"BLUE BEARD" MAY YET BEAT CHAIR!!!
SLAYER OF TWO WOMEN FIGHTING
DR. JEKYL-MR. HYDE CRIES THAT POLICE FORCED HIS CONFESSION Fighting to retain hold on life, William T. Reed, former merchant policeman and convicted slayer of two women, entered a plea in the Sixth Circuit U. S.
[Photo] William T. Reed
Courts this week in a last minute effort to stay execution of a death sentence Friday. This action closely followed a denial of Federal Judge Roy Shelbourne, Monday, to dismiss his case here in Louisville upon a plea of an illegally gained confession. Reed claims that his admission to the murder of Louise Young was obtained under duress.
The murders gained nationwide publicity early in 1948 when a plumber seeking to find a water line, dug up the two bodies of two young women in Reed's coal-shed. He has been in the death-cell row in Eddyville State Penitentiary since his conviction in December of the same year. The newspaper styled "Bluebeard" gained an automatic stay of execution when Judge Shelbourne ruled the writ asking dismissal of his conviction could be heard by the Sixth Circuit Court at Cincinnati on "probable cause." This ruling automatically means that a stay will be granted until that court rules on Judge Shelbourne's decision.
Draws Fire from NAACP Resignation of Judge Jane M. Bolin as a vice-president of the National NAACP drew bitter comment from high officials of the Association this week after [?] reported that the woman jurist sent out press releases with her resignation criticizing the structure, program, policies and personnel of the group. Judge Bolin was defeated for re-election to the National Board of Directors in a recent election. She was elected however, to a vice-presidency. Her reportedly scathing denunciation came after discovery vice presidents have a voice but no vote in board meetings. Dr. Louis T. Wright, Chairman of the NAACP Board charged Judge Bolin with deliberate calculation, "to attack and injure the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People." He said [?] letter of March 9, addressed to Arthur B. Spingarn, president of the NAACP, was released to the press in mimeographed copies and was in the hands of newspapers before it was delivered to Mr. Springarn in the morning mail of March 13. "This action suggests strongly that Judge Bolin's principal purpose was not to discuss a point of difference with the Association and its Board, but to attack the organization itself."
Million Dollar Talent for Cancer Drive
Atty. Howard to Speak at Booker Washington Birthplace
BISHOP INVITED TO HOLD CONFERENCE The Council of Bishops has recently announced that the Southern California-Arizona Conference has invited Bishop Alexander P. Shaw to hold its next session this spring.
This Conference has crossed racial lines in the establishment of churches and in electing delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conferences. It has now distinguished itself by crossing the racial line in inviting a presiding bishop who is a Negro to hold its session.
For a number of years Bishop Shaw, during his pastorate of Wesley Church in Los Angeles, Calif., served with distinction as a member of this Conference.
Widow With Nine Children to Get Home in Lieu of Husband
B. T. WASHINGTON MEMORIAL ATTACKS NNPA ON TREATMENT Louis Lautier, ace columnist for the Negro Newspaper Publishers Association, was under fire this week as a result of alleged defamatory remarks on the Booker T. Washington Memorial Fundation. President S. J. Phillips of the Foundation charge the columnist with using "defamatory and un-true" remarks in commenting on the works of the group. Specifically he took exception to a phrase in reference to the Booker T. Washington Memorial half-dollars, "These coins were purposely sold to establish trade and industrial schools for colored youths through the Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial, an allegedly non-profit organization." Lawyers Sent Out Answer The dispatch was sent out from the law firm of Segal, Smith and Hennessey with the admonishment that Phillip would seek redress in the courts unless correction of the statement was made. In explaining his grievance the Memorial president said: "The use of such words as 'purportedly' and 'allegedly' in the sentence quoted casts suspicion upon the organization, undermines public confidence in it and tends to hamper the executives of the Memorial in their work for it," he said. A statement that the sale of the Booker T. Washington Memorial half-dollars grossed a profit of $2,500.00 was termed entirely incorrect. Only about 1,200,000 of these coins were sold and of the sale price, of (Continued on page 4)
Signing Checks Was Their Business . . . But Police Objected [photo] Free Bread . . . A twist of the wrist . . . kept his group of alleged check-forgers in "eating money" for more than a year without the toils of honest labor. By signing other people's names to stolen checks they reportedly fleeced merchants of more than $10,000. Courier-Journal photo.
Check-Forging Ring
Six men, alleged members of a huge check-forging ring, were seized by Louisville police this week. This group, said police, has gypped merchants of more than $10,000 in the last year. They concentrated on government checks it was reported. 
Members of the ring would select a victim whose name they wish to duplicate, then call a bank representing themselves to be a business concern to establish connections there. The check would then be forged and any hesitant check-casher would be urged to call the bank for reference. 
The men are  being held on forgery and mailbox theft... a Federal offense. Most of these men, it is believed, are veterans who conceived the idea from the huge number of veteran checks being paid under the G. I. bill. 
Seized were: Edward [Leo?] Fletcher, 827 S. Hancock; John J. Allen, 620 E. Lampton; Dexter Thomas, 530 E. Breckinridge; Fred Skeens, Jr., 623 Coke; Essie Watson, 303 Graves Court; Robert Short, 1515 Magazine. 
Police expect to apprehend others including a female member shortly, department sources revealed.
LEXINGTON THIRD IN TOURNAMENT
Dunbar High School of Lexington, Ky., swarmed over Pearl High of Nashville, Tenn., to overcome a two-point shortage entering the last half to win 62-50. This victory cinched third place for the Bluegrass Bearcats.
The Kentuckians bounced back from their loss to St. Elizabeth and went right to work on the Tennessee state champions, running up leads of 14-10 at the end of the first quarter and 23-21 at halftime. However, the Nashvillians made a fight of it in the third quarter and took a 39-37 lead entering the final period. Then Dunbar swept ahead to win going away.
