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PAGE rOUR fEhe 0mmmh irihmif Established 1875 By J. H. DEVEAUX BUL C JOHNSON Editor and Publisher AIRS WILLA A. JOHNSON, Asst, to Pub, & Mgr, J. H BUTLER Asso. Editor ~~ PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY 1009 WEST BROAD STREET Telephone, Dial 5338 Subscription Rates In Advance One Year ... ...... $3.00 Six Months ... $ 2.00 Remittance must be made by Express, Post Office Money Order or Registered Mail. Entered as Second Class Matter at the Post Oilice at Savannah, Ga., under the Act of March 3, 1919 ", . . it is the universal rule that detects of behavior which one can not tolerate in others are precisely those which are most often present in himself, though seldom if ever disclosed ... It is also characteristic of an individual that., while he feels entirely at liberty to crit¬ icize the conduct, the opinions or the habits of others, he himself is painful¬ ly sensitive to and even bitterly resent¬ ful of criticism directed towards him. Indeed, it is precisely the criticism one directs at others that he most strongly resents having others direct at. him." Trigant Burrow. A NF.W IDEA vVe nave hammered tirelessly on the matter of having Negroes prepare for the time and what it will bring, if and when, (or in spite of it) the expected decision of the U. S. Supreme ( ourt on the school cases comes. Several weeks ago, a prominent educator brought to the attention of his students the fact that there are more opportunities open and opening to Negroes than there are pre¬ pared Negroes to embrace them. He cited the demand for well prepared per¬ sons in chemistry, mathematics, physics, geology, engineering and in other High¬ ly specialized fields. One of our citi¬ zens, because of a recent experience, ob¬ served that we suffer inconvenience, anxieties, and sometimes, indignities we are helpless to avoid, because we lack specialists among our medical men. He wondered why Negro students don’t go in for specialist training. Of course, there are reasons why they don’t. One is the great cost and length of lime required to iiecome specialists. The field in all the professions is wide open, and is vir¬ gin in some instances. According to one authority', there are only 11!) Negro doctors in the state of Georgia to serve more than a million persons. The ratio is something like 1 doctor to 10,000. Iliere is only one ear, eve, nose and throat specialist in the whoie state, and it may be interesting to note that the great state of Georgia did not train a single one of these at the tax supported University of Georgia. The few Ne¬ groes who were able have had to go out ol tile state to receive their profes¬ sional training and have remained out to engage in the practice of their pro¬ fession. Many ot them have achieved splendid notice for doing outstanding work. This has been true of other southern states, as well. The scarcity of trained individuals to meet the demand for highly qualified 1 persons presents a challenge to young Negroes, to colleges, to a large number of well-intentioned groiqta, Kverv year in this city alone son* half-dozen groups give scholarships tovhigh school or college students, and usually to a ditterent set of students each year. Now the giving of scholarships is a per¬ fect!;*’ laudable thing to jlo, it seems to us to possess one serious fault how¬ ever (and this is debatable): the awards given in this manner have no foHow-up provisions and permanent good results an* not such as the total amount of monyv so expended could produce. That is, instead of giving many scholarships ranging from $50 to $200 yearly to dif- terent individuals, the same amount could be pooled and given to one or two students of exceptional ability who will, -be (followed through to completion in their chosen field. We are not unmind¬ ful ot what it takes to work out details involved in carrying out such an idea, but we believe it deserves consideration. It is our feeling that we could follow examples set by philanthropic groups that poo) their funds to be used to the best possible advantage. In view of the many opportunities open and open¬ ing for well