We Wish You All A Happy New Year
SAYS U. S. NEEDS NEGRO TO WIN WAR - SHOULD BAN NEWSPAPERS, BOOKS AND MAGAZINES WHICH SLANDER RACE Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 27--"If it is true that we cannot expect to win this war without the full support of the American people, certainly we cannot win without the Negro" declared L. D. Reddick at the mass meeting here last Sunday evening. This was the high point of the annual Convention of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity which held its conclave here December 26-30. The meeting was held in Tindley Temple. In his address entitled "The Negro People and the War." Dr. Reddick, who is the Curator of the Schomburg Collection of Negro Literature of the New York Public Library and Lecturer in the Department of History, College of the City of New York, pointed out that this is no racial war and that the United States would need to use every resource to achieve victory. He asserted that it would be absurd to think of winning the war without permitting the support of the Middle West as it would be to think of winning the war without permitting the support of the 13,000,000 loyal Americans who are known as Negroes. "At the least, the doors of our land, sea and air forces as well as our war industry should be thrown open to all loyal Americans regardless of creed or color." Furthermore, declared the speaker, if this is to be a war of liberation, it should include not only the people of Czechoslovakia, France and Greece, but India, China, Ethiopia and all Africa. Dr. Reddick emphasized that in the interest of national unity and the morale of the American people, that slander of the Negro which is the common practice of certain newspapers, radio stations, movies and books should be purged and banned by the Federal Government. "Such vicious novels as "Mr. George's Joint," which was given a $2,500 prize, the (Continued on page 4)
YOUTH DISLIKED PLACE IN U.S. NAVY Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 27--Because he protested being placed in the messmen division of the U. S. Navy, David Wooten, 21, of this city, was discharged from service, it was reported to the NAACP this week. Wooten reported to Attorney Theodore Spaulding, president of the Philadelphia, NAACP, that he enlisted in the Navy June 18 at Crockett Texas. Wooten claims he wanted to get into the aviation mechanical department was told by the enlisting officer that he could get into any department and be permitted to take sixteen weeks scholastic training. He advised the officer, Wotten says, that he understood Negroes were taken only as mess attendants but he was assured this was not true. In spite of this the Philadelphia youth states that he was placed as a third class mess attendant. He protested, and after three weeks of service, according to the report, he was asked if he was dissatisfied. When he stated that he was, an officer is said to have told him that "they did not want anyone in the Navy who was dissatisfied, and the only thing he could do would be to give him a discharge." Wooten's discharge was honorable and was signed by H. A. McClure.
LOCAL TALENT FEATURED ON LEADERVILLE ANNUAL PROGRAM By Robert B. Lewis Talent in music and culture featured the "Leaderville on Exhibition" programs of December 15, 16 and 17, at the Chestnut Street C.M.E. Church. Especially were the numbers of Monday night under the direction of Miss Emma L. Minnis. The glorified choirs of the Seventh Day Adventist and Zion Baptist churches filled every requirement in the way of choral ensembles; likewise was the singing of the Parkland Glee Club, the R. E. Jones Temple choir, the Maupin family quartette, Irene and Nettie Lou Lively's duet. Outstanding soloists appeared to heighten the musicale. Especially capable were Mrs. Catherine Willis and Mr. A. B. Dade. Dade, if judged by his renditions of Monday night, has a very promising future as a baritone soloist. Fresh from their successful mass meeting at the Memorial Auditorium -- the Church of God with its pastor, Rev. J. L. Lofton, succeeded Tuesday night in giving the public a jubilee in songs and worship. (Continued on page 4) 
RETIRED SCHOOL TEACHER DIES Mrs. Mary E. Jackson, a retired school teacher of Jefferson County, a well-known civic and social worker and a newly appointed class leader at Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church, died at the City Hospital about 2 o'clock Christmas morning, immediately after she was stricken at Quinn Chapel where she had gone to attend the Christmas Eve exercises given by the Sunday school. Funeral services were held at Quinn Chapel last Saturday morning, Rev. Jenkins officiating. Mrs. Jackson, who made her home with Mrs. Henrietta Payne, is survived by four brothers and other relatives.
