PUINX째 EDUCATIONAL EDITION
Launching ot the S. S. John H o p e . The Late Brother John H o p e was an educator, a builder, a leader, and an outstanding A l p h a .
His
contributions to humanity will ever live and be perpetuated by the monuments in his honor and memory.
MAY, 1944
OffCoiaA Vigo*, ofIMC.
A L P H A PHI A L P H A FRATERNITY,
Inc.
General Officers
RATFOBD W. LOGAN President Howard University, Washington, D. C. •ERT A. McDONALD I irst Vice-President 319 East 48th St., Los Anreles, Calif. FERDINAND L. ROUSSEVE Second Vice-President 4636 Willow Street, New Orleans, La. JOHN FLEMING Third Vice-President 1532 Linn Street, Cincinnati, Ohio ANDREW R. TYLER Fourth Vice-President 462 West 146th S t , New York City JOSEPH H. B. EVANS General Secretary 101 S. Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. FARROW h. ALLEN. Treasurer 337 West 138th St., New York City LEWIS O. SWINGLER Editor of the Sphinx 390 '/i Beale Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee M. G. FERGUSON Managing Editor of The Sphinx Chairman, Auditing Committee Citizens Savings & Trust Co., Nashville, Tenn,, R. COUNCILL TRENHOLM Director of Education Alabama State College, Montgomery, Ala. BBLFORD V. LAWSON. JR. General Counsel 2001 11th, N. W., Washington, D. C. LAY MEMBERS EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Edward W. Brooke, 1262 Hamlin Street, N. E., Washington, D. C , Honorary, Thomas E. Kelley, Wllberforce University, William T. Fatrisk, Jr., Clark Hall. Howard University, Washington, D. C.; Chas. D. Proctor. Flsk University, Nashville, Tenn. BELFORD V. LAWSON, JR. Chairman, Chapter Housing Commission 2001 11th St., N. W., Washington, D. C •OWARD H. LONG Chairman, Committee on Public Policy 1112 Oirard St., N. W., Washington, D. C. •ENRY L, DICKASON Chairman, Committee on Standards Bluefleld State Teachers College, Bluefleld, West Virginia
ROBERT P. DANIEL Chairman, Budget Committee Shaw University, Raleigh, North Carolina CHARLES H. WESLEY Historian Wllberforce University, Wllberforce! Ohio KERMIT J. HALL Director. Transportation State Teachers College, Bluefleld, West Va. JEWELS Dr. Henry A. Callis, 2306 E St., N. E., Washington. D. C ; Nathaniel A. Murray, J_50t You Street._ N. _W., Washington. D. O.i Vertner W. Tandy, 221 West 139th St., New York, N. Y.; George B 13th Street, Troy, New York. •Charles H. Chapman—'Roy H. Ogle—'James H. Mortons REGIONAL DIRECTORS WESTERN JURISDICTION—Bert A. McDonald, Vice-Pro^ U. Booker, Prairie View College. Prairie View, Texas; JI Robinson. 850 East 49th Place, Los Angeles, Calif ; Bernard E" Squires, 326 Railway Exchange Bldg., Seattle, Washington SOUTHERN JURISDICTION—Ferdinand L. Rousseve, Vice-President; Region:—Louisiana, Arkansas, Miss., Southern Vice-President In charge; Harold Luclen, Dlllard University, New Orleans, La Undergraduate Director; C. M. Roulhac, Jr.. 810 E McLemore Memphis Term; Andrew J. Lewis II, 525 Tatnall St., Atlanta, Ga.; John P. Bond, 13% E. Hargett St., Raleigh. North Carolina EASTERN JURISDICnoN-Andrew R. Tyler, Vice-President; John M Moore, Va. Union University, Richmond, Va ; G A Galvin 216 West State St.. Ithaca, N. Y.; Frank Morris, Jr., 1519 Page Street Philadelphia, Pa.; William J. Parks, Jr., 1917 3rd St N W Washington, D. C ; Rufus Hackett, 536 McCulloh St., Baltimore, Md : and Thomas A. Center, 54 Mt. Pleasant, North Cambridge Mass MIDWESTERN JURISDICTION-John W. Fleming^ Vice-PresidentJohn R. Lawrence, Jr., 947 Iglehart Ave., St p l k Minn J R Lillard, 2547 Tracy Avenue, Kansas City, Mo • • t i o r nley e Charles F. Lane, 417 East 47th Street, Chicago, Illinois.'
CHAPTER ROSTER
1. ALPHA—Cornell University, I t h a c a , N. Y.; President, Dr. G. A. Galvin, 216 W. S t a t e Street; Secretary, Dr. Albert P. J o h n s o n , 216 W. S t a t e Street. 3. BETTA—Howard University, W a s h i n g t o n , D. C ; President, W i l l i a m T. Patrick; Cor. Secretary, R o l l l n Williams, Howard University. 3. GAMMA—Virginia U n i o n University, R i c h m o n d , Va.; Presid e n t , E. D. McCreary, Jr.; Secretary, Lee A. Barnes, Va. U n i o n University. 4. DELTA—Tillotson College, A u s t i n , Texas; President, S a m u e l Puller; Secretary, Jesse B e t h e l , T i l l o t s o n College. 5. EPSILON—University of M i c h i g a n , A n n Arbor, Mich.; Presid e n t , J o h n L. S. H o l l i m a n , Jr.; Secretary, E e n r y C. Everett, 116 Victor C. V a u g h H o u s e . University of M i c h i g a n . 6. ZETA—Yale University, New H a v e n , Conn.; President, C. A. Trlbbett, 124 Dixwell Ave., Secretary; T. R. P e t t y j o h n , 77 D i c k e r m a n Street. 7. E T A — C o l u m b i a University, S t . Lawrence, B r o o k l y n C. C , S t . J o h n University, Brooklyn, New York City; President, Mac C. Davles, 79 St. N i c h o l a s Avenue, N. Y. C.; Secretary, Lloyd C. Best, 217 W. 120 N. Y. C. 8. THETA—University Chicago, Chicago, 111.; President, Clift o n O. D u m m e t t , 311 E. C h i c a g o Avenue, Box 158, Chicago, 111.; Secretary, Prank A. B a n k s , 740 E. M a r q u e t t e Road. 8. I O T A — A t l a n t a , Georgia; T o be set u p . 10. K A P P A — O h i o S t a t e University, Ohio; President, Lionel H. N e w s o m , 51 East 11th Ave.; Secretary, J a m e s K. A n t h o n y , 68 E. 11th Ave., C o l u m b u s , O h i o . 11. M U — U n i v e r s i t y of M i n n e s o t a , Minneapolis, Minnesota; President, J o h n R. Lawrence, 947 Iglehart Ave., St. Paul, Minn., Secretary, J o h n M. P a t t o n , 954 St. A n t h o n y Ave., St. Paul, M i n n . 13. N U — L i n c o l n University, Pa.; President, Charles Okedas; Secretary, Robert Prazler, L i n c o l n University. Pa. 13. XI—Wllberforce University, Ohio; President, Everard A. H u g h e s ; Secretary, W i l l i a m B. Shropshire, Wllberforce U n i versity, Wllberforce, O h i o . 14. O M I C R O N — P i t t s b u r g h , Pa., President, P a u l L. Jones, 228 W e s t 14th, H o m e s t e a d , Pa.; Secretary McDonald Williams, 201 M i c h i g a n Avenue, Betshoover, P i t t s , Pa. 15. P I — W e s t e r n Reserve, Cleveland, Ohio; President, S a m u e l Wade, 2285 East 8 9 t h Street; Secretary, J o s e p h D. S m i t h , 2813 Central Avenue, N. 584. 16. R H O — G r a d u a t e Group, Philadelphia, P e n n s y l v a n i a ; Pres. Dr. W. P. Jerrick, 1843 C h r i s t i a n St.; C. Sec. Dr. O. Wilson Winters, 28 Curren Arcade; P. Sec. Norrlstown, Pa.; P. Sec. Dr Percy I. Bowser. 5344 Race St. 17. SIGMA—Harvard University, Boston, Mass.; President. T h o m a s Center, 12 Hubbard Ave., Cambridge. Mass.: S e c retary, G. S a m u e l Darrell, 137 Harold St., Roxbury, Mass. 18. T A U — U n i v e r s i t y of Illinois, C h a m p a l g n - U r b a n a , Illinois; P r e s i d e n t N a t h a n i e l B. Green; 1301 W e s t Clark, Urbana, 111.; Secretary, R o b e r t Claybrooks. 18. UPSILON—University of K a n s a s , K a n s a s S t a t e Teachers College, Emporia, K a n s a s ; K a n s a s S t a t e College of Agricult u r e & Applied Science, M a n h a t t a n , Kansas, Lawrence, K a n s a s ; P r e s i d e n t , Robert N. Clark; Secretary, J a m e s D. Walker, 1101 Mississippi Street, Lawrence, Kansas. 80. P H I — O h i o University. A t h e n s . Ohio: INACTIVE 21. CHI—Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tenn.: president, Axel H a n s o n , Jr.; Cor. Secretary, Edward L. Wllkerson, Meharry Medical College. 22. P S I — U n i v e r s i t y of P e n n s y l v a n i a . T e m p l e University, P h i l a delphia, Pa.; President, F r a n k l i n Morris, 1519 Page Street West: Secretary, Robert Polndexter, 2128 Christian Street. 83. ALPHA ALPHA—University of C i n c i n n a t i , C i n c i n n a t i College of Pharmacy. M i a m i University, C i n c i n n a t i , Ohio; President. J o h n W. F l e m i n g , 1532 L i n n Street; Secretary, Webster Posey. 1506 B a y m i l l e r Street. 04. ALPHA BETA—Talladega College, Talladega, Ala.; President, Horace J o h n s o n ; Secretary, W i l l i a m King, Talladega College. 86. ALPHA GAMMA—Brown University, Providence, R h o d e I s land, INACTIVE. 26. ALPHA DELTA—University of S o u t h e r n California, Los A n geles. Calif., President, Henry Feltenberg, 1286 S. Serrano; Secretary, Edward York, 1286 S. Serrano Avenue. 87. ALPHA EPSILON—University of California. Berkeley, California; President, Harold R. Jones, 2831 Ellsworth Street, Berkeley; Secretary, Henry J o h n s o n , 1340 8 t h St., Oakland, California.
28. ALPHA ZETA—West Virginia S t a t e College I n s t i t u t e W e s t Va., President, G r a y t h o r n T. Heard; S^fcretaFy Llo'vd A Watts, West Va. S t a t e College. secretary, u o y d A. 39. ALPHA ETA—St. Louis, Mo.; President George H » „ , , „ 443 r 2 c North Market St.; Secretary, Earl W . ^ H u n t e r ! ^ ^
30. ALPHA THETA—University of Iowa, I o w a Citv Iowa- PTA«I dent, J a m e s Peoples; Secretary, A. Low; c Secretary Ger^I y R. Ragland, Jr., 818 S o u t h D u b u q u e Street ' George 31. ALPHA IOTA—University of Colorado, Den'var Colo P r e s i d e n t , Howard J e n k i n s , Jr., 3131 G i l p i n St oSecretar^ Inhn Wallar, 2606 G i l p i n St. * ' e c r e t a r v . John 32. ALPHA KAPPA—Springfield College. Amherst Colle CO11P»P A™ herst. Mass., Springfield, Mass.; INACTIVE Se. Am83. ALPHA M U — N o r t h w e s t e r n University, E v a n s t o n IllinoisPresident, Charles Warren; Secretary Wi liam b PvWr' y> w m l a m 1930 B r o w n A v e n u e . ^- P y a n t . 34. ALPHA N U — I o w a S t a t e College, Drake Unlversltv r>p« Moines, Iowa; President, Virgil Dixon; Secretary CliasP Howard, 515 Mulberry St., Des Moines Iowa 35. ALPHA X I — U n i v e r s i t y of W a s h i n g t o n , S e a t t l e W a s h i n g t o n President, J a m e s P. J o h n s o n , 928 31st S t SeattleW^sh^ i n g t o n ; Secretary, Robert B. P i t t s . 326 23rd A v e n u e N o r t h 36. ALPHA OMICRON—John C. S m i t h Uni veraltv Cnartotte N. C ; P r e s i d e n t ; N a s h V e r n o n Scott; OSecretary' Edward L CLrecar Wllkerson, Meharry Medical College. y . Edward L. 37. ALPHA PI—Louisville Municipal College Louisville K v President, Andrew M o t e n 2336 W. C h e s t n u t S t r e e t S e c r e tary, J u l i u s L. Greene, 1810 W. C h e s t n u t Street 38. ALPHA RHO—Morehouse College, Ga.- President R e m n m i n Bullock, Secretary, Clarence Wi Hams, MOTenousc. C o l l « a 89. ALPHA S I G M A - W l l e y College, Bishop C o l l i e Marsha!?" S ; w u f y d e ^ u 5 e f e r l C k °- S m l t h ; ^ c r e t J ^ ' T . M £ S S e t i ALPHA TAU—University of Akron, Ohio- Prp<;iri«>r>t Attor40. n e y Artee F l e m i n g 2 * West Market S t r e e T . ^ r o n , U w o : Secretary. Herbert T. Bracken, 385 Wellington ' 41. ALPHA UPSILON—City College, Detroit, Mich • P r e s i d e n t G u s Ogletree, 607 Division; Secretary, N o a h B Turner 635 £j. Elizabeth. 42. ALPHA PHI—Clark University. Atlanta, Ga President UnYversfty C o l e m a n : C o r - Secretary; Charles A. DaVlsf ClaVk University, Nashville, Tennessee- Presl43. ALPHA CHI—Flsk Un'lver'sft." 168 ^ P r ° ° t e r : S e c r e t a r V - C l a r e n c e T p I y n e ^ F U k •ALPHA P S I — L i n c o l n University, Jefferson Citv Mo • Prp»i44. d e n t , Alphonse E. Ellis, Allen Hall. L i n c o l n Um'v^S'tv S e c ! S ^ 1 ? ' William.McCoy. Allen Hall, Lincoln Unlversltv 45. BETA ALPHA—Morgan College, Baltimore M d ' President. W i n s t o n Emerson Brown. 529 C u m b e r l a n d Street- XrTetarV Harry A u g u s t u s Coles, 1935 Druid Hill Ave ' s*cretaIT• 46. BETA BETA—University of Nebraska, Creighton TTnlversltv T "BrafoVd ^ B W ' s f e ? I n f , N * r a s k » ' p S S S e n ^ G ™ S i T. Bralord, 1952 T. Street, Lincoln, Nebraskaswrprarv Blddfex. 2225 S. Street, Lincoln Neb™*** S e c r e t a r y ' 47. Harold BETA G A M M A - V l r g i n i a S t a t e College:' Ettrtck Va • President. R e u b e n K. Davis: Secretary. Arthur E Vonn»" 48. 0 r a n Clyde* W ^ e s e ^ ^ ****• S e b ^ A ^T&esldent. 49. BETA E P S I L O N - A g r i c u l t u r a l and T e c h n i c a l College G r e e n s boro, N o r t h Carolina; President, C l i n t o n EFt ht ewH di l e^ q.n BeCm retary, D u n c n n Williams, A. & T College S 60. BETA Z E T A - S a m u e l H u s t o n College A u s t i n Texas- President. Maceo D. Pembroke: Secretary WeIdor, K G r o v e s ! S a m u e l H u s t o n College. A u s t i n Texas w e l a o n K - Groves, 61. Colle e H r PreMdent^clSriP?1!?0'!8 ^ ^ S - Carbonda*. Secretary Ga ff n P ey e T d a X , C o l ? , l U t a i t a J O , l e 8 ' 2 U N " w l l l : 62. w m t m ^ ^ i ^ l ^ c ? S \ a t e Teachers College, President. ers CoUege. Secretary, Silas E. Craft, S t a t e T e a c h 53. M^riVrif k c T T ^ 54.
S t a t e
TeaCherS
C0lle
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Kalamazoo.
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55. ? E ^ A „ M J £ ~ K £ ? t , u c k 5 r s t a t e College, Frankfort, Ky.; President, Arthur Walter; Secretary, Robert L. Clardy 66. %?7£J??Jl3?0IiaS A S & M i C o » e g e , Tallahassee, Florida: President. Oliver H. Jones; Secretary, J a m e s M. Y o u n g .
THE S P H I N X Official Organ of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Inc. PUBLISHED FEBRUARY, MAY, OCTOBER, and DECEMBER 345 4th Avenue, North, Nashville, Tenn.
VOLUME 31
MAY, 1944
THE STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LEWIS O. SWINGLER 390 Vi Beale Avenue Memphis, Tennessee MANAGING EDITOR M. G. FERGUSON 345 4th Avenue, North Nashville, Tennessee
NUMBER 1-2
THE STAFF
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ART EDITORS JAMES D. PARKS Lincoln University Jefferson City, Mo. PAGE
Alpha Founders Urge Bond Purchase
2
ASSISTANT EDITORS
The Pre-Eminent Educator
3
HUGH M. GLOSTER Morehouse College Atlanta, Georgia
Launching of the S. S. John Hope
3
A Forge for Freedom
4
They Look Like Men of War
5
BURT A. MAYBERRY 2446 Harrison Kansas City, Mo.
Alpha Brothers at Ft. Bennlng Point the Way Democracy Functions
8 9
MILTON S. J. WRIGHT Wilberforce University Wilberforce, Ohio WILLIAM H. GRAY, JR. Florida Normal St. Augustine, Florida WHO'S WHO EDITOR GEORGE B. KELLEY Troy, New York HISTORY EDITOR
Ft. Bennlng Libraries
11
Excerpts from Letters
13
Alpha Men in the News
14
Fraternity
15
Fun
Alpha Tau Lambda's Contribution Voice of the Sphinx Pvt. Lionel H. Newsome, Chief Interviewer
15 16 30
Somewhere in North Africa
30
Greetings from Pfc. Lewis O. Swingler
31
JAMES B. BROWNING Miner Teachers College Ga. Ave. at Euclid and Fairmont, N. W. Washington, D. C. FRAT FUN EDITOR DR. O. WILSON WINTERS 28 Curren Arcade Norristown, Pa.
DOWDAL H. DAVIS, JR. 2711 E. 21st Street Kansas City, Missouri CONTRIBUTING EDITORS KERMIT J. HALL Bluefield State College Bluefield, West Virginia FRANK L. STANLEY, JR. 619 W. Walnut Street Louisville, Kentucky PVT. A. J. LEWIS, II 50th Inf. Tr. Bn., Co. "A" Camp Croft, South Carolina REID E. JACKSON Southern University Scotlandville, La. SIDNEY A. JONES, JR. 5341 Maryland Chicago, Illinois J. EDWARD COTTON 390 Vi Beale Avenue Memphis, Tennessee G. W. GORE, JR. A. & I. State College Nashville, Tennessee
Chapter Roster Please note chapter roster for changes in names a n d addresses of your chapter officers.
ADVERTISING LEWIS O. SWINGLER 390 Vi Beale Avenue Memphis, Tennessee
Entered as second clasa matter at the Post Office in Nashville, Tenn. and issued four times a year in February, May, October and December, under the Act of March 3, 1879 and accepted for mailine at the second class rates of postage.
Subscription Priceâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Three Dollars and Fiity Cents Per Year
THE
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May, 1944
ALPHA FOUNDERS URGE PURCHASE OF WAR BONDS J E W E L G. B. K E L L Y
J E W E L H. A. C A L L I S
Jewel George B. Kelly, of Troy, New York and Jewel I J. A. Callis, of Washington, D. C , two of the Seven Founders of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Their wisdom, and abiding faith in Alpha Phi Alpha served to inspire our brothers on By Dr. H. A. CALLIS Founder
the "Fighting F r o n t " in the first World War. Alpha men onmany "Fighting F r o n t s " of World War II arc carrying on nobly for God and Country in the spirit of these beloved Founders.
By BROTHER G. B. KELLEY Founder
war. You have been urged to buy because the purchase of bonds is an excellent investment which will yield thirtythree and one third increase in ten years. All these reasons should appeal to the Citizens of the United Statesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;of all races and make them desirous to purchase as many bonds as their means will permit.
You have been urged to buy Victory Bonds because of patriotism, because of race contribution to the war effort, because of the urgent need to keep our forces supplied with the necessities of war until Victory is won. You have been urged to buy Bonds because the Federal Government is spending more than its income and must therefore borrow from its citizens to finance the
I am asking A L P H A men to buy at least one $25.00 bond for a very different future use. I am urging every Alpha man to purchase one $25.00 bond to be turned over to a Post W a r Fund of Alpha. If one thousand Alpha men would purchase a $25.00 bond for the above purpose, this fund would have $18,750.00 plus compound interest at 35 to help
Our investment in W a r Bonds is common sense. It represents our faith in ourselves, our debt to our men in the armed forces, and our hope for our children's future.
our brothers re-establish themselves when this war is over. Such a fund properly established and managed would do much toward accomplishing the problem growing out of human needs when the war is ended. In order to carry out the above suggestion, I submit the following: 1. All bonds donated shall be held until the next General Convention when definite plans shall be made as to their use. 2. For the present all bonds shall be sent to a designation made by the Founders and the present General Officers. 3. That the expense of temporary management of collection of Bonds be paid by the General Organization.
DEAD LINE NOTICE
OCTOBER NUMBER To Associate Editors: The deadline for the October Number is September 30, 1944. For all future Numbers send in: 1. Reports of brothers in the Armed Forces and on the Home Front. 2. Marriages of Alpha men. including the name of wife, date and place of marriage, and a short informative statement about the contracting parties. 3. Births, giving the name of the baby, date of birth and any information of interest about the parents. 4. Pictures of children tip to six years of age. 5. Names of brothers who have been inducted into service. 6. Names of brothers who have made the Supreme Sacrifice. The Sphinx would like to have more chapter reports. If your chapter did not make a report for The .May Number, by all means see thai a report of your activities is made for the October issue. Articles submitted for publication will be published at the most appropriate time.
4 May, 1944
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THE PRE-EMINENT EDUCATOR Truly John Hope is representative of Negro leadership in hij>hcr education in America. His years of consecrated service as President of Morehouse College (1906-31) and as President of Atlanta University (1931-36) stand as irrefutable proof of the ability of Negroes to preside over their own institutions with dignity and success. The biography of John Hope is one marked by the spirit of ambition and devotion to djuty. He was born in Augusta, Georgia, on June 3, 1868. He finished the local school and entered Worcester Academy, Worchester, Massachusetts, in 1886. Upon graduation from the Academy, lie entered Broun University from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1894. He then entered the service of the American Baptist Home Mission Society and served as a teacher at Roger Williams University and at Atlanta Baptist College which later became Morehouse College. When an arrangement was completed between Atlanta University, Morehouse College and Spelman College for the affiliation of the three institutions in a University plan, he was chosen as the president of the new Atlanta University. Five Universities in the United States and Canada honored John Hope with degrees: Brown University, Master of Arts and Doctor of L a w s ; H o w ard University, McMaster University, Bucknell University and Bates College each conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Laws for his outstanding work in the field of education and the betterment of inter-racial relations. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, honorary scholastic society. H e served as a delegate to the International Missionary Council which met in Jerusalem in 1928, and was one of the speakers at the meeting. H e received the 1929 gold medal in Education given by the William E. H a r m o n Awards for Distinguished Achievement Among Negroes. The following paragraph taken from a Minute adopted by the trustees of Morehouse College and Atlanta U n i versity on the occasion of his death is a fitting tribute to his life: "John Hope's fame will rest upon his work and accomplishments in the field of education. H e became the president of Morehouse College when
BY G. W. GORE, JR. Dean, Tennessee A. & I State College
Launching of the "S. S. John H o p e " The "S. S. John Hope" was launched on January 30, 1944, at 3:30 a. m., at Shipyard Number. Two of the Permanente Metals Corn, nation. The sponsor for the ship was Mrs. Walter A. Gordon, wife of Attorney W a l t e r A. Cunl.m, of Berkeley, California. Following is the order of the ceremony : W'.nds of Welcome, by the Master of Ceremonies "Water Boy," by Mr. Thomas Pruitt, baritone. I Mr. Pruitt is a burner on the graveyard shift.)