preparer! persons, a plan such as we suggest merits the attention ot the fraternities, sororities, veterans’ organizations, dui»s and societies that have set up as an objective giving of scholarships yearly. AT FLA. NORMAL COLLEGE LANGSTON HlGHliB. author and port, wilt be presented a< the L'lorida Normal and Industrial Memorial College. Monda. night March 15. a, 8 :0« I'M . i« Heck- scher Gymnaturium. Hughes is National Advertising Representatives Associated Publishers 31 West 46 Street New York 19, New York Whaley-Cahili Company 6513 Hollywood Boulevard Los Angeles California Whaley-Cahill Company 440 Russ Building ' San Francisco, California OVERSIGHT THAT IS UNFAIR Any one familiar with the recrea¬ tion facilities provided for the children of Savannah must wonder what it is that keeps this city behind some other cities in this respect. The city is plan¬ ning to build a new swimming pool for white children at the cost of $150,Tip, and as far as we know Negro children will do their swimming in unsan¬ itary ditches, or in deeper, dangerous streams near the city, or in the swim¬ ming pool near enough to the cemetery to be affected by the seepage from it. Besides being deprived of the benefits children get from the opportunity to swim in safe and sanitary water, Ne¬ gro children will be subject to the hazards of unsanitary ditches and deep and treacherous streams. It is unfair to subject our children to this depriva¬ tion while $150,000 is spent on a new swimming pool for white children. This money comes out of public funds. The same sort of justice permits the denial of space on the ocean front for surf bathing for Negroes. The city and county authorities could remedy this situation and they should do it. Negro citizens could (attempt to remedy it, too, hut at a cost no rules of justice would impose. Negroes have a last re¬ sort., hut for obvious reasons they hesitate to use it, It argues poorly for our American way of life that some cit¬ izens must go to the courts at great sacrificial cost to secure rights and benefits that should come to them as they come to other citizens. Negroes have, however, won the right to use re¬ creation facilities where cities have ov¬ erlooked making adequate provisions for them. This situation is just like the situation that resulted from similar oversight in the matter of providing adequate educational facilities for Ne¬ groes. It would seem that good states¬ manship would seek to prevent situa¬ tions that breed tension and discontent. A VUTElESS PEOPLE During the regional convention of the NAA( P, the main addresses emphasiz¬ ed the importance of voting, of using the ballot. They fitted into ttie uro¬ gram .which had for its theme: “We shall lie tree m l!)5.‘l” or words to ihi- effect, The ballot was emphasized as being high among the means of achiev¬ ing freedom, but preliminary to intelli¬ gent use of the ballot two things must be accomplished: (1) Negroes, the mass¬ es of them, must be brought to appre¬ ciate the inr|>ortanee of active citizen¬ ship; and (2) they must cultivate a pas¬ sionate interest in voting iri order to lid- come active citizens. A blue print of specifications for organizing Negro vot¬ ers was given that was good enough and possibly workable in metropolitan eilies. But th«r real problem is what to do when intelligent and reliable lead¬ ership is lacking. Good leadership perhaps will find the solution to anoth¬ er bothersome problem: how to bring fo- gethei a number ot people who will ring door hells to get alt eligible voters to iegistei, and then go all over the ground again to get them to the polls to vote on election day. This means in the lirst place, forming an organization that, van plan and prosecute a program or citizenship training sufficient to enlist three or four hundred jarrsons who have Hie time, and are interested enough to rap on doors to get voters out to regis¬ ter immediate and vote. and Ib*would seem that "the visible benefits of vot mg, the opportunity to aid in selecting btmhc servants, and the serious import :tl1 dwtioiw. especially the elections 0 come this year—these things ought, »<’ be sufficient to arouse people to the