The Black Dispatch (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 6, No. 37, Ed. 1 Friday, August 19, 1921 Page: 1 of 8
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\( hi
See! From The Manger to the Cross" at Aldridge Theatre Sunday Aug-. 21, 1921 from 2:30 to 10:30 P. M.
The Largest Circulated
Negro Journal in Okla-
homa.
An Advertis 04h«°m. H,stor,caJ
this paper will go liliv
every State in the Union.
A Paper with a policy
and a purpose.
PRICE 5 CENTS
1541TH
We Stand
For the right of the voice
offnen to be heard in
their own Government.
For Democracy that is
an actuality—not ritu-
alistic
TV M W ^ VUL. VI. IMU. 37
TULSA NEGROES COLLECT INSURANCE
Police Attempt To Block
Reconstruction
Blacks Seek Injunction Against
Illegal Ordinance
Muskogee Gives Odd Fellows A Grand Welcome
Tulsa, Okla., Aug. 19, 1921.—Special
to the Black Dispatch)—Several Ne-
gro property owners have collected
on their insurance policies. It is said
that there was no riot clause in the
contracts upon which damages have
been recovered. Several of the com-
panies have doubtless waived their
"forfeiture clauses" in their contracts
by the taking of sworn testimony from
their Negro policy holders. It is es-
tablished in law that the taking of
sworn testimony, in adjustment,
waives forfeture and liability on the
part of the insuring company. It is
said that the Continental, West Ches-
ter and Glenfalls companies have not
made any investigation, taking the
broad ground that the property was
destroyed in a riot, for which they al-
lege they are not responsible. In the
Rittenhouse investigation, it was dis-
closed that the fight will center a-
round the unguarded statements made
by certain Negroes directly after the
<lers. It appears that the Irrational
statement of an excited Negro hotel
owner will be used as the basis for
dodging all responsibility by the insur-
ance companies.
Policemen have been thrown over
into the Negro district in the past few
weeks in an attempt to intimidate
those who are attempting to build
frame structures upon their property.
Several prominent Negroes have been
arrested under the Are limit ordi-
_nance and one L. C. Anderson was
tried in court and fined nineteen dol-
lars and costs. Carpenters have been
forcibly compelled to discontinue
their labors upon dwellings, which
they had contracted to build for black
this petition.
2. That the plaintiff is the owner
In fee-simple of the foil®wing de-
scribed estate situated in the city of
Tulsa, Oklahoma, to-witt: Lot seven-
teen (17) in Block two (2) of the Tur-
ley, Addition to the City of Tulsa, and
occupies said premises as his sole and
only residence, and as his permanent
homestead.
| 3. That heretofore, to-wit: On the
1st day of June 1921, the home of the
plaintiff described above was des-
troyed by fire; that said home was a
frame building and as such did not
exist in violation of any ordinance or
law then in effect in the City of Tul-
sa; that at the same time and by the
same fire this plaintiff lose all his
persona! property, effects and belong-
ings and was left almost helpless and
destitute with a large tamily upon his
hands; that on or about the same date
June 1st .1921, the homes and effects
of scores of other people, living in the
vicinity of the plaintiff, were destroy-
ed by a terrible fire and said people
were left homelesa and without food
and rainment—subjects of public
charity.
4. That immediately following this
great flre and destruction and castas-
trophe and while the coals were yet
smouldering and the smokes of the
ruins yet ascending towards the hea-
vens; Namely, to-wit: On the 7th day
of June 1921, the above named de-
fendants, the City of Tulsa, a munici-
pal corporation, by its Board of City
Commissioners, passed and approved
a purported ordinance, attempting to
extend the fire limits of the City of
1 the structure is completed. Mrs. Dora
(Wells at 613 North Archer plans the
I construction of a 20-room house. She
stated that her structure had been
planned prior to the disorders of June
1st. The Dreamland Airdome is play-
ing to huge crowds each night. Mrs.
Williams, the proprietor, plans to re-
construct the theatre in the immediate
future on the same spot where it for-
merly was. The three-story Partee
building will be ready for occupancy
about September 1st. The Jackson-
Goodwin Undertaking Parlors will oc-
building at 123 North Greenwood.
