New York Amsterdam News — 1963-00-00825

AmsterSam\e\»s$fc C. B. POWELL President L Editor P. M. H. Savory, Secy-Treas. • J. L. Htcits, Executive Editor w. a J»doo« K. A. Walt, Utopia? Advertising Director; W Circulation Manager. J. H. Walker. City Editor; J. W Wade. Ctaaatind D. Stwpiaii, Brooklyn Manager Publl*h«d weekly by the Powell-Savory OorporattoB at 234 os at 2340 eighth Ave., N. J. Telephone ACademy 2-7800. Brooklyn office, 1281 Bedford Avenue. Telephone ULster 7-2800. »< t 7Jg — • Editorials Loss Of Prestige A few days ago New York City was shocked over the brutal slaying of a brilliant, talented 18-year-old Flushing youth in a robbery that netted his slayers forty cents. In the course of due process, three persons — ii one of them a 15-year-old youth — were arrested and brought before a Queens grand jury. But the grand jury did not find sufficient evi­ dence to indict the 15-year-old boy, and again, in due course, a Supreme Court Justice ordered the boy re­ leased from the Youth House where he was being held. The release order, signed by the Supreme Court Judge, was transmitted to the Youth House in the normal way. But one of the underlings there refused to honor the Supreme Court Judge’s signature and refused to release the youth. When the Supreme Court Judge talked to this underling by telephone, he, the Youth House under­ ling, told the Supreme Court Judge that if he want­ ed the youth released, he, the Judge, would have to go to the Youth House and identify his signature! When the father of the accused youth learned that his boy had not been released — in spite of the Supreme Court Judge’s order — he complained to newspapermen that the boy was not released because he was a Puerto Rican and because the Supreme Court Judge, who had signed the order, was a Negro. Now, this newspaper is not inclined to charge race bias in every instance where a Negro, or a Puerto Rican is mistreated. But we submit that if anyone wishes to charge race bias here they certain­ ly have all the evidence necessary to support such a charge. But, we repeat, we don’t see the necessity of charging race bias here. What we do see is the ne­ cessity for the Judge in this case to let this underling at the Youth House feel all the weight, dignity and power of the Supreme Court of New York State. The Judge involved here was Supreme Court Judge, Thomas Dickens of Manhattan and Judge Dickens is quoted as saying: “I don’t think they re­ fused to release him (the boy) because I am a Negro. I have never been refused before.” In answer to Judge Dickens we repeat what we have said be­ fore: Whether or not this underling disregarded Judge Dickens’ order because of his race is unimportant. For in the eyes of the law Thomas Dickens is not a Negro Supreme Court Judge of the State of New York, he is a Supreme Court Judge of the State of New York, period. . And in asking for Judge Dickens to slap down this upstart, we ask it not because we dislike seeing an underling thumb his nose at a Negro in a superior position, but because we realize that all of us in New York State are harmed if we allow anyone to flout 'the dignity of the law. A Take Charge Guy! John A. Gronouski of Wisconsin has been sworn in as the Postmaster General of the United States, and we don’t h&sitate to say we like the way he took office. ?n striking contrast to many persons in high places who approach a high office as if they were walking on eggs, Mr. Gronouski began his duties with a vow to remove the last vestige of job discrim­ ination from the Post Office Department .and made clear that he intends to r-’ the Department and the high office he holds to lp break down racial inequality in the South. We repeat, we like the way this man has started out. The President has made it clear that his policy and, therefore, the policy of the United States gov­ ernment is aimed at equal opportunity for all. And it is refreshing to have one of his cabinet members sit down on his first day in office and say to the President and to the nation, “your policy of equal opportunity is my policy — let’s get on with the job!” Our hat is off to our new Postmaster General, and we salute the President for his wisdom in pick­ ing him for the job. A Good Idea Mayor Robert F. Wagner has asked the City Council to authorize a 12-member citizens* commis­ sion of experts to examine the city’s fiscal problems ■ and find some solutions to them. The AmsterdamNews feels that this is an excel­ lent idea and one which the Council should act on immediately. Such a commission, If properly set up, would turn the city’s bast brains to the task of solving one of the city’s biggest headaches—its fiscal worries. This is as it should be. New York is the greatest city in the world. In attaining and maintaining that greatness it has run into some of the world's greatest problems of finance. But the people who fac$ these problems are the people who made New York great—and those same people, if given the opportunity, are great enough to solve the problems they face. The Lobby Of Peace By MARCELLE FOUQUET .. It was indeed a very impressive speech that Presi­ dent Kennedy delivered last