Douglas Garth, James Madison, Bill Perkins and Winston Wright were outstanding in Dunbar's win. Madison hit 13 points, Garth got 12, Perkins 11 and Wright 10.
This year's tournament was Dunbar's fourth appearance in five years and also marked the furthest the Bearcats have been able to advance in National tourney play. Lexington was eliminated in the first round last year and ousted in the quarter-finals in 1946 and 1948.
In the afternoon semi-finals, Dunbar made a good fight of it for the first quarter but the Bearcats trailed by six points, 18-12, entering the second period. St. Elizabeth opened up its advantage to 42-20 at halftime, but the Kentuckians still fought back and reduced the 22-point deficit to 16 points, 50-54 at the end of three quarters.
Chestnut Street White Way Promised In Few Days
Swift moving crews of the Department of Public Works hit Chestnut Street from Sixth to Twelfth early Friday morning, March 24th like the fabulous groundhog. 
Long delayed lighting fixtures, similar to ones on Walnut Street from Sixth to Thirteenth were quickly placed in position in record breaking time. The area will become another 'White Way' in a few days, according to W. F. Watkins, City traffic engineer. 
Conversion of Walnut Streets into to well lighted thoroughfares is part of the city's plan to lighten up areas in the downtown business district. It is expected to minimize hold-ups and other crimes committed under the cover of darkness.
LOCAL N.A.A.C.P. TO CONTINUE FIGHT ON SEVERAL LOCAL FRONTS
The local NAACP through its president, Lyman T. Johnson, announced this week its intention to fight to the finish several cases pending before the Association.
Although suit has not been filed, according to reliable sources, the University of Louisville suit, seeking admission of Negroes to that school on a post-graduate level, will not be discarded.
According to members of the legal redress committee, several members went out to confer with Eli Brown, president of the Board of Trustees . . . but he was ill. The vice-president, Mr. Lee Miller sent them to President Taylor of the University. He in turn sent them to a Mr. Gunderson, Director of Public Relations.
The latter promised to arrange a meeting with President Taylor, representative of the Board, and the committee from the NAACP, although he assured the group that no action will be taken until the April meeting of the Board.
Also on the agenda is the park suit situation instigated by Dr. P. O. Sweeney. Arguments in court sustain belief that the Iroquois Amphitheatre is a private concern using public property. Answer must be made by April 27th.
Their plans, according to releases, also include "exposing in some lights" the deplorable situation at the Bond Brothers Plant. It is charged that this plant is guilty of peonage or slavery.
Lawyer Says Law Enforcers Discriminate On Negro Joints
Sharp Answer By Alcohol Head
Open charges of racial discrimination in enforcing city gambling and liquor laws were made in City Hall this week. In a written statement to John R. Moreman, Director of Safety, Rev. C. Eubanks Tucker, attorney charged that gambling and violation of liquor laws were ignored in nite-spots of the Negro district, reportedly owned by whites. The locations owned by Negroes are constantly under fire. 
Liquor Head Denies Charge
A. J. Bartholomew, City Alcohol Beverage Control head denied additional charges that discrimination exists in his department for the issuance of licenses. He advised the attorney that in checking the records of his office, pertaining to places and ownership of the licenses which Rev. Tucker furnished: 
"I find that you are definitely in error as to the racial question pertaining to ownership.
"Five of the seven places holding alcoholic beverage licenses, at retail, which you have named, are owned and operated by colored persons; three of the five colored persons named by you are also the owners of the real estate in which their business is conducted. One of the two white men operating a place of business named by you holds a lease on the property in which his business is conducted which is owned by a colored man. 
"Since I have become Administrator, this office has pursued the policy of co-ordinating its enforcement activities in [?] with the Police Department, and I am convinced that the enforcement of the laws pertaining to alcoholic beverage control 
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"NEW DAY" FOR KY. DECLARED
Miss Nannie E. Burroughs, principal of the National Training School for Girls in Washington, D. C., declared there is a new day coming for Kentuckians in her speech here last Sunday.
Speaking to an overflowing audience the dynamic Miss Burroughs predicted a renaissance of education, religion and human brotherhood in this State. She pointed to the growing Liberalism of the whites and the utter necessity of human brotherhood in our quest of human survival.
"We are born to make the most of ourselves," she said. "This we may do by proving three things, that God made no mistake; is not partial and if we use wisely all our equipment, talents, gifts, etc., we will have success. It is the spiritual equipment in one that wins in the battle."
RED CROSS QUOTA EXCEEDED BY 115.1 PERCENT IS REPORT
The Central District division of the current Red Cross Drive for funds, is un-officially reported 115.1% of its quota for the drive, which ended here Friday night, March 24th. $3,511.11 has been reported against a quota of $3,050 with several schools not included.
While officials of the Drive have not released a completed list on contributors, four of the largest donors have been given. They are: Edward Davis, Sr., president of the Davis Trade School, $200.00; Mr. and Mrs. Gerhard Bockhorst, $150.00; Dr. W. H. Jackson, $50.00; Mammoth Life Insurance Company $50.00.
The Central District Drive was under the direction of Dr. C. L. Thomas, Chairman; Mrs. Madge Boatware, Secretary. District Captains: Lawrence Glass, Mrs. Louise Taylor, Mrs. Marie Dukes, Rev. Stepney Ray, Mrs. Jennie Martin, Mrs. Edna Wilkerson Mrs. Rosella Mitchell, Mrs. William Yeager, Mrs. Catherine Thompson, Rev. E. L. Hickman, Mrs. Charles Owens and Mrs. Arline B. Allen.
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