They will move in next week. The
Cozy Barbershop will go into the Gist
Building. An electric shoe shop will
be located in one side of the Gist's
first floor. Shobes pool hall will go
into Gurley's building on the East
side of Greenwood. Old man Phillips
is getting along nicely with his 100
foot brick frontage, which he is re-
erecting in the place of his destroyed
building.
men. A jSStottfi XTutThe Yire Z a° t0h lnclude the
limit ordinance, especially in its ad- ed. and the homes 07 o'thTs in Thfs
ministration and enforcement by the
city commission, is the amount of dis-
crimination shown. Dr. Woods, a col-
ored physician, has erected a four-
room California bungalow in the burn-
ed area. It is alleged that he declares
that a permit to erect this frame
structure came direct from a mem.
ber of the city commission. The Gyp-
sy Oil Co. has also erected a house
for one of the white employees of the
company, it is stated. If these allega-
tions are true, it will form the basis
for argument that the city of Tulsa
is permitting under the ordinances,
certain citizens to exercise rlgts and
privileges not enjoyed and denied to
others. In spite of the ordinance a-
beut twenty-five houses have been
erected in the burned area and others
will be erected, it is stated, regard
less of the threat of arrest and other
intimidating tactics.
To make a definite showing of the
city's hand, Joe Lockard, a Negro tax
payer of the city, has petitioned the
court for an injunction which seeks
to compell the city to vacate its il-
legal ordinance position. They have
employed as counsel the brilliant law
firm of Spears, Franklin and Chap-
Pelle. The petition attacks the out-
law ordinance from every angle.
When the case was called Tuesday
morning, the city asked for a contin-
uance . This is taken by the Negroes
as a sign of weakness and lack of
faith in the ordinance by the commis
sion. It is alleged that all of the
judges of the county are passing the
buck, one to the other on the case.
An agreement at last being reached,
whereby two judges would set to-
gether in the case.
Here is the petition Yerbatlm.
In the District Court Wltnln and for
Tulaa County, 8tate of Oklahoma
No. 15730. Joe Lockard, Plaintiff,
vs. T. D. Evans, mayor and J. M. Ad-
kinson, O. A. Steiner, H. P. Newblock
C. S. Younkman, Board of Commis-
sioners. and P. D. Prentice, Munici-
pal Judge of the city of Tulsa, Okla..
*••" ^eo-^e w. Blaine. Acting Thief of
Police of the city of Tulsa, Okla;
Kopp. Building Inspector of the city
of Tulsa, Okla., and The city of Tul-
sa, Oklahoma. A municipal corpora-
tion, Defendants.
Amended Petition For Injunction and
Temporary Restraining Order.
Comes now the plaintiff in the above
styled cause and files this his amend-
ed petition, and for cause of action
..gainst the defendants alleges and
states:
1. That the plaintiff is a citizen of
the United States of America and a
citizen of the State of Okla. .and a res-
ident of. and freeholder and tar-payer
community that were burned, all of
which prior to said date of Jjine 7th,
1921, were not included or within the
fire limits of the City of Tulsa, that
a copy of said purported ordinance is
hereto attached, marked exhibit "A"
and made a part of this petition;
5. a. That said purported ordinance
was not passed, approved and pub-
lished as provided by Charter of the
City of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Is in di-
rect opposition thereto.
b. That said ordinance is void for
the further reason, that the title of
said purported ordinance attempting
to extend the fire limits of the City
of Tulsa Oklahoma, shows the sub-
ject matter to be, "An ordinance ex-
tending the fire limits of the Citj of
Tulsa Oklahoma; and amending sec-
tion 1 or article 20 of ordinance^ 1380,
adopted March 3, 1916, and amending
section 1 of ordinance number 1650
adopted March 3, 1917, and amending
section 1 of ordinance number 1658
adopted March 16, 1917; and govern-
ing the construction, erection, alter-
ation, repair, remodeling, moving, de
molition, securing the inspection of
buildings a structure and appurten-
ances thereto within and for the ad-
ditional extension of the fire limits
as provided herein; prescribing a pen
alty for violation of the same; repeal-
ing all ordinances or parts of ordi-
nances in conflict with the provisions
of this ordinance and declaring and
emergency"; but the body of said
purported ordinance contains no pro-
vision for a penalty for the violation
thereof, nor does said ordinance make
it unlawful nor does it prohibit the
construction or erection of buildings
of non-fireproof material such as ex-
isted prior to the great destruction by
fire on June 1st 1921, upon the plain- "««
tiff's premises; and the premises of Profitable business for an enterpris-
othera in said community. 1 inK Negro of the city has been limited
6. That the City of Tulsa and the PpLnCH™TScribed in lts activities.
Board of City Commissioners by vir-! j , ' reason was assigned, but
tue of said purported ordinance are ?f these cars are required
preventing and threatening with ar-1! , p ',ir cars at Boston street
rest and prosecution this plaintiff and i .J causes the Negroes to
KLANSMEN ATTACK MARSHAL
Ordered to Resign After Taken to See
Negroes Whipped.
