Says Murder Wave Due to Prosperous Times
CITIZENS' GROUP SEES PROSECUTOR - ROPKE PROMISES TO DO ALL HE CAN TO HALT SLAUGHTERING; LENIENCY IS CHARGED The homidal wave among Negroes in this city is traceable to prosperous times and "too much money in their pockets," Commonwealth Attorney Frank Ropke told a delegation of colored citizens early Monday evening, responsible sources revealed. This opinion was reportedly expressed by the state official when the four-man committee asked if something could not be done by the Commonwealth's office to halt the murder wave. Sixteen Negroes have been killed by race members in Louisville since the beginning of the year. Ropke promised to do all in his power to halt the mass slaughter, but charged prosperity has gone to the "heads" of murderous colored people, a member of the delegation said. The same source indicated that the office head airily advised them, "we must be realistic about these things." Action Asked Friction between the [Louisville?] Police Department and the Commonwealth's office on Negro murder convictions came to a head last month when a member of the city homicidal detail openly charged Ropke's office had been too lenient in the prosecution of Negro murders. The homicide officer at that time declared no attempt to consider the homicide office in disposing of these cases was being made by the Criminal court attorneys. Disclaiming deliberation in citing a specific case, one of the delegation which called on the Commonwealth Attorney at his office, cited an instance where a well-known Negro political figure was accused of murder. He told Ropke that the victim was shot down in cold blood. That particular case was dismissed in police court. Political pressure had been brought to bear, the delegate charged. The state representative in criminal court said that case was settled before it reached his court, our source indicated. Possibility of having more of the cases submitted to jury, (Continued on page 4)
Vote Despite Klan
Vote in Georgia Despite Klan
Fourth of Those Qualified Go To Polls In Face of Burning Cross
LAUNCH MOVEMENT TO HELP INGRAMS; CHURCH RESPONDS TO STRONG APPEAL The appeals for funds to help Mrs. Rosa Lee Ingram and her two sons, now under death sentences in Georgia, as sounded by the national office of the N. A. A. C. P., the Pittsburgh Courier and other agencies, was resounded here last week-end when a group of churchmen under the leadership of Robert S. White, young business man, organized for the purpose of helping the Ingrams. Mr. White made a strong appeal to the large audience at Chestnut Street C. M. E. Church last Sunday morning, which resulted in a total contribution of $33.55. The public is urged to help the Ingrams and to send contributions to Robert S. White, chairman, The Ingrams' Fund, 927 West Chestnut, Louisville, Ky. All contributions will be carried in The Leader, including the name and amount contributed. The Fund is started as follows: Chestnut Street C. M. E. Church ..............................$33.55
SLAIN IN NEWBURG ROAD NIGHT CLUB Shot in the back after he had been knocked down in a fistfight over an unidentified girl, Peter Jackson, 29, 1041 South Hancock was killed late Sunday night in a County night spot, according to County Police. While officers refused to re[illegible] identity of the slayer, [illegible] said he was known to live [within?] the city limits. A city-[illegible] dragnet has been spread. [illegible] dead man was slain in the [illegible]ace Night Club, on the New[burg?] Road near Shepardsville. [illegible] ath boosted homicide total [illegible] city and county among [illegible] to 16 for 1948.
5 Years for Assault on Colored Girl
Ordinary soap, chemically is a metallic salt of a fatty acid.
Judges in Scholarship Awards [photo] Left to right: William H. Gray, Jr., president, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College; Horace Mann Bond, president, Lincoln University, Pennsylvania; and Jesse B. Clayton, vice president, Citizens Trust Company, Atlanta, Georgia, compose the committee which selected the finalists for the three-year graduate fellowships being offered by the Pepsi-Cola Scholarship Board.
FUNERAL OF DR. TURPIN HELD IN NASHVILLE Funeral services were held for Dr. D. H. Turpin, former dean of the Dental Department at MeHarry College, and president of the National Dental Association, in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday afternoon at the First Baptist Church. Dr. Turpin died almost suddenly from a stroke last Friday, although he had a previous slight attack. Widely known and the maker of friends, the funeral attendance was one of the largest known to Nashville. Friends, professional and otherwise, came from all section of the country, with practically every medical school and organization, white and colored, represented. The esteem in which Dr. Turpin was held was testified to through the more than 300 floral designs and messages. He was well known in Louisville where he often visited Dr. J. W. Johnson, a person friend. Among Louisville dentists who attended the funeral were Dr. Johnson and Mrs. Johnson, Dr. J. A. Gay and Mrs. Gay, Dr. P. O. Sweeney and Dr. Z. O. Bothic. 
