the inner-drive that has compelled me to go on through the years, even if sometimes, seemingly, my efforts were in vain. I have three reasons. I love God, I love people, I love Portland. I will talk about them in reverse order. I love,Portland because it is my home. All cities are made up of many communities and in our observation in the 34 years we have watched .Portland grow. Portland is like most all our American cities with a crosssection of Americans who have been attracted to it until now only a small percentage of the total population are nativeborn. However, it is not an old City. As you know, we have just celebrated the Portland Centennial. I like Portland because it is a City with integrity and character. We have been called Puritannical because we have not allowed an open city with an entrenched underworld organized gambling and vice. It is a good City to rear children and the public schools are excellent. We have made some progress in racial problems and in equalizing opportunities for all citizens. We have made mistakes by being late .in discovering the problems around us, but not too late to do something about them. We know neither a Nation or a City can live in the past. We go only once along a given path of time and we can only face in one directionforward. I love People, that is why whenever there came an opportunity for me to work for or with anyone that was trying to do a job in the community for the betterment of people I never refused. No matter how great the sacrifice ... and I can truly say it has paid off in the tribute you are showing me tonight. I love people strong of heart that have not let themselves become engulfed in passing wavs which obscure the current progress of a communitypeople who see the wrong and weakness of their city that are evident only to those who live in an active world. People who realize the situation existing around them and do not turn aside from what they k~ow should be done. Love of God stimulates a large portion of my innerdrive. Our Bible tells us that all men are created equal. However, we know it would have to be defined somewhat when we say men are created equal. We mean equal in the sight of God, whose eyes are infinite. It is obvious that all men are not created equa~ in gifts, in size, in shape, in weight, in color, the same as all other things God has created-flowers, birds, and animals. Sorry to say, men are not equal in opportunities provided for them by social situations in which they live, but we can admire a person for capacities in which they differ from us and respect them for their infinite worth in the site of God, who is not respecter of person; and who has said all men are brothers. That is why we have to work at trying to love our brother as ourself, or love the infinite qualities of God in our brothers by closing our eyes to everything but the good in them, then even in the seemingly meanest persons we can· excuse their behaviour toward us. EDWIN C. BERRY IS SPEAKER Edwin C. Berry, Executive Secretary, Urban League of Portland, was the principle speaker at the Annual-Meeting of the Yakima Branch N.A.A.C.P. Sunday, February 25. Berry urged the members of N.A.A.C.P. to continue the battle to abolish second class citizenship. He said, "We must fight this battle with courage, integrity and intelligence". "Our work must be pushed with more vigor than in the past. There are those who constantly say 'This is not the time'; 'You're pushing too fast'; 'You'll make more enemies than friends'. Of them, I say, they are either uttering weasel words or are grossly misinformed. This is the time to make democracy work. This is the time to abolish second class citizenship. This is the time to tell the white majority to get off my neck and permit my children to grow up free and unencumbered because of his membership in a racial group. " Berry warned the members against communist influence and infiltration. He said, "Communism is making a great bid for Negro support directly and in a veiled manner through front organizations. Bonafide race relations' organizations must be aware of this and must resist it. Communists want to use Negroes and interracial organizations for their own ends; and in most instances they plant the kiss of death on all of the organizations with which they identify themselves." The speaker told the group to resist Communist encroachment but not to get so busy witch-hunting