ORLANDO, Fla., August 16.—Two
Negroes were whipped and the mar-
shal of Longwood, a small town near
here, was requested to resign last
"light by 16 men dressed in the robes
of the Ku Klux Klan.
The marshal's activities in attempt-
ing to enforce the speed laws prompt-
ed the request for his resignation, It
was said.
The marshal was placed in an auto-
mobile and taken to a woods, where
the Negroes were being detained. The
marshal then witnessed the thrashing
of the Negroes. They were whipped
for blocking the roadway in their
vehicle.
Ultimate Rule Of
Profiteering
When we read in the dailies that in
Toronto they are charging $2 for the
privilege of looking at apartments,
when one is hunting up a place to live,
it suggests to us what an inexhaus-
tible gold mine the real profiteer has «, ..... w-
before him. There is no limit to the cuPy the reconstructed Goodwin
field of his operation.
Perhaps by-and-by they will charge
for trying on the shoes and hats and
dresses in the department stores, so
much a try. And then so much, a
look, for looking at the artistic pas-
tries in the bakery showcases—and
so much a smell for nosing the aro-
ma of pork chops and corn-beef-and-
cabbage. They have been taxing the
sense of taste heretofore, but why not
also tax the other senses—the sense
of sight and smell and hearing? Some
fellow might set up a toll on his side-
walk and charge so much 10 those
who hear his victrola or orchestra
as they pass by on the streets. The
parsimonious and the poor might then
defend themselves by a use of ear-
stoppers and blinds.
If they will only charge for SEE-
ING other things, as well as apart-
ments to let, then the time-honored
indulgence in "window-shopping"
might become quite expensive.
—Wm. Pickens.
The Opininion Ot
The Tulsa World
On Petition for
Restraining Order
The Tulsa Daily World, leading
paper of the city of Tulsa, expressed
itself in this manner, last Sunday
and since the filing of the petition for
a restraining order.
Repeal The Fire Ordinance
"Hwever good the Intentions of the
city officials were in enacting a fire
ordinance taking in much of the de-
vasted district formerly known as Lit-
tle Africa, it is the conviction of The
World that it was a mistake in the
first instance and that the best inter-
ests of all concerned call for its re-
peal now.
"It is significant that practically all
organizations more or less in sympa-
thy with the plans for the rehabilita-
tion of the burned area have found it
necessary, or at least compatible with
their judgment, to reverse themselves.
The union depot proposition is so ut-
terly impracticable under existing
conditions that it amounts to bunc;
the industrial addition is ever more
absurd because of the impossibility
of its realization.
"To withdraw all artificial barriers
and leave the natural tendencies and
inclinations to express themselves, it
will be discovered, we think, that
what is now a disturbing problem will
speedily become a solved problem.
In the action of the city in placing a
ban on reconstruction over there, and
in the legal complications Involved,
there is the making of a very disagree-
able situation.
The World would like very much to
see the fire ordinance repealed. It
stands with the Real Estate Exchange
the Chamber of Commerce and prac-
tically all other civic organizations
in that respect."
The jitney service that has been
Over 400 Delegates In
Attendance
Rules Suspended; Ed Jefferson and
Entire Staff Re-elected
GRAND ATTORNEY P. A. CHAPPELLE RESIGNS
ALL POLICIES RAISEDTO$500AFTER JANUARY 1, 1922
Muskogee,
Lodge of Oklahoma of the Odd Fellow
Order, was called into being Tuesday
morning by Col. E. D. Jefferson,
Grand Master, and who resides in this
city. Over 400 delegates are in at-
tendance. The sessions are being
held in the Antioch Baptist Church,
4th and Gerage streets. The women's
department is holding its sessions in
the Second Baptist Church.
Muskogee is gaily decorated for the
ner. A most practical talk during the
welcome addresses was made by Hon.
W. T. Hodges of Muskogee. Several
splendid papers were read and solo
sung. The District Grand Master and
the District Most Noble Governess
were presented.
