Newspaper Page Text
TEARS OF
CONTINUOUS
PUBLIC SERVICE
VQLUME LXXVIII
Negro Newspaper Week Now Being Observed
Ten Citizens Receive Russwurm Awards
MADAM JOSEPHINE BAKER GARDNER COWLES A. G. GASTON REV. FRANCIS L. GRIFFIN LORRAINE UANSBERRV ROBERT IIIIL M1IOYA BEN SC’HWART/WALDER
PROCLAMATION
By the power invested in me as president of
THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER
PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION
I proclaim the week of
MARCH 16 - 23. 1960
os'
NATIONAL NEGRO
NEWSPAPER WEEK
During this period, I call upon all of our
members, friends and supporters, to observe
with ceremonies, articles and public expression,
the achievements of the Negro Press during its
133 years of continuous service and, in a fitting
manner, recognize the contributions our many
distinguished editors (past and present) have
made in service to their race, their nation and
the world, in proclaiming justice, human rights
and the advocacy of first-class citizenship for
all.
i
Done this 1st day of March, 1960
William O. Walker
President
~~=
Charge Ga. School Officials
Forced to Testify in
Favor of Segregation
ATLANTA ANP) Charges
that Negroes were being intimi-,
dated to testify in favor of public
school segregation before the Sib¬
ley Schools Committee were being
made statewide last week.
John A. Sibley is chairman of a
committee set up by the state leg¬
islature to hold hearings on the
school issue in the state.
The charge being made by Ne -1
groes got support last week from j
a Catholic priest, Fr. Finian Riley,]
at a hearing in Americas. Fr.,
Riley misleading, said that and'added: the open hearing |
was
“I don’t think we can really
know the sentiment without a pri-i
vate secret ballot . . . (because of)
Nation's Headers Urge Eisenhower
♦ ToTake Firm Stand on Domestic Issues
WASHINGTON (ANP) — Golf
playing, .world traveling President
Eisenhower had better take a firm
stand on some domestic
particularly civil rights, Negro and
white leaders declared this week.
Among those calling upon Eisen¬
hower to declare himself on an
issue which has stirred up contro-
versey throughout the nation and
has tied up Congress, particular¬
ly the Senate, were Senator Hu¬
bert Humphrey of Minnesota:
Clarence Laws, field secretary for
the NAACP; Howard university
students, Dr. Martin Luther King:
and ex-ballplayer Jackie Robinson, i
300 Howard Students
Picket White House
More than 300 Howard Univer-j
sity students picketed the White
House Sunday on a two fold pro-1
test. First they were demonstrat-!
ing their sympathy for their south¬
ern colleagues who are being deni¬
ed the right to eat at dime store j
lunch counters in southern states, I
And they felt that the President
should do something about it.
The pickets had hoped to be on
hand around the White 'House en¬
trance to greet the President oil j
Zvilmm
ADams 4-3432
the factor of intimidation.
INTIMIDATION, CONSTANT
THREAT
“Whether we like it or not, it
is a factor for anyone to speak
out for any form of integration
and to invite intimidation; social,
economic and physical,” Riley de¬
clared.
Among those making the charge
was Jesse 0 Thomag> cha irman
of th( . 0eorKia Conference on Edu-
eutional Opportunities. He said
tbat Nef , ro school principals are
!iein( , » reques ted” by their super-
jntendents to appear before the
and testify i„ favor of
________________________ _
(Continued on Page Seven'
his return from his South American
Lour. But Mr. Eisenhower chang¬
'd his plans and stayed in Puerto
Rico a day longer than scheduled
o tbat his family might fly down
0 join him there.
Since the picketers had secured
-he necessary permit to form the
1 ket line on a given date it had
« he carried out on schedule.
•Docs Ike l.ike Me?”
They were carrying signs which
■■cad: “Mr. K can eat here. Why
an't WE?” “i like Ike. Does
he like me?”
Meanwhile in Dallas, Texas,
'■ laicnce Laws, field secretary of
■■he NAACP, commenting on the
mutilation attack upon 27 year
>id Felton Turner in Houston had
the following to say:
.“The President of the United
States has been selling democracy,
peace ar.d brotherhood to South
America, which is well and good.
“However, I hope that he can
find th<■ time and the heart to
bring some of this democracy,
peace and brotherhood to South
U.S.A., where these have been
(Continued on Page Five)
Negro Newspapers Educate
By Frank E. Stanley, Chairman
NNPA Public Relations
Committee
March Hi through 23 is Negro
Newspaper Week. This is the an¬
nual time when more than 200
weekly and daily newspapers pub¬
lished by Negroes observe the
"minding of the first Negro news¬
paper — Freedom's Journal, in
1827. These newspapers make a
■oncerted effort to projeet tin-
vital role they play in champion¬
ing the cause of freedom for all
peoples.