Fridaybefore the General Assembly of the United Nations, He urged all the nations to put an end to their “chronic disputes which divert precious resources from the energies of both sides, and serve the interest of no one.” More particularly, the President ad­ dressed the Soviet Union, who shares responsibilities with the United States as a nuclear power. “Those responsi­ bilities,” he said, “require our two nations to concentrate less on our dif­ ferences and more on the means of resolving them peacefully. Amsterdam NEWS JeafvirC For too long, both of us have in­ creased our military budgets, our nuclear stockpile and our capacity to destroy all Jife without corresponding increase to our security.” Behind the scene, everyone praised the eloquence of the President. Yet it is striking to note to what extent the negotiations and talks for peace are already routine. No more suspense. No more virulent declara­ tions against one’s adversary. Everyone knows the path has been laid: Kennedy and Khruschshev decided to coexist, to stop the arma­ ment race and prevent future conflicts. Everyone takes it for granted that there will be no more World War ' III, and it is true. The desire to “bury” each other is replaced by a desire to compete in a host of peaceful areas in ideas, in productions and ultimately in service to all mankind. A revolution is under way. Future Trend Let us bear In mind that the urge for cooperation emphasized by Kennedy and his proposal to the Soviets to go to the moon together do not stem from a sudden love for Socialism. The future trend is the response to a great un­ expressed need for an open world, where men and goods can circulate freely; where general prosperity would speed production and give work to everybody; where disease would be curbed. I do not think that any political force can oppose this formidable drive. The business men are introduced on the scene. They are already at work to establish economic founda­ tions of the future world while sentimental speeches are perpetuating the last echos of the cold w ar What Mr K Wants Khrushchev wants prosperity'for the "Soviets. He wants it at any price. To that end, he 'has already sacrificed a great many things such as his alliance with China, and he is ready for other sacr*'"s With its resources, the U S S R, may well ca o with American industrial achievements. Should the Rus­ sians continue the race for bigger and better bombs and missiles, plus the economic support of a closed communist world, it might take 50 years. If they deal with the West, it may take only 15 years. Hence, they chose coexistence. Of course, Americans rather enjoy that prospect too. Now they can breathe more freely. They want to take full advantage of their huge industrial power,, so that they can infiltrate everyhere. And like Khrush­ chev, they are right. Last week. Secretary of State Dean Rusk stated that it was in the interest of the United States to have as many neutralist countries as possible, who are “completely disengaged towards East and West.” Senator Fulbright went even further by asking U S. to stop ignoring Communist China. All the better. Inter­ est is to cultivate all the communisms and only one. After all, Britain has been preparing the Chinese market for years. She knows that the Third W’orld (Afro-Asian) countries will be integrated in the vast current of prosperity. Along The Way March On Washington Results One of the silliest questions of the many thousands that were asked the night of the March was, “Has the March had any effect on the civil rights picture?” This was treating the March as though it were a home run clearing the bases and chalk­ ing a definite total up on the score- board. Obviously, no such results were to be seen on the night of August 28 or on the __ morning of August WILKINS 29, but last week there appeared what could be a result of the turbulent summer of civil rights struggle. A subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee reported out tentatively a draft of a civil rights bill that was much stronger than the package proposed by Presi­ dent Kennedy on June 19. Mr. Kennedy did not include FEPC as a part of his package, although he verbally endorsed the FEPC idea: The subcommittee did include FEPC. Mr. Kennedy did not include sweeping new authority for the Justice Department to act in a wider range of civil rights cases, By ROY WILKINS instead of just in voting cases and in school cases under certain re­ strictive conditions. The subcommittee did include this strong point. Mr. Kennedy did include' a public accommodations section, but in the earliest hearings, the Attorney General indicated a will­ ingness to trim this section so as to exempt some businesses and impose some cut-off rule on others. But the subcommittee added the 14th Amendment as authority and omitted any restrictions ex­ cept one covering five rooms or less tor rent in a private home. Tilings Changed Mr. Kennedy proposed new protections for voting, some of which are complicated and he restricted the bill to Federal elections. The subcommittee broadened it to include state elec­ tions as well. Mr. Kennedy asked for