Observer_1945-09-30

Volume 4- No.6 PORTLAND, 0 R E G 0 N ·, SEPTEMBER 3 0, 1 9 4 5 10 Cents a Copy CORONER BIASED AT.JONES INQUEST Smith Favors the Defense; Hearing Believed Fixed (SUMMARY) Oct. 9th-Many interested citizens were on hand today at the Coroner's inquest in Judge Crawford's Court to hear the testimonies of key witnesses and the police officers who murdered Ervin Jones, Ne– gro Guild's Lake resident, the morning of August 21st. Through the untiring efforts of Rev. George Brown of Guilds Lake and others whose intentions lead them to campaign for justice in this case, the widow of Ervin Jones told how her husband was ruthlessly killed while attempting to protect his home from what he assumed was an attempted rob– bery. The police who figured in the death of Jones are alleged to have a.ttem}tted to break into his home without a search warrant and without informing Jones that they ·were officers of the law. When he attempted to resist them he was shot in the back through a wind'ow with a shot gun by Detective Bard Purcell. It is expected that the escape of Scott Thomas, Na– gro awaiting trial for murder, from the Multnomah County jail will offer some complications to this in– quest. Thomas is the man whom the police were seek– ing when they killed Jones. After killing Jones, and later capturing Thomas, they were told by Thomas in the presence of Jones' wife and her sister that he did not even know Jones nor had he ever visited with him. This testimony will be invaluable if the fficers try to establish a claim of close resemblance and friendly relationship between Jones ..and Thomas. The .fact that Thomas is the only escaped prisoner who has not been recaptured is regarded by many Negroes with grave apprehension. · · - ,is eager to have persons Portland Combat pressed with the democratic spirit interested in its program Pilot to .Remain With Air Force exemplified by the people living in to come in and learn the northern Italy where he was sta- nature of the work it is tion ed. It is Lt. Bell's intention to attempting to do. Also any remain in the Army Air Corp. He persons feeling they have First Lt. Rual William "Billy" has a rating which he has earned an understanding of the Bell recei1tly returned to Portland that makes him eligible for reten- work being done and who to visit with his mother, Mrs. tion in the air force with his pres- wish·to assist are urged to Mary Browning. Lt. Bell, a fight- ent commission. This particular make themselves known. er pilot in the U. S. Army Air rating is indicative of his being as * * * Co · t f b t desirable for continued service as a rps, Is a ve eran o many a - . The "Negro Committee 1 d . . H h W-est Pomter. t es an misswns. e was s ot for Economic Better- ------- down once over Yugoslavia while men.t," at present a paper on a mission to attack German in- Wm. Grant Still's organization, has issued a stallations in Austria. Bell re- Premiere On Air call for a meeting, to more ceived his wings at Tuskegee and Los Angeles-A world radio than 275 Negroes in order after further training at Selfridge premier of William Grant Still's to discuss the possibilities Field, Michigan, was stationed in .suite for violin and orchestra was of est,ablishing a Negro Italy with the 332nd fighter croup. featured on the NBC Red net- cooperative her e. The In an interview Lt. Bell re- work's Standard Symphony hour meeting will be held at the vealed that racial prejudices in Eu- program Sunday, Sept. 23, at 8:30 Masonic Auditorium, 116 ropeap theaters where he partie- to 9:30 p. m. Louis Kaufman was N. E. Russell street, Sun– ipated were practically extinct ex- also presented. day, October 14, 1945, at rept for those expressed by white William Grant Still; Negro, is 3 p. m. American Army officers and ser- hailed as one of the world's lead– vicemen. He was particularly im- ing composers. Air Force Captain VisitsWith Family forts to follow aviation in capac– ities other than military as a rea– son for his deciding to follow army aviation as his life's work. Captain Charles R. Stanton of Before entering the army, Cap- the U. S. Army Air Force, who is tain Stanton was a student at the at present stationed at Godman University of Oregon where he Field, Ky., visited his mother and was majoring in Journalism and father, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. A. Business Administration. Stanton on N. E. 8th avenue for In the photo below are Mr. and a week recently. Captain Stanton Frs. Chas. A. Stanton and son, was on a furlough that permitted Captain Chas. R. Stanton, and him to make a tour of the coun- Mr. and Mrs·. Wm. Dodson en– try ·before returning to his base. joying the entertainment and de– In discussing his army experiences, licious refreshments of the Dude Stanton explained that it was his Ranch , popular night spot. Cap– intention to remain in the service. tain Stanton was the host d this He cited the extreme difficulties party which was a pleasant occa- * * * The United Transport Service Employee union (Red Caps) are moving, under the direction of their president, Willard S. Townsend, to ask for a basic wage increase of from 57c an hour to 85c. The dining car employees, working under the juris– diction of this union are seeking a reduction in working hours from 240 hours per month to 160 without any reduction in pay• * * • The Ervin Jones inquest got underway today that confront Negroes in their ef- sion for everyone. Negro residents in Van– couver, Wash., are not only victimized by local realty board practices of restricting them to buying property in certain areas, they are not allowed to buy . . . period ! <Continued on Page 8) NOTICE-THiS EDITION OF THE OBSERVER delayed in order to furnish our readers coverage of the Ervin Jones Inquest. * * * Paul Robeson will fi– nally receive the 30th Spingarn medal in New York at a dinner to be held in the Hotel Biltmore, Oc– tobu 18th. Ma1·shall Field, whp )mblishes the newspa– per PM, will d'eliver the p r e s e n t ation address. Fields' backing of that 1 phony outfit of profes- 1 sional Negro lovers known as the American Council on Race Relations, is be– , ginning to bear fruit. He is now consorting with some of the most well in– tentioned and honest lib– erals of the country.