Mitchell Objects To Colored People, But Wants To Represent Them
VOTERS OF TENTH WARD TO OPPOSE HIM
Editor Louisville Leader:
Dear Sir: I notice that a man named George Mitchell, 1211 W. Jefferson St., has announced as a last minute candidate for representative from the 28th District (Tenh Ward), Louisville, Ky.
The following article is copied from the Louisville Herald of April 5, 1918 and it may serve to show whether or not this same George Mitchell has any reasons for wanting to repreesnt these same colored people, one of whom he objected to his coming into his house. The Louisville Herald is as follows:
George Mitchell, a sanitary inspector of the city health department, was discharged from service at the direction of Mayor Smith yesterday as a result of the objectionable manner employed by Mitchell in complaining against Dr. Jesse D. Colbert, a Negro sanitary inspector, having been sent to his residence, 1211 West Jefferson Street, for the purpose of fumigating it, following the death of Albert Mitchell, son of the inspector.
His resignation was not considered by the Board of Public Safety, which appointed him. Instead, an order for his discharge was entered on the [minutes:?]
Mitchell and Colbert were appointed March 18. The minutes of the board show that Colbert was to be "assigned to work among the Negro people of the city." This order was disregarded by the health department, according to members of the Board of Public Safety. This was not regarded as sufficient cause, however, for the action of Mitchell, who went to the Mayor's office and told Secretary Paul Burlingame that the only way in which he could get satisfaction for the "insult" of having a Negro inspector come to his residence to fumigate it was to go to the newspopers."
Mayor Smith's Letter.
When Mayor Smith learned of the attitude of Mitchell, he immediately sent the following letter to the Board of Public Safety:
"You are hereby directed to cause the dismissal from the service of Geo. Mitchell, who is employed as a sanitary inspector in the health department, because of insubordination and disloyalty.
"Mr. Mitchell came to the City Hall this mornin gcomplaining that Dr. Colbert, a colored sanitary inspector, had been sent to his home to perform the humble task of fumigating the premises after the illness of Mr. Mitchell's son. Mr. Mitchell said that Colbert had been refused admission. Instead of reporting to his superior officer that a mistake had been made and that Colbert had gone to his house, Mitchell was enraged and insisted that he would expose the Health Department in the newspapers. He was advised by my Secretary that if Colbert had been sent into the homes of white people, it was in violation of my direct order, it was suggested to Mr. Mitchell that the proper way was to inform the Health Department of the error in order that it may be prevented in the future. Instead of that, he showed no disposition to co-operate and insisted that the only way to prevent it was by publicity in the newspapers. On acocunt of his attitude, I feel that he can no longer render loyal service to the city of Louisville.
Very truly yours,
GEORGE WEISSINGER SMITH, Mayor.
Writes Sharp Letter.
Even before the letter reached the board, the [latter?] had received Mitchell's resignation which it refused to consider and Mitchell was discharged.
The Mayor was much [displeased?] with the failure of Health Officer T. H. Baker to assign Dr. Colbert exclusively to work among Negroes and made his attitude in the matter known in the following letter:
"Dr. T. H. Baker, Health Officer.
Dear Sir: When I directed the appointment of Dr. J. C. Colbert, colored, as a sanitary inspector of the city, I gave you distinct orders that Dr. Colbert was to be employed in work that took him into the homes of colored citizens and that under no circumstances was he to be sent into the homes of white people in the performance of his duty. I did this to prevent friction.
(Continued on page 8.)
Negroes Blamed For Tulsa Riot, As Usual
LEADER TO PUBLISH 16 PAGE NATIONAL MEDICAL EDITION During the week of the National Medical Association in August, the Leader will put off the press a big 16 page special National Medical Association edition. This edition will be composed of cuts and sketches of the National and local officers, a history of the national and local associations, a history of the Red Cross Sanitarium, and cuts of prominent doctors of Louisville and throughout the country. Advertisements and facts about Race business enterprises, churches and other organizations of the city will also appear in this number. For furthe information about this great edition write the Louisville Leader or call the editor. Phone City 7788.
Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Selby and little ones are in the city and are temporarily located at 1303 W. Walnut St. at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. David Bray. Mrs. Bessie L. Allen has been appointed by Governor Morrow to represent Kentucky at the Northwestern Federation of Women's Clubs at Phoenix, Arizona July 16.