value their see of right to vote Peo- I’ 1 *; "ho are literate enough to hold mb. to pay their bills and keep up with then- insurance ought be able to this 1 he job prodigious. see is With our leaders a.' intractable and complacent a* thev •me it is almost too late to accomplish ' this year, in spite of all we and others u ; ■' aid ’ A 'oteless people is , tied*** , j|t Hl they a pe °l * a, are to be pit- f a m uu , "car; Blues”: “The Itrcam Keen-I " Shakes Mr : years in Harlem"; Simple .Speaks His Mind"; "The H„elr, , hr \ rgr „- mitnv ' , . br,n . b h “ « f > ' « ! ah“n ol 1 lor id a N.I.M, College. J ! HOW THE NEWSPAPER ( RAFT AND OTHERS EVALUATE THE WORK OF THE TRIBUNE EDITOR WHO DIED LAST WEEK LOCAL NEGRO EDITOR DIES Sol C. Johnson, 86, editor and publisher of the Savannah j Tribune, Negro weekly news¬ paper, died yesterday at his v sidence, 1009 West Broad St. following a short illness. H had served as publisher of thi newspaper since 1889. i lie had also served as grand secretary of the Prince Hall iffiliation. Grand Lodge of Georgia, F. and A. M, for 62 /ears and was a trustee of the First Congregational Church ie was also a member of Wei- don Lodge of Elks, past poten- ate of Omar Temple of the .Shrine, member of the Hub Civic I Club, trustee of the Charity Hospital and served on the citizen’s committee which pur¬ chased and improved the West j Broad Street YMCA > He was one of the organizers of the Negro Grand Chapter of j the Order of the Eastern in Georgia, the first chapter to be organized locally and also served as pfltron of the chapter for more than 50 years. He was a 33rd degree Mason. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 3 p. m, at the First Congregational Church. Burial will be in Laurel Orove Cemetery. 'Savannah Morning News. 3-2-54> \N EDITOR PASSES A newspaperman who had served long and well passed yesterday when death dropped Savannah, Ga. March 2nd, 1954 WHEREAS, ALMIGHTY GOD, IN HIS' INFINITE WISDOM | ( AND MERCY, has called unto HIMSELF our esteemed and loyal Brother. Sol C. Johnson, for many years a member, who served the lodge faithfully and well as Treasurer, also as a Trustee, we, the officers and members of Weldon Lodge, No. 26. I. B. P O. E. W bow our . j heads in humble submission ■ and deepest sorrow at the ir¬ reparable loss we and our order J have sustained We hereby in his passing away. place on ; record our sincere appreciation j for the high ideals he has shown by precept and example jin ''of the conduct of the business the Lodge entrusted to his ' attention. and WHEREAS, he was a man of , vision—What was to come al- i ways claimed his attention and interest, not the past. Ho looked l , . — MR. JOHNSON’S EXPERIENCE AS A January 17, Inclined Toward The And Newspaper While hr the grades I secured route on the morning and even¬ ing papers and during the sum- j mgr vacation was employed j the ruling department of largest print shop in the city. Leaving West Broad (School, instead of at Beach Institute I sought em¬ ployment. About that time Echo" began publication Harden Bros, and Griffin, sisting of two brothers and j sister I was employed as ! "Devil.” This was my as a printer. ' In 1875 “The Tribune” j publication. At that time were no colored printers ' the city The work had to j done fused by white printers who to continue the work which publication was pended for a time. In the mean time The was discontinued and Savannah Tribune publication with a full of Negro printers, among myself. It may be interesting for present printers and know that at that electric lights were not in but kerosene lamps • and printers had to clean the ! Activities At t The “Y j The Cyrano social club j Beach individual high school took out ; memberships in I YMCA These young men Shave use of the Y ballroom and a meeting place without cost the club The following took out memberships E. Wright, president, Willie E. Marian L. Spaulding SpCnt tKe week 111 Baxley be- caUst ,f l "e death Of her pat- enl «»l aunt She visited her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Emman- uel Carter, and son. John Ed- ward. _ ^ THE SAVANNAH TRIBUNE the editorial pencil from the land of