IN SPIRITUAL DRIVE [Photo] REV. PETER G. CRAWFORD Pastor of Asbury A. M. E. Church, who announces a spiritual campaign beginning with Wednesday night, January 31, to Sunday night, January 11. Rev. Crawford has pastored successfully in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. He is a graduate of Rust College and Wilberforce University, and has been actively engaged in the social service, civic and political affairs wherever he has pastored.
BUFORD GETS SECOND CHANCE By Amelia B. Ray This nation once fought a war round the slogan "Taxation without representation," but today the Negro citizen--a minority group, has no representation in many policy-making bodies, and only one representative in the legislature, which is not a fair representation in proportion to the Negro population of Kentucky. In the November election of this year the Negro candidate for the legislature from the 56th district was defeated by a narrow margin, and the hope of having two Negro members of the legislature was dashed--but fate has given the (Continued on page 4)
MAX YERGAN, SAYS NEGRO WILL GIVE ALL New York, N. Y., Dec. 27--The Negro people are determined to give "everything we have to our nation" in the fight to defeat our enemies of democracy all over the world, Dr. Max Yergan, president of the National Negro Congress, declared in a telegram sent on behalf of the organization to President Roosevelt today. The complete text of the telegram follows: "The National Negro Congress hails the unanimous acceptance by the Congress and Government of the United States of the challenge to war declared by the Axis forces. We know that we express the unshakeable determination of the Negro people to give everything we have to our nation to the end that our country will triumph over all its enemies."
ALPHAS MEET IN CITY - ALPHA LEADERS HOLD MEET IN CITY - CROWD HEARS NOTED SPEAKERS AT QUINN CHAPEL PUBLIC PROGRAM The twenty-ninth annual convention of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity which convened in Louisville, January 27-31, brought to the city prominent Greek letter men and some of the outstanding leaders in the professional and business life of the race. The more than 500 delegates and visitors in attendance represented practically every state in the nation. The business sessions of the convention were held at Beecher Terrace Auditorium. The big public meeting of the convention was held at Quinn Chapel A. M. E. Church, Sunday afternoon, with Rayford W. Logan, president of the convention, and Charles H. Wesley, ex-president, both instructors at Howard University, as speakers, subjects: "The Negro and National Defense" and "The [Negro?] and the New World Society," which were ably presented. Welcome addresses were delivered by Mayor Wilson Wyatt and Elizabeth Bolan Ramsey for the Pan-Hellenic Council. Response by Roger F. Gordon, Eastern Vice-President of the Alphas. Music was furnished by W. R. Crawford and W. B. Daniels, pianists and the Boy's Choir, W. R. King, director. Dr. J. H. Walls, president of the local Alpha chapter, presided. The social side of the convention was headed by a formal dance at the Labor Temple Monday night.
MARRIAGE OF MISS LENA WEATHERS AND MELVILLE WHEDBEE ANNOUNCED By A. Lattimore Walls Cole Louisville society was surprised this week upon the announcement of Mrs. Fannie B. Hamilton of the marriage of her granddaughter, Miss Lena Mae Weathers, to Melville Felton Whedbee on March 6, 1939. Although friends and intimates had suspected that a wedding would soon take place, few were aware that the couple had already experienced almost three years of marriage. Mrs. Whedbee is a co-ed at the Louisville Municipal College, a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and a popular young matron. Her husband is a popular young "man about town" being best known in athletic circles. He is an instructor of physical education at the Jackson Junior High School, and is a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. [Photo] MISS LENA MAE WEATHERS
ST. LOUIS LEADERS AT ALPHA MEET Among the prominent St. Louis leaders who were delegates and visitors to the Alpha convention were Atty. John A. Davis, Republican City Committeeman and president of the St. Louis Alphas; Dr. T. Garrott Benjamin, treasurer and a leading dentist; Bishop Frank Madison Reid, G. Victory Quinn, principal, Lincoln High School; Louis Craig, teacher; Jay Leonard Taylor, chief clerk, Vashon High School; Arnold B. Walker, industrial sec'y, St. Louis Urban League, and Aaron E. Malone, business man and Exalted honorary member of the Alphas.