a four- year term for the Civil Rights Commission; the subcommittee recommended a permanent com­ mission. All in all, the subcommittee has proposed a strong bill and civil rights supporters ought to ask that it be passed without dilution or delay. The fact that the subcommittee i_ ♦ went beyond the Presidential recommendations means that some Congressmen, at least, got the message of the Evers murder, the March and the unspeakable Birmingham bomb murders of four little girls. Things have changed since June 19 and what might have seemed to some people to have been a good program then is not nearly good enough in late September. The subcommittee recognized this and deserves credit for daring to strengthen the bill. • It now goes to the full House Judiciary Committee where defin­ itive action on it is expected to take about ten days. What hap­ pens to the bill now depends upon how closely the people watch it at every step and how continu­ ously they write their Congress­ men, the President and their party leaders, both Republican and Democratic. The Republicans are giving some support and will give more if properly persuaded. If the bill escapes hard chopping in the House we will have something . worth going “all-wit” for in the Senate. Write your letters today. If . 200.000 people can go to Washing­ ton in behalf of civil rights, surely a million letters can also go. Pulse Of New York’s Public Amiferdam News welcomes letters on either tide of any subject. It U preferred that letters not exceed 250 words and they mrut be signed Names wiU be withheld on request. No Utters can be returned All mutt be addressed to the tditor. Fighting Each Other Sir; As a lifetime resident of Harlem, and one who has a more than Interest in the political structure of the community, I wish to mount the soapbox. When I was still in my teens, you used to send _me out on youth assignments. You were In­ strumental in building in me a feeling of responsibility in this neck of the woods. Why in the name of Heaven (this is a family paper) are our Negro political leaders fighting each other Instead of the man downtown? livery time I go to my clubhouse, instead of hearing plans to help the community, all I hear is some local Joker, forth- ing at the mouth, denounce some other Negro bigwig. The other fellow is across town doing the same thing. How is this helping the people of Har­ lem? For me to attempt to delve into this mess at length would take half of this editorial page. Sir, as soon as events calm down in Alabama, and you can once again turn your typewriter in the direction of home base, please do so. One idea might be a pence conference to be chaired by you or Jimmie Book- er, with the aecant on what is good for the people of Harlem as opposed to personal gains. Leon Perry. New York. NY We Love You! Sir? I should like to heartily congratulate everyone of you, employees and employers, who are responsible for the publica­ tion and the survival of the Am­ sterdam News. As a render constantly of the paper for more than 28 years, I am aware that your Journal has weathered the storms of unionism, racism, competition, feeble support in the Negro com­ munity, Madison Avenue skul­ duggery. and little or no sup­ port from big national ad­ vertisers. In spite of these ob­ stacles, The Amsterdam News has arrived as a solid voice in the Negro Community. It is high time that Negroes fully realize the heavy load car­ ried by Negro Journals and how they battle uncompromisingly for Negroes all the way. In fact, the Negro press is the life-blood of the Negro community. Hurled back at the bigots by the Negro press are the lias and tricks spattered on the Negro commu­ nities. Moreover, Negro publica­ tions can reach where the Negro individual cannot get with liis message or grievance. They also alert the t Negro to the urgency of becoming unified. In fact, it Is a must that the Negro press should be encouraged and be given the proper support in view of the fact that solid public re­ lations are one of the keystones of present day battles for prog­ ress. May I request now that the Negro community in New York coosider ways to get the Amster­ dam News to become our daily Chris Forde, paper? New York Rev. King's Dreom Sir: Re: Rev. Martin Luther King: Your dream is true that we all learn God's work A good champion fighter be­ lieves that if you beat him the first time It is your fsult, and the second time is his fault. Lis­ ton beat Patterson the first time, but the second time between Patterson and Almighty God Patterson won. You see when Liston beat Patterson the first time Patterson went back and trained and thought HARD, how to beat Liston on his return match and Patterson stopped and Mid to himMlf I am not going to try to beat Liston any more. I am going to fight some­ body else and still be champion and Liston will love me for that and shake my hand. Our fight as a Negro, Is how did we get beat and what our white brother is using to beat us with, and if you work hard and see hard you wiU see it right in front of your face what he is using to beat us with and that weapon is teaching. The white man's knockout punch is to