Sol C. Johnson, editor and publisher of the Savannah Tribune, a weekly Negro news¬ paper whose continuous history n Savannah runs back 72 years. It was as a young man -hat Editor Johnson took up his luties, and he carried on un- •easmgly for the community to which he had ded- :ated himself. He was 86 years old when he died and could look back on a life of good .ervice not only to his profess- ion, but in fraternal orders, in ‘-he civic and charitable fields, and to his church. As editor ind publisher of the journal th#t has been held in esteem ind respect by its readers ‘hroughout the generations of itibscribers Editor Johnsorr’saw to it that the news coverage was comprehensive in the oaper’s field and that its edi¬ torial voice was vigorous. Hr was a ’ capable craftsman, s leader among his people, and vs fnend and advocate he left a asting impression, <Savannah Evening Press 3-2-54 1 the last headline From the vast supply of news at his disposal, the editor of every newspaper, great or small selects the headlines for each edition. Headlines that arouse a people, ease tortured minds or just tel] the plain truth. Yet in each of these is a drop of the warmth and understanding backward only to profit by experience. He was always using his Gained mind for the wide- nin 6 Of the Lodge's field of service, and in his conduct neither time nor place, nor condition, caused him to deviate from the high standard of living wftich he had set for himself, though he did condone the weakness of others: THEREFORE. BE IT RE¬ SOLVED, that these wholly . inadequate expressions of our high appreciation of his charac¬ ter and our sincere sorrow at the departure from our midst of our fellow member, whom we honored, and respected be- cause of his never failing in- tere.it in our welfare, be made a permanent record, AND BE IT FURTHER RE- SOLVED, that we extend to the bereaved family, whose grief we share, the assurance that our memory will ever cherish his nobility of character, his shades and records adjusted. Type was set from sticks, an hour of eight point would be superior. Since 1875 "The Trib¬ une” has had only two owners and publishers. The first being Col. John H Deveaux and the present, myself. In 1889 Col. Deveaux was ap¬ pointed Collector of Customs at Brunswick, there upon he selected me as his successor and at that time we had to be janitor, clerk, pressman and j editor. We wished for the day ! for a linotype machine and to have two of them would of indeed have been a dream j which was finally realized. Not only that, but a perfecting press was without that We began with a three column folio even ] up to eight columns the pres- ent size. The saddest blow to us was when our editor and publisher ( passed to the Great Beyond in 1909. We were able to purchase the business and soon after erected the present building in 1912 when the first linotype mach- ine in the state in a Negro print shop was purchased and improvements made The winter session of the Negro Newspaper Publishers Association will be in session January 21. 1950. at which Verdce. Alvin Hall, Everette Johnson, Charles B. Rouse, I Ravell Williams. Melvin Rob- inson. Robert Young. George Henry Heard, Warren Jones, Jr.. Joseph Walker and Carlton. Jr Major Rollins of Hunter Ait- Base showed a 40 minute film to the members of the Hub Wednesday, March 10 The membership committee pi the Y will meet Tuc.c., y tight and life's blood of its editor. The greatest headline by any j editor is his last, ghost written all— j by the greatest writer of i death. A headline so tender, yet ■ so true: so proud, yet naive. A memoriam to an association i ; long revered which passes on to his paper's Historic Hall of , Tradition. Such a headline was written ! this week for a man whose in¬ j tegrity and ability has gone | unchallenged in the newspaper i , world for almost three-quarters of a century. A man whose Christian, fraternal, and civic activities brought him many ; friends in many fields through¬ out the country. In the dea!