THE
LATE
DR. J O H N
HOPE
it was a weak and struggling institution. Under his administration it was developed into one of the outstanding colleges for Negro youth; it may be said that it became a mother of college presidents. When he assumed the presidency of the Atlanta University system, he undertook a task that called for balance and patience, perseverance and tact, faith and courage, wisdom and high statesmanship, and for the ability to work with black and white, North and South. All of these qualities he brought to that task. W h a t he wrought at Morehouse and at Atlanta gives him an assured place among the pre-eminent educators of his time. But he was far more than a prominent figure in education; he belonged to the rare company of great teachers. Even if there were not the tiionuments to his name of Morehouse and tlic new Atlanta, there would remain his sympathetic understanding' of the student, his gift of imparting encouragement and stimulus, and the inspiration of his personal example. And so he has an abiding monument in the hearts and lives of all youth that came under the touch of his influence; and that influence will be transmitted through them to other generations of youth. In a maximum degree he filled the triple capacity of educator, teacher, and friend,"
Presentation of Sowers to Mrs. Gordon and Mrs. H a r r y Kingman, Million of I Ion.ir (.Mrs. Kingman's husband was then chairman of the President's Fair Practices Employment Committee) by Miss Florence Gee. (Miss Gee's mother is an employee in the Shipyard and her brother is a lieutenant in the U. S. Army on active duty in India.) Recorded Music Message read from Mrs. John Hope, who could not be present. Remarks by Attorney Walter A. Gordon. "Without A Song," by Mr. Thomas Pruitt. Invocation by Rev. Roy Nichols, Associate Minister of the newly formed South Berkeley Community church. Mrs. Gordon then christened the ship and Attorney Gordon released the trigger that started the S. S. John Hope down the ways to join the huge fleet of sister ships which were built in the Permanente Yards and which were then serving the Nation. The message from Mrs. John Hope was interesting and appropriate. It was as follows: "You can imagine would make me to see slide down the ways. it will help hasten the erty, justice and peace the entire world.
how happy it that great ship We hope that day when libwill reign over
"I know that this would be John Hope's wish. He was a member of n a ture's nobility. This ship would not b e worthy of his name, if it were not willing to give its all for humanity."
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F O R C E FOR F
May, 1944
EEDOM
By R E I D E. J A C K S O N
. . . . . . .
. . .
HOW SHALL WE VOTE? J'IK- period of the forthcoming presidential campaign and subsequent election of our nation's chief executive will lie equally, if not more, critical for the Negro, as were those turbulent days of reconstruction, following his supposed emancipation over four-score years ago. Nor should we resolve the question into so easy an equation as "Shall Roosevelt serve a fourth t e r m ? " For it is becoming unmistakably clear that any improved status, for the Negro in America, must be guided by a titular head who not only is positively articulate as to a policy of democratic treatment for the Negro, but also is insistent that this policy is completely implemented, in every community, insofar as possible. This is just another way of saying that thinking Negroes, frankly, have heroine disappointed in the faihi our incumbent president to proclaim overall executive decree for the impartial treatment of all minority ps in America—particularly, the Negro—as they are being faced with rising prejudice and discrimination. No mallet" how much one may endeavor to becloud the issue with the camouflaging excuse that a party chieftain is haltered by those elements which control that party for which he is standardbearer, the idea that the chieftain, through exercising leadership ability, can impel modification and acceptance of basic principles which be formulates is worthy of more than scant consideration. This possibility must become axiomatically inescapable for the 1944 Negro voter. Recent diehard efforts of reactionary Southern stales to hearken more forcibly to ante-bellum customs of the old South are clarion signs of a restive spirit and apprehension that the social etiquette of Negro-white relations, so familiar to the Civil W a r South, are being subjected to telling assault by liberal elements; and, that this challenge must lie throttled over and above any and all international or domestic issues. Typical of' this sentiment are reports of recent actions in Louisiana and Mississippi, which should appear ludicrous to any real champion of democracy and the "four freedoms." First, attention might be called to the instruction by Shreveport's Mayor Sam S. Caldwell, unsuccessful Louisiana gubernatorial candidate, for Assistant City Attorney Edwin Bailey "to draw up an ordinance prohibiting Negroes from being served with white people in public restaurants and cafes in Shrcveport." This order was issued by Caldwell, according to his own statement, "after he received several complaints of Negro soldiers attempting to be served or eating in downtown eating establishments." In most
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ored race sections, the bill applies also to standing room in the aisles. As in the Louisiana situation, it would seem that a rude jostling ol Mississippi's rigid code of Negrowhite ethics had precipitated this hurried legislative travesty against democratic ideology in America. Think what would happen if this proposed practice, was effected into every phase of everyday life! The Negro, then, would be hidden from public view forever and anon. Or, perhaps, the Mississippi solous have concluded the necessary task of fashioning laws which really guarantees democracy, in their backward commonwealth, and now they are returning to the ancient sport of Negro-baiting." The latter, 1 am afraid, is t r u e !
DR. R E I D E . J A C K S O N of these instances, the mayor further stated, "the Negroes were in company with white soldiers and entered tbe restaurants with them." The proposed ordinance would he based upon existent state segregation laws "as apptied to trolleys and trains and will place the penalty for violation on the owner of the eating establishment involved." Significant here is the obvious implication that white soldiers, probably from the North, have become impatient of Louisiana's, (and the South's) archaic social structure which relegates the Negro to a subservient status. Perhaps, too, this resentment has welled up in both white and Negro soldiers as they realized the futility of fighting abroad for a democracy which is being denied particular elements here at home. Just as incomprehensible a piece of legislation, at practically the same time, was being enacted bv the brand* new Mississippi Senate. This august (?) body voted to "expand the present 'J'm Crow' law of the state by imposing a penalty of $50 on operating companies of common carriers for failure to keep passengers in the section of a bus to which they are assigned." Passed in the senate, by a .36 to 2 vote, this bill "provides for a separate movable partition for the races. The partition must be at least two feet wide on either side of the aisle and must extend from the top of the seat to the ceiling of the bus." Subjecting like fines of $25 upon both the operator and the passenger, for failure to observe the white and col-
These two acts, which I have described above, no doubt, can be and will be duplicated in other of the seventeen southern states. Nor do these moves constitute the only evidence that the "Bourbon South" is yet on the march! Unbending opposition of southern senators and a bloc of disgruntled Republican Congressmen have stymied every effort of the administration lo codify a soldier vote hill, representative of true democratic will, and. at this writing, it appears that a weak and much diluted mixture of federal and slates right absentee voting might emerge from the caucus loom. Spiraling mistreatment of Negro soldiers — particularly officers — in southern communities gives additional proof of the bubbling haired of "Rankin" southerners towards any manifestation of improved (you might as well say, human) status for the Negro in the "confederate" states. Moreover, need 1 mention the abusive display of p o l h e power against hapless Negro citizens by "quick-trigger" southern cops—white, of course! All told. such happenings etch a disheartening picture for the Negro in "dear old Dixie," despite what any of his white benefactors, temporarily "up the country," might say as to the Negro's tranquil life "down where he belongs." Even Majority Leader Larkley's revolt against the President is pregnant with impending disaster for the Negro, if this really delineates unbridled independence for the present Congress. To put it mildly, then, a resurgence of the spirit of the old Bourbon South is just about now to reach an all-time high! W h a t then does this forecast for coming election times? When one takes into consideration all that I have said before, it is indeed refreshing to note the action by a national political conference of Negroes which convened in New York, on November 20, 1943, for the purpose of (Continued on Page 7)
ft May, 1944
THE
SPHINX
Page 5
THEY LOOK LIKE MEN OF WAR By CPL. L E W I S O. S W I N G L E R Public Relations, Ft. Benning, Georgia EDITOR'S NOTE:—There are upward of thirty brothers in the Reception Center of Fort Benning, Georgia, performing a variety of jobs in keeping with the high standard set by the U. S. Army for this unit of the service. In the Harmony Church Area of Fort Benning. other Alpha men are also giving equally good account of themselves.
F
O R T Benning's Reception Center, largest military unit of its kind in the United States Army, has three distinguishing marks, one of which is so revolutionary that it will no doubt affect the post-war status of thousands of men back from the fields of battle. First of these evolves around medical science. Army doctors, carrying on a relentless campaign against social diseases, have succeeded in making remarkable headway against these silent but death-dealing "enemies" of the nation's manpower. Two dispensaries have been established in the Reception Center, and they deal with venereal diseases with the most modern equipment and supplies known to medical science. Through the Reception Center portals, n u n who are gifted in many fields pass. There are educators, musicians, journalists, artists and technicians in the various crafts—men whose background reflect nearly every imaginable vocation of the civilian life from which they came. While a majority of soldiers are always passed on to replacement centers to begin basic training or utilized in other branches of services throughout the far-flung stretches of the country's military commands, many are retained in the Reception Center to give Fort Benning the largest array of talent to be found at any post. Under direction of the Special Service Office, the Reception Center has been able to marshal! at the right time the best t a k n t s for the right occasions. Formation of the Special T r a i n i n g Regiment, referred to us at the STR, is possibly the greatest single distinguishing characteristic of this unit. T o Colonel Ulrir. N. James, Commanding I I and Colonel William Hobson, Fort Benning's commander, the newly organized special training program for educationally under-privileged soldiers is the capstone of the Reception Center. There are presently four battalions of soldiers who constitute the STR, and under guidance of both officers and the enlisted personnel, they are learning how to read, write and spell. Colonel James has estimated that two men out of three recruits reporting to • Since this article was written Colonel James has been transferred t o a new command at Camp Butner, N. C. He was succeeded by Colonel John P. Edgerly as Commanding Officer of the Reception Center, Ft. Benning, Georgia.
the R e c e p t i o n Center must be retained for a "grainmcr school" education. Some of these soldiers have never been to a classroom before, and the tragedy of their plight is expressed in the helplessness they display when asked the most simple question. T h r e e months of training in the STR are making these men more useful to themselves, their families and nation. CPL. LEWIS O. They are given SWINGLER t h e equivalent of from a first-to-fourth grade education within twelve weeks. Courses of study, set up by the Army, are taught by enlisted men, majority of whom had experience as teachers in civilian life. On the basis of the amazing results that are being accomplished, the STR at Fort Benning's Reception Center will probably go down in history as one of the most outstanding contributions of World W a r I I . There are four reception centers operating in the Fourth Service Command, their locations being at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina; Ft. McPhcrson, Georgia; Camp Shelby, Mississippi ; and Ft. Benning. Georgia. The Reception Center at Benning is not only one operated inter-racially by white officers and an all-Negro enlisted personnel. Selectees who pass through the Ret : ption Center at Benning for proc e s s i n g come from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, Tennessee and South Carolina. Since 1941 approximately 200.000 Negro soldiers have been processed here, representing a majority of the total Negro armed strength. Less than three years ago, the present site of the Reception Center included only a few buildings and was primarily a drilling ground for members of the Twenty-fourth Infantry. Today, this area seethes with activities. Barracks, hutments, and tents are scattered all about the grounds once the swampy boundaries of the Twenty-fourth. Col. James, in his interpretation of the Reception Center as a military unit, s a i d : "The Reception Center should be the keystone to efficient army personnel. It is with this thought in mind that the Fort Benning Reception Center is organized and administered in accordance with Army Regulations. The Reception Center serves as the focal point from which the enlisted army personnel flows to the various arms and
services according to the needs of the army and the qualifications of the men." Functioning as a clearance house, the Reception Center embraces all the processes necessary to transform the civilian into a soldier. It is here he gets his first taste of military life, and from this threshold he moves into broader spheres, gaining in experience along the way. Bearing in mind the delicacy involved in such a transition. both officers and enlisted men charged with the administration of the Reception Center take special care in dealing with the new recruit. Above all, he is impressed with the importance of discipline, and carrying out orders of constituted military authority. Processing is the term the new recruit is likely to hear most upon his arrival. While he's in this stage, the selectee is referred to as a "tag man," wears an identification tag around his neck, and is placed in a group of fifty. With inductions of draftees being speeded up, there has been a steady flow of men into the Reception Center within recent weeks. There are presently as many as five groups of men ready for processing simultaneously. Originally divided into groups of twenty, the influx of selectees has made it necessary to divide the men into groups of fifty. Time is an important element, and every step is taken ! work done in the shortest possible period. One of the enlisted men, Technical Sergeant Chester Harp, of Memphis. Tennessee, has full responsibility of processing at Fort Benning. H a r p has grown up with the Reception Center, and possibly more than any other soldier symbolizes the mechanics of its operation. He has been a part of its development from a simple procedure to its present complicated system which involves a series of steps through which the soldier must be ta.ken. In the main, these a r e : Checking Station, receiving company, army general classification test, classification and assignment section, insurance and allotment section, medical department, supply section, receiving company, articles of war, record section; and finally back to the receiving company. The selectees flow from one section to the other, leading to the receiving company where the new soldier is quartered until assigned out to a replacement center may be generally regarded as a continuation from the induction station —and even back to his home town where his fellow-citizens decreed through the local draft board that he become a member of the peoples' army. Another instance of the workings of the democratic processes. While each phase of the processing procedure is important, it is probable that the soldier will remember only a few of the steps. It is sufficient to state also that the classification tests,
Page 6 insurance and allotment, classification and assignment, the medical section, and articles of w a r are the major aspects of processing that will have immediate bearing upon the new soldier. Ju brief, these sections function as follows : Classification Tests The Army General Classification Test is designed to measure a recruit's general intelligence. It is helpful in determining potential fitness of the inductee, and is a fair index of the recruit's ability to absorb army training. Insurance and Allotment When the average selectee comes to the Reception Center, he shows his first concern for members of his family, and begins to make immediate inquiries about dependency allotment. It is the insurance and allotment section that takes care of dependency allotment for the soldier, providing allowances on basis of primary and secondary dependents. All necessary papers must be in hand before allotments can be made out. Insurance, upward to $10,000, is taken out on the soldier with the N a tional Life Insurance Co. It is optional with the new Army man. however, and if he does not desire insurance no effort will be made to force him. The majority of soldiers avail themselves of government insurance. In December, 1943, a total of $41,378,000 worth of insurance was taken out by selectees passing through Fort Benning's Reception Center. Assigned members of the Reception Center have a total of $42,134,851 worth of insurance. Classification-Assignment On the basis of the general classification test, and interviews, soldiers are classified and assigned, as nearly as possible, according to their best ability to perform given tasks. " W e attempt to make a round peg fit a round hole in assigning men," Col. James said. Practically all enlisted men now making up the staff of the various sections of the Reception Center were recruits who went through the same procedure as the soldiers they are presently helping to process. Their subsequent a s signments in the Reception Center were in recognition of special training or vocations they followed as civilians. Medical Section Selectees receive physical examination, typhoid, and smallpox vaccination, and if permanently assigned to the Reception Center take tetanus shots. checkups are made to guard soldiers against venereal diseases. Records of the medical section are part of the permanent files and can be used to chart a soldier's health condition throughout the course of his military career. Articles of W a r It is imperative that every selectee hears the Articles of W a r . and he Is impressed with the fact that he is governed by these laws of the United States Army. _ He is told what serious offenses in times of war will result in a military punishmentâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and cautioned not to be guilty of infraction
THE
SPHINX
of civil laws with any notions of escaping with impunity. The Armed Forces Induction Station, located within the vicinity of the Reception Center, is combined with f o r t Benning's Reception Center to make one command, under leadership of Colonel James. Two Lieutenant Colonels are also on the Reception Center Staff. They are Lt. Col. William T. Tippcns, executive officer; and Lt. Col. Ernest J. Knott, executive officer of the Special Training Regiment Other officers are : Captain Boyd O. Raggett, adjutant; Major Arthur W. Frye, operations and training officer. S T R ; and W a r r a n t Officer W O J G D. J. Delbert. All of these officers, with years of seasoned experience in military administration, have been responsible for the outstanding success of Fort Benning's Reception Center. They have given yeomen service and assistance, however, by well-trained members of the enlisted personnel, many of whom are_ college graduates. They are especially fitted for their work by reason of their own experience in the various professions and trade. Members of the enlisted personnel assigned to the Reception Center Headquarters a r e : Master Sergeant Tames C. Sales; Technical Sergeant Chester A. Harp and Willie H. McGhec; Sergeant Tommy J. Collins and George F. Comer; T-5 Joshua Harding, Russell D. Leonard, Robert Miller, Sollie Mitchell, Harvey S. M o o r e ; I'fc. P e r r y McKelvin, J r . ; Pvts. Bartis Abraham, William L. Bagwell, Milton E. Chester and James Evans. Two members of the W A C Detachment, Section H, Station Complement, Pfc. Jennie Byrd of Springfield, O h i o ; and Pfc. Emma E. Hughes, of K a n sas City, Missouri, are likewise a s signed to the Reception Center Headquarters. In the field of music and sports, soldiers of the Reception Center have made a national reputation for this military unit. Few centers in continental America or at overseas posts can boast of a finer chorus and band. And the Reception Center athletes captured service titles in basket ball, baseball and football during the past season. The Reception Center Tigers, coached by Captain Charles Houghland, former Notre Dame star, and made up of some of the leading ex-college gridiron illuminaries, amassed more than 200 points against their opponents' 13 during their eight-game series. They clinched the southeastern title in the Victory Bowl game New Year's Day by defeating Camp Forrest, 77 to 0. An up and coming R. C. basket ball team, mana.ged by Captain David A. Hess, shows promises of becoming another championship outfit. Under skillful guidance of Staff Sergeant Eugene H. Heyward. of Miami, Florida. the Reception Center baseball club won the southeastern servicemen's title. Sergeant Willis Brown, of Richmond, Alabama, is leader of the popular Reception Center chorus, which
May, 1944
Receives
Appointment
B R O T H E R HARRY C. W A R D Brother Harry C. Ward was appointed Juvenile Probation Officer for Tulsa on April 17, lo-R l | c resigned his position as principal of one of the county schools of Tulsa, which position he had maintained for the past live years, to accept his new duties. Brother Ward is vice-president of Alpha Tan Lambda chapter and becomes the second Negro to fill the Juvenile Post. gives weekly broadcasts over W R B L , Columbus, Georgia, by remote control from Fort Benning. Narrations for the broadcast are prepared by Sergeant William Washburn. Jr., of Memphis, and Nashville, Tennessee, who serves as assistant to Captain Robert Reynolds, commander of the Special S c i viee Section. Sgts. Brown and Washburn have trained the chorus to master sonic of the m o s t difficult numbers, and their appearances on the post, and m nearby Columbus, Atlanta rind Fort Valley, Georgia, arc regarded as top attractions. T. Sgt. A. A. Davenport, Birmingham, Alabama, heads up the Reception Center band and orchestra. He was a music instructor in Birmingham prior to his induction into the service. Between the Reception Center band and chorus, music has been made a commanding feature of Fort Benning. Other activities in the Reception Center evolve around the Chaplain's office which of necessity must workrapidly with the soldiers in view of their brief stay in the Center. Chaplain James R. C. Pinn, of W a s h ington, D. C , oldest Negro chaplain in point of service with the U. S. Army, is in charge of religious services at the Reception Center, and is assisted by Chaplain McDonald of Richmond, Virginia.. Chaplain Pinn, after serving overseas in Liberia, Africa, with the 41st Engineers from Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, returned to the States in February, 1943, and was placed in charge of Negro chaplains of the 4th and 8th Service Commands.
May, 1944
THE
H o w Shall W e V o t e ? mtinucd
from Page 4)
drafting a declaration by and for Negro veters. Comprising representatives from all strata of Negro life, this group issued certain warnings, which could well servo as a weather vane for the future political taste of the Negro, in the preamble to the very strong hill of particulars which they composed. So forthright, indeed, are these tenets that feel justified ill citing excerpts here. Asserting "the Negro vote has not yet chosen sides for 1944," the statement contends t h a t : "his vote cannot be purchased by distributing money to and through party hacks. It cannot he won by pointing to jobs given to a few individual Negroes although the recognition of the Negro as an integral part of the body politic through the selection of qualified Negroes for appointive or elective officers is included among Negroes demands. The Negro vote no longer can he won by meaningless generalities in party platforms which are promptly forgotten on election day . . . (and) will support a political parly which by words and deeds shows its determination to work for full citizenship status of thirteen million American Negroes and to hetter the lot of all disadvantaged people in this country. The Negro knows that: his voting strength in 17 or more states with 2X1 or more votes in the electoral college gives him the potential balance of power in any reasonably close national election and in many state and local elections. I l i s vote no longer belongs to any one political party. Although the Negro has largely supported the Democratic Party in recent years, it is highly significant that in 1943 the Negro vote played an important part in the election of a Negro Communis! to the New York City Council, a Negro Republican as Judge in the same community, a Democratic mayor in Cleveland, and a Republican Governor in Kentucky . . . P u b lic officers who have not made a record of liberal and democratic action may expect the Negro to help remove them from their office. If their successors are no better, they may expect the same fate at the next election." Of course, here is much more in this unequivocal and categorical enunciation of the new Negro's position in the imminent election struggleâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;much more that should he printed and scattered wide among all Negro constituencies, whether tiny enjoy the ballot or not. In fact, this pronouncement should become now a Bible for Negro v o t e r s ! W h a t is missing in this statement, though, is a suggestive plan of action which might tend to assure achievement of the demands advanced. Accordingly, I now venture to propose
SPHINX
initial steps which, I feel, might eventuate in the desired ends. First of all, I am of the opinion that all our institutionalized educative agencies, such as school, church, and organizations, should take the lead in forming study groups which will concern themselves with an intelligent analysis of those basic domestic and foreign issues which uudergird our present American life. Such appraisal should proceed from two vantage p o i n t s : (1) the general and unitary whole of American life; and (2) the role of the Negro in the American way of life, with a view towards reconciling these two seemingly divergent approaches. The results of this survey, next, should he transmuted into simple, practicable language and then circulated to and among all Negroes. As an afterthought, it might be said that the criterion for evaluation of opposing ideologies in American issues should be their significance to and bearing upon extension of the democratic way of lite. The next step, it seems to me, is the positive need for the Negro, and all fair-thinking peoples, to study the possibilities of candidates even before political aspirants announce for offices. This is the same as saying that democratic processes should operate to insure the fact that the best-qualified .person is advanced to elective office. It could easily be proved, I believe, that many efficient persons never seek public office, largely because of their distaste for the hampering influences of political connivance. Because of this, then, it is highly probable that our public posts are filled by individuals much inferior to some engaged in private affairs. There should exist, then, a definite connection between the continuous appraisal of burning issues and the process of selecting public office-holders. Perhaps, I have not yet made myself clear. Instead of waiting for selfish individuals or cliques to wage campaign for political fruits, the mass of people who have been beguiled into believing that their interests are being served by political mannikins and their bosses, should conduct an intelligently diligent search for those individuals best qualified for public office and, through cooperative measures, press them into service. Why, it could resolve itself into the preparation of an eligible list! Even so, the cause of democratic life would be fortified with a knowledge of prospective champions to carry its banner, long before the forces of political chicanery could solidify. Allied with all that I have said is yet another consideration for the Negro voter, who might as well admit the fact that he can't turn the trick for democracy all by himself. It is most important that he enlist the aid of all those liberal elements that have entree into the places which he desires to gain admittance. T o be more explicit, the aid of liberal white voters must be earnestly solicited; for, even if the Negro cannot vote, they c a n ! So, our
Page 7
Sociology Doctor Ft. Benning
at
P V T . C L I F T O N R. J O N E S Ph. D., Sociology Iowa University's first Negro g r a d u ate with a doctorate in sociology is assigned to the Consultation Service staff of the Special Training Staff Regiment, Reception Center, Ft. Benning, Georgia. He is Brother Clifton R. (Continued on P a g e 12)
task, then, is to convince these liberals as to the merit of the candidates that we would endorse. More t h a n that, we should impress upon these liberals the correlate that they should busy themselves in converting the reactiona r y of their own color or, at least, those whom they can bring under the aegis of democracy. Then, too, it seems to me, there is much to be gained in education of the growing young, ff our opposition can use education and the schools, so can w e ! But, we must get to these shaping minds before their attitudes are jelled by the forces of fascism, until they become a reservoir for racial hatred and bigotry. It is quite a job. I grant you. Still, it can be done, if a telling weapon is used. F a c t must supplant fancy; trial must supersede theory. This is the only way! I close as I start. T h e forthcoming presidential election is a crucial test to the fate of democracy in our land. Indeed, this is not an occasion for the professional to chide the worker or the Greek to castigate the non-Greek. Rather, it is, or should be, a signal for all the cohorts of democracy to band themselves into a ring of steel to fight for their very existence. And, we, Negroes, can no longer afford to be a brittle link. W e must forge a weighted vote for freedom and democracy !