The Wednesday morning sessions
were opened by the Deputy Grand
Master, M. W. Hawkins of Oklahoma
* • " rr — C"y- The morning session was tak-
„rana sessions, with appropriate signs en up with the reading of reports
or welcome appearing in all of the I and the reports of special commit-
business houses of our group. The I tees. . Over $40,000.00 is reported by
welcome addresses were made in the the Order as being in the various
spacious auditorium of the Second I lodge funds. Te sessions are moving
Baptist Church, Tuesday night At-1 off harmoniously with every indica-
torney C. E. Corbett of this city, made tion that the present administration
the principal welcome address on be-
half of the city. He was responded
to by Rev. J. E. Toombs of Oklahoma
City; Rev. Seth Neal, Guthrie; J. Ty-
will be returned to office. Much dis-
cussion was had Wednesday morning
as to the creation of a Monumental
fund.
others similarly situated in the com-
munity, who attempt to rebuild upon J "^y' *'hlch takes them 1
his. and their premises such houses vi-.Kn. m egr° di8trict back of
walk three blocks farther to catch
their jitney, which takes them way
nil + in XT 1. . . _
as in their meager poverty and desti-
tute condition they are able to eref t;
and that by reason of the great holo-
caust on the 1st of June 1921, and by
the action of the defendants herein
your petitioner and those dependent
upon him, and others in the communi-
ty similarly situated are being de-
prived of their property and their
property rights without due process
of law; that the passage and enforce-
ment of this purported ordinance at
the time is was passed and at the
time that it is being enforced, and un
— r-* -- der the conditions and circumstances
of the City of Tulsa and Tulsa Coun- surrounding and leading up to the > . . , —- * ■ <=<>-
ty, Oklahoma and has been for a same, is oppressive, unreasonable exhibited a bill for almost $5,000
(Con. on page 5; col. 4) ' *°rih .°f. new furniture, which will
North Bulltee and other distant Ne-
gro sections of the city unprovided
with direct street car service "We
are going to walk those three blocks
and ride in the jitneys." said one
tired black woman who leaned against
a half destroyed brick
Thompson-Wright
get awfully tired
is our duty to keep
business, especially
tempting to prosecute
Mrs J. T. Presley will open the
Red \\ing about October 1st. The
new hotel building is a vasr improve-
ment on the old structure. Mrs. Pres-
FEDERAL LAW8 PLANNING CON-
VENTION.
At Chicago, Sept 10-14 in Pilgrim
Baptist Tabernacle Called by Equal
Rights League.
Boston, Mass., Aug. 1#.—The Nation-
al officers of the National Equal
Rights League, whose 14th Annual
meeting is set for Sept. 10-14 in the
Pilgrim Baptist Tabernacle, 33ra St.,
and Indiana avenue, Chicago, invites
the lay and religious workers and
leaders for citizenship and rights to
come as equal rights delegates from
branches, churches, women clubs, civ-
ic organizations and even fraternal
bodies for a national conference to
plan a national campaign within the
race to secure passage of the legis-
lation already before congress calcu-
lated to make effective the 13th, 14th
and 15th Amendments.
The active co-operation of race work
ers, leaders and editors of the race
is asked at this crisiB when all
branches of the federal government
are Republican, to come together and
plan together a concerted movement
that at least the race may do its part
A race-defense bureau and fund will
be planned to back up the drive. Rev.
M. A. N. Shaw, president and Mr
Monroe Trotter, Secretary, welcome
correspondence addressed to head-
quarters, .4 Cornhill.
American Woodmen Hold
Fifth Quadrennial
Oklahoma Delegation Reports
Meeting Great Success
The Santa Fe Special from Ft. j in force.
7 a-r!Ve,d ,n 9k,lahoraa City- AuS-1 0n Thursday the Supreme Com-
, \ Picked up delegation from Ok- mander gave the delegation of 1000
a free trip to Mt. Corona, "Top of the
WnrlH " of n ~ a r - .
lahoma. Commander Green of Law-
ton Camp, Deputy Anderson of Ok-
lahoma City, Thos. Edwards and Char-
lotte Williams, Ella Grayson, Com-
mander Williams of Chickasha. A big
band from San Antonio, Texas, fur-
nished music. The Ft. Worth Special
joined the Chicago Special at New-
ton, Kans., making a train of fourteen
coaches, two diners and two baggage
cars. The Special arrived in Denver
Monday afternoon.
The Supreme Commander met the
delegation ob about 1000 and directed
them to headquarters where they
were quickly distributed to their stop-
ping places.