£ ’of Sol C. Johnson, the Savan- j nah Tribune, the Negro news- i paper world, and Savannah j have lost an editor who has i truly earned his “Last Headline.” The Savannah Herald, (3-4-54i j Savannah. Ga. j Mar. 2 Whereas It Has Pleased Our j Heavenly Father To Take from us Our Great Founder and | Leader of The Order of Eastern J Star, Past Grand Patron, Sol j C. Johnson; Whereas ,, This Unselfish i Leader’s Lif6 Will Linger in I Our Memor.y large or small He would contribute to Humanity. | The G. W. M. of Georgia and the W. M. and W. P. of both : RESOLUTIONS eminent ideals and the broad- ness of his Christian charity, AND BE IT FURTHER RE- SOLVED, that this testimonial as prepared by resolution of Weldon Lodge No. 26, be spread upon the records of the Lodge, 1 na* a copy be presented to the j family and that a copy be pub- lished in the Savannah Trib- une. Respectfully submitted: WELDON LODGE NO. 26, IMPROVED BENEVOLENT PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS OF THE WORLD M. P. Sessoms Exalted Ruler S. H. BOOKER Secretary j Resolutions of condolence from the members First | Congregational Church on the death of Mr. S'ol C. Johnson. j Whereas, It has pleased Al- mighty God in His infinite j wisdom to remove from our WHEN THE EDITORSHIP WAS TRANSFERRED TO MR. JOHNSON Savannah, Ga. Dec. 5, 1889 Mr. Sol C. Johnson Dear S'ir: As 1 am about to leave the city to assume charge of a government office at Bruns- T . . , . „ . / „ ail inn'lint vmi . " -a "»,.innah Tribune Cfh 0 ec and pay out money on account o such paper and printing oH,ce ’ I hope you will bear in mind ,the object of the paper which is the elevation of our race. ' and to that object all other considerations should be ! ondary. _______... I _ would ______ recommend that in politics you pursue usual manly and conservative course adopted by me as the standard of the Tribune. Yours truly, John H. Deveaux time the publishers intend pay- mg tribute to The Savannah Tribune ----..... as being —.. 6 the ‘—s oldest -—v Negro publication and at which time u banquet will be tendered. It is thought advisable to give this information to the force. , —Sol C. Johnson when plans will be made for the 1954 membership enrollment campaign. Wilton C Scott will serve as general chairman of this year’s drive. The Beach high .school chorus will give a dance at the Y Fri- day night. Tlte Arthur Jackman social club will use the newly outfit¬ ted Men’s Activity room for their future meetings at the Y. The (dub Is* been meeting THURSDAY, MARCH II, 1954 Central City and Square Chap- ters of Macon express our heart feit svmathy to the Family and State at large. Each year his report was well versed with the song, "Guide Me Oh Thov Great Jehovah.” The Angels of have joined Him today. We bow in Humble Submissior "The lights are out In the Mansion of clay The curtains are drawn For the Dweller’s away. He silently slipped Over the Threshold by night To make his abode in the city of light.” Respectfully submitted, Amy J. Dunn, Chairman Sister Hattie Phillips Sister Leila Hill, Secretary TELEGRAMS l ROM NEWS¬ PAPERMEN at API were shocked and sad- dened to hear of the death o' Mr. Johnson. All join with me in this expression of our sym- pathy. Joseph B. LaCour Associated Publishers. Inc. BALTIMORE, Md—Very ! r\ laden leain r-v C Passing of — a Mr. * ° deepest sym p a tby f aipi jy d. Arnett Murphy The Afro-American Co. midst our late member, friend and former chairman of our Trustee Board. Mr. Sol C. John- son; and Whereas, We feel that in his passing the church has lost a member who was always inter¬ ested in its welfare and pro- gress; always active and zeal- ous in the work of the church; ever ready to help the needy; prompt to advance the interest of the church and devoted to its prosperity; wise in council and fearless in action; an hon¬ est and upright man whose virtures endeared him not only to the members of his church but to all of his fellow citizens; and Whereas, His many years of to the church were of Inestimable value and his sup- port cf the church most liberal; therefore be it' .Resolved. That while we bow in humble submission to the will of The Most High we nev- THE HISTORY OF THE TRIBUNE AS WRITTEN BY EDITOR SOL C. JOHNSON Sept. 9, 1948 The Savannah Tribune was fi rs £ j ssued j n Savannah, November, 