Page 8
THE S P H I N X
Alpha Brothers at Fort Benning Point the Way
Raising their own banner as soldiers, and men with a common purpose, pledged to the highest ideal of service "For all mankind," Alpha Phi Alpha brothers at Fort Benning, Georgia, were the first of college Greek-letter society n u n on 111 i-. Reservation to become organized in the promotion of their fraternal program. The first major affair given was a special program during Vesper Hour at the USO ArmyNavy YMCA, Columbus, Georgia, during the month of April. Brothers shown in the accompanying picture, representing almost as many chapters over the country, had just compleled one of the most successful Vesper programs at the USO when the cameraman made this shot. Front Row. from left to right, seated: Brothers Louis G. Evans, Plemon L. Whatley, Lionel H. Ncwsom, Leonard Jackson, Clifton K. Jones, Lewis ( ). S u i n g ler, James Roland Tanner, Clarence D. Coleman and Rawu W. Spearman. Second Row. from left: J. H. Grigsby, Joseph Miller, Lawrence R. Cook, Horace Murdock, Cecil Draper. William Suttle, Ralph Wimbish, Ansley Abraham, Robert Wright, (esse Anderson, Lion O. Funderburg, and Walter Bennett. Third Row, from left: J. T. Fagan, of the U S O Personnel S t a l l : Franklyn L. flanks. Theodore V. Thomas, Joseph J. Welcome, C. D. Ingram, William Sullivan. Wilberforce D. Simmons, Harry M. Symles, Robert L. Fairchilds and Theodore W. Johnson, of the USO Personnel Staff. Raising their own banner as men with a common purpose, and pledged to the highest ideal of service "for all mankind," brothers of the bond at Fort Benning Georgia, during their Vesper service at the USO Army-Navy Y. >.L C. A. Columbus, Georgia, Sunday, April 16, set a new standard by which soldiers of similar aims can be evaluated. On hand for this program, first of its kind to be sponsored by soldiers of college Greek-letter society, was the largest attendance ever registered at a USO Vesper service in Columbus. "This is an inspiring beginning for other groups to follow," E. E. Farley, director of the USO, and prominent civic and religious leader among soldiers and citizens of Columbus, Georgia, asserted. Director Farley's impressions of the Alpha program were shared by scores of others who witnessed it, and a summary of it all was that the Alpha Phi Alpha, spirit that motivated these men to give the program had revealed to a civilian community, heretofore familiar with unpleasant aspects of the military, a new type of soldier.
Private J a n u s K. Tanner, \ i chapter, and 1943 graduate of Wilberforce University, gave the guest address. He spoke on the subject, "The Quest for Defensibility." "Our great need is not defense . . . not protection, for we have at hand the most imposing array of defense tools ever assembled, but we do need defensibility," Pvt. Tanner told his audience, adding: "We need a real basis for struggling to hold what we have. We need something that will not call for rationalizing or blind loyalty for rallying its defense. We need an unshakable foundation from which will naturally issue forth the worthiness of being defended. We need to change from a search for defense to the quest for defensibility." Pvt. Clifton R. Jones, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, holder of the M. A. and doctorate degrees in sociology from Iowa University, served as master of ceremonies. He gave briefly, but impressively, the history of the fraternity, and told the story of its accomplishments in education and citizenship.
May, 1944 For music, the Alpha group at Fort Benning turned to one of the really promising tenor voices of tin Staff Sergeanl Rawn W. Spearman, former student of Florida A. and M. College, and member of Beta \"u chapter: Pvt. Joseph Welcome, Alpha Rho, Morehouse.; Sergeant Cecil Draper. Beta Pi, Lane College; and Corporal Leonard Jackson, Alpha Mu Lambda Knoxville, Tennessee, Iii-othcr Spearman, a member of the Reception Center ch irus, and band. sang the Alpha hymn, and Brother Welcome did "Meditation" as :t piano selection. The Truck Regiment Quartet, which Brother Draper helped organize, sang two numbers, and Brother Jackson played the Alpha hymn as a musical background for the opening talk of Brother Jones. Devotional was led by Brother Theodore Johnson, Alpa Phi chapter, '.'lark College, and member of the USO personnel staff in Columbus, Georgia. Following the scheduled program, Brother Walter Bennett, Beta Delta chapter. State College, Orangeburg, South Carolina, and resident of Columbus, Georgia, presented a token of appreciation to Miss Buella Gray, of the USO staff, For her valuable assistance in helping the Alpha men plan their program. Success of the Vesper service and the smoker which followed was due in lar.ee measure to the well executed plans of the program committee composed of Brother Jones, c h a i r m a n ; Cpl. Clareni e D. C >1< man. Alpha 1'hi chapter, Clark College, secretary; Pvt. Lionel II. Newsome, Kappa chapter. State University; Cpl. Louis G. Evans, Beta Iota Lambda chapter, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Brother T a n ner, and Pfc. Lewis O. Swingler, Alpha Delta Lambda chapter, Memphis, Tennessee, who is general chairman of the Fort Benning Alpha phi Alpha group. Other Alpha brothers who contributed to the success of the affair included Brothers Ansley Abraham, Jessie Anderson, Franklyn L. Banks, Walter Buchanan, Lawrence R. Cook, Thomas G. Coote, C. Dickinson, Robert L. Fairchild, L. O. Funderburg, J. LL Grigsby. C. D. Ingram, T. J. Marshall. Joseph Miller, Charles T. Parks, William E. Peterson, Robert Rice, Lloyd K. Reese, Wilberforce D. Simmons, William Sullivan, William Suttle, Harry M. Symles, Edward Taylor, Jerome Taylor, T. V. Thomas, Horace Murdock, Plemon L. Whatley, Ralph Wimbish. Robert Wright, Virgil Young, Freddie Brooks, Reginald Morton, Victor D. Lewis Jr., and Sergeant William E. Finlayson.
DEAD LINE For
October Number SEPTEMBER 30, 1944
May, 1944
Democracy
THE
Functions
ROI .
SPHINX
in Selection
as Grand
Jury
Foreman
MILLER BEING SWORN INTO OFFICE
Brother Herbert T. Miller,, Executive Secretary, The Carlton Ivenue Y. M. C. A.. Brooklyn, New York, had the distinction of being the first of his race to serve as foreman of a county grand jury, and the fine manner in which he presided over the body evoked the praise of members of the Kings County Grand Jury, and Judge Samuel S. Leibowitz, who appointed Brother Miller. Members of the Kings County Grand Jury, New York, on completion of their work for the January term of court, paid tribute to Brother Herbert T. Miller, jury foreman. Brother Miller, executive secretary of the Carlton Avenue Y. M. C. A., was the first of his race to serve as forema.n of a county grand jury. He was a charter member of Alpha Phi Alpha chapter, Cincinnati, Ohio, and presently is identified as a member of Alpha Gamma Lambda chapter, New York City. Leading publications of the great metropolis took cognizance of the dis-
of Negro
Page 9
In the accompaning picture, Brother Miller, right, is shown being sworn into office by Judge Leibowitz, who nearly a decade ago was the principal figure in defense of the Sc.tt-.boro boys of Alabama. Brother Miller, a charter member of Alpha Alpha chapter, Cincinnati, Ohio, is presently identified with Alpha Gamma Lambda chapter, New York City.
tinction with which Brother Miller served in his capacity. The New York Times called attention to the tribute paid him by the jurors themselves, and The New York Herald-Tribune accounted the fact that Judge Samuel S. Leibowitz. who appointed Brother Miller, thought so highly of his performance he personally ordered a professional photographer to record, for posterity, the features of the twenty-one members of the January Kings County Grand Jury, and one of the pictures was sent to the Congressional Library in Washington, D. C.
The following tribute was paid the Kings County Grand Jury :
by
"We, the members of the Kings County Grand Jury for the January term, feel that we would be remiss in our duty if we were to let the occasion of our dismissal as grand jurors go by without manifesting our appreciation to you for the splendid manner in which you guided our deliberations. "Especially so in these times when unfortunately there is so much racial and class discrimination, it brought home to us that I of race, color or creed, groups with sincerity of purpose could work together honestly, fairly and intelligently. "We sincerely hope that your having
Page 10 been chosen the first member of your race to sit as foreman of the grand jury in the county will be the forerunner of mixed tribunals in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of our government." Judge Leibowitz, after reading roof the tribute, told the j u r o r s : "Your testimonial speaks eloquently of the sterling character and ability of Mr. Miller iii the performance of liis duty. W h a t is of even greater importance is the fact that we have broken the ice in this significant manner by putting democracy to work instead of merely prattling about it." The judge's own to the Grand Jury follows: Final Address of Judge Leibowitz to the Members of the January 1944 Grand J u r y T H E C O U R T : Mr. Foreman and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Grand Jury: The court desires to extend its sincere thanks to yon ladies ami gentlemen, for tin- splendid services you have rendered to the community. Von have been a great Grand Jury. You have attended strictly to business. You have not wandered afield in pastures that are usually reserved for other than grand j u r o r s ; and ray report—the report that I get from Mr. Moorhead and Mr. Martuscello—is a very commendable and commendatory one as far as this Grand J u r y is concerned. As I said before, this is a historic Grand Jury. Sometimes we are too close to the mountain to appreciate the perspective and the grandeur of the mountain; and I dare say, you and I are too close to the historic event that took place when this Grand Jury was impaneled. There must always be a first time in everything. I dare say when the world was created it was a novelty to the One above, and so this Grand Jury marked a departure in one phase of the history of America. There are those who prattle about democracy and tolerance, and yet fail to practice it. However, this Grand Jury marks a departure from what has been the tradition in all parts of this country. For the first time in the history of America, in any County, in any State, a member of the Negro race was signally honored by being appointed foreman of such an important and dignified and honorable body. As I said before, 1 am glad that the honor came to iklyn, because Brooklyn, above all cities, is typically of the melting pot of the country, we call America. Aspersions have been cast upon different minority races by some unthinking people and by others who are more nent. America cannot live under such conditions and still be the America. that our forefathers dreamed of and worked for and bled for and died for. Today on the battlefields of the world men are dying, American men are dying—your boys and sons of others—and there are in the army camps of this country millions of young men and young women, too, waiting to be sent abroad to die, if necessary, so that America might live. We pick
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up the newspapers daily and read the casualty lists. Just a. mere perusal of the names will give you a picture of America. W e read the names of the Kelleys, and we read the names of the Myelett.is. and we read the names of the Marines, and the Smiths and the Browns and the Kristinskis—yes, and we read the names of colored boys. So that when this is over and peace again is with us it will he a victory that was won not by one segment of the population, not by one race or one color or one creed, hut it will be a victory that wis won by the valor and written in blood of the millions of Americans of all races and all creeds and all colors. And while the hoys are fighting on the other side so that our way of life may he preserved, we here at home ought to make democracy a living thing instead of a mere mockery. When you come to consider it soberly, you must look aghast at the exhibition that is now taking place in Washington, where n segments of the population who hate the Negro are trying, through the use of legislation, to deprive the N e g r o boys of the vote in the coming Presidential election. Just think of it 1 Doesn't it bring the blush of shame to the cheeks of any red-blooded, Godfearing, decent Americans, when at the moment the Negro is shedding his blood and dying, that there are those in this land of ours who would deprive him of the right of suffrage? I know it is not only the Negroes' lot that is at stake. If you persecute the Negro, would not then the Catholic be next on the list, and then certain divisions of the Protestant church, and the Jew ? Aren't we all in danger? And yet isn't America itself in danger if that sort of practice is permitted to continue? This is a great moment in the life of this country, and some day in the future it will appreciate that you gentlemen and you ladies, too, have here in this community of churches and homes and fine people, we have had an opportunity to set an example for the rest of America, an example of tolerance and good fellowship and good will, an example of Americanism. Your worthy foreman is a member of the race to which I have alluded. He is an outstanding citizen of this community. He is a college man, a man who has held executive positions in the Young Men's Christian Association ; he is an honest man and a clean man, and from the reports that I have gathered he has done a fine job as the leader of this Grand Jury. I congratulate him for his services and I congratulate you on your w o r k ; and above all, I congratulate these United States that there has been a breach in the wall of intolerance, and I hope that we can continue to battle the wall of intolerance with every fibre in our bodies and every nerve in our mentalities, to the end that it may be so demolished and so ground into dust, that it will be no more. It is my opinion—and if it agrees with your opinion, we will adopt it— that there should be a photograph taken
May, 1944
Receives
Doctorate
B R O T H E R DR. A R T I S P. G R A V E S Brother Dr. Artis P. Graves, Chairman of tin- division of Science at Morris Brown College, had the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology officially conferred upon him at the December Convocation of the State University of Iowa. Brother Graves' undergraduate work was done at Bluefield State Teachers College. While at iJluefield, he became nationally known as an outstanding athlete, being selected as an All-American football player during each of his four years of competition. During these early years, Brother Graves maintained a high scholastic standard which was manifested by the fact that he was the valedictorian of his graduating class. Following his graduation from Bluefield, Brother Graves made a notable record as an athletic coach in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Georgia. The highlight of this career was climaxed by his feat of piloting the Morris Brown "Wolverines" to the National Football Championship rn 1940. All of Dr. Graves' graduate work was done at the State University of Iowa. His special field of concentration is Embryology. His Doctorate Dissertation is written on the subject, "The Development of the Golden H a m s t e r , Cricetus Auratus Waterhouse, During the First Nine Days." Dr. Graves is a member of the Iowa Chapter of The Society of the Sigma Xi. At present, he is the Acting Dean of Morris Brown College. Initiated in Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity in 1932 by Alpha Mu Lambda chapter, Knoxville, Tennessee, Brother Graves is at present an active and energetic member of Eta Lambda chapter, Atlanta, Georgia. of this Grand Jury, and that this photograph should be sent to the Library in Congress as a permanent memento of the first time in our history when an event such as this has occurred. T h a n k you again.
THE
May, 1944
SPHINX
FORT BENNING LIBRARIES By H A Z E L H E E D Two libraries serve colored troops at Fort Benning, Georgia. One, established two years ago, is located in Service Club Four on the Main Post of the Fort. The other, started in February, 1943, is a part of Service Club Five in the Harmony Church Area. Both libraries are directed by trained librarians, who are aided by soldier assistants. Libraries at this Post, as at other army posts, are considered havens of peace by soldiers, men arid women, who frequent them. Librarians are told again and again that the library is one spot that is reminiscent of home, and in order to keep that impression, librarians contrive to keep the library atmosphere as friendly and informal as possible. Here, men read, write, study, smoke and talk in comfort and ease. Here, also, they check on time schedules for that train taking them to furloughs with families, leave messages for friends, letters to be mailed, and seek guidance in many types of problems. In line with the policy of contributing to relaxation, Library Four has a Browsing Room outfitted with comfortable chairs, floor lamps, and hassocks. This cozy and cheerful spot is really a. homelike one for the soldier. Current newspapers and magazines are kept in this room, and here the G. I. may have a pleasant hour checking on folk and activities back home as well as keeping up with the world. Library Four, located near the Reception Center, serves recruits, Army Specialized Training groups as well as troops stationed on the Main Post. Those stationed include one battalion of the Truck Regiment and Service Battalion of the Paratroopers. Library Five attends the library requirements of three battalions of the Truck Regiment, the Service Battalion of the Third Student Training Regiment and Army Specialized T r a i n i n g Program groups quartered in the Harmony Church Area. Both libraries service officers living in their respective areas. Army library questions, as any army librarian may reveal, have a wide range. A soldier may ask information on how best to write the girl he left behind (so that she will keep w r i t i n g ) ; what course or courses to take, through the Armed Forces Institute, in order to keep abreast in his field as a civilian; which team won the world series in 1927; what state's flower is the zinnia;
P a g e 11
Attending
Seaman's
School
or a seven-letter word for Russian hack. Also a query as to what perfume might be suitable for "perfect pin-up" at Christmas or what the latest feminine fads are along Fifth Avenue, might come in the course of a day. An army librarian must keep "up" herself with civilian as well as army trends, and must find some time in a well-ifilled day to read. A soldier may not have time himself to read or hear President Roosevelt's most recent fireside chat, and he would like the librarian to outline the high points for him so that he can get in on the "bull session' in the barracks. Army libraries also have bull sessions, sometimes planned, more often impromptu, and the librarian frequently finds herself in the role of arbitrator. One such planned session of this type at Library Five is organized around "World News of the Week," a. large map which tells graphically what is happening on important world fronts. At these sessions, soldiers discuss geopolitics as well as happenings on the home front. In addition to regular programs, Ft. Benning libraries have special activities made possible only by much extra planning and work on the part of the librarians and by their determination to serve the soldiers to the best of their ability. In this category, Library Four has a "Hobby Room" where a soldier may paint, work with modeling clay, whittle at wood carving or work at any such hobby of his choice. Materials are provided by the library, the soldier is encouraged in his work by the librarian who, herself, has considerable talent and training along this line, and any finished product deemed suitable is hung or displayed in the library for the enjoyment of all the library patrons and visitors. Along the same line, Library Five has "writers' Workshop," a group open to men interested in creative writing. This group meets regularly to pool ideas on writing, discuss current literature in the field, and present for criticism short stories, articles, poems or anything creative in writing. Members include writers, and persons who, as civilians, specialized in the field of writing. Another extra-library activity at Benning is the Bookmobile of Library Five. This innovation, begun after a survey of the area by the librarian, which showed that the majority of
B R O T H E R A L F R E D C. G A L L O W A Y Brother Alfred C. Galloway is a member and former secretary of T a u Lambda, the graduate chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, located in Nashville, Tennessee. Upon Brother Galloway's recent visit home to be with his relatives and lovely wife and daughter, Alpha brothers honored him with an informal get-to-gether, bringing their wives and best girl friends along as guests. A pleasant evening was spent with no exceptions in the well-appointed Empire Room in the Masonic Building. Before entering the Navy Brother Galloway was Resident Manager of the J. C. Napier Courts, a local housing project in the city. His father, Prof. J. A. Galloway, is principal of the Pearl Senior High School of Nashville. Harmony Church soldiers were quartered long distances from the library, is conducted weekly by the librarian. Since the beginning of July, the Bookmobile has met with tremendous success, and, more gratifying than that, the appreciation of the soldier-readers being served. Other activities which both libraries plan from time to time are teas, open house, and musical programs. As to G. I. reading taste, men like current fiction above all other types of books. They are alert as to what is being read by the nation at large and want those books in their libraries. Mysteries and westerns continue to be prime favorites; however, both libraries find a continual trend toward nonfiction, with some emphasis recently on books by war correspondents and books about Japanese strategy. Also in
THE
Page 12 the groups of books read for knowledge, circulation is high in technical and mathematics books, history, science, philosophy, psychology and language. Men also read self-improvement and etiquette works, and books on marriage have reserve lists constantly. One of the most popular books of 1943 for Post Libraries, white and Negro, was Strange Woman by Ben Ames Williams. In speaking of this book in her initial broadcast on Library Five's weekly broadcast, begun last October, the librarian described its circulation in her area t h u s : "The literary pin-up girl of this week and many weeks past, as far as patrons of Library No. Five are concerned is "The Strange Woman," a shrewd and seductive siren, if ever there was one. She remains 1-A on our reading hit parade and skips around from battalion to battalion, regiment to regiment, the only book lady wend her way at least once into every company in the Library Five area." The librarian at Library F o u r reports that she has had an interesting time keeping tab on Prodigal Women. The library's several copies are always out, she says. This little insight might seem to indicate that soldiers are interested in books of the vivid type. Over and against this, however, The Robe, by Lloyd Douglas, and Sholem
Library
on Wheels
May, 1944
SPHINX
Asch's Apostle, have been two of the most popular books in the library, and whenever Bibles are put out on the circulation desk with the sign "Take one," they literally go like hot cakes. Staffs at both libraries are small for the program conducted. Mrs. Elizabeth Brown H a r r i s , librarian of Library Four, has as her assistant W A C Pfc. Lacie M. Johnson of the Main Post's W A C Detachment, Station Complement, Section II. Mrs. Hazel Griggs Reed, librarian at Library Five, is assisted by First Lieutenant Ralph H. McKinney, Washington, D. C , and Pfc. Albert Taylor, formerly of New York City. Mrs. H a r r i s is a graduate of Fisk University and Hampton Institute Library School. M r s . Reed has degrees from Northwestern University, and the University of Illinois Library School. Both librarians had experience in civilian libraries before entering army library service. Mrs. H a r r i s was employed by the Atlanta Public Library, Atlanta, Georgia, and Mrs. Reed at Englewood High School, Chicago, 111.
DEAD LINE For
October Number SEPTEMBER 30, 1944
for Fort Benning
Soldiers
Photo by YANK. Tlie Army WVeMy
B O O K M O B I L E is the latest development of Library S, H a r m o n y Church Area, Fort Benning, Georgia, to meet reader-interest of soldiers too far away to call at M r s Hazel Griggs Reed, of Chicago, Illinois, librarian, has made a call on these soldiers with their favorite books. T h e Bookmobile is making it possible for servicemen in widely separated areas to enjoy good reading from this portable library. M r s Reed is a former librarian at Englewood H i g h School, and finished Irom Northwestern University, and the University of Illinois Library Schools.