The Meanest Mob [cartoon] Striking At Racial Progress
MOTHER DEPRIVED OF BOY IN PROBATION COURT; GIVEN TO MAN MORE UNFIT THAN SHE, IS CHARGED My Dear Mr. Cole: I am sending you the facts in the Twyman case just as they occurred under my observation in the Probation Court a few mornings ago. A poor colored woman by the name of Pearl Twyman, living at 718 W. Walnut street, this city, the same being the mother of some four or five children ranging in age from about two years to fifteen, the latter being a girl which, please note: This poor unfortunate deserted mother, who had been driven from her home in Paducah, Ky. came here to Louisville with her little children to live. Recently she went to the chief probation officer of our city for help in some way and it developed that some time last fall this mother placed her boy of 12 years with a Mr. Allen, living in Pleasure Ridge Park, with the understanding that when the work season opened up he would allow the mother $3 a week for the boy's work. Failing to keep this agreement the mother requested Mr. Allen to return her boy, whereupon Mr. Allen goes to the chief probation officer and charges the mother with living in an immoral community and herself an immoral life. The officers of the Juvenile Court apparently without orders from the court allows Mr. Allen to keep the boy on the ground that the mother [was] unfit to keep him and then makes an investigation, and finds the woman living in adeltery (but note the circumstances of wretchedness and poverty with the care of children). Now here this poor woman, penniless and friendless and with poor command of language, attempts to plead her case. She incidentally touched upon the fact that MR. Allen who had been allowed to keep her boy, was living in a house with a colored woman as his housekeeper, which we all [illegible] under prevailing condition [illegible] just as unfit from a moral standpoint to care for the boy as its mother, if not more so (for her dire poverty may have driver her to live as she lives). The chief probation officer became very nervous and tried to stop the woman when she got on that feature of the case, and did stop her. When I asked the special question if the white man was married and if he and this colored woman, lived together in the house alone, the chief probation officer said to me "Never mind Mr. Singleton. I see what you are after." From this it appeared that no investigation was made as to the white man's fitness to care for the colored boy, the the probation officer knew it and winked at it, and tried to keep it smuggled up. At any rate this seems to me that a thorough investigation by men of courage that can't be soft-soaped, and the facts given to the Judge and to the public. Another thing worthy of note, if these probation officers considered the mother so immoral that she was unfit to retain the custody of her boy, why did they allow her to retain that 15 year old girl and the rest of the children? Is this the kind of work the public is paying for in maintaining a Juvenile Court. Is there any organization among our people to whom those who are weak and friendless may go for aid in getting justice? This seems to me a very rank case of injustice and amounts to an officer of the law depriving a poor helpless woman of the assistance of the boy she needs and giving him and his service to one who, if anything is more to be censored and condemned, than the mother. Yours for the right. O. SINGLETON.
Rev. H. C. Wieden who has been quite ill for two weeks, is improving.
FROM THE EDITOR. Having tried for several months to get a good coollector without encouraging results, I have decided to take certain hours on monday, Tuesday and Saturday in doing my own collecting on subscriptions and advertising, with a little assistance from Mr. Green, who has been recently added to the department. I regret that I am forced to do this since the office needs all of the personal attention that I have been able o give it. However, this part of the work must be looked after at this time. There are a number of our readers who have not paid up for 1920, notwithstanding our repeated appeals to them through the columns of the Leader to please remit if the collector doesn't call. The Leader's service to the race and to this community is instimable. I have left nothing undone in my effort to render a worthy and valuable service, and my every thought has been what con be done to make the Leader bigger and better. I can do nothing, however, unless I have the support and co-operation of those we serve; a service that does not come from any other source. We have been kind and patient and have not deprived any one from reading the Leader by taking them from our list until we have found that the reader did not intend to pay. I am asking that the same kindness and courtesy, as has come from us be extended Mr. Green when he calls, and please let him or the writer have the whole or a part of the amount due our office for subscription or advertising when we call. Thank you. I. WILLIS COLE.
RECTOR AND MRS FERGUSON IN THE CITY. Rector Ferguson and Mrs. Ferguson will spend one month in this city with relatives and friends. Rev. Ferguson, now rector of St. Cyrian Episcopal Church Boston, Mass., was formerly rector of the Church of our Merciful Saviour for 15 years.
Japan Scores America's Lynching Record Says, "It Is Possible Because Spirit of America Is In Favor Of It" "It Is An Indelible Stain," Says Writer
"Link" Johnson Hasn't Thought of Retiring From Committee
EDITOR WARLEY LEAVES TO RECUPERATE. Editor Wm. Warley of the Louisville News, who has not been well for several days left the first of the week to be gone until he is much improved in condition. He writes that he is feeling better already and will visit several points on business before he returns.
DR. STOUT UP AND ABOUT. Dr. R. S. Stout of 817 W. Chestnut St., is up and about his duties in his office after a successful operation about his head a few days ago.
Jack Johnson Greeted by Thousands When He Arrived in Windy City Former Champion Received By Friends 
The Young Women's Missionary Society of Jacob St. A. M. E. Zion church gave an enjoyable Lawn Fete at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Weaver Tuesday night, as did the pastor and Church Aid Board on the lawn of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stone, 1123 W. Chestnut St., Monday nikht of this week. Mrs. G. C. Clement, Mrs. Sallie Richard and Mrs. Ellen Mayden left the city Wednesday to attend the bn Women's Missionary convention in Chattanooga, Tenn. Mr. Steve Lee of Lexington, was in the city this week representing the Lexington Colored Fair August 15 to 20th.