“Negro Newspapers Educate for
Freedom" is the theme of this
133rd anniversary observance. The
mere fact that there is still need
for a militant and Crusading Negro
press indicates the many inequi¬
ties that yet exist ami the free¬
doms that must he won.
Thus, this observance is no mere
indulgence in self-praise. Rather,
it is re-evaluation of original pur¬
pose and function in the light of
our atomic age.
The primary purpose of Ne_gro
newspapers, which is of great
significance to the public, is re¬
flected in the 1600 theme-—“Negro
Ned: papers Educate for Free¬
dom.”
One of the moat priceless of
our freedoms is the right to know
and to be informed. As the eyes
ears and conscience of its readers,
Negro newspapers jealously guard
every human right by supplying
the facts and information neces¬
sary to achieve full citizenship.
Only through an exacting aware¬
ness that challenges and motivates
can progress lie won. This is a
never-ending function, which often
must he strong and vocal in order
to give downtrodden people en¬
lightened self-interest. Thus Ne¬
gro newspapers perform-a singular
service when they alert and chal¬
lenge their readers to cooperative¬
ly wage relentless battles against
all enemies of their freedoms—
because freedom thrives only in
the breast of informed men.
As long as there is a Negro
press, there will be no encroach¬
ment on their readers’ right to be
correctly informed about condi-
Thurgood Marshall Calls
Lawyers Conference on
Counter Protest
NEW YORK — Thurgood Mar¬
director - counsel of the
League Defense and Kdu
Fund, Inc., announced today
a working lawyers conference
lie held in Washington, D
March 18-20, for the purpose
exchanging ideas and legal the¬
on the question of the “sit-in”
against lunch counter dis¬
throughout the South.
Mr. Marshall said that all law¬
who are now involved in this
of litigation, including those
southern states and border
have been invited to par¬
He said the entire legal
of the NAACP Legal Defense
along with law professors
other legal experts, will can¬
the situation and discuss the
and most efficient methods of
the young people who
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1960
Atiy. RLaSELL ». SL'GARftlAN
(ions and men who would deny
them their just and human rights.
For this is the real function of
the Negro Press, as it has been
throughout the past ITS years . . .
A dedicated mission that indeed
is worthy of re-dedication annually
at this time.
The National Newspaper Pub¬
lishers Association honors through
its ,1060 Russwurm Awards, prob¬
ably its most diversified list of
meritorious people to date. The
holiorees include an internation-
2nd Annual Negro
Exposition, May 19—22
CHICAGO— (ANP) — The -Ex¬
position of the Negro in Business
and Culture, Inc. announced last
week a search for relics of Negro
history to he featured at the Ex¬
position to be held May lb through
22 at the Coliseum.
Wanted by the Chicago Crusa¬
der, .sponsors of the second annual
exposition are old newspapers,
periodicals or clippings, copies of
freedom papers or civil war dis¬
charge papers, rifles, muskets,
Hibles, photographs, paintings, old
books or letters relative to the
Negro during, before, or after the
Civil War and other such items.
The items may he given or loan¬
ed.
•ire being arrested in the lunch
•ounter protest.
Legal briefs and papers on the
aw involved in these situations
will he distributed in the particip¬
ants prior to the meeting. The
session will tic open only to the
lawyers invited.
Mr. Marshall stated that he ex¬
pects a coordinated plan of legal
action will emerge, from this meet¬
ing. The plan will contain the best
views of all of the participants,
with documentation sufficient to
help lawyers now engaged in these
cases and others who wiil become
engaged at a later date.
In announcing the conference,
Mr. Marshall made it clear that
the entire resources of the NAACP
Legal Defense Fund will be placed
behind lawyers in these cases who
request assistance.
For Freedom
ally famous entertainer, a state
governor, a magazine publisher, a
fnnaneier, a minister, a dramatist.,
a 12-year-old humanitarian, ah
African leader, a coach, and a de¬
feated candidate who led a voting
crusade.
For the first time in a good
while, Negro citoes outnumber the
white, seven to three. While not
chosen by design, this ratio re¬
flects the increasing achievements
of people of color.
The citations read: “In recogni¬
tion of outstanding achievement
in making possible a richer con¬
ception of democratic principles
and in tribute for upholding those
highest traditions considered as
the ideals of the American way of
life.” The winners, determined
in n poll of member publishers,
were announced by Frank L. Stan¬
ley, Sr., chairman of the NNI’A
Public Relations Committee, and
publisher* of the Louisville Defen¬
To receive 1660 Russwurm
Plaques are.