Births Brother Dr. M. B. Towns, of the Department of Chemistry, A. and T. College, and a member of Kappa Lambda, graduate chapter, Greensboro, and his wife, the former Miss Miriam S. Gould, are the proud parents of little Myron Bumstcad Towns, Jr., born Saturday. December 18, 1943. All three are doing fine.
* * * Brother L. Howard Bennett, Associate Regional Executive, U. S. O., and Mrs. Bennett, formerly Miss Marian Clae Brown, are very happy over the advent of a daughter, Marian Clae, born February 3, 1943. S
Sociology Doctor (Continued from Page 7) (One-y) Jones, son of Mrs. Janie Jones, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Private Jones received his Ph. D. degree November 25, 1943, during the interim between his induction at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, November 13th. and December Sth, the day he reported for active service at F o r t Benning. As research assistant at Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee, Brother Jones made an intensive study of housing, employment, and labor relations which took him to the W e s t Coast. "One-y", as he is popularly known in school circles, did his high school work at Maryland Normal School, Bowie, Maryland, and went to Union University, Richmond, Virginia, for his A. B. degree. It was at Iowa University where he settled down for his M. A. degree and doctorate. H i s dissertation, "Social Stratification in the Negro Population," is being considered for publication, but Pvt. Jones expects to develop the study further before it is placed in book form. Just thirty-two years of age,_ the young doctor of philosophy gained many honors during his college days at Virginia University and Iowa. H e was elected to membership in Pi Gamma Mil, National Social Science Fraternity, one of only two Negroes to be so honored at that institution. H e was serving as president of the Iowa chapter when he was awarded his doctorate. Initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha _ by Gamma chapter at Virginia Union, Brother Jones was later transferred to Alpha T h e t a at Iowa. H e served as associate editor of the Sphinx for Alpha Theta during his entire period of study in the Midwest. Brother Jones was associated with Dr. Charles S. Johnson, noted sociology authority at Fisk University, when the educator started The Monthly Summary of Events and Trends, periodical published by the Social Science Institute to further better race relations.
May, 1944
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Excerpts from Letters of Brothers at Home and on the Battlefronts Somewhere in England, Dear b r o t h e r Swingler: Since I last communicated with you, my movements have been rapid and far distant. About two weeks ago (January IS, 1944), I received the Pictorial Number of the "Sphinx", and although having been delayed for quite some time, the news of the happenings in Alphadom is always refreshing, and I deeply appreciate your continuing to see that I remain on the mailing list. I hope that in spite of the great withdrawal of brothers from chapter seats that the Grand T a x reports to Brother Evans have remained high. I really enjoy news from the States and "The Sphinx" gives me a touch with Alpha Phi Alpha throughout the country. Thanks again and wishing you much success. T - S G T . J O H N W. F L E M I N G . (Brother Fleming can be reached by w r i t i n g : T-Sgt. John W. Fleming, 35868736, Hq. & Hq. Det. 100th Ord., Am Bn A P O 230 c-o Postmaster, New York City, New York.) Co. B560th Qm. Ser. Bn. A P O 136 c-o Postmaster New York City, New York. I am writing you trying to find out how I can re-instate myself with good old A. Phi A. I was a member of Beta Upsilon chapter up to 1942. This was the year I finished school. Since then, my contacts with Alpha have been lost. I'd like to know what I have to do to pay my dues up to date, and how I could start receiving the Sphinx Magazine. These two things I'd like to have done more than anything else. S-SGT. B. M c K E N Z I E 34745850. 99th Fighter Squadron A P O 525, c-o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. "I wish to give you my address in order to receive my copies of the Sphinx. I have not received one since becoming financial last March. Kindly attend to this morale-raising matter for me, and include all the back copies you possibly can. Lt. S. P. Brooks wishes the same courtesy. Alpha Phi Alpha is well represented in the Squadron with both brothers and Sphinxmen." LT. G E O R G E R. C U R R I E 01548713 In referring to the sacrifices Alpha brothers have made in the Army Air Forces, Brother Lt. Currie s a i d :
"At home and abroad, wherever the perils of progress may fall, we shall always find Alpha men far forward, taking their place in the history-making era of today. Brothers Sidney P. Brooks and James T. Wiley are carrying on in the best Alpha tradition to get this job over with and help return the world to peace." H - S 314th Eng. Bn. Hq. A P O 200th c-o Postmaster New York City, New York. In spite of losses, here's hoping the spirit of our chapter will never die. I have found a few brothers here in my company, including a Red Cross worker. M-SGT. C. M. R O U L H A C 34320855 (Brother Roulhac was president of Alpha Delta Lambda chapter, and teacher at LeMoyne College, Memphis, Tennessee, when called to the service in May, 1942.) Manzanita, Oregon. Dear Brother Swingler: Recently I have been wondering Just what role Alpha Phi Alpha as a unit is playing in securing a place for our people in the post-war world. I am in one of the best branches of service for Negroes, and I wonder if everything is being done to acquaint the ignorant masses of whites with our capabilities. Many of them have such quaint ideas about us. My two roommates, both whites, offer two types in contrast. The one from Nebraska is quite broad-minded in his ideas, but in any case of white against colored, he is always on the other side regardless of which is right. He tries to be a friend, confides- in me, trusts me, and in almost every way shows no differences, but when others come in with controversial ideas, he sides with them invariably. My other roommate, a San F r a n ciscan, believed at first that all N e groes were different from other people. H e argued that they even had peculiar odors and pointed out two Negro boys here who don't bathe too often or who don't wash their clothes too often, as examples. H e had only seen the worst elements of our group. It never occurred to him why such conditions might exist. H e always says I am an exception. Now my reason for bringing out all this is that something in the nature of
Page 13
Newly Appointed Alumni Secretary of Fisk University
B R O T H E R R A N D A L L L. T Y U S Brother Randall L. Tyus is the newly-appointed Alumni Secretary of Fisk University. H e assumed his new duties on January 1, 1944. Brother Tyus is a native of Arkansas. Upon his graduation from Fisk University in 1932, he became a national sales representative of Rumford Baking Powder Company, Providence, Rhode Island, with which company he remained for eight years. H e then r e turned to Fisk University as Field Secretary. In September, 1941, Brother Tyus accepted a position on the executive staff of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, New York, New York. H e left the national office to accept the position as executive secretary of the Baltimore Branch of the N. A. A. C. P., Baltimore, Maryland. H e resigned his position in Baltimore to come back to Fisk University, his Alma Mater, as Alumni Secretary. national enlightenment should be incorporated into a government program to define more definitely our war purposes, and build up good will where it is most needed . . . in the U. S. A. U. S. COAST G U A R D A. P. MARS H A L L (7004-509) (Brother Marshall was an educator in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, before he entered the service.)
DEAD LINE For
October Number SEPTEMBER 30, 1944
THE
SPHINX
May, 1944
Brother Anderson Scores A g a i n
Chairman of N e w s paper Broadcasts
Brother Charles W. Anderson, Alpha Lambda, Kentucky State Legislator and president of the National Negro Bar Association, made a magnificent start toward history for Kentucky education and the South, in the last legislative session. Brother Anderson introduced a Bill to break down segregated school laws to the extent of permitting N e groes to attend the Graduate and P r o fessional Schools of the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville. This Bill was passed by the House of Representatives and hard work was begun to get it past the Senate. Unfortunately, Negroes themselves began to bicker about the value of the bill in contrast to one sponsored by a white legislator seeking equal facilities for the Negro State College (this bill was never even voted upon). This type of dissension is all that was needed to furnish a perfect excuse for not bringing the Bill out of the Committee to be voted upon by the Senate. Brother Anderson deserves much praise for getting his Bill past the House, which is the first time to our knowledge that a Bill of this type has gone that far.
—*—• BROTHER
F R A N K L. S T A N L E Y , JUNIOR t l u r P r a n k L. Stanley, Jr., E d i ter of tlie Louisville Defender and contributing editor of the Sphinx was chairman of the Program Committee of the National Negro Newspaper Week, February 26-March 4. This committee was responsible for the three outstanding and elaborate broadcasts which took programs over the major networks, N. B. C , C. B. S., and Blue networks, and by shortwave to millions of people all over the world. The programs were carried over 3<>3 stations and it is estimated they had 75, 060, IKXI listeners in the United States alone. Originating in New York, pickups were made in England Italy, and Guadacanal. Brother Stanley will be remembered by the brothers who attended the last Upha Convention in Louisville in 1941 i \lpha Lambda, host) for his real Alpha hospitality and the famed les Nest." By coincidence the other two members of this most efficient committee were also Alpha brothers, Brother P. Bernard Young, Jr., editor of the N o r folk Journal and Guide and a former Editor of the Sphinx, and Brother Dowdal TI. Davis, advertising director of the Kansas City, (Mo.) Call. Brother Stanley and his brother committee members are to be commended for the success of these brilliant programs.
Brother Dr. William H . Gray, Jr., while already serving as president of Florida N. & I. Institute, St. Augustine. Florida, was recently appointed to succeed the late Dr. J. R. E. Lee, as president of Florida A. & M. College, Tallahassee, Florida. Dr. Gray is one of our young college presidents. At the age of thirty-eight he is filling his second appointment as president of a college in the state of Florida. Brother Sidney A. Jones, Jr., of Chicago, Illinois, has turned down an appointment from the mayor to serve as a member of the Mayor's Committee. In an article appearing in a Chicago paper it was indicated that Brother Jones was not interested in pieces of silver but rather chose to represent the race wherever and whenever he could on his own rather than for pay to serve as a go-between. Brother Jones is to be commended for his stand in this regard. -—•—
Brother Ralph Metcalf,, former Olympic track star and for a short period connected with the Nation al U. S. O. Council, has been commissioned a second lieutenant in a transport command.
BROTHER
CHARLES
W.
GREEN
Former Vice I'resilient Charles W. Green has been elected president of the National Negro Insurance Association. Brother Green is Assistant Agency Director of the Atlanta Life Insurance Company. Brother Green is well known in fraternal circles as well as in insurance circles, as be has served both faithfully For a number of years. It is expected that Brother Green will bring to the insurance association both the spirit and light necessary to put over the type of program that the times now demand. Alpha Phi Alpha congratulates him on this his new achievement. Brother L. Howard Bennett, who had been Director of Avery Institute, Charleston. South Carolina, since 1941, resigned that position on February 1, 1944, to accept an appointment as Associate Regional Executive for the U. S. O.. with headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. Brother Bennett's work covers the supervision of U. S. O. services being given to Negroes in fourteen states comprising Arkansas, Colorado, Tdaho, Kansas. Minnesota. Missouri, Montana. Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Utah, and Wyoming. Brother Bennett, a native of Charleston, South Carolina, was graduated from the high school department of Avery Institute. In 1935 he was graduated from Fisk University with Cum Laudc honors, and was immediately appointed as Field Secretary of his Alma Mater. He remained in this position until 1939, when he was awarded a Julius Rosenwald Fellowship to studv Public and Administrative Law at the University of Chicago. He later returned to Charleston where, in addition to his position as Director of Avery Institute, he was actively identified with many educational and civic movements,
THE
May, 1944
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* *ATE*NITY *"V DR. O.WILSON W I N T E R S FRAT Late a g a i n ! Hold that dead line, Brother Ferguson. [n this edition I am sending to the brothers in the Armed Forces something different. You have heard of the craze for pin-up g i r l s ; all soldiers and sailors have them. They have them whether they call them or consider them pin-up girls. It may be a picture of Mom, Sis or Aunt J e n n i e ; it may be Mrs. Roosevelt or Mme Chiang Kai Shek. Well boys, in this issue I am going to offer you some pin-up poems. And if any of you can get it past the censor, send me the poem "Dirty Gertie from Bizerte." With Chase.
apologies
to
Authoress
Ilka
In bed we laugh, in bed we c r y ; And, born in bed, in bed we die. T h e ' n e a r approach a bed may show Of human bliss to human woe. Odes to the South Seas King Solomon and King David Led merry, merry lives, Had many, many lady friends And many, many wives But when old age crept upon them, With many, many qualms, King Solomon wrote the Proverbs King David wrote the Psalms. * * * Methuselah ate what he found on his plate And never, as people do now, Did he note the amount of the caloric count; H e ate it because it was chow. H e wasn't disturbed-, as at dinner he sat, Destroying a roast or a pie, To think il was lacking in lime or in fat. Or a couple of vitamins shy. He cheerfully chewed every species of food, Untroubled by worries or fears, Lest his health might be hurt by some fancy dessert— And he lived over nine hundred years! * * * God in His goodness sent the grapes To cheer both great and small. Little fools will drink too much, And great fools not at alll * * * He tossed a bomb into the a i r ; It came to earth right then and t h e r e ; And when the little bomb it fell A dozen Heinies went to H—1 * * * There was a young lady of Kent, Who said she knew what it meant When men asked her to dine, Gave her cocktails and wine, She knew what it meant—but she went.
FUN
EDITOR
There was a young lady named Uhi Whose mind was so awfully pure That she fainted away In a bird store one day When she saw some canary manure. * * * There
was a young girl named Anheuser Who said that no man could surprise her. But Pabst took a chance Found the girl at her Aunt's And now she is sadder Budweisci. There was an old girl of Genoa I blush when I think what Iowa She's gone now to rest, Which I think's for the best Otherwise I would see her Somoa. * * * A soldier returning from Maine Kissed a maiden he met on the train Not once, but again And again and again And again, and again and Again. * * * Mother Goose for Doughboys There was a mess sergeant who lived in a hut His boarders contracted a pain in the gut For he forced them on slum for a whole month to feed, Which lessened their love for the army, indeed. Sergeant Keefe has come to grief— His men? It's hard to find 'em Though they have no maps, they'll be back by taps. Each with his tale behind him. * * * Hickory, dickory dock. The bugler followed the clock.
The clock was fast and the busier was gassed 1 Hickory, dickory dock. U. S. O. Acrostics O sailor please don't let's stop here 1 O sailor please don't let's stop. O sailor please don't let's ! O sailor, please don't 1 O sailor please! O sailor 1 Ol * * * Why is it from yonder tower The Captain's lamp is beaming still Though it is past the midnight hour And all's serene o'er vale and hill? 'Tis not the wisdom of the sages, Nor army lore his mind enchants ; An earthlier task his time engages; He's sewing buttons on his pants. The Colonel calls the Major when he wants something done. And the Major calls the Captain, and starts him on the run. The Captain then gets busy, and tries to make it suit By shifting all the baggage on a shavetail Second Lieut. The said Lieutenant ponders and strokes his downy jaw. Then calls a trusty Sergeant and to him lays down the law. The Sergeant calls a Corporal, explains how it must be, Then the Corporal calls a private, and that poor private's Me.
Here's to Fall in, Here's to Fall in,
the soldier and his arms, men fall i n ; women and lier arms, men, fall in!
Alpha Tau Lambda, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Makes an Outstanding Contribution to Moton Memorial Hospital Through personal contributions, the brothers of Alpha Tau Lambda chapter have completely equipped a Maternity Suite in Tulsa's Moton Memorial Hospital. This suite includes the delivery room, the nursery, the lying-in room and the rest room. Here the color scheme centers around soft yellow tones, concentrated on walls and reflected in the lighter tones of marbelized linoleum covering the floors. These brothers have purchased a thousand dollars worth of modern
equipment, including an incubator, and five bassinets. Brother A. J. Lee, Industrial Counselor, DuPoint Chemical Company Brother Lee is well in his second year with the Dupoint Co., in this capacity. H e is a pioneer in this field. and in this section of the country. H i s activity has been creditable to Alpha Phi Alpha, and our race as well. Brother Lee spares no effort in doing this job of counseling well. This thoughtful interest on his part will result in more counselor openings in industry for our group.
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THE
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May, 1944
VOICE OF THE SPHINX
"LITTLE CONVENTION" WITH KAPPA LAMBDA AT GREENSBORO
A SCENE FROM T H E "LITTLE CONVENTION" Above is only one corner of the spacious living room Brother J. H. Johnston, President of the Southern in the beautiful home of Brother Dr. F. E. Davis, Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and Greensboro, North Carolina, where Kappa Lambda, Dean of Virginia State College; Brother Miles W . graduate chapter, entertained at a smoker Brother Connor, President of Coppin Teachers College; and General President Rayford W. Logan and numerous Brother V. E. Daniel, Dean, Alabama State Teachcollege presidents and other members of the fraers College. S t a n d i n g : Brother Vance Chavis of ternity in attendance at the convention of the SouthDudley High School, Greensboro, President of Kapern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools pa L a m b d a ; Brother Dr. F . A. Jackson of the facin Greensboro during the month of December. Many ulty of Bennett College; Brother Captain H . C. other members were in the room at the time, but H a r l a n , P. M. S. and T., A. and T. College; Brother were unable to squeeze into this picture. Seated a r e T. C. Meyers, Assistant to the President, Hampton Brother R. P. Daniel, President of Shaw University; Institute; Brother A. A. Taylor, Dean, Fisk U n i Brother H . Councill Trenholm, President of Alabama versity; Brother A. Russell Brooks, Acting Dean, State Teachers College; Brother Gilbert L. Porter, A. and T. College ; Brother Charles L. Williams, P r i n Principal of Lincoln H i g h School, Tallahassee, F l o r i d a ; Brother J. D. McGhee, Registrar, South cipal, Booker T. Washington High School, Miami. Carolina State College; Brother Rayford W. Logan, F l o r i d a ; and Brother P. E. Wilson of the faculty of able and distinguished President of Alpha Phi AlBennett College. (For the names of others present but p h a ; Brother S. E. Burford, Principal of William not on the picture see the accompanying communiPenn High School, H i g h Point, North Carolina; cation from Kappa Lambda.) Something like a "little convention" was the special meeting of the graduate chapter, Kappa Lambda, to honor Brother General President Rayford W. Logan and other visiting brothers attending the convention of the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools at Bennett College in December. The brothers met at the really palatial residence of Brother Dr. F . E. Davis, Greensboro physician. There were perhaps more college presidents at this affair, to say nothing of deans, high school principals, and other highranking school and college officials, than at any other fraternity gathering
m the history of the race. A strong statement, but very likely true. There were present, for instance, President R. P. Daniel of Shaw U n i versity, President Miles W . Conner of Coppin Teachers College, President J. F. Drake of Alabama A. and M. I n stitute, President H . Councill Trenholm of Alabama State Teachers College, President Felton Clark of Southern University, President William H . Gray of Florida Normal and Industrial Institute, President Karl E. Downs of Samuel Houston College, Vice President J. A. Bacoat of Benedict College, W. H. Barnes. Principal of Regional
High School, Manassas, Virginia; W. W. E. Blanchet, Administrative Dean of Fort Valley State College; V. E. Daniel, Dean of Instruction, Montgomery State Teachers College; T. H. Henderson, Dean, Virginia Union University; J. H. Johnson, Dean, Virginia State College and retiring President of the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools; A. L. Kidd, Registrar, Florida A. and M. College; T. C. Myers, Assistant to the President, Hampton Institute; S. M. Mosely, Principal, Dillard High School, Fort Lauderdale, F l o r i d a ; J. D. McGhee, Registrar, South Carolina State Col-
THE
May. 1944 lege; J. St. Clair Price, Acting Dean, Liberal Arts, H o w a r d University; L. F . Palmer, Professor of Education, Hampton Institute; Gilbert L. Porter, Principal, Lincoln High School, T a l lahassee, F l o r i d a ; A. G. Richardson, Assistant State Supervisor of Virginia; Ferdinand L. Rousseve, head of Fine Arts Department. Xavier University; A. L. Turner, Acting Dean, Shaw University; A. A. Taylor, Dean, Fisk University; and Charles L. Williams, Principal, Booker T. Washington High School, Miami, Florida. Local brothers participating in the college and secondary school convention were President D. D. Jones of Bennett College, President F . D. Bluford of A. and T. College; Dr. F . A. Jackson of Bennett College, Acting Dean A. Russell Brooks of A and T. College, Dean J. M. Marteena, Mechanics Art, A. and T. College, and Dean Ivan Taylor, Bennett College. The smoker at Brother Davis' home was a memorable affair not only for the brothers of the host chapter, Kappa Lambda, and the undergraduate brothers that were invited from Beta Epsilon, A. and T. College, but for the distinguished guests who drank deeply of the rare spirit of good old Alpha. Brother President Daniel of Shaw University, a man with a fabulous memory and a right good ready wit, nave brief anecdotes about the many visiting brothers as he introduced each of them without notes or prompting. The highlight of the evening was an inspiring talk by Brother Logan. As always, he left with his Alpha listeners a feeling of pride in the program of the fraternity and the accomplishments of its members and a sense of belonging to a great sodality of fellowship and progress. In its last chronicle Kappa Lambda set forth salient items of what the brothers considered a banner year. W e were justly proud of our fraternity spirit and the broad outlook and solid achievements of the members. We are now glad to report that the chapter got off to a good start this fall. The attendance is better than good and the collection of chapter fees is next to perfect. Captain J. C. H a r l a n (see accompanying picture), a real live-wire Alpha man who knows enough about fraternity law to write a book and can implement this knowledge by a thorough acquaintance with parliamentary procedure, at a recent meeting handed to the Chapter treasurer a hundred dollars for life membership. H e is now
Life
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selves for the important and supreme task of the m i n i s t r y ; namely, Brother P a u l Cooper, Alpha S i g m a ; Brother J a s . Spratt, Alpha S i g m a ; Brother Anderson C. Davis, Alpha P h i ; Brother Eugene Craig, Alpha P h i ; Brother M. T. J . Howard, Jr., Beta P h i ; Brother W. Leo Cole, Beta C h i ; Brother H . B. Gibson, Jr., Beta C h i ; Brother William R. Crawford, Alpha Pi Lambda; Brother Joseph N . Patterson, Beta Nu. These brothers send their fraternal wishes to all brothers, whether on land, sea or air. May God keep you and bless you.