BUSINESS DIRECTOR [Photo] WALTER WILLIAMS, JR. Business director of the new Madison Square Roller Rink, well-known citizen, who for 19 years was a head waiter at the Pendennis Club. A product of Central High School and a football star. Chairman of executive boar, Young Men's City League, responsible for shelter house at Chickasaw Park. Member, boosters club, Broadway Temple, a Mason and Odd Fellow.
BINGA DISMOND DIVORCED AGAIN  New York, Dec. 31--Dr. H. Binga Dismond, physician and former athletic star, confirmed rumors that he had been divorced in a Mexican court. Wife No. 3, Mrs. Hariette Richardson Dismond and the doctor separated 8 months ago. She entered suit and the verdict was handed down in her favor with Dr. Dismond making a cash settlement. At the same time he announced the actions Dr. Dismond said he expected to remarry again very soon. He did not reveal the name of his fourth wife to be, but said she was a resident of California. (Continued on page 4) 
NOBODY HURT AT PUBLIC LIBRARY ALL SANG THE NATIONAL ANTHEM - COLORED GROUP HEARS BILL OF RIGHTS SPEECH AT FOURTH AND YORK It was not Rev. W. P. Offutt, Sr., militant churchman and leader, who was named as the leader of the colored citizens who were told [that provisions?] were made for them to hear the President's speech on the Bill of Rights at the colored branch libraries, when they appeared at the Central library at Fourth and York, as stated by the daily press. But, it was W. P. Offutt, Jr., young minister, teacher and member of the executive committee of the N.A.A.C.P. Also in the group were G. H. Wilson and Floyd Crawford of Louisville Municipal College; Mrs. Murray Walls, housing project leader, and others. In a statement given The Leader, it is said that when the colored citizens were told by the woman in charge, at the time, that the library was for whites, and that they could hear the speech at the branch library for colored at Tenth and Chestnut Streets, Mr. Offutt thanked her, but added that t  hey [saw no?] reason why [they couldn't?] stay there, that [it was?] a public place, and that they were taxpayers, etc. To which, according to the statement given The Leader, the lady in charge said she would have nothing more to do with it, and walked away. It is said that later on literature was passed out to the colored group, and that some of the white persons at the library for the speech spoke to them and talked with them freely. And that after the President urged against discrimination because of race, creed or previous condition of servitude, in his Bill of Rights address, all in attendance at the public library joined in the singing of the National Anthem, without anybody being hurt.
PRESERVATION OF NYA, CCC, URGED New York, Dec. 27--Negroes will be seriously affected by the merger of the National Youth Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps, and every interested individual should write immediately to Senators and Congressmen, urging that the gains already made be preserved, the NAACP warned this week. The NAACP learned that the student work program has assisted 64,000 Negro youths in graduate schools, colleges and high schools in the year 1939-40. The NYA out-of-school work program, with emphasis on defense training, has offer- Negro youth to get shop training and work experience according to modern industrial procedures. Women will soon be used to take the place of men called to the army and the NYA is the one agency that can train women and girls for industrial employment. (Continued on page 4) 
MORE NEGROES IN AIR CORPS ASKED New York, Dec. 27--A public announcement that Negro Americans will be enlisted in greater numbers in the [Army?] Air Corps and trained at several schools and bases used for the training of all cadets, was asked for by the NAACP last week in a letter to Lieutenant General H. H. Arnold, who was recently advanced in the Air Corps command. It was pointed out that Filipinos, who are not technically (Continued on page 4)