Madam Josephine Baker—For
that democracy,
and human understanding can
surmount all superficial barriers
by men. Despite her world
Mine Baker has Amdri-
i Continued on Page Eight
Asks Sibley Commission
Hold I ion Here
W. W. Law, local and state
of the NAACP, has re¬
the Sibley School Study
to conduct its hear¬
in Savannah and other
areas.
According to a local daily
article, Homer M.
assistant to John A.
chairman of the com¬
“told Law that the
for hearings in the larg¬
er cities will be considered af¬
the present schedule Is
Hearings In Georgia's .First
District are sche¬
for Thursday. March 17,
Sylvania. A delegation from
local NAACP, churches,
organizations and
will attend.
The Sibley Commission has
set up by the Georgia
to sample public
in the school integra¬
tion crisis. A report on its
is to be completed by
1.
“Segregation at all costs”
to be the sentiment in the
counties. However, many
have testified for lo¬
option. Mrs. Neil Yeo¬
a Waycross housewife,
advocates local option,
that “segregation with¬
education would be damna¬
Rev. W. H. Hall, an AMR
of Waycross, advocates
He told the com¬
that “It is not a ques¬
of integration. It Is a
of being free. For' that
have fought and for that we
continue to fight. I am
no segregation anywhere.”
Three Local
Sit-Downers
Arresled
Three local students, all Ne¬
groes, were arrested yesterday
• Wednesday) about 4:15 p. in.
after they sat. to be served at
a white lunch counter in Levy's
Department Store.
A male employee at the store
ordered them to leave In two
minutes or that, he would call
the police. The students did
not leave and soon police arriv¬
ed and arrested them.
The students arrested wore
Miss Joan Tyson, 20 E Dundee
street, of Beach Highschool; Er¬
nest Rojbinaon, 238 Sugden street,
of Savannah State College; and
Miss Carolyn Quiiloin, 608 W. ail
street, of Beach High.
The students were charged un¬
der a new state law which states
that anyone will be guilty of a
misdemeanor who refuses to
leave the premises when request¬
ed to do so by the owner or an
employee. Their cases will be
heard In city police court Friday,
Continued on Page Heven
SIT-IN PROTEST CAUCUS —
Southern student sit-in protest
leaders confer with NAACP exe¬
cutives in New Y'ork City. From
left are Laepy Streeter. North
Carolina College, Durham; Miss
Price 10c
ADams 4-3433
■i"'.. -I-vv*.’*b*i-*h*L*'**b*!**/'vv
FRESIDENT EISENHOWER ENDORSES
NEGRO NEWSPAPER WEEK
Western Union Telegram:
The While House,
Washington, D. C.
W. O. Walker, President
National 2316 K. 55 Newspaper St. Publishers Association ju
Cleveland, Ohio
It is a pleasure to join in the observance of Negro Newspa X
pet Week. The publication of FREEDOM JOURNAL” 133
years ago was a significant event In the life of our Accurate nation J
and for the world. The concept of truth—Freely,
|y and Bravely expressed—underglrds the liberty of us all.
This is a noble theme to commemorate during Negro News-
paper Week. EISENHOWER
DWIGIIT D.
. • y - E +'<--^++- h ++- i *- 5 *++- h ++- t -++- 5";-‘!--6
Four Ga. Farmers Cited
Cotton Production
FT. VALLEY, — Four Georgia
farmers who produced at
a bale and a half of cotton
acre on their entire farms
honored here Friday after¬
at special exercises in connec¬
with the Ft. Valley Ham and
(cards! Show,., .
A wefe presented by Au¬
Hill, state agent for Negro
for the Agricultural Exten¬
Service, to Joseph Wyche,
County; Tom Beard,
Betty Johnson, Virginia Union Uni¬
versity, Richmond; NAACP Exe¬
cutive Secretary Roy Wilkins; and
Herbert L, Wright, NAACP youth
secretary. Mr. Streeter is presi¬
NUMBER 24
Peach; Booker T. Hall, Laurens,
and J. P. Solomon, Screven.
praised these farmers for.coopci
with their county agent in
good farming pc
to other farmers in their
He pointed out they ft ,cd
research information i i, I
high yields. J ! *
Before planilng, Wyche had hi g
tested and followed reooiniflon *
continued on Page Koven,
dent of his NAACP college chaj
ter. Miss Johnson was one of 8
students arrested in Richmond fc
protest activities. Mr. Wilkie
promised students full support .
NAACP.