Member
S
ALPHA LAMBDA CHAPTER, Louisville, Kentucky Greetings:
BROTHER CAPTAIN J O H N FORD H A R L A N
CLIF-
Kappa Lambda, graduate chapter of Greensboro-High Point, North Carolina. area, is proud to claim in its fold Captain John Clifford Harlan, Inf., Assistant P. M. S. and T., A. and 1. College, Greensboro, who a few weeks ago handed to his chapter treasurer the neat sum of one hundred dollars in payment of the coveted life membership. Previous to his present a s signment, Captain H a r l a n was P r o tessor of History and Government at Shaw University. Assistant P. M. S. and T. at A. and T. College. Previous to his present assignment he was Professor of History and Government, Shaw University. Plans are now underway for our annual Talent Night, proceeds from which will be used for a scholarship to be awarded to the high school boy in this area who best qualifies. Last year's scholarship went to Mr. F r a n k lin Brower, honor graduate of William Penn High School, High Point, North Carolina, now enrolled in Temple University, Philadelphia, P a . Fraternally yours, A. R U S S E L L B R O O K S , Editor to the Sphinx S
ALPHAS AT GAMMON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, Atlanta, Georgia Greetings: Alpha on the campus of Gammon Seminary is very much alive. Alpha men are in the limelight of leadership here, as would be expected of any true and tried Alpha. There are nine brothers here- who are preparing them-
Uncle Sam is still taking the younger blood from our chapter. The latest addition to the service was that of Brother Lyman T. Johnson, chapter treasurer, and one of the staunchest and most faithful Alpha brothers to be found any place. Brother Johnson, a teacher in Central H i g h School, selected the Navy for his service and is now stationed at Great Lakes N a v a l Training Center. Brother Johnson, who was president of the local N . A. A. C. P. branch, and a member of almost every other worthwhile project, writes that life at the training center is so different from anything he has been accustomed to, but that at least he is now getting a much needed rest from running to so many meetings. Before leaving, Brother Johnson was given a good old Alpha farewell by the brothers of Alpha Lambda in the recreation room at the home of Brother Dr. Lattimore. In spite of the loss of brothers to the Armed Forces, twenty-two brothers drove out to the beautiful home of Brother Stenson Broaddus where Brothers Dr. George Reid, Dr. John Walls and Broaddus served as hosts for the evening. The menu was "Barbecued Chicken"â&#x20AC;&#x201D;enough said. T h e evening was completed with the presence of Brothers Collins, W h i t e and Dennis, all formerly of Kentucky State College and who are now with the U. S. Army. Alpha Lambda continues to take part in civic problems. A committee to work on Juvenile Delinquency problems has been appointed with Brother Kenneth Morris as chairman. T h e chapter also planned its p r o gram for the Pan-Hellenic F o r u m for May. W e decided to have as guest speaker either Brig. Gen. B. O. D a -
Âť
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vis or Truman K. Gibson, Jr., Civilian Aide to the Secretary of W a r . Fraternally, R O B E R T E. BLACK.
Promising
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Alpha
en by the previous administration which was under the supervision of Brother A. D. V. Crosby, our present efficient secretary. So in closing I will say, "Congratulations" to the old administration, and "Best W i s h e s " to the new r e g i m e ! Yours in brotherhood, E U G E N E STANLEY, Editor to Sphinx. S
S
ALPHA RHO LAMBDA CHAPTER Columbus, Ohio Greetings, Brothers in Alphadom: From Alpha Rho Lambda comes sincere wishes for a fruitful and prosperous 1944. Already we have launched into a very busy year, and from time to time we will report to you our activities. W e started our new year with a b a n g ! The first event of significance was the installation of our new officers of 1944. Said installation took place in the beautiful new home of Brother Dr. J. J. Carter on Miami Avenue. Gracing Alpha R h o Lambda with his presence on this occasion was Brother Charles Anderson, legislator of the State of Kentucky. This prominent brother presided at the installation on January IS, and installed the following officers : president, Brother Lucien Wright; vice-president, Brother E d w a r d C o x ; secretary, Brother A. D . V. Crosby; financial secretary, Brother J. J. C a r t e r ; parliamentarian, Brother R. M. Tribbit, sergeantat-arms, Brother Albertus C o n n ; editor to Sphinx, Brother Eugene Stanley. W e look forward, expectantly, to the perpetuation of the tradition of good administration that Alpha Rho Lambda has enjoyed throughout the years. Brother Anderson came to Columbus the week-end of January 16 to deliver an address, "The Negro and Southern I )emocracy," for one of Columbus' most prominent organizations, and while he was in our midst we enjoyed a fellowship long to be remembered by the local fraters. Not content to let a single outstanding event herald the coming of the New Year, Alpha Rho Lambda then brought to Columbus Brother Henry Allen Boyd of the National Baptist Publishing House as the speaker for its monthly forum on J a n u a r y 23. U n questionably, this move on the part of the local chapter scored another "hit" wth local citizenry. The outstanding address by Brother Boyd and his dynamic personality captivated those who were fortunate to hear him. The pearls of wisdom that Brother Boyd dropped in Columbus on that occasion will rank high among the previous public utterances whose echoes still rebound within the corridors of churches, auditori-
May, 1944
BETA RHO LAMBDA CHAPTER Youngstown, Ohio Brothers of Alpha Phi A l p h a :
BROTHER JAMES
E.
SMITH
Brother James E. Smith is a member and the secretary of Beta Rho Lambda chapter. Brother Smith graduated from Rayen High School and in 1938 graduated from Youngstown College. H e has majored in the field of physical education. H e has done graduate work at Ohio State University and at George Williams College in Chicago. H e is an outstanding athlete. H e was the captain of the basket ball team while in high school and in college. H e has been a Red Cross Life Swimming Instructor for more than ten years and recently passed all the tests and became the first Y. M. C. A. Aquatic Director of color in the State, if not in the country. Brother Smith is the physical director of the Y. M. C. A. in Youngstown, Ohio, and he ranks among the best in physical education. urns, and similar institutions throughout the city. 'Twas a wonderful event! Aside from the two outstanding events, the brothers of the chapter have continued their usual active participation in the civic affairs of the community. Alpha men are prominent in all phases of communal life. A t o tal stranger to this fair city would soon learn that the men of Alpha accredit themselves well in all areas of civic participation. The positions which they hold and the activities in which they engage serve as a constant source of inspiration to the young people of the metropolis. Plans for the continuance of an aggressive program for the balance of the year have already been made by the new administration. It is sufficient to say that the challenge for such a program has already been giv-
The brothers of Beta Rho Lambda extend greetings to all brothers in Alpha Phi Alpha. Our chapter is small and when some brothers joined the Armed Forces and some went to other parts of the country, our number was so limited that it caused us much concern. We are still holding the line and trying to demonstrate that we can M E E T all circumstances and wait patiently for the opportunity to go forward. Outstanding Alpha men have been here to address the Y. M. C. A. forum, Brothers Chas. A. Anderson, H. L. Dickason, A. Clayton Powell, Jr., and our national president, Rayford Logan. Our brothers are participating in all community activities, serving on various boards and commissions. They are serving in the war effort one hundred per cent. You can count on Beta Rho Lambda, we shall be digging for the duration. Fraternally yours, J A M E S E. SMITH, Chapter Secretary. S
BETA DELTA CHAPTER State A. & M. College Orangeburg, South Carolina Like the birds who search for their homes at eventide to seek a night's repose, we, in the band of dear ole Alpha Phi Alpha, come to the end of another school term that will never pass into oblivion. On March 18th a new link, Brother William Copeland was added to Beta Delta Chain. New pledgees taken into the Sphinx Club are Robert Clegett, Orangeburg, Randolph Phillips, Florence and W i l liam Rieley. During the month of March, Education for Citizenship Week was observed. On our final program we presented as guest speaker Brother J. O. Slade, Professor of Social Science, Morris Brown College, Atlanta, Geor-
THE
May, 1944 gia. His subject was, "Selling Yourself." Seldom have wc heard a subject so definitely suited to the occasion and so carefully prepared and delivered so as to show its direct relation to Education for Citizenship. On April 21st Beta Delta with the Sphinx Club held its annual Farewell Smoker, an occasion which will long be remembered by all who were present. With graduation taking its toll of brothers from Beta Delta, we can only wait and hope with eager anticipation as to the strength of the chapter which the army will leave for us at Beta Delta another year. With every besi. wish for the success of Apha men everywhere, I shall ever be Sincerely and Fraternally, C L Y D E L. R E E S E . President
CHI CHAPTER, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee I! lot hers of Alphadom: The members of Chi chapter send you Greetings, and with these greetings a bit of news of the doings of Chi chapter. Since you last heard from us, we have launched our ship of Brotherly Love upon the tempestuous sea of 1944. The
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officers who will guide our ship smoothly over the waves of time are, Brother John Benson, president; Brother E. Wilkerson, vice president; Brother J. C. Wallace, secretary; Brother T. M. McCottry, corresponding secretary; Brother M. Mosley, t r e a s u r e r ; Brother Robinson, chaplain; and Brother Ralph Rivere Sgt-at-arms. If it were possible I would dip into the future, as far as the eye could see, behold the wonders of the world, and the wonders that would be. But we live in a world oi stark reality and we can only work and plan together for a better and brighter future; so we, the members of Chi chapter, under the guidance of our new officers, are working and planning together for a better year. As we move onward into the year we approach the month of March, which brings with it graduation time. We approach this event filled with conflicting emotions of happiness and sadness. We are happy because our senior brothers will have accomplished the goal of four years of concentrated effort. We arc sad because graduation will remove from Chi chapter those brothers who for the past four years were important cogs in her wheel of life. The following brothers await the graduation roll c a l l : F r o m the Department of Dentistry Brother V. T. Carter
CHI CHAPTER, MEHARRY MEDICAL COLLEGE
Page 19 Brother Conway Downing Brother Wesley Hicks Brother All Pearman From Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother
the Department of Medicine M. B. Anderson W. Bryant J. Cowan C. E. Ford A. Hansen R. Haskins H. Holloway Paul Hough George Marshall H. M. Mason Ed. Purnell E. M. Spann C. Hunt H. Kenney Fred Pinson W. Steward George Taylor H. L. Wilkins
As we glance at this list of stalwart Alpha men who arc about to take leave of Chi chapter we bow our heads in silent tribute for the work they've done. Statistics are boresome, but their interpretation often proves interesting. So for the sake of you, dear reader, we omit the statistics, hut we â&#x20AC;˘>i Chi chapter arc proud to say that we ended the year, 1943, way out in front. Our successful year was due to the able leadership of Brother A. H a n (.Continucd on page 34)
THE
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May, 1944
Brother De Witt S. Dykes, of Chattanooga, Delivers Alpha Zeta Annual Sermon, Bluefield, West Virginia, April 23
Front Row : Brothers Rev, Dykes, H. L. Dickason, C. A. Second R o w : L. V. Taylor, W . Browne, H . Whisiker, D.
E. T. Brown, Rev. De Witt S. Rogers, J. C. Kingslow. (',. E. Browne, C. E. Shelton, E . F. Dunlap, W. C. Spencer.
ALPHA ZETA CHAPTER, West Virginia State College, Institute, West Virginia Alpha Zeta began its New Year activities with its annual installation banquet held January 21, 1944 in Glasscock Hall. Although the chapter is much smaller this year, as is the case of all other chapters, the banquet went over with the same degree of splendor and excellence as in past years. T h e speaker for the evening was Brother Moses Newsome, pastor of the F i r s t Baptist Church of Charleston, West Virginia. The newly elected officers arc as foll o w s : president, Brother Waite H. Madison, J r . ; vice-president, Brother E a r l Cochran; secretary, Brother Lloyd A. W a t t s ; treasurer, Brother Horace A. M c C a r t h y ; financial secretary, Brother Earl B. Robinson; e x oflicio to Sphinx club, Brother Virgil C. Hayes. This chapter considers itself fortunate indeed to have brothers on the
Lambda's
Third R o w : W. V. Chappelle, J. E. Thillips, J. i i . Franklin, P. R. Higginbotham, K. J. Hall. Fourth R o w : J. Livisay, J. C. Justice, R. Swann, W . E . H e hert, D. T. Murray, J. E. Martin.
campus serving in the A. S. T. P. unit who take an active part in the program of the chapter. At the end of the first semester we bade farewell to Brother Jimmie H a r ris, who received his degree at the January graduation exercises, and Brother William Wilberforce Plummcr, who left us to enter Meharry Medical School in the class of March, 1944. We regret to lose two such diligent brothers. The chapter assisted in the annual Jabberwock given by the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. Each year Alpha Zeta presents an original skit which adds to the pride and glory of the organization and its members â&#x20AC;&#x201D;The Members of Alpha Zeta. S
ALPHA PHI CHAPTER Clark College, Atlanta, Georgia OMEGA CHAPTER CLAIMS B R O T H E R E. L U T H E R B R O O K E S T h e grim reaper, called death, has
claimed for its own another noble and noteworthy brother of Alpha. Brother E. Luther Brookes, a member of E t a Lambda chapter and the adviser to Alpha Phi chapter, passed Wednesday, March 29, 1944, as his home, 1934 Simpson Road, Atlanta, Georgia Brother Brookes' death was felt very keenly by the students and faculty of Clark College where he held the honored position of Senior Professor, having served the Institution as Professor of Physics and in his present position, at the time of his death, as P r o fessor and Head of the Department of Chemistry. Alpha Phi chapter mourns the loss of its founder and adviser. The present chapter was formed from the "Oasis Club" as organized by Brother Brookes in 1925 and incorporated in 1927 as Alpha Phi chapter. T o the people of Atlanta he was highly esteemed as an educator, civic leader and as an outstanding layman of the Methodist Church. H e was the past president of the local Branch of
May, 1944
THE
the N A A C P and at the time of his death, its treasurer. Brother Brookes held membership in many of the clubs both local and national. H e was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Atlanta Tuberculosis Association, and the Pioneer Saving Association; - ••-member of the Iraduate Club and of the American Chemical Association. Brother Brooke: was a member of :» ' Central Methodist Church, where he served as chairman of the Steward Board ami delegate-elect to the General Conference and to the Central Jurisdictional Conference of the Methodist Church. Brother Brookes was a graduate of Ttiskegee Institute where he enrolled after coming from his home, Jamaica, B. W . I., to the United States. I lis education was continued at Lincoln University, Pennsylvania where he finished as Magna Cum Laude of his class ami later at Columbia University, New York. Brother Hrookes was buried from Clark College where his body lay in State on Monday, April 3, and where he served unselfishly for twenty-one years. He was the associate director of Alabama State Teachers' Summer School. Though his physical body has passed, his spirit and works still live, and to aid in perpetuating his memory Alpha Phi chapter has named its Annual Scholarship Award in his honor as the E. Luther Brookes Award. Fraternally yours, W I L L I A M E. T H O M P S O N , Vice President S
NU CHAPTER, Lincoln University • Lincoln, Pennsylvania Nu chapter held its dance at Bombay Gardens in Philadelphia on the 31st of March. W e were happy to have the brothers who are near by present. We regret the loss of three of our brothers who have left us for the Army. They are Brothers M. W . Washington, C. Hutchings and J. Nelson. At the turn of the semester we began our work here at Lincoln with the loss of many of our brothers, but we are glad to report that we are carrying on, still leading, as we have in the past. We know that even though the war has held us back in many ways we will go onward and upward. Our probation period ended sometime ago with eight men seeing the light of Alpha Phi Alpha. They were Royal Allen, Joseph Darden, Roland
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Gandy, Elmo Callaway, James P e r son, Henry P r i m a s , Booker Rainer, and William Hutchings. With the loss of many students from the student body, we were able to pick only four good men from the midyear class to enter into the Pledge Club—Marshall Johnson, Maurice Moss, Jesse Martin and Carrell Rolls. With the passing words of courage to all that we may win the war at home and abroad I close. Fraternally yours, JAMES PATTERSON S
GAMMA BETA CHAPTER, North Carolina College, Durham, North Carolina Greetings from Gamma B e t a : Under the inspiring leadership of Brother W a r d Parham, president of the chapter, Samuel Hill, secretary, and Orlando Stovall, treasurer, Gamma Beta has managed to have an active program for this school year. In honor of the members who are now serving in the Armed Forces, Gamma Beta deemed it necessary to do her part on the home front, in hacking the attack. Earlier in the year the chapter sponsored a war bond drive on the campus and throughout the city, which proved to be very successful. One of the most recent activities, was to bring into the folds of Alphadom three new brothers. The neophytes were Henry W. Rice of Anderson, South Carolina, John V. Turner, Raleigh, North Carolina, and Arthur J. Barnett, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. During the initiation we were proud to have as visitors Beta Epsilon of A & T College, Greensboro, North Carolina. Brother Thomas Keller, a charter member, and a member of the Navy band, stationed at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, also participated in the initiation. H e gave the neophytes a very inspiring talk. Plans were completed for the " E d u cation for Citizenship Week." W e selected as our theme, "Education for a Post W a r World." The plans consisted of presenting programs at the regular Sunday vesper hour, the Friday chapter hour at the college, and at the local high schools. A radio program over W D N C was also scheduled. T h e week ended with a formal dance and the crowning of the Alpha Sweetheart. Fraternally yours, ORLANDO STOVALL, Associate Editor
Page 21 ALPHA CHI CHAPTER, Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee Greetings, Brothers in
Alpha:
T r u e to tradition, Alpha Chi is setting the precedent for the Greek Letter groups on the campus. This year our annual chapel program was of a higher intellectual and social plane than of previous years. The program was unique, in that it occurred on a Sunday night, and was followed by a reception for the speaker. The speaker was Brother Bel ford V. Lawson, whose dynamic oratory held the audience spellbound, and became the talk of the campus. The reception was T H E event of the week. These two events had been publicized during the previous week in conjunction with our annual Library E x hibit. This year the Exhibit was so large that it had to be changed during the middle of the week. This change had an astounding psychological effect on the freshmen who had aspirations of making Alpha. The fallowing week, Alpha Chi, with its usual tendency toward excellence, entertained the men of the freshman class with a banquet-smoker. This was different from the smokers that had been given the previous week by other organizations, in that it featured the best of food—banquet style—and a program, the main attraction of which consisted of members of the opposite sex in an original interpretative dance skit. The young ladies were pledges of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. The presence of women on the program removed the over-emphasis of the masculine touch, thereby putting our smoker on a more cultural plane than the ones that preceded it. Immediately following the Christmas vacation, the chapter held its annual installation of officers. The following brothers assumed the responsibility of their respective offices after brief speeches of t h a n k s : Brother Robert Lee, president; Brother Clifton W i l liams, vice-president and dean of pledges; Brother Elmo Adams, secret a r y ; Brother W a l t e r Ellis, assistant secretary, parliamentarian, associate editor to the Sphinx, sergeant-at-arms, and h i s t o r i a n ; and Brother Charles Steele, treasurer. The chapter, under the guidance of the new administration, immediately began to execute the plans formulated by the old administration for the spring initiation and the Scholarship Drive, which is done in
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Page 22 conjunction with the "Education for Citizenship" program. The chapter wishes to pay tribute to Brother Simplicio Parajinog who was inducted into the Navy the week following our chapel program. Brother Parajinog was a very good student, and he held the unusual position of chapter humorist. His absence is still felt, but we know that he will perform his patriotic duty with the same zest and determination as he performed his fraternal duties, along with other brothers who arc in the Armed Forces. Brothers Parajinog, Frenise Logan and Harvey Proctor were visitors to the campus during the mid-year recess. The chapter deeply regrets the loss of Brothers Alonzo Boddie, Edward Moon, David P a r k e r and F r a n k Cox, who entered Meharry in March. These brothers are outstanding examples of Alpha's scholastic leadership, and we are sure that they will make their presence at Meharry well known. Fraternally yours, W A L T E R H. ELLIS, Associate Editor to the Sphinx.
s
SIGMA LAMBDA CHAPTER New Orleans, Louisiana Greetings, Brothers in A l p h a : The brothers of Sigma Lambda chapter in the heart of the Delta country send warmest fraternal greetings to brothers everywhere. While Sigma Lambda did not make the last edition of the Sphinx it was not indeed idle, for last May it had its brilliant neophyte brother, Dr. Raoul M. Perez, Instructor in Romance Languages at Xavicr, deliver a wonderful address on Brazilian culture. The home of Brother and Mrs. S t g r e was the scene of this social as well as cultural gathering of the wives and sweethearts of Sigma Lambda brothers. Brother Perez's talk was followed by a round of discussion. Following the discussion the brothers and their guests retired to a real home style buffet This meeting was so successful that the brothers invited an outsider to speak to them in September. Dr. I lung-Wang, Vice Consul of the Republic of China, spoke on the present and post-war aims of the Chinese Republic This informative meeting was held at the residence of Dr. Ernest Cherrie. Brother Chcrrie. a fisherman at heart, treated the brothers to a repast of stuffed crabs, as only Mrs. Cherrie can prepare them.
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During the past several months several of the brothers have been very busy passing out cigars, etc. Brothers Dr. Carter and Dr. Fullilove are proud papas of bouncing little girls but Brother Whitney Haydel is the proud papa of a future Alpha man. The draft boards have called several of the brothers into service; namely, Brother Marcus Neustadter, who is now somewhere in Italy, having participated in the Sicilian campaign, and Brother Lt. Lloyd Thompson, somewhere in Italy also. Brother Neustadter is attached to a Medical unit and Brother Thompson to a Quartermaster unit. Brother Dr. Perez was also called to the colors and at the time of this writing his whereabouts are not known. Brother Peter Clark recently was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Air Corps. Brother George Armstrong was also inducted and is stationed here at Camp Plauche. At the regular election of officers held in November, Brother Benson Bouttc declined to run for re-election and Brother Dr. Wesley Segre, Director of Nursing Education at Flint Goodridge Hospital was elected to succeed him. Brother Boutte plans to r e turn to the campus of the University of Michigan to complete the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Public Health. Dr. Fullilove was elected vice president, Brother Whitney Haydel, treasurer, and your scribe as secretary. Brother Attorney A. P. T u r e a u d was chosen as chairman for Orleans Parish in the recent F o u r t h W a r Loan Drive. Brother Tureaud did a fine job in reaching the quota set for the parish. During November we were fortunate in having Brother Captain J. Felton Brown, Senior Medical Officer of the Station Hospital at Fort Huachuca in our midst. W e wish to send greetings to all of our friends in Alpha wherever they may he and wish for them success in all their undertakings. Fraternally, W A L T E R E. M O R I A L , Chapter Secretary. S
OMICRON LAMDA CHAPTER, Birmingham, Alabama Greetings to Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha: Omicron Lambda has launched a new year with the installation of officers by Brother W . E. Shortridge, one of our leading undertakers of the city. Brother Shortridge installed
May, 1944 the following officers: president. Brother George C. Bell; vice-president, Brother Wayman C. Matherson; secretary, Brother Charles L . Shepard; assistant secretary, Brother Charles O. W e b b ; treasurer, Brother Dr. William J. Dowdell; editor to the Sphinx, Brother Major A. B r o w n ; chaplain, Brother Rev. William L. Cash; sergeant-at-arms, Brother Burton A. Collins. In spite of the fact that we have lost many brothers to the Armed Services, we started this year with twenty-three brothers. Brothers in the Armed Services are as follows: Tilford J. Cole, William C. Crenshaw, Ira E. Evans, Allen Gooden, Jr., H. Lovell Mosely, William Peterson, Noah S. Purifoy, Mason C. Terrell and Lt. Herbert Pegues. Brother Peterson, stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, was in the city on our last regular meeting and gave the chapter some high lights with respect to army life and some facts about himself as a soldier. Brother Peterson seems to be doing fine. Although this is a period of unrest, Omicron Lambda gave its fall annual which was gay, and full of life, and it was enjoyed by all. Fraternally yours, B R O T H E R M A J O R A. B R O W N . S
ALPHA RHO CHAPTER Morehouse College Atlanta, Georgia Greetings, B r o t h e r s : The members of Alpha Rho chapter are doing their bit to keep the torch of Alpha burning in Atlanta. During the first semester of the school year at Morehouse, we devoted much of our time and energy toward the betterment of the community, proving again that our greatest interest lies outside of Alpha. For the remainder of the school term we outlined the following p r o g r a m : The broadening of the "Better Movie Campaign," which was recently started by Alpha Rho, the sponsoring of the "Education for Citizenship Campaign," and the annual Alpha Rho sweetheart dance. Alpha Rho is proud to announce that a considerable number of brothers made the Dean's list. Among those with honorable mention were Brothers Luther Singletary and William Gaudy. who were winners of last semester's (1942-1943) scholarship awards for the sophomore and junior classes, respectively. Fraternally, CARL F . P R I N C E .