and fighting against Communism that it had no time or energy left to fight for its own program. Berry accused the majority of white citizens in most American communities of giving aid and comfort to the communists and their program by refusing to carry out a constructive program of race relations; by continuing to practice racial discrimination; and in short, by doing everything about race relations that the Communists said they would do. "We must cpntinue and intensify the battle against bigotry. We must fight our battle within the framework of American democracy and according to democratic rules. We must recognize that bigotry is every bit as dangerous to the American way of life as any foreign political ideology. "In Portland, the Communists have made little headway in duping Negroes. The reason - we're making headway. We're hitting the problems of bigotry hard. Prominent whites, as well as Negroes are working. The job in Portland is by no means finished, and I do not wish to leave any faulty impression. But we are working and the people know we're working, and democratic living for non-white citize11s is coming closer and closer everyday. We, in the intergroup organizations in Portland, know the way to defeat Communism is to perform the democratic _job forthrightly and f!irst." The average rural Sunday school in the South has 2 women and 1 man to teach the 31 pupils present. Over twic;e as many people attend the preaching services as the Sunday school. The prea~her talks about "Salvation" and "gets the people ready for Glory." In the Sunday school Bible knowledge is stressed and daily Christian living is emphasized. This paper of independent thought may be continued by four (4) subscribers per day (6 days) for 52 weeks. 1248 subscribers is our goal. This minimum will just cover print!ing, postage. Other services are volunteer and non-profit. ' REMEMBER MARTINSVILLE SEVEN? To stop LEGAL lynching, come to public meeting on WILLIE McGEE case. FREE- NO ADMISSION CHARGE- Monday, March 12, 1951, 8 P.M. A.M.E. ZION CHURCH-2007 N. WILLIAMS AVE. ' Auspices Portland Civil Rights Congress-P. 0. Box 8088 Pd.Adv.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH 2007 N. Williams Ave. Rev. J. F. Smith, Pastor HUGHES MEMORIAL CHURCH 2809 N. E. Rodney St. Rev. Ennis Whaley, Pastor ZION HILL CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST Elder W. L. McKinney, Pastor VANCOUVER AVE. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 1914 N. Vancouver Ave. Elder 0. B. WiUiams, Pastor MT. OLIVET BAPTIST CHURCH 1734 N. E. 1st Ave. Dr. ]. ]. Clow, Pastor BETHEL A. M. E. CHURCH 1239 N. Larrabee St. Elder Justus Ezra Roberts, Pastor ST. PHILIPS EPISCOPAL CHURCH 120 Knott Rev. L. 0. Stone, Vicar ALLEN TEMPLE C. M. E. CHURCH 1911 N. E. 9th Ave. Rev. L. R. Kibler, Pastor RUTH FLOWERS Real Estate 3300 N. Williams Ave. TR. 6553 SUBSCRIPTION BLANK Advertise in The ADVOCATE REGISTER Easy to Read DESIGNED TO READ All Readers Take Time To Read Direct Mail to Your New Customers RATES ON APPLICATION AT. 2551 ADVOCATE • REGISTER 3411 S. W. First Avenue Home Portraits Films For Sale Public Engagements Films Developed 13altzegar's Photos 9 N. E. Halsey St. EM. 0979 MANLY M. BALTZEGAR, Prop. VICfORY LUNCH AND GRILL Home of Bat Putty in Town Watch for Grand Opening ROBERT SEEGER, Owner 1466 N. E. Williams Ct. VE. 9483 Wanted To Buy STAMP COLLECTIONS ACCUMULATIONS,DEALERS STOCK Highest Cash Prices Northwest Stamp Co. 1838 S. W. Cable Ave., Phone AT. 4616 I Would Like To Subscribe To The Advocate-Register Enclosed is ($2.50) for Subscription for 1951 N arne --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Address ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- City---------------------- ------ ------ .. .. Z o n e _________ _ State.. --------------------- Mail check or money order to Oliver E. Smith, Editor, 3411 S. W. First Ave., Portland 1, Oregon. Radio and Stage Appearances The Harmonizing 5 Gospel Singers L. C. Ellison, Director and Manager 938 N. Cook St. TR. 8162 Keystone Investment Co. 1453 N. Williams Ave. Good Eats-KEYSTONE Cafe FLORA McCOLLOUGH ORA LEE MARTIN LILLIAN LOCKMAN BARBARA JOHNSON JOHNIE MAE HAMILTON Drop In At the RED FRONT CAFE Under Personal Supervision of SIMON HOLLOWAY EPPS 1813 N. Williams MUrdock 9673 Sec. 34.66, PL&R U. S. POSTAGE PAJD Portland, Oregon Permit No. 206
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