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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.