May, 1944
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Page 23 UnBBBHHHHi
Posing for the cameraman, after the annual banquet given in tin college dining hall, are the brothers of Alpha Rho chapter. Reading from leff to right they are (back row) : Carl F. Prince, Luther Singletary, Shelton Penn, Robert Williams, Silas S.
BETA KAPPA CHAPTER, Langston University, Langston, Oklahoma At the close of the last school year the entire membership of Beta Kappa, with the exception of one, Brother Adams, was inducted in the Armed Forces, but fortunately the Sphinx Club of five was left intact. Under the leadership of Brother Brown and other graduate brothers, Profs. Jarrett, Hamilton and Walker, it is hoped that Beta Kappa will be active a g a i n soon. Claxton Nails, Sphinxman, is a member of the football and basketball teams. George Boykins and H u n t e r Hatton were on the freshman football team. On Thursday, December 9, the Alphas sponsored a Rush party in the art studio, where twenty-seven freshmen and upperclassmen were guests of the Alphas and the three sororities, Delta Sigma Theta, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and Zeta Phi Beta.
Abrams Douglass Carter, Knox Nash Samuel H a r n s , Charles C Walker, Paul Lawrence Dunbar Sanford. (Front Row . - \ \ . U . U . Sloan Gandy. Alv.n \ \ ardlaw, Albert Wardlaw, Charles Goosby.
Brothers in the Armed Service who visited the campus before and during the holidays were Hobbs, Southall, Hargrove, Harrell, Bly, Franklin and Boyd. In spite of the absent undergraduate brothers, Beta Kappa has some promising pledges who will soon cross the burning sand and put life again in Beta Kappa. We must trudge on While the night is nigh, When clouds have gone The sun paints the sky T o brothers true On some distant shore, We'll hold fast for you Virtues you adore. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Hunter Hatton. E U G E N E J. B R O W N , Acting Officer. S IN SERVICE A N D OUT Brother Clifford H . Johnson, of T u l sa, Oklahoma, a teacher of English in the Carver Junior High School of
Tulsa, was Private Clifford H. Johnson until March 7 of this year. H e was discharged from the Army in Pennsylvania on a C. D. D. Brother Johnson spent four months in the Army.
ALPHA IOTA LAMBDA GRADUATE CHAPTER Charleston, West Virginia Under the presidency of Brother Leonard Barnett, principal of W a s h ington High School, Alpha Iota Lambda reports a year of progressive constructive activities. One of the highlights of the monthly meetings was the entertainment of Brother Dr. Channing H . Tobias, at the time of his coming to West Virginia State College to deliver the baccalaureate commencement address, Sunday, May 22, 1943. Both graduate and undergraduate groups met in the home of Brother Austin W. Curtis, Sr., to hear Brother Tobias discuss current and post-
Page 24 war problems as they relate to the darker races. The observations of this erudite world citizen were unusually stimulating and sound. T h e last meeting of the fiscal year was held Friday, November 12, at the Mattie V. Lee Home. Brother J. F . J. Clark, principal of Garnet High School and Brothers Dr. Jackson and Dr. Lowe were hosts. Officers for 1943-1944 were elected. Although the chapter unanimously urged Brother Barnett to continue his efficient administration, other demands made it impossible for him to accept. Brother Felix W a r r e n of Institute and a member of the faculty of the West Virginia School for the Colored Deaf and Blind, was elected president. Other officers a r e : Vice President, Brother Dr. Townsend Lowe, Montgomery, West Virginia; Secretary, Brother Dr. W. J. L. Wallace, Associate Professor of Chemistry, West Virginia S t a t e ; Treasurer, Brother Fredrick Page, J r . ; Principal, Cabell Junior High School, Charleston; Chaplain, Brother Rev. Moses Newsome, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Charleston; Editor of the Sphinx, Brother John F. Matheus, head Department of Romance Languages, West Virginia State. The new officers were installed at the J a n u a r y meeting of Alpha Iota Lambda chapter, held in the home of Brother William Morris, M. D., who was host with Brothers Felix W a r r e n and Fred Page, J r . Guests of honor on this occasion were Brother Austin T . Curtis, Jr., successor at Tuskegee to the late Dr. George Washington Carver, world famous scientist, and Brother Eulace Peacock, of national track meet fame, now an enlistee in the U. S. Navy and a member of the physical training and recreational personnel. Brother Peacock spoke on Alpha men in athletics making an interesting statement concerning the star positions held by champions of the fraternity, men of the international caliber of Jesse Owens and Ralph Metcalf. Brother Curtis reviewed the contribution of Dr. Carver in the many fields of his interests, recounting numerous anecdotes. H i s explanation of the Carver Foundation designed to expand his work and to continue the research program which he inaugurated, aroused great interest. The February meeting was held at the Mattie V. Lee Home with Broth-
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ers Russell Spears, Lawrence V. J o r dan, E d w a r d James and Robert King, hosts. JOHN F. MATHEUS, Sphinx Editor S
MU CHAPTER University of Minnesota St. Paul-Minneapolis, Minnesota Brothers in Alpha, Greetings to you a l l : We, loss of but be ing on
too, have been hit through the members to the Armed Forces, that as it may, we are carrythe best we can.
The last chapter meeting was held at Brother Claiborne Hill's home, at 888 St. Anthony Ave. Brothers present were John R. Lawrence, Jr., John M. Patton, William "Bill" Cassius, Lt. Walter Goins, Ransom Goins, Victor Calloway, S. Vincent Owens, Claiborne C. Hill. At this meeting plans were laid for a formal party to be given April 7,1944. This party celebrated Mu chapter's thirty-second anniversary. The theme of the affair was built around the brothers from this chapter who are now serving in the Armed Forces. Lt. Brother W a l t e r Goins, from T u s kegee, Alabama, was our principal speaker at the last meeting. H e gave us many interesting sidelights of army life. Mu chapter is very proud of Brother Goins and of the record that he is making. W e expected great things from him and he hasn't let us down. Brother Raymond W. Cannon left Minneapolis on Thursday of this week for the East. He will be gone several days. Brother C. W. Washington, former head of the Minneapolis Urban League, has taken the job of industrial secretary with the Pittsburgh Urban League. His wife and young daughter accompanied him there. Brothers of Mu wish him much success in this new venture. Brother Robert Johnson, from Virginia Union University, in Richmond, Virginia, is doing graduate work at the University of Minnesota. He represented the Negro on "a Race Relations Program," February 13 at H a l lie Q. Brown House. Fraternally, B R O T H E R DR. C L A I B O R N E C. HILL, Associate
Editor, Sphinx.
May, 1944 ALPHA PSI LAMBDA CHAPTER Columbia, South Carolina Greetings,
Brothers:
W e of Alpha Psi Lambda chapter are glad to announ that this has been one of our most successful years in spite of the fact that we have suffered loss from the effects of the war. as many of the other chapters of Alphadom have done. This loss of manpower did not turn us back in despair, we went forward and put over a program that would have been a test even in normal times, because we felt that true Alpha men will persevere through whatever may come. In putting over our program for 1943-1944 we have tried to hold, to the highest point possible, the ideals those founders of Alpha Phi Alpha set as criteria and we salute all others who, through their daily living, are examples of this spirit. In the January meeting the following officers were installed by Brother L. R. Bailey: Brother R. W. Mance, president; Brother W . D. Chappelle, vice-president; Brother H. B. Rutherford, secretary; Brother Hale Kennedy, assistant secretary; Brother B. A. E v erett, t r e a s u r e r ; Brother L. E . CrumIin, chaplain; Brother W. E. Crumlin, s e r g e a n t - a t - a r m s ; Brother E. E. T a y lor, editor to Sphinx. Brothers Mance, Kennedy and Everett were re-elected to their respective offices. During the year two brothers in service stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, have associated themselves with the activities of Alpha Psi Lambda. These brothers are Lt. C. P. Jeffries and Sgt. William Franklin. On the eighteenth of February, Alpha Psi Lambda chapter was host to a formal dance at the Taylor Street U. S. O. This affair began at 11:30 p. m., but in spite of the late hour over 300 persons found their way to the Taylor Street establishment. At the intermission over 45 brothers joined together in the singing of the National Hymn of Alpha Phi Alpha. All of our guests expressed the opinion of having spent a very enjoyable night. It gave the brothers of Alpha Psi Lambda a good bit of pleasure in the month of February when Brother J. A. Bacoats, former vice-president of Benedict College, was elected unanimously to the presidency of that institution to fill the vacancy left by the death of Dr. J. J. Starks. In a public program on Sunday af-
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May, 1944 ternoon, M a r c h 19, 1944, Alpha Psi Lambda presented Brother Bishop John A. Gregg at Allen University Auditorium. T h e program was as follows: Medley of Greek H y m n s ; T h e Star-Spangled Banner; "God of Our Fathers," by audience; prayer by Brother C. A. Johnson; solo by Brother H o w a r d W h h m i r e ; introduction of speaker by Brother E. A. A d a m s ; a d dress, Brother J. A . G r e g g ; Question Period by the audience and Brother G r e g g ; Alpha Phi Alpha Hymn by brothers in Alphadom; benediction by Brother J. A. Bacoats. Brother R. W. Mance presided over the program and Miss Veronica Wilborn served as organist. Brother Gregg inspired his brothers and his audience with his excellent description of his adventurous journeys to the fighting fronts of the world wherever Negro troops are stationed. The brothers of Alpha Psi Lambda were congratulated by Brother Gregg for having held the standards of Alpha Phi Alpha high since the establishment of the chapter in 1935. In addition to the program outlined above, Alpha Psi Lambda chapter has contributed a substantial sum to the $100,000 Good Samaritan-Waverly Hospital Drive, for a new hospital for Negroes in Columbia, now in progress. W e wish our brothers in the Armed Forces to know that we are at home standing up for those things they are fiphting for. Those brothers who have recently entered the Armed Forces to continue the fight there are Cpl. W. J. Miller, Pvt. Q. Q. Greene, Pvt. I. C. Brown and two brothers slated to go to the Navy by the time of this reading, H. B. Rutherford and L. R. B a i ley. Brother T. S. Martin received an honorable discharge and is again active with the local chapter. It is for these men and other Negro men in the Armed
Forces
that
we
plead to Alpha men everywhere to remember the motto of Alpha Phi Alpha, "First of a l l ; servants of a l l ; we will transcend all.
W e must build a better
place for our boys to live in when this conflict is
over.
Every Alpha
man
must do his part toward this end if he lives up to those ideals we all hold so dear. Fraternally
yours,
EDWARD
TAYLOR,
Associate Editor.
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GAMMA CHAPTER Virginia Union University Richmond, Virginia Greetings: Although this is the first news of Gamma chapter for several months, we men of Gamma have been quite busy. I am proud to say that we have been carrying on in the true Gamma and Alpha style. Starting from enrollment for the year 1943-1944, the ten brothers of Gamma endeavored to lead the activities on the campus. Our membership has now been increased to 14 brothers as of March of this year. Highlights of chapter activities since last fall are as follows: N O V E M B E R — A beautiful candlelight service, entitled "A Tribute to Servicemen," was held in our chapel. Gamma's quartet and the sennonette by Brother T. Jemison were outstanding. J A N U A R Y 29—A gala "Trip Around the W o r l d " was the feature of the New Year. T h e excursion ended in a ritzy replica of a cabaret, which drew a capacity crowd and scores of compliments. The talented Brother Jackson and Brother Culberson, the former acting in the capacity of a blues singer, evoked many applauses. Brother Culberson was band leader. F E B R U A R Y 8—Gamma and the Sphinx Club gave its annual Smoker for the non-Greeks of the campus in Slaughter Hall. Some of the brothers of the faculty honored the group with their presence, and the occasion went down as one of the really pleasant affairs ever sponsored by Gamma brothers. F E B R U A R Y 15-18—Four neophytes crossed the burning sand into Alphadom, bringing the membership up from ten to fourteen for Gamma chapter. M A R C H 5—This date marked the anniversary of Gamma chapter, and in keeping with the traditional "Gamma Day," we attended in a group church services, and had dinner with Beta Gamma Lambda brothers as guests. Following the dinner reception, the brothers held Open House in their renovated fraternity room and served tea and cookies to their guests. T h e four beautiful, talented "Miss Gamma" contestants were presented. Climaxing the day of activities was an annual Vesper service in the form of a musical concert. Among musicians appearing on program were Mr. T h o m as Wilson and the Maggie Walker High School choir.
Page 25 Seven young, progressive students of Virginia Union have been selected for the Sphinx Club, and the future of the chapter now seems bright, notwithstanding the strain of demand for men in the Armed Forces. M A R C H 15th was "Gamma Election D a y " at Union. T h e extent and intensity of interest shown in the casting of ballots for the four contestants were almost without precedent, and permeated the entire student body. There was a parade around the campus with drums rolling and a decorated car for each contestant. In the end, election results shaped as follows: Miss Ila Flanagan, of Richmond, Virginia, 1st, and "Miss G a m m a " ; Miss Gladden, Hampton, Virginia, 2nd, and runneru p ; Miss La Verne Robinson, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, third place; Miss Beatrice Williams, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, fourth place. The honor of serving as "Miss Gamm a " carried for the winner many envious privileges, honors, social courtesies for the entire year. T h e chapter, however, wishes to take this means to express its sincerest appreciation to each contestant for her participation in the "Miss Gamma" contest. Fraternally yours, E R N E S T M. N E W K I R K , Associate Editor. S
KAPPA CHAPTER Columbus, Ohio Greetings, B r o t h e r s : W e are happy to report a partial result of our efforts in compliance with Brother Long's letter to get behind our Congressional leaders regarding the F E P C and Poll T a x issues. On Sunday, April 23rd, the members of Kappa chapter visited the local churches and announced, had announced, and distributed mimeographed material to the public instructing them to write to their representatives in Washington. The full results of our campaigning are not known at this writing, but many civic organizations and clubs appealed to us immediately for additional copies of our mimeographed m a terial for distribution. A word of special thanks and praise to neophyte Brother W a l t e r B. Jones, as chairman of this committee, for the splendid work he did in the mimeographing of the above mentioned material and to Brothers Richard Dunn and Ralph C. Tyler, his assistants. Following in the footsteps of Brother Ralph Hammond, who, as captain (Continued on page 34)
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Alpha
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May, 1944
Upsilon Installs New Officers at a Banquet; Dr. Logan
No. 1 Sitting: Newly elected officers and their company. Reading from left to right—Dunn Watson. Bernice Miller, Noah Turner, Margarite Bass, Allen Holland, Henry Wallace, Gloria Hutchins, June Baldwin, Dorothy Weiss. Second ROMP Standing, L. to K.—Corliss Hunter. Albert Somerville, Mrs. Apple, Luddie Morison, Mildred Blount, Bettye Williams, Dr. Rayford W. Logan, Freddie Bradley, Lillian Rutherford, Beverly Mason, John Roxborough, Edith Houghton, Mary L. Davis.
ALPHA UPSILON CHAPTER Detroit, Michigan " H e who shuns the dust of the arena shall not sit in the shade of the olive tree." I do not know the origin of that quotation, nor do I understand in full its meaning, but this I know, when the brothers of Alpha Upsilon in all parts of the world read that quotation
Present
No. 2 Sitting, L. to R.—Bettye Williams. Corliss Hunter, Luddie Morison, Mildred Blount, Mrs. Apple, Lillian Rutherford, Freddie Bradley, Mary L. Davis, Edith Houghton, Beverly Mason. Standing, L. to R.—Brothers Ralph Cazort, Herbert Wilson, Raymond Nero, Lamar Binion, Clifton Griffith, James Apple, Dr. Logan, John Alston, Carrol Parks. Lt. William Johnson, William Sherrill, Pvt. Damon Keith, Gus Ogletree.
they are assured that all is well here and that Alpha Upsilon is still holding the light high. Yes, brothers, we are holding the light high, in spite of the small number (and it is growing smaller each week), but have no fear there will always be a chapter here. Quite a bit has happened since our last writing. In November this chapter chose as its queen, Miss Bernice
Miller, who was crowned as "Miss Detroit" in a contest. We also elected officers during that month. The newly elected officers a r e : Allen Holland, president; Henry W a l lace, vice president; Noah B. Turner, secretary; Clifton Griffith, t r e a s u r e r ; Albert Somerville, corresponding secr e t a r y ; Herbert Wilson, chaplain; L a mar Binion, sergeant-at-arms. During the Christmas there were
May, 1944 "get-to-gether" parties given by different brothers. Most of these affairs were not planned, but all that attended had a most enjoyable time. In J a n u a r y the new officers took over and we started the new year off in grand style. In the way of entertainment we had a cabaret party, and on the serious side the fraternity and the Sphinx club joined the other organizations of the city in their fight against juvenile delinquency. On February 13 we had our annual installation banquet and sweetheart ball. We were very fortunate in having the General President speak to us. The theme of Dr. Logan's speech was the Rehabilitation bill No. 1509. The address was'enjoyed by all and we received a lot of valuable information. Two other outstanding features at the banquet were the presentation of the gavel to the new president by Brother Gus Ogletree, the retiring president, and the presentation of Alpha Phi Alpha bracelets to the young ladies present. A beautifully engraved compact was presented to our queen. Brother Ralph Cazort acted as toastmaster. W e send best wishes to the brothers in the service and to all of the chapters. Fraternally yours, N O A H B. TURNF.R, Secretary and Chapter Editor
s BETA IOTA LAMBDA CHAPTER Baton Rouge, Louisiana Dear Brother A l p h a s : Beta Iota Lambda failed to greet you in the. past several issues of the Sphinx, but the brothers are happy now to send you greetings and to relate some of the things we have been doing since last we greeted you. Found on the chapter's roster are the following b r o t h e r s : R. W . Smith (chapter president), mathematics teacher, Southern University; J. B. Cade, Dean, Southern University; Maurice Edmonds, county a g e n t ; J. K. Rowley, mathematics and science teacher, Southern University Demonstration School; H. D. Lawless (chapter treasurer), coach, Southern University Demonstration School; Dr. B. V. Baranco, Jr., dentist; James Boswell, postal service; B'. A. Little, auditor, Southern University; Dr. Reid E. Jackson, Department of Education. Southern University; Dr. F. G. Clark, president, Southern University; Lewis S. Sewell, Scout Executive, Istrouma Area Council, B S A . ; Lt. Emmett Bashful, U. S. A r m y ; J. H a r o l d Brown,
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head, Department of Music, Southern LJniversity; R. M. Ampey, student, Michigan State College; Rev. James Hudson, student, Boston University; Jack Stnmg. principal, Boosicr Parish Training School; and A. E. Carter, Director of Music. McKinley High School. Brother Ampey, now doing graduate study at Michigan State, was elected to membership in an honorary botanical society there. Brother Dr. J. S. ('lark was a speaker on the Freedom's Day program held in Philadelphia. Many of our brothers were in demand as commencement speakers. Brothers J. B. Cade and II. I). Lawless spoke to the graduating classes of the F r a n k linton Parish Training School and the Polk Training School, respectively. Brother Dr. Reid E. Jackson addressed and conducted a symposium on vocational guidance at Dillard University during its Vocational Guidance Week. Recent visitors to the seat of the chapter include Brother J. N. Freeman and Brother President Scruggs, botli of Lincoln University ( M o . ) ; Brothers James Butts and E. W. Norris of Prairie View State College; Brother Ford, art teacher at Wiley College; Brother H . Councill Trenholm, our Educational Director; Brother Euris Carmichael, formerly of Beta Sigma, now of the 92nd Division, U. S. A r m y ; and Brother Huel Perkins, Mus. 3-c USN. Brother Maurice Edmonds, recently appointed county agent of E a s t Baton Rouge Parish (the first Negro to hold such an appointment), held his first Achievement Day. Two thousand children attended and $8,449.15 in war bonds and stamps were sold. Brother Edmonds also assisted with the poultry show given by the Agricultural Department of Southern University. Brother Dr. B. V. Baranco has just returned from Meharry. There he took a postgraduate course in oral surgery. Brother Lloyd Wallace, now S-Sgt. USA, married Miss B. Praddy, of Shreveport. Brother Lt. Emmett Bashful has been selected to attend the officers' full track vehicle course of the Field Artillery School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma. In the Delta Jabberwock we presented a skit, "The Negro at the Bar of Democracy ( ? ) " The c a s t : Brothers James Boswell, defense attorney;
Page 27 Reid E. Jackson, prosecuting attorney; H. D. Lawless, defendant, and A. E. Carter, judge. Brother Boswell lias opened the Boswell Business Bureau, which specializes in accounting and mimeographing service. Brother Dean J. II. Cade was the speaker on the "Education for Citizenship" program held at McKinly High School. Brother Carter's high school choral group presented a program of Easter music over W J B O , Easter Sunday. In the district L. I. A. L. A. music festival, 4 out of his 5 entries were placed in group one; the other in group two. Forty-eight of the group were members of the All-State high school chorus directed by Brother Frederick Hall of Alabama State Teachers College and our own J. Harold Brown! We are planning an Alpha house to be situated at 1345 Government Street. titer Frank Render is director of the 13th Street U. S. O. Brother Render is a member of Alpha Alpha chapter and comes to us from Wichita Falls, Texas, where he served as U. S. O. director. Brother Dr. Reid Jackson bows to the inevitable and reluctantly accepts 4 F classification by his Louisville, Kentucky, selective service board. In the Third and the Fourth W a r Loan drives, brothers of Beta Iota Lambda did their bit in helping Baton Rouge's Negro division oversubscribe its quota. Brother F . G. Clark headed the Negro division for the Third Drive. S'loug Fraternally yours, A. E. C A R T E R , Editor to the Sphinx. S
ALPHA BETA CHAPTER Talladega College Talladega, Alabama "Alpha Beta held its annual installation services January 9, 1944. The chapter was honored by the presence of Brother J. O. Llopson as guest speaker. The officers who were installed are as follows: president, E d ward R a y ; vice president, Williard McCloud; treasurer, Bernard G o o d e ; secretary, Oliver B r o w n ; corresponding secretary and editor to the Sphinx, Clarence N e a l ; Advisor to the Sphinxmen, George McClain; chaplain, Charles C u r r y ; and SergeantAt-Arms, Rodger Taylor. During the week of J a n u a r y 29 to February 5, the chapter conducted an
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Page 28 "Anti-Poll T a x " project. The project was an effort to stimulate interest in the fight to abolish the Poll Tax. One hundred and thirty-seven (137) letters were written to senators of fortyeight states, petitions were circulated in the community churches. A total of fifty-nine dollars and fifty cents ($59.50) was received. The contribuW ere sent to the "National Committee for The Abolishment of the
Poll Tax." Alpha Mela extends its salutations to Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. "Whether you are in Pearl Harbor or in Rome, brothers remember you here at home." Fraternally yours, C L A R E N C E N E A L , jr., Editor to the Sphinx.
_
s
EPSILON CHAPTER University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan Greetings, B r o t h e r s : The student body returned to the campus wifti the unfortunate news that Brother Julius Franks, Ail-American Guard on the 1943 University of Michigan football team was confined in the University Hospital because of illness. Greetings, Julie, may your recovers be
speedy.