MOTHER OF C. M. E. BISHOP DIES Funeral services were held for Mrs. Jessie Lee Stewart, wife of the late Bishop G. W. Stewart, and mother of Bishop Luther Stewart, Hopkinsville, Ky., held in Birmingham, Alabama, Tuesday afternoon. Mrs. Stewart died after a brief illness. The funeral, held in Thurgood Temple, C.M.E. Church, was attended by hundreds. The eulogy was delivered by Bishop H. P. Porter of Jackson, Tenn. Rev. C. L. Finch, pastor of Chestnut Street C.M.E. Church, was among those who attended the funeral.
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An Open Letter to the Governor, The Lieut. Governor, and the Legislators of the Commonwealth of Kentucky; and the Hon. J. Lyter Donaldson, Chairman of the State Central Democratic Committee
Gentlemen: The Third District Negro Democratic Organization directed a Committee to present to you this testimonial of their gratitude for your approval and the passage of measures affecting the welfare of our people. Immediately after the Governor's inauguration, we received a bid to confer with you on the needs of our group. On December 17, 1947, we presented you a program of our desires for general improvement, viz: increased appropriation for our three State Educational Institutions which you readily approved, and the same was passed. In addition, we recited to you the serious situation of Red Cross Hospital, and of the pressing need for scientific nurse training. For this purpose, we asked you for an appropriation of $50,000. You readily agreed to raise the State Aid from the mere pitance of $4,500 to "a sum that will surprise you". You generously gave us $60,000. We gratefully acknowledge your support in the passage of House Bill 447 which "authorizes hospitals, by a majority vote of their governing bodies to admit Negroes to instruction in Nursing, Medicine, Surgery, and related courses". Our Committee made three trips to Frankfort, and we were cordially received by each of you. We further acknowledge the refusal of the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor and the Hon. J. Lyter Donaldson, Chairman of the State Central Executive Committee to join with other Southern States in setting up regional schools of higher training for Negroes, and the further refusal of the above named Chairman to join in the Southern revolt against our President, the Honorable Harry S. Truman, because of his Civil Rights program. We hail this as the greatest unprecedented act of statesmanship toward minority groups in the history of our great Commonwealth. We appreciate your open-mindedness and your attitude of forthright fairness, and pledge you our loyal cooperation. Respectfully, Committee of the Third District Negro Democratic Organization, Jesse A. Moran, Chairman; Carlyle A. Lively, Secretary; Rev. W. Augustus Jones, Prof. A. E. Meyzeek, Lewis Olive, Houston Brooks, Chas. Moore, Wm. H. Childress, Chas. S. Ware, W. W. Wilson.
Organize to Fight Amendment to Deny Vote to Negroes in Alabama
20 Groups Back Truman Program
White Students Vote Colored Admittance
TO SPEAK TO COLLEGE GROUP J. Benjamin Horton, Jr., advertising director of The Louisville Defender, will deliver the principal address at the "Bigger and Better Business" program sponsored by the Lambda Chi Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity at Kentucky State College, Sunday afternoon, April 4 at 5:30 p. m. Horton will speak on the subject "Corporate Techniques in the Development of Bigger and Better Business."
Redeem ourselves - a Negro alderman in 1949.
Changes at Children's Center
GENERAL CLEANUP IS PROMISED ACTION TAKEN FOLLOWING EXPOSE OF DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES AT CENTER Adequate though separate provisions for the care of dependent and delinquent colored children at the Children's Center, 314 East Chestnut, is being made by officials of the Home following an expose of discriminatory practices, the Leader learned this week. Living facilities and treatment accorded Negro children spotlighted when Mrs. Lillie Beasley, 321 Pocahontas, told how her two small children were treated. The 10-months old baby contracted pneumonia and her nine year old girl was cruelly beaten with a belt buckle late at night after matron was gone, by a fifteen year old pregnant girl who wanted the child to perform an abnormal sex act, according to the report. County Judge Horace M. Barker, who with the mayor of the city appoint a twelve man board to supervise the Home, called the General Superintendent, H. V. Bastin and his assistant, William H. Pyle into his office. Pyle is in direct charge of the Children's Center. Bastin promised to clean up the condition. The children were confined to one small T-shaped room where they were forced to eat, sleep and tend to their wants. There was no supervisory late at night. Now the children are allowed to go down into the yard to play, they eat meals in the dining room and the second floor of the building is being converted into living quarters for colored, an informed source declared. The superintendent, H. V. Bastin, who is head of Ormsby Village and Ridgeway as well as the Center, filed a report with the Mayor's office declaring the condition had been corrected. The board which has charge of the institutions is made up of Ernest German; Fred Stu- (Continued on page 4)
F.E.P.C. Enacted in Philadelphia
Former Publisher Dies in Indianapolis
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