keep the Negro from learning. Check the record and you will see for yourself that any Negro who believes in working hard to learn anything was successful, and you can start checking with Jackie Robinson and Joe Louis and you will see for your­ self that their teachers were Ne­ groes, they learned among Ne­ groes and went among white peo­ ple and made money. And don't start talking about Jack Black­ burn. Yes, he learned among white people and he did not make the money until he got Joe Louis. A white man win take your woman and give her a Job teach­ ing his children and his wife and she can also teach him and It will be all right, but for a NEGRO man, no. The white man believes she Is big enough and bad enough that he can take any­ thing a Negro has to tesch from him. Can’t you see everytime you get a good teacher of your group the white man takes him away and gives him a Job where he cannot teach. I don't have to name them for you know them. All of them he did not give* a Job he put them in Jail and scared the heart o u t of them until we are afraid to walk the street. Can’t you see what they are getting ready to do with Jackie Robinson* I say to you Rev. King, and you/ frland, Jackie Robinson, Roy Wilkins and many many more of you teachers doing a good Job trying to teach our group be­ cause our white brothers nave left untaught to face this new world of today. Rev. Martin Luther Klug you know Christ came here and he taught and preached to save the world from sin and your dreams will be true as I learned you are supposed to be his follower. If you get the opportunity to get the audience that you have j on TV and radio on the streets on August 28th again I would like to see you teach and preach the word of God that I know you can do, and I want you to open the door of the church that I know you can do and I want to see those black and white sisters and brothers coming down the aisle to shake your black hand and them white hands see them together and that I am willing to see, and when we have done that you can tell the world that you are another champion for Almighty God. HARRY INGRAM 66 West 84th Street NYC To The Gov. Sir: Have you ever seen two little, Innocent babies playing on a lawn, one colored and the other white. Did you notice the glow In their eyes and how they stick their finger in each other’s eyes? But what happens when they grow up to meet so-called human be­ ings like you? I guess you have heard of the wet nurses who used to take their black breasts and nursed maybe you. Also do you remem­ ber what happentd to Bilbo. With the sting of death on him he could not say “Lord, have mercy upon me." You are the cause of those in­ nocent little girls being killed by the hands of some bigots who could neither read nor write. Those are the ones who Just make a cross in place of their name The ones that put the likes of you In office. Governor, you have brought shame on your state of America as well as the world. President John F. Kennedy Is doing all he can to cwnvert you. and all others like you. v Peter L. Jackson Box 414, Chrlstlansted St. Croix, Virgin Islands | No Dream W'orld Many people will question whether I am kidtling. My future world may look too much like Alice’s dream in Wonderland to give credence to it. I will invite those wise realists to ponder the unsurpassed dynamic power of money.The pocket book makes revolutions, or pre­ vents them, erases secular hostilities or generates them. It has always been a characteristic of the business world to damn any ideology, or sometimes, humanitar­ ian considerations when they do not serve its ends. That attitude can produce the most disastrous effects such as racism, or a complete reversion of -the policy towards the communist world. Africa And Harlem By OLIVIA PEARL STOKES, Director Department of Religious Education Massachusetts Council of Churches A visit to the major cities of East and West Africa leaves one feeling that there are many similarities between Harlem’s 125th Street shopping center and the main street of any African town. The people are dark skin in color, the voices are gay, and movement is swift; people are hurrying' everywhere. There are large supermarkets in Lagos, Nigeria. The main market is the Kingsway. In this lovely modern supermarket, one discovers dial soap, cash- mere, many of the frozen foods, Venetian glass and African carvings from other parts of the continent. In Ghana in the capital city of Accra, In the Kings­ way, and in the Ghana Trading Company, a visitor finds almost any import that you would see in the United States — a transistor battery, a small radio, cooking utensils, frozen foods and a coca-cola snack bar. The import section will boast of European glass, watches from Switzerland and musical instruments and wood carvings from other African countries. On the streets, you find the street venders — mostly women. They are called market women-- (Continued on Page 54) C Untitled Document file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/Administrator/Desktop/hello.html2/18/2007 11:01:03 AMThomas M. Tryniski 309 South 4th Street Fulton New York 13069 www.fultonhistory.com