Epsilon chapter was late in organizing for activity because oi the late opening of the University. But no time was lost in organizing, o.ice the semester began. In November we held our election meeting and the following were chosen to lead Epsilon chapter for 1943-1944: John Roxborough, Detroit, Michigan, president; Bill Matney, Detroit, vice president; Horace Rodgers, Detroit, corresponding secretary; Chester Givens, Pontiac, Michigan, recording secr e t a r y ; William McDonald, Detroit, t r e a s u r e r ; Bill Smith, New York City, editor to the S p h i n x ; and Bill Grier, Detroit, parliamentarian. Active brothers on the campus this year are the following: Horace Mellon, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Dorsey Walker, D e t r o i t ; Sim Seymour, Beaumont, Texas; Isaac Gardner, Tampa, F l o r i d a ; Audley Mamby, P a n ama, Canal Zone; Thomas Wood, Chicago, Illinois; Carol Leevy, Columbia, South Carolina; Robert Mabury, Detroit and Roy Cooley, Pontiac, Michigan. On December 4, 1943, we gave our Annual Smoker for new men students on the campus. Brother W a d e Ellis,
SPHINX
candidate for the doctorate in Mathematics at the University, addressed the gathering on the subject of, "The Role of Negro Youth." Brother Roxborough followed b r o t h er Ellis with a brief history of the fraternity. After introductions everyone partook of the refreshments provided by the social committee. The Alpha Smoker, as usual, gave the new students their first opportunity to become acquainted with other students at the University. Indeed, a grand time was had by all present. Soon after the Smoker a Sphinx Club was activated under the guidance of Brother Bill Matney, vice president and dean of pledgees. The following men were taken into the Sphinx Club as pledgees: Ralph Gibson, Cleveland, O h i o : Clinton Crooks, Director of Physical Education and Athletics, Delaware College; Wendall Williams, Pontiac, Michigan; Julian \\ ithcrspoou, freshman track sprinter of Detroit; Herbert Williams, Pontiac, Michigan; Joe Brown, freshman member of the Michigan Normal College Hack team of Gary, I n d i a n a ; Joe Lee, Ann Arbor; and John Bine, a transfer from St. Augustine's College, Raleigh, .North Carolina. On December 31, Epsilon chapter bad the misfortune to lose its dean of pledgees and vice president, Brother P.ill Matney to the Armed Services. Bill, a journalism major, was one of the outstanding stalwarts of the Michigan track team and is now a prcaviation cadet at Keesler Field, Mississippi. In February we lost another brothel', William McDonald, our treasurer. "Mac" reported to Keesler Field as a pre-aviation cadet. How we brothers in the "Lit" School of the University miss those arguments with "Mac" as the relative merits of the "Lit" School over the School of Engineering. The best of luck to you Mac and Bill. On J a n u a r y 22 Epsilon chapter gave a Winter Party at Julia's Tea Room which was well attended by the student body. Not to be outdone by their big brothers, the Sphinxmen gave an affair which rivaled that of their big brothers. Here's hoping that both the big brothers and the Sphinxmen can continue to give such successful dances which add so much to our very limited social life here on the campus. Our president, John Roxborough, received his Bachelor's degree in history on February 18. "Roxie," an outstanding performer on the Wolverine
May, 1944 track team, was the Western Conference half-mile champion and a member of the record-breaking two-mile relay team. We also lost Brother Horace Mellon who received his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University School of Law on February IS. Horace, initiated into the fraternity by Omicron chapter. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was one of the outstanding Negro students i,: the Law School. To Brothers Roxborough and Mellon we wish success in their chosen fields. Epsilon chapti r sends greetings to Brothers John Holloman, interning Freedman's Hospital, Washington, 1). C.; Wesley Moore, studying at the Howard University School of Medicine; Leon Allain, serving in the Army at Fort Ellis, Illinois; Henry tt, interning at Cleveland City Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, and Roderick Warren, undergoing A n m Specialized Training at Howard University. Fraternally yours, \\ I LI.I AM PAN TON S M I T H , Editor to the Sphinx. S
GAMMA ALPHA CHAPTER Texas College Tyler, Texas The men of Gamma Alpha chapter are scattered through all parts of the world, but the most outstanding brother in the history of our chapter is Brother H e n r y Denson, a charter member of Gamma Alpha, who is nowserving bis country in the Armed Forces. H e has been in Italy since the invasion. Brother Denson was a great leader of Gamma Alpha, being the vice president and dean of pledgees. Brother Denson had much influence as a great scholar. His work with the organization was the best. Brother Denson was president of the class of '4U-'41 and '41-'42, and editor of the school paper these same years. He was also a member of a championship football team, being a varsity end. He was a great debater and excelled in dramatics. Although doing bis bit for Uncle Sam, he continues to write of the activities of Gamma Alpha and express his opinions of matters which he deems advantageous to the chapter. The brothers of Gamma Alpha wish him the best of everything and hope that be will return home safely to his wife and daughter in Fort Worth. Lish D. Taylor, neophyte brother of
May, 1944 '43, is now stationed in Fort Arp, California, and has recently been promoted to sergeant. Brother Luther Simond, P f c , is at present stationed in Camp Beal, California. Both of these brothers have visited the campus once since being inducted into the Armed Forces. Brother James M. Fountain, who has been in the service since May, 1943, is now the proud father of a 7 1-2 ft. buy, bom February 1, 1944, in Dallas, Texas.
THE
SPHINX
Page 2i
Y. M. C. A. on the Home Front
Brother James M. Milliard is now stationed somewhere in California, and is home at present for a feudays' furlough. Brother Ivory I.. Wesley, now in the Navy, when last heard from, is somewhere in the South Seas. Brother Robert E. Raze is stationed in Ft. Clark, Texas, and is a member of the Cavalry. Brother James Shepard, who was stationed in Camp Caldwell, Kentucky, now has an honorable discharge and plans to return to school and continue his work with Gamma Alpha. Brother Horace W. Melvin was drafted, but failed to pass the physical examination. He has accepted a position as chemistry instructor at I louston College. Brother William H. Day is stationed in Georgia in the Air Corps. Brother William F. Jones is the only undergraduate member of the campus; however, there are three Alpha men here including Brothers Oliver L. Lattimore and Thomas Quails, who are members of the faculty. Fraternally, O. L. LATTIMORE, Acting Secretary. — S
BETA GAMMA LAMBDA CHAPTER Richmond, Virginia Beta Gamma Lambda chapter, along with other chapters, wish Brother Lewis 0 . Swingler best wishes. We hope that his efficiency may be as outStanding in the army as it was in civilian life. Brother John W. Riley has taken over the helm of Beta Gamma Lambda for another year. All members pledge him their full support. Brother C. A. Crocker deserves special mention for his untiring efforts in keeping the membership informed on all matters of interest to the chapter. Society turned out in large numbers at the marriage reception of Brother Welton (Shorty) H. Henderson and his lovely bride, the former Dr. Z. G.
neip on nousing is hut one of the SPI-V U S O clubs operated'by £ gJZJFSZ^SSLZ £hnstian ? Association. Information on all the facilities 'm_ town from available jobs to the nearest JIMHH, shop is kept on file to help newcomers. The Y. W. C. A. one of the six USO a ^ c.es is especially interested in helping women affected by the war whether the • be members of the armed forces, war production workers, Army wives or their families Gilpin. Alpha brothers wish this couple all the happiness in the world.
tenant Charles C. Shields is soldiering in California.
Over thirty-five members were host to their friends and men in the service at a Christmas dance given at the Skateland Arena. This dance served as a morale builder, for many brothers carrying the burden of war on their shoulders were able to have their war nerves soothed.
Our Regional Director, Brother John M. Moore, in a commencement address before the February graduating class of Armstrong High School, electrified his audience in s h a k i n g upon the subject, "Negro Strategy in Time of War." Brother Moore is truly an Alpha man, who says what he means, and means what he says.
Brother James Gray is now stationed in England. We have been informed that Brothers Frederick Lewis' new rank is that of captain. Brother Lieu-
Fraternally yours, D A V I D A. GRAVES Associate Editor
THE
Page 30
Brother
Nyabongo
Active
in International
Left to R i g h t : Mrs. Mary Bethune, Brother Dr. A. K. Nyabongo, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, Mr. Kingsley O. Mbadiwe, and Mr. Mbou Ojike. T h e above picture was taken at Carnegie Hall dur-
Pvt. Lionel H. Newsome, Chief Interviewer at A F I S , Ft. Benning, Georgia Private Lionel H. Newsome of St. Louis, Missouri, has the distinction of being the only chief interviewer anions members of the enlisted personnel at the Armed Forces Induction Station, Fort Beaning, Georgia, of which Major Earl L. Turbyfill is commanding ofHe was assigned to his present position with the A F I S late last fall in recognition of his studies in the held of social sciences. Holding the A. B. degree from Lincoln University, Missouri, and M A. degree from Michigan University, Brother Newsome was completing his residence requirement for the Doctorate in Psychology at Ohio State when inducted into the service late last summer. He was transferred to Benning during the first of the fall season. 1943. Firm in his devotion to Alpha Phi Alpha, Brother Newsome has been a shining li,ght for the fraternity wherever his field of work has taken him. He was initiated by Alpha Psi. Lincoln University (Mo.), and contributed to the leadership that chapter held on the campus among Greek-letter societies. At Fisk University where he worked for one year toward his ad-
May, 1944
SPHINX
Conference
ing a reception held for Mrs. Roosevelt before the perforrnance
which was to be
presented by
Mr.
Kingsley O. Mbadiwe.
vanced degree under tutelage of Brother Dr. Charles S. Johnson, Brother Newsome became associated with Alpha Chi chapter and represented the brothers of Fisk University during the tri-parte convention in Kansas City, Missouri. His latest fraternal affiliation was with Kappa chapter, Ohio State. Brother Newsome was serving as chapter president when he reported for active service in the Armed Forces. Draftees report to the Armed Forces Induction Station from Georgia, Alab u n a , and Florida. Like the Reception Center with which it is combined to form one command, under Colonel John P. Edgerly, commanding officer, 'the A F I S is regarded as one of the most efficiently operated units of its kind in the country. This reputation has been gained through the high calibre men as Brother Newsome on the staff.
Somewhere in North Africa Brothers in Alpha Phi Alpha: F o r several months I have been putting off writing the brothers of Sigma Lambda, but you have an idea of bow army life is and whenever a soldier has a few minutes that aren't directly his Uncle Sam's he can think of more to do than a five-year-old child. H o w -
ever, it isn't very often that we are idle, but, we do manage to get around somewhat. Since landing in North Africa I had the splendid opportunity of visiting several of the largest cities, including Oran, Tunis and Algiers. I find foreign duty not very bad, particularly if it was possible to get a furlough to the States every six months, hut, as a whole, everything is as well as can be expected. The brothers of French parents would feel very much at home here, for most of the people arc Frenchspeaking with the exception of the Arabs and flies, and they are bountiful. I do all right with the French, but that Arabic has me down. 1 hope that I won't remain here long enough to speak it like a native, for then I would be a very old man and ready for Omega chapter. A few months ago I saw Brother I t . Lloyd Thompson and a Brother Ray Miller of New York who is in Red Cross work. There are two other Alpha brothers in my battalion; namely, Brother Cpl. Fields of Southern University and Brother Lt. W. Adams of
May, 1944
Alpha
THE
SPHINX
Man "On the Ball" in Special
" B R A I N T E A S E R S " . . . Those innocent looking blocks arc not exactly child-play, but part of the serious business of aiding psychologists of the Special Training Regiment, Reception Center, Port Benning, Georgia, to determine the [Q of educationally handicapped soldiers assigned as trainees to the STR. Lt. Lester .1 Waldman, of New York City, left end, is shown demonstrating use of blocks with Private (Brother) Clifton l\. Jones, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, his assistant. Brother Jones, bolder of an A. 11. Degree from Virginia Union University, M. A., and Doctorate from Iowa University, is giving valuable assistance to officers of the Consultation staff in determining educational possibilities of men who've never learned to read or w r i t e First Negro student to receive the I'h. D. in Sociology from Iowa University, Brother Jones Mansfield, Louisiana. The men of Alpha are really returning to Africa and doing their part in this great struggle. My regards to all of the brothers. Fraternally, MARCUS NEUSTADTER, Sgt. M. C. N O T E : Brother Neustadter is now technical sergeant attached to the a Medical Detachment of a battalion of the corps of engineers. United States Army. He is a graduate of Dillard University and was formerly employed by the Health Department of the State Technician. 0 f Louisiana as a Dental At the time of his induction he was employed by the Keystone Industrial Life Insurance Company. H e was
Training
Page 31
Regiment,
Fort
Benning
Photo l>.v r. S Army Signal Corp* is finding his social sciences studies most helpful as a serviceman. He was inducted into the Armed Forces last December, 1943, just a few days after the doctorate degree had been conferred upon him. Sine- the establishment of the Special Training Regiment at Fort Benning, July, 1943, more than 8,000 trainees have been given the equivalent of from a "first-to-fnurth" grade education within the prescribed period of twelve weeks. Brother Jones, aside from bis regular assignment, is serving as coach of the Reception ( e n t e r baskel ball team, which includes three other Alphamen, Brothers Louis Evans, Beta Iota L a m b d a : Lionel H. News,.inc. Kappa chapter; and John L Pitts, Alpha Beta chapter. P v t Jones still retains membership in Alpha I beta chapter, Iowa University.
initiated into Alpha at Beta Tau chapter and is now a member of Sigma Lambda. The Brother Lt. Thompson that he writes about was formerly National AAU high jump champion from Xavier University of Louisiana. S
Alpha Men in the N e w s Brother Dr. Marshall A. Talley, of Indianapolis, Indiana, has been appointed by the state of Indiana to succeed Brother Henry J. Richardson. Both brothers have made outstanding contributions politically in Indiana. It is to be remembered that both have served as members of the Indiana legislature.
GREETINGS F R O M PFC SWINGLER, PUBLIC RELAT I O N S , F T . B E N N I N G , GA. Brothers in Alphadom, Greetings: Here at F o r t Benning, Georgia, at the moment of this writing, approximately thirty-five brothers are making preparation to hold their first meeting on this Post. Interest in this direction has been almost spontaneous, so typically Alpha in its fraternal sweep. Majority of the brothers are assigned in the Reception Center, including the Special Training Regiment. There are about six others located in the H a r m o n y Church Area of F o r t Ben-
THE
Page 32 ning with the T r u c k Regiment. They are all giving good account of themselves as Alpha men. But for the cooperation of many of these brothers, my own adjustments to military life would not have been well as they were. The way of a "recruit," such as I was months ago, can be seemingly hard. Frustrated and confused by his new surroundings, and the harshness of men seasoned by years of army experience, the newcomer to Fort Benning must learn to "take it" in a hurry. It was the sustaining interest of Alpha brothers that helped smooth a few of the bumps at the start of the journey when Private Lewis <). Swingier reported for active duty on November 18, 1943. T o these brothers, I am lastingly grateful. Fort Benning Alpha n u n share with me the gratitude I hold for Brother Meredith G. Ferguson, oi Nashville, Tennessee, in assuming the responsibility of editing the Sphinx, our official publication. His willingness to accept Ibis responsibility. following recommendation by President Rayford W . Logan, removed from my mind the last vestige of concern before I took leave from the editor'., desk to answer the country's call to the colors. Brother Ferguson has taken over at a time when all publications are faced with critical shortage in material, and labor. Our brothers are now scattered to the four winds, and the job of distribution is indeed a tedious one. But we have communications in hand from Alpha men on all parts of the globe asking for copies of the Sphinx. Even the fury of wars has failed to consume their love for the fraternity. W e are fortunate to have such a stalwart brother to sacrifice such a large portion of his time to disseminate information so vitally needed to keep Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity alive in the hearts of our members everywhereâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;at home and on the far flung reaches of the battlefronts. In behalf gently
of the new editor, I ur-
plead with
members of
the
Sphinx Staff and associate editors, to continue their
cooperation, and
the
support that made it possible for me to serve Alpha Phi Alpha in this capacity
for
Benning
years.
Fort
brothers have already
nearly
eight
made
their pledge to do so.
SPHINX
TAU LAMBDA Nashville, Tennessee Brother in Alpha Phi Alpha, Greetings: The December and January meetings were held in the homes of Brothers Foster and May, respectively. Both meetings evidenced the growing personal interest and appreciation among Tau Lambda's members as regard their social efforts among themselves. The hospitality of the hosts, the cordial and unsophisticated atmosphere of the homes, the tasty menus in both instances and the general environments, together mirrowed the ascending tempo of this growing appreciation, more than mere words can express. In the December meeting at Brother Foster's home on Villa Place, Brother Alfred C. Galloway, two years secretary of T a n Lambda, announced his leaving to enter the Navy. In fact, Brother Galloway left the meeting before it was over to complete preparations for his departure the following day. This announcement was a surprise to many present and quite naturally dampened their enthusiasm. And. at the meeting in January in Brother May's home on Scovel Street, Brother Galloway's absence was all the more conspicuous. For the two years Brother Galloway was secretary of the chapter, bis services were all that could be expected of any person in such a responsible chapter position. Perhaps, first and most important of all, he had the right kind of attitude toward his duties, and shouldered his responsibilities with an alertness, a matured fraternity understanding and a sympathetic though positive nature that was truly commendable. H e infused a fraternal interest by his magnetic personality that carried throughout the Brotherhood, with a masterful grip seldom encountered. In the gaps between meetings, he was, and often acted as and for the group, with a familiarity of decorum unexcelled. H i s services in the Armed Forces of his government will only offer larger opportunities for greater expressions of these and other untapped inborn characteristics he possesses. It will also add another link of Black American Hope and Strength to the already lengthening chain of Black Men in the services of their Country. Men who are ready and willing to fight to the bitter end for their individual, national and international rights, their homes, their loved ones and their Country. Fight for an equitable justice, the death
May, 1944 of race prejudices, the out-law of race discriminations and to enjoy the fruits of free men in an honest-to-goodness free country and world of tomorrow. Brother Galloway is a true son of Alpha, and will reflect honor upon the fraternity that gave him a deep-seated, irrefutable sense of American citizenship minus color-phobia and its dastardly and deadly evils, honor and credit upon his race, and upon his country. His rearing, training and experiences have prepared him for extraordinary service and usefulness in whatever branch of the Navy he may find himself placed ; the same as was true of him in civilian life, in the community of his birth, rearing and schooling. He, like all other true Alpha men, who have and will answer the call to arms in defense of the laud of their birth, their homes, and their ideals. only ask a chance; fair, honest and without racial prejudices; and their answers will be, unqualified and meritorious services of which no American citizen will be ashamed. Tau Lambda chapter, along with the other three Alpha chapters of the city accepted the kind invitation of Brother Dr. H e n r y Allen Boyd and his wife, to be their guests in their home on Heiman Street, in a facsimile of the New Year's Eve Night of the general convention. And true to the traditional copyrighted Boyd's manner of entertainment upon such occasions in cordiality, palatable menus and the overall hospitality of the household, nothing was omitted that would add in the least to the pleasantness of the guests. Acting as toastmaster was our own Brother Meredith G. Ferguson of local and national repute as a g e n u a l officer of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, and recently made managing editor of the Sphinx, the national organ. Brother Ferguson gave a short review of local and national fraternal happenings, which was followed by expressions from chapter representatives, and a guest of Brother Boyd's home. Mrs. Boyd sat conveniently to share with her husband these pleasantries, what to them according to their own phrasing, was the "epoch" of their holiday festivities and entertainments. At the stroke of twelve, as is the custom in the general conventions, all stood, joined hands, and as Mrs. Boyd stood in the center of the ring, sang the National Hymn, thus bringing to a close a pleasant stay in a lovely home as the guests of two fine people;
May, 1944 and a fitting tribute to Alpha Phi Alpha with her many sons throughout the world in and out of the Armed Forces, who are lending themselves admirably with their multiple fitness to hasten the already silhouetted dawn of the New Tomorrow.
THE
SPHINX
Bride and
Page 33
Groom
B R O T H E R DR. I. L. MOORE, Associate Editor.
BETA DELTA CHAPTER State A. & M. College Orangeburg-, South Carolina Brothers in Alpha, Greetings: With the new year well on its way, brothers of Beta Delta, though few in number, have pledged themselves to continue in the true spirit of Alpha until those who have left us to fight, return to join hands in brotherhood again. The following officers were elected to h a d Beta Delta to greater heights. Brother Clyde L. Reese, re~ elected president; Brother Henry Holden, vice president; Brother Henry McClelland, financial and correspondin: secretary: Brother Frank Pierce, t r e a s u r e r : Brother Charles I'enn, exofficio officer; and Brother Cecil Chatman. editor to Sphinx. Under the able leadership of Brother Reese, who is also president of the senior class, treasurer of the Pan-Hellenic Council and Sunday School, reporter of Sigma Rho Sigma Scientific Society. and member of the executive committee of the College Club, Beta Delta stood out in its accomplishments last and with the new officers, higher and better things are expected this year. Upon graduation last year, Beta Delta lost eight brothers. Edward Puller, lanies Bailey, teaching agriculture, Society Hill, South Carolina; lames Gibbs, now in the a r m y ; Sam\mlcrson. studying at Columbia University; Willie Gaston, studying at the University of Pennsylvania; G Jackson, mathematics teacher at Burke High School. Charleston, South Carolina; Kola.nl Geiger, employed in New York City and Everett Spillman, employed in Washington. D. C. In March, Brother Harold Mazyck, |r.. a graduate of the first semester, and Brother Carl Greene entered the School of Medicine at Meharry Medical College. Graduation this year will take from our midst. Brothers Reese and llolden, who will enter Meharry in December and Brothers Thompson, Becknell, Bradford and Chatman. Already Beta Delta has more than sixty brothers known to be serving in
LT. AND MRS. P E T E R W. CLARK, who were recently married at St. Joan of Are Church in New Orleans. Brother Clark is now attached to the Tuskegee hiving Field and is on leave from the Thorny Lafon School where he serves as an instructor. He is a member of Sigma Lambda chapter and was formerly president of Beta Tau chapter. Brother Clark is the author of "Arrows of Gold," an anthology of Negro Verse, and "Delta Shadow-," a pictorial history of the achievements of the Negro in New Orleans. Mrs. Clark is the former Miss Mary Katlierine Martin, member of the faculty of the McDonough No. 6 Public School and a member of Alpha Beta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha. the various branches of the service. Time after time we receive very interesting letters from them which have meant much to spur us on. W e have nized a "Correspondence to Brothers in the Service" Committee, whose duty is to see that all letters from
brothers in the service are answered promptly, containing chapter and other news of interest. May we suggest this idea to other chapters. On our Delta
the return
first Sunday evening from
the
conducted the
holidays, Vesper
after Beta
services
Page 34
THE
with Brother Rev. J. J. Abncy, pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, Aiken, South Carolina as our guest speaker. H e spoke on the subject, " l i e Who Expects' Nothing Is Seldom Disappointed." The occasion was a groat success. The lnothers of Beta Delta take this opportunity to wish Brother Ferguson the best success in the continued publication of The Sphinx in Brother Swingler's absence, as we can think of no better way of keeping brothers in the service informed that we who remain on the home front are doing all in our power to keep the light of Alpha burning brightly. Since the new year, the following brothers have visited us and their Alma M a t e r : Kdw rd Fuller, stationed at Frances C. Warren. Wyoming: George Jackson, Charleston, Smith Carolina; William Dcl.ain, who has recently received an honorable discharge from the army after recovering from wounds received in the Sicilian campaign. llis reports on the same were varied and interesting to all who heard them. Due to the speed-up program which exists at our Alma Mater, plans were carefully made for the observance of "Education for Citizenship Week" which took place the latter part of March. Realizing that more than ever our pe.,pie need to become familiar with the activities of our government in order to take a more active part, we are striving to make our series of programs more serviceable to the community. Our annual scholarship was awarded to the freshman young man who had maintained high scholastic and moral records during the first semester. Until the next issue, we shall hold aloft the noble aims and ideals of Alpha Phi Alpha. Fraternally, CECIL CHATMAN S
Sphinx Office
Visitors
The Sphinx Office is always pleased to have a visit from brothers who happen to be passing through the city. During the past few months a number of brothers have exchanged fraternal greetings here a t . the office. Among those who found time to stop in were Brother Dr. R. C. Bryant, and Brother J. Tyler Smith, of Tulsa, Oklahoma : Brother J. Raymond Henderson of Fos Angeles. California: Brother Dr. Marshall Talley, of Indianapolis, I n d i a n a ; Brother Charles W.