At 8:30 p. m. the delegates met at
the city auditorium. Gov. Shoup de-
livered the welcome address for the
state; Mayor Dewey C. Bailey on be-
half of the city; Rev. W. H. Thomas
on behalf of the citizens; response by
Mr. C. C. Trimble, national supervi-
sor of the American Woodmen.
On Tuesday morning, Aug. 9, the Su-
preme Commander called the conven-
tion to order in Chorter Chapel. He
ruled throughout the session with fa-
vor to none but fairness to all.
Declaration of Princi-
ples of the Home
U* • ^ w "ui lairness to ail.
MiSSlOn LOUnCll Of tllP reports showed that the organi
vwu,*VIi vl 111C zation is liscensed to operate in 23
Federal Council of
Churches
23
states, and has over $700,000.00 in as-
sets, with $10,000,000.00 of insurance
world," at a cost of $5 for each mem-
ber. The was the most enjoyable
feature of the meeting. The trip to
the "Top of the World" is considered
the finest scenic attraction in Ameri-
ca. At Tolland at an altitude of 8889
feet above the sea level, the train be-
gins to climb. By loops and curves,
through stately forests around jewel-
ed lakes and past terrific mountain
torrents the tourists finally reached
the crest of the continental divide,
11,660 feet above the sea. The rug-
ged grandeur of Gore Canyon with its
wonderful lights and shadows, and
the wild majesty of its constantly
shifting glories, mark it one of the
chief wonders of the trip. Yankee
Doodle Lake, 10000 feet above the
sea, is a lovely sapphire set in the
heart of the Rockies. It is a world
famed sight. The top is a land of
perpetual snow and just four hours
away from the Mile High City the
tourists snowballed and had a win-
ter frolic.
On Friday, the parade two milea
long with Major General Jones at the
head march through the business dis-
trict of the city. Bands from San
Antonio and Cleveland, O., furnished
music.
J. M. Anderson, Deputy.
. manhood is the only basis for amica-
(By the Associated Negro Press) I ble race adjustment, for race integri-
j ty and for permanent racial peace."
Chicago, 111., Aug. 17—The state- 1 he 8tatement concludes with the fol-
ment of principles and recommends- Iowing: If we Propose a democratic
tions of the Home Missions Council program for the Protection and self-
of the Federal Council of Churches determination of the weak and op-
has created something of a sensation Pressed People of Europe as a means
in religious circles in this section of of Permanent peace and good-will a-
the country. It is regarded the most °?d ,et us apply the 8ame program
revolutionary action taken by a re- at home"
'igious body in the entire history of The full text of the statement and
the country. The Federal Council recommendations is as follows:
0«.Ch,JrchfS is a combination of the "The recent race conflicts in some
officials of all Protestant churches. of our cities challenge the attention
Its main conclusions recommend of the Churches of Jesus Christ to
ty. This calls for preaching the duty
or economic and community justice
for the Negro, thus securing peace and
good-will between the races. Beyond
all else the present situation calls
for confession on the part of Christian
men and women of failure to live up
to the standard of universal brother-
hood as taught by Jesus Christ
"In the adjust ment of race rela-
tions our country has in this crisis
not only its own conscience to satis-
fy, but also to justify itself as a na-
tion before the enlightened opinion
of mankind. As a foremost exponent
or the ideals of democratic govern-
■- —~ ^ ui „v unsi 10 —~ ui ucuiucrauc govern-
1 . , government, local, state and heir responsibilltw respecting an 1lnem' the United States has been lift
nntinnal chnnM __ j - . _ . _ i ♦«. 1111
number of years prior to the filing of
be installed immediately as soon
fair working and living conditions;
that The home of the Negro should
receive the same measure of respect
as that of other Americans; that
"Qualification for farnchise should be
administered irrespective of race, col-
or or creed; and further declares that
"Respect for Negro manhood and wo-
speaking therefore at this time for
humanity and justice we voice the
mind and conscience of both races.
The present situation is a challenge
to the churches charged with the pro-
motion of the brotherhood of man.
which look upon all men as entitled
to a footing of equality ot opportuni-
a most dangerous inter racial situa-
t.on now threatens our country. The
problems growing out of the presence
of two races in America are clearly
seen to be nation-wide and the ad-
justments must necessarily be made
on the basis of national responsibili-
(Con, on Editorial i
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Dunjee, Roscoe. The Black Dispatch (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 6, No. 37, Ed. 1 Friday, August 19, 1921, newspaper, August 19, 1921; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc152346/m1/1/?q=tulsa%20negroes%20collect%20insurance: accessed April 24, 2025), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.