1875. The publishers were Toomer, White, Pleasant x Co. The Editor and was John H. Deveaux. The off- ice was on the corner of Price and Harris, opposite the Institute. The first clerk was Miss Emmie DeLamotta, ««■*" f MK Deveaux Its size was three column folio. At that time colored prin t ers could not be securedi for which reas . on the work had to be done at a white printing office. Natural- ly> The Tribune was a staunch Republican publication. this reason, the printers being Democrats refused to handle The Tribune. This was an em- harassing situation which forced The Tribune to suspend publi- cation for a period. Publication u' was resumed , Oct- ober, 1886, in its own plant which was located in the N. E. Cor. Market Square and St. Jul j an streets with colored pint ers It was then a five column , folio a job printing depart- mem was added The or igi “ na i publishers were not used. In 1889, Editor and Manager Deveaux was appointed Col- lector of Customs at Bruns- at the Y for six years and ev- ery member takes out a $5.00 membership each year. Samuel A Jones is secretary of the club. The B. J. social club of Beth- ol AME church will give a night >f fun at the Y on Monday night. The La Rettes, a group ol young o irLs attending Cuyler Junioi high and Florence ele¬ mentary scnools, win have their ft• .<=’ cookma lesson Tuesday ATLANTA, Ga. — Extend to you and staff our deepest sym¬ pathy in the death of Publisher Johnson who was a pioneer in the field of Negro journalism carrying editorial comments. C. A. Scott. Editor Atlanta Daily World BALTIMORE, Md—You have j the deepest sympathy of the j National Newspaper Publishers 1 Association in the sorrow which has come to you. The death of Publisher So! C. Johnson is a distinct loss to our craft. Carl Murphy, President NNPA GENTLEMEN: In the passing of Mr. Sol C. Johnson, the newspaper pro¬ fession lose., one of its early oillars. The Negro Race loses a leader who bore the brunt a $ the battle in the early dayd when struggling was difficult. I have always admired Sol lohnsotv. He was steadfast and true and I was proud to call him my friend. , ------ Please extend ——— our sympathy to the bereaved. 1 Sincerely yours, , THE ASSOCIATED NEGRO PRESS ' Claude A. Barnett ertheiess mourn our member, friend and benefactor whose loyalty and devotion has meant so much to the progress of First Congregational Church. Resolved, That in the death of Mr. Johnson the church has lost a member who was ever ready to respond to any need that would bo beneficial to the church and its members. Resolved, That these resolut¬ ions be published in the Sav¬ annah Tribune and a copy be entered upon the minutes of First Congregational Church. S. J. Brown, Chairman j J. Q. Jefferson ( j M. H. Nichols ! S. C. Parker W. K. Payne | Mrs. Lorene J, Pressley Miss M. R. Shivery, Secr^tafy i Stanley Whittle? . J. B. wick, Ga. In December of the same year he selected the pres- ent editor and manager to con- ‘ * duct the publication, who a few months after increased The Tribune to a six column folio, It was necessary to add to the mechanical department which caused removal of the office to 462 West Broad Street and en- larging of the paper to seven col™ .olio. Jj , In June 19C9 ’ our beloved and" j first editor and manager died. A year after the P resent editor and manager became sole: I ° wnei of tile P !an f- In 1911 f he lot a ’ 1999 West Broad Street ( was P U1 chased. The same win- ^ er ^ e present building was ;erected anci 0C ««P ied the spring 01 191 ” The size of the paper was in¬ j creased. The first linotype machine to be used 111 in a a Nearo i printing office was secured and soon after another one was added with other modern equip- i mem. « | Today, The Tribune is one of the v “’- very few race newspapers ownin 8 its own Plant and build 1 in S’ gro commercial newspaper in the country. Sol C. Johnson 4:00 p. m. Miss Augusta Pettie | jg* lnstructor The Committee of Manage- ment met Wednesday night when lay delegates were elected tQ the Southern Area Council j YMCA conference and the Boys work conference in Atlanta March 26 _ 27 and 27-29, re¬ specuvel >'- y J - Srown n aUing of the committee.