S P H I N X
May,
Green, of Atlanta, Georgia; Brother Sergeant William llafford, Camp Campbell, Kentucky, on his last visit before going overseas,; Brother Sergeant Greenlea; M. P., Ft. Benning, Georgia; Brother Dr. Joe Thomas a former member of Chi chapter, who is now practicing in New York City, Dr. Nyahotigo, Dr. George Talbert, Dr. Haley Bell, Detroit, Mich., and W. V. Bell, Atlanta, Georgia. S
Alpha Chapters in Nashville, Tenn., Hold Annual Banquet and Dance Chi. Alpha Chi. Beta Omnicron and T a n Lambda Chapters held their annual banquet and dance on Tennessee Stale College campus on Saturday, May 20, 1944. More than one hundred twenty-live brothers participated in the affair. Both the banquet and the dance reflected an attractive picture. displaying the lovely ladies in their beautiful gowns suited for the or. a siori. It was a- usual one of the outstanding social features of the season. Brother E. Nelson Palmer, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Fisk University, served as toastmaster and Brother Dr. A. A. Taylor, Dean of Fisk University, was the banquet speaker. Brother Edward W. Peed of Beta Omicron chapter served as chairman of the coordinating committee that was largely responsible for the success of this affair. This was to lie Brother Reed's final official act with his chapter and the fraternity before going into the Armed Services. lie was inducted into the Army shortly after receiving his degree from college. Special guest tor the occasion was Brother J. Raymond Henderson, of I.os Angeles, California. S
(Continued from page 19) sen. past president, the financial genius of Brother George Taylor, past treasurer and the cooperation of the brothers of Chi. Special recognition is given Brother Wilkerson for his efficient performance as House Manager for the past year. has
completed
for Education for Citizenship Week, plans for House renovations, and plans for the annual Alpha Banquet and Dance. You will hear more about these events in the next issue. Fraternally yours, E. E. C A L D W E L L , reporter S
KAPPA CHAPTER, Columbus, Ohio (Continued from page 25) of the track team of 1942, led Ohio State University to its first Big Ten Championship, (see S P H I N X , October, 1942, page 30). Brother Ralph C. T y ler has been elected captain of the 1944 track team and ue sincerely hope that he will lead the team to their second conference championship. We congratulate our neophyte Brothers Lincey A. Brower, R. Spencer Crew, and W a l t e r B. Jones on their successful trip across the "burning sands" recently. And so until our next issue, we remain Fraternally yours, J A M E S K. A N T H O N Y
. s RHO LAMBDA CHAPTER, Buffalo, N. Y. Brother M. G. Ferguson, E d h o r of Sphinx. Brothers in Alpha Phi Alpha, (I reelings : The silence of P h o Lambda has been broken and now we greet the brothers in Alpha Phi Alpha again. We assure you that during our silence wc have continuously forged ahead, reclaiming and spreading the fellowship that is typical of Alpha men.
* * * Brother Rev. D. Ormonde Walker was appointed a member of the W a r Council by the mayor. H e also was recently the guest speaker at the exelusive Torch Club of Buffalo, the first Negro to speak before the club.
* Âť * Mrs. Evelyn Johnson, the wife of Brother Dr. Johnson, was appointed by the mayor a member of the Buffalo Advisory Health Board.
* * *
CHI CHAPTER, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee
Chi chapter
1944
plans
Brother Win. L. Evans was appointed by the mayor a member of the Committee on Community Relations, and a member of the Fourth War Loan Committee, and he is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Niagara Frontier W a r Man Bower Commission. * * * Brother W'm. Jackson has been appointed a member of the Executive
THE
May, 1944 ,.
Sphinx Popular
at Ft. Benning
Alpha's official organ, T H E S P H I N X , is l.A on the reading lis) of periodicals at Library 4. Fort Benning, Georgia; especially among brothers stationed on the Post. Mrs. Elizabeth Harris, librarian, is seen looking over a copy of the Sphinx with Pvt. William Peterson. of Omicron Lambda, Birmingham, Alabama. Brother Peterson, in civilian life, was a teacher in Committee of the National tion of Group Workers. Fraternally,
Associa-
ROBERT BAKER. ALPHA CHI LAMBDA CHAPTER, Augusta, Georgia Greetings : On Tuesday night, January 18, 1944, brothers of the Alpha Chi Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., held their annual banquet at the spacious home ol Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Beasley on Twiggs Street. The occasion, always one of good fellowship among the brothers, was the inauguration of the officers for the coming year. Those entering office were.
Broth-
SPHINX
Page 35
Libraries
Pnoto vy V. S. Army Sieual Con *
the public schools of the Magic City, and served as associate editor of the Sphinx. Presently he's a s signed to the Checking Station at Fort Benning's Reception Center as clerk. Mrs. Harris, graduate of Fisk University and Hampton Institute Library School, subscribed for the Sphinx over a year ago upon requests of Alpha men at p o r t Benning.
ers Joe! W. Wallace, principal of Steed School, president; H. X. Stinprincipal of Boggs Academy, vice president; J. M. Tutt, assistant principal of Haines Institute, secretary; Rev. A. C. Griggs, principal of Haines Institute, assistant secretary and a-~sociai< â&#x20AC;˘ l i the Sphinx; L. I >. Perrv, statistician of the Pilgrim Health and Life Insurance Company, t r e a s u r e r ; Dr. R. L. Lockett, prominent dentist, chaplain; E. E. Franks of the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, sergeant-at-arms.
A. C. Griggs, the following toasts uire offered: "To the Occasion", Brothers A. M. Carter and R. V. W h i t e ; "Alpha Chi Lambda's Past", Brother Rev. A. C. G r i g g s ; 'Alpha in the War", Brother S. M. J e n k i n s ; "Alpha's Part in New World Building", Brother Clarence Anderson; "Alpha in the Community". Brother I- D. Perry; "Our Hopes for Alpha", er J. W. Wallace. A bright spot <m the program was a period of "Alpha Fun" conducted by Brother II. X. Stinson.
Brother Dr. R. L. Lockett was t<:a^tmaster for the occasion and in his usu-i 1 brilliant manner, he made the ocn both enjoyable ami inten I After the lib ssings of the Almighty had been invoked by Brother Rev.
Brother Wallace in expressing hopes for the chapter during the coming year said, "The Spirit of the brothers makes the chapter. The chapter is to the fraternity as a chapter is to a book. We are a part of a great fraternity
Page 36
THE
SPHINX
Alpha Chi Lambda
May, 1344
Chapter
Left to right:â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Brothers H. X Stinson, S. M. Jenkins, K. L. Lockeit, A. M. Carter, J, \Y. Wallace, L. D. Perry, R. W. White, Edward Parrish, A. C. Griggs. and as each page is necessary to the development of the book, so is each chapter to the fraternity. Each chapter must be in harmony with the aims and ideals of the whole." He concluded, "If the story of Alpha Phi A is to be well and progressively written." Visiting brothers included: Brothers H e n r y Carr, Xi chapter, Wilberf O h i o ; E d w a r d Kemp and Clarence Anderson, Alpha Rho, Morehouse College. Atlanta. Georgia; E d w a r d Parri-li and Odis Rousseau, Beta Epsilon, Greensboro, X. C. All of these brothers with the exception of Brother Parrish, are stationed at Daniel Field. T h e r e was added interest in the presence of these brothers in uniform, all of whom made brief remarks. Brother Anderson assurer! the brothers that the nicn-in-uniform were thinking of the post-war world and would share in the formation of this new world. At the close of the banquet Brother A. M. Carter, Comptroller of the Pilgrim Health and Life Insurance Company, expressed to the hosts and their assistants, appreciation for the appointments and serving
of the affair. The Alpha Hymn was sung an I the visiting brothers were taken by a chapter member to Daniel Field in time to make 11:59 Curfew. Brother A. Murray Carter of the Saint Marks Methodist Church was ted lay delegate to the General Conference of the Methodist Church which convened at Kansas City, April 27th, 1944. and also lay delegate to the Jurisdictional Conference which met at Greensboro, X. C , June 8th, Brother S. M. Jenkins is the first Negro to serve on tin- Federal Grand Jury of Federal Court of the Southern District of Georgia, at the r< session he'd in \ugu-ta. Georgia. Brother Jenkins also attended the Annual Conference i ; Ac C. M. I-".. Church held in Atlanta. Georgia in November and was elected treasurer of the joint Hoards of Finance. Tuesday evening, January 4, 1 )44, the Stork visited the home of Brother Wallace on Picquet Avenue and left an eight pound bouncing baby boy. Congratulations Mother and Dad. Alpha Chi Lambda brothers know now why the president did not preside at
the first regular meeting of the chapter the night of J a n u a r y 4th, 1044. Fraternally yours, A. C. GRIGGS.
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U. S. C I T I Z E N S 7 S E R V I C E CORPS ASK YOUR LOCAL , DEFENSE COUNCIL rCVP'
CHAPTER
R O S T E R—C o n t i n u e d
57. BETA XI—LeMoyne College, Memphis, Term.; President, James A. Barber, 1597 Davis St.; Cor. Secretary, Carl C. Poston; 1829 Kerr Street. 58. BETA OMICRON—Tennessee State College, Nasnvllle, Tenn.; President, Edward W. Reed; Secretary, Jesse W. Miller, Tennessee State College. 68. BETA PI—Lane College-Jackagp, Tennessee; President, LeRoy Suttles; S e c r e t a r y ^ K U t a ^ l o n g d o n . 80. BETA RHO—Shaw UDJWraHy. Raleigh, N. C ; President, Claud Whltaker, Jr.; Secretary, Mllford Taylor, Shaw University. 61. BETA SIGMA—Southern University, Scotlandville, La.; President, Huel D. Perkins; Secretary, James L. Robinson, Southern University. 62. BETA TAU—Xavler, New Orleans, La.; President, John Hoiton, 7249 Dixon Street; Secretary, Joseph Boyer, 1126 North Roberson.
63. BETA UPSILON—State Teachers CoUege, Montgomery Alabama; President, Lindsay Fields; Secretary, William Kim ber. 64. BETA PHI—Dillard University, New Orleans, La ; President Emile L. Meine, Jr., 1449 N. Claiborne; Secretary. Llionel A Desborders, 1938 Industry. 65. BETA UHl—Philander Simtii College, Little Rock, Arkansas; President, Tuills E. V. Freeman; Secretary, Theadore Walters. 66. BETA PSI CHAPTER—Oxford, Cambridge, London Universities, London. England; President. Dr. C. B. Clarke Belfleia House, New Bainet, England; Secretary, N. A. Fadioe 43 Calthorpe Street. London. England 67. GAMMA ALPHA—Texas College, Tyler, Texas; President „„ 1 r ? y l s L - C a r r ' I I : Secretary, Thomas Quails, Texas CoUege. 68. GAMMA BETA—North Carolina CoUege, Durham N C • President, J. E. Chaplin; Secretary, M. W. Akins, North Carolina College.
CHAPTER ROSTER-Graduate Chapters
101. ALPHA LAMBDA—Louisville, Kentucky; President C. Milton Young, 818 S. 6th Street; Secretary, Louis J. Harper, 1753 W. Omsby Street. 102. BETA LAMBDA—Greater Kansas City, Mo.-Kas.; President, Elmer Jackson, 359 Greely, Kansas City, Kas.; Secretary, James A. Jeffress, 1824 Paseo, Kansas City, Mo. 103. GAMMA LAMBDA—Detroit, Michigan; President, Dr. Walter Harmon, 210 E. Davidson; Secretary, Grover D. Lange, 607 Adams Avenue, E. 104. DELTA LAMBDA—Baltimore, Md.; President, James H. Murphy, 828 N. Carey; Secretary, Elson W. Higglnbotham, 304 Robert Street. 105. EPSILON LAMBDA—St. Louis, Missouri; President, Arnold B. Walker. 3017 Delmar Street; Secretary, Dr. William Smiley, 4204 W. Cote BrlUlante. 106. ZETA LAMBDA—Newport News, Va.; President, T. Roger Thompson, 641 Hampton Avenue; Secretary, Fernando Brown, 2411 Jefferson Ave. 107. THETA LAMBDA—Dayton, Ohio; President, Lloyd G. Phillips, 617 Randolph Street; Secretary, Robert H. Snow, 2404 McCall St. 108. ETA LAMBDA—Atlanta, Georgia; President. A. G. Moran. 673 Creensferry Avenue; Secretary. Leroy Carter, University Homes, Fair Street, Southwest. 109. IOTA LAMBDA—Indianapolis. Ind.; President. Arnold C. Banister, Jr. Senate Avenue Branch YMCA; Secretary, John Mansfield. 724 Blake Street. No. 114. 110. KAPPA LAMBDA—Greensboro, N. C ; President, Vance H. Chavis. 1001 Benbow Road; Secretary, Frederic A. Jackson, 427 Bennett Street. 111. MU LAMBDA—Washington. D. C ; President, George W. Peterson, 604 D. Street. N. W.; Secretary, G. Frederick Stanton, Gil Irving Street, N. W. 112. NU LAMBDA—Virginia State College, Etterlck, Virginia; President, Harry V7. Roberts; Secretary, Charles J. Wartman, Jr. 113. XI LAMBDA—Chicago, 111., President, Dr. E. K. McDonald, 5624 S. State Street; Secretary, Alton M. • Childs, II, 3653 Calumet Avenue. 114. OMICRON LAMBDA—Birmingham, Alabama; President, H. Lovelle Mosely. 1204 First Court, W.; Secretary, Charles Shepard. 13-10th Avenue. Phone: 6-8429. 115. PI LAMBDA—Little Rock, Ark.; President, Atty. J. R. Booker. 1522 Cross Street; Secretary, J. D. Scott, 1115 West 15th St. 116. RHO LAMBDA—Buffalo, N. Y.; President, Robert W. Edwards, 310 Purdy; Secretary, H. Daniel Long. 131 Spruce. 117. SIGMA LAMBDA—New Orleans. La., President, Benson M. Boutte, 2536 S. Galvez St.; Secretary, Walter E. Morlal, 1433 Touro Street. 118. TAU LAMBDA—Nashville, Tennnessee; President, C. H. Webster, 1000 Villa Place; Secretary. Alfred C. Galloway, 2018 Clifton Road. 119. UPSILON CHAPTER—JacksonvUle, Fla.; President, George W. Cabaniss, 1823 Louisiana Street; Secretary, M. B. Coppage, 105 E. Union Street. 120. PHI LAMBDA—Raleigh. N. C ; President, Walker H. Quarles. Jr.. Shaw University; Secretary, R. Herndon Toole, 1005 SPerson Street. 121. CHI LAMBDA—Raleigh, N. C ; President, Raymond O. Dlckerson; Secretary, Clarence Harvey Mills, Sr., Wilberforce University. Wiiberforce. Ohio. 122. PSI LAMBDA—Chattanooga, Tennessee; President, L. L. Patton, 425 V? East 9th Street; Secretary, J. M. Bynes, 430% E. 9Ua Street. 123. ALPHA ALPHA LAMBDA—Newark, N. J.; President. Lawrence WiUette. 137 Stevens Street, Belleville, N. J.; Secretary, Arthur Williams. 136 Lincoln. Montclair. N. J. 124. ALPHA BETA LAMBDA—Lexington. Ky.; President, P. L. Baker, 629 N Upper St., Secretary, Dr. H. A. Merchants, 126 DeWeese St. 125. ALPHA GAMMA LAMBDA—New York, N. Y.; President, Frank A. Walker, 450 St. Nicholas Avenue; Secretary, Vester G. Fowlkes, 2816 Eighth Avenue. 126. ALPHA DELTA LAMBDA—Memphis, Tenn.: President, Lewis O. Swingler, 390'A Beale Ave.; Secretary, Walter P. Guy, Jr., 353 Simpson. 127. ALPHA EPSILON LAMBDA—Jackson, Miss., Pres., Everett R. Lawrence, Tougaloo College. Tougaloo, Miss.; Sec, Alan T. Busby. Box 176.^Alcorn. Miss. 128. ALPHA ZETA LAMBDA—Bluefield, W. Va.: President, Dr. Percy G. Howard; Secretary, Edward W. Browne. Bluefield. 129. ALPHA ETA LAMBDA—Houston, Texas; President, Dr. J. W. Davis, 419'A Milam St., Houston, Texas; Secretary, Lee Perkins. Prairie View. Texas. 130. ALPHA THETA LAMBDA—Atlantic City, N. J.; President, Ferdinand C. Newton, 217 N. Jersey Avenue; Secretary, Arwin A. Hamm, 124 N. New York Avenue. 131. ALPHA IOTA LAMBDA—Charleston, West Va.; President, Leonard Barnett. London, West Va.; Secretary, Andrew H. Calloway. 229 Bradford St.. Charleston, West Va. 132. ALPHA KAPPA LAMBDA—Roanoke, Virginia; President, Dr. George A. Moore, 106. Wells Avenue, N. W.; Secretary, Dr. .„„ L. C. Downing, 804 7th Street. 133. ALPHA MU LAMBDA—Knoxville, Tennessee; President, N. A. Henderson, 123 E. Vine Avenue; Secretary, M. D. Senter, 2134 E. Vine Ave., Knoxville, Tennessee. 134. ALPHA NU LAMBDA—Tuskegee Institute, Ala.; President, . „ . 1- A - Derblgny: Secretary, Harrv J. Romm. 135. ALPHA XI LAMBDA—Toledo. Ohio; President, Leo V. English, 614 Tecumseh St.. Secretary, Charles Peoples, 858 Avondale Avenue.
136. ^lH$ 137. 138. 139. 140. 141. 142.
9MlC%°t' LAMBDA—Pittsburgh. Pa.: President, Dr. Robert C. Bclden. 3539 Butler Street; Sscretary. Wilbur C Douglass, 518 Fourth Ave. ALPHA PI LAMBDA—Winston-Salem, North Carolina- President, J Monroe Walker, Jr.; 800 Cameron Ave.; Secretary Delbert H. Banks, 614 W. 24 1-2 St. <"•«"*• ALPHA RHO LAMBDA—Columbus, Ohio; President A DeV Crosby, 265 N. 22nd Street; Secretary, Begagy T Benton 240 Clarendon Ave. ' ALPHA SIGMA LAMBDA—Dallas, Texas; President H I Holland, 2913 Thomas Avenue, Secretary, S. W. Hudson 'jr 5211 Keating Ave. ALPHA TAU LAMBDA—Tulsa. Oklahoma; President Dr R. C. Bryant, 360 N. Frankfort Place; Secretary. J Tvler Smith, 124 N. Greenwood Street. * ALPHA UPSILON LAMBDA—Montgomery, Alabama- President, C T. Simpson; Secretary, J. M. Reynolds, State" Teachers College. ALPHA PHI LAMBDA—Norfolk, Virginia; President, Joseph L. Jones, Currituck County Training School. Snowden.
?21 Chapel Street Norf C oik S VirIlnia: T h ° m a S ^ ^ ^ LAMBDA—Augusta, Georgia; President, L. D ffo^Pwiu'ps^Streef 6 7 1 1 1 6 R O a d : S e c r e t a r y - J o h " M - T u t t ! 144 ^ P S r A & S I LAMBDA—Columbia, S. O ; President, Dr. Robert W. Mance, 1429 Pine Street; Secretary, Frederick HL y Dedmond, Allen University. rreaeric*; a. 145 E AL PI A LAMB A Jerse Clt N lB. ' ^Frazier, , . - |57% , / Jewett ? - TAvenue, y Jersey y - City, - J - N. President John J • Secretary r a n Henderso11 - 2 6 9 Clinton Street, N E. Oranle N 5' 146 ? £ i » l ; L , Florlda; • Ha7th ^Uk^^V^1President B Robert 02 W 2nd A v e n u e R f n f i \ ^ } l ^ * „ ; Secretary, Leo A. Lucas. 147. bdoe Northwest 14th Avenue. ^^ B E T A G A M M A . LAMBDA—Richmond, Va.; President. J o hn 148. Crocker, y 21 V 4Tciay D S 1 t 0 re e t UniVelBlt^ Secretary. Curtis. President 149 BETA DELTA LAMBDA—Daytona Beach, Fla
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156. BETA NU LAMBDA—Charlotte, N C • President Secretary, Clinton L. Blake 423 E i'st 9 t w „ . n . , • = 157. BaETAGxf- ? S S S r ? A - 2 v ^ W.ETr1aVstr£rnClaI
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° e 0 r g e A" S t a m s ' » » 158. N , 2 1 s t Street, Omaha? Nebraska S e r T c S . ^ K ^ n T ^ n l n g f » « * ™159. P !Sl,lent felley, 1 113th Street, Troy' N Y " ' °eorge *»• 160. 161. 162. BETA TAU LAMBDA—Ft. Worth Texas- Tn n„ IL,, r, 163. BETA UPSILON LAMBDA-Jacklbn T e n n £ r * £ l l ° F o f 164. 165. I S r * T & L A ^ D ^ - M u s k o g e e . Oklahoma, President L C SeCretar ?oUndulIea"straktIah0ma: ^ Harry^ *£"SS&^aS 166. man. 708 E. 48th Street secretary, Rufus S. Nor167. GAMMA ALPHA LAMBDA—Charlottesville Va • Preolrfent Leander J. Shaw. 215 Massie S t r e e t L e x i n g t o n VhUfnSJ? VirgTnfa7, A " R ' W a r e ' J r " 4 0 9 N ' A ^ ^ ^ e ^ s S « n S £ 168. GAMMA BETA LAMBDA—Kentucky State r r . i w » TO. •.« _. K ^ ^ P r e s I d e n t A. W. Wright; S e c ' r ' e l a r ^ ^ f , ^ , S S S S $ 169. e S fEdwards, f i n ^ e Jr., r S n107 ^ Wardlaw ^ , r S ? ASt. o S c I T o 1 1 1 ^ Soecre-tary, S e c ^ a 7 yJiies » R.^
U. S. ARMY DIVISIONAL INSIGNIA
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