Sumner High School - Maroon and White Yearbook (St Louis, MO)

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such men as A. Phillip Randolph, the presi- dent of the Sleeping Car Porters. In 1929 this organization obtained a Federal Charter in the American Federation of Labor, and an international charter in 1936. Through this means this organization has been able to im- prove the working condition of the Negro, not only in this country, but also in other countries. The redcaps were at first boys working their way through school. In Chicago, New York, and many other leading cities of the country, the Negro red-cap is employed, however, in a few other cities, for example, St. Louis, through discrimination, they are not em- ployed. The history of recognition of the red-cap as a regular employee of the railroads, and as a separate union, has been as interest- ing as that of the porters, though somewhat different. They received their international charter in the American Federation of Labor in 1938. The chief problem of the red-cap at present is whether or not tips are to be accepted as wages, and whether or not the ten cents per bag, recently required of travel- ers wishing their baggage carried, will bring an adequate salary to the red-caps. Sarah Freeman. MAROON AND WHITE Was My Face Red Being a lover of beautiful clothes, I untir- ingly turn through the daily papers, admiring the latest creations and always hoping and wishing that I might, some day get to the place where I can have all that I desire. Mother often tries to make me understand that clothes aren't the only thing in life. Al- though I realize this, I'm still an ardent clothes fan. One evening, just two days before my birthday, mother was rocking in her favorite chair and reading the paper. Standing behind her, I continually praised, admired and longed for the beautiful garments that danced across the pages as she turned them. All of a sudden, up popped a page that boasted four or five rows of marvelous dresses. Observing them one at a time, I pictured myself in each. They were in spring and summer's best colors, so the ad ran, with flared, tucked and pleated skirts. Among them was A Girl's Delight , a beautiful dress which emphasized a small waistline by having large pockets on the hips, and there was Margie , an adorable dress that had a very full skirt and large puffed sleeves which tended to cut one's height. It was made: of the new Romeo and Juliet print. You should have seen Lazy-Bones , with its striking design and its two-tone ef- fect. Summer Evening was a charming two-piece dress, the skirt of which was a very full, gored, black crepe. Over this is Worn a bright red sash that hangs the length of the skirt. With only one glimpse of the blouse, one becomes fascinated as it is made of sheer batiste with yards and yards of crisp lace and tiny red buttons down the front. Yes, I do think that the thing that I admired most in this frock was the lace, which practically covered the blouse. Oh, why couldn't I have a few of these gorgeous frocks? Sensing that this page had fascinated me, mother began to compliment some of the styles. She said, pointing to a peach of a dress, Jewel, I think that you would look rather nice in this one. I felt as though I had been promised it. Would mother really get this one for me? Then, with her face brightening, she continued, Jewel, would you really like to have this dress? I replied, with a grin on my face, Oh yes, mother, I'd love it. All right, then, said she, I'll cut it out for you. Jewel Busch. Page Fifty-seven

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Qtr f BCHl,l.2QQl URQ Undoubtedly heading this list is the name of Paul R. Williams, a native Californian, who has designed many buildings in that state and other states in the West, the Middle West and the East and South. Besides his great series of buildings of a municipal nature, such as the Housing Project Groups for Negroes in Los Angeles, worthy of any architect, black or white, Williams has designed private homes and buildings for some of the most distin- guished names in American business and the entertainment world. To mention a few: Williams has designed homes for Mr. E. L. Cord, the wealthy manufacturer of Cord auto- mobiles and tires, he was the architect for the private homes of Will Hays, Tyrone Power fand Annabelal, Sally Eilers, Zazu Pitts, Page Fifty-eight Leon Errol fthe comedianj, Grace Moore, a Southerner, by the way, Richard Arlen, Charles Correll fthe Andy of Amos and Andy J, Bill Robinson, Joseph Schenck, fthe movie producerj, Jay Paley fPresident of the Columbia Broadcasting SystemJ, and many others. Williams achieved his position and fame by the greatest competition and stint, combined with sheer genius that places him among the top flight of American architects. He has planned several large and luxurious hotels for the white in California, Colorado, and Arizona. Williams sprang into popular fame a few years back by being able to draw sketches and plans for houses up-side-down for his clients, while they sat facing him across his desk in his office. He possesses MAROON AND WHITE

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averaged twenty-nine thousand. The Board, with the aid of the public, the Tuberculosis Society, and others helped to establish a school for the crippled Negro children, which was built in 1922, and is now the Turner School. Another important accomplishment of the Urban League was the securing of play- grounds for the Negro children. During the year of 1928, the League found that five city and privately owned playgrounds did not ad- mit Negroes, although in this same district 40W of the people were of that race. Thus, the League set up three vacant lots as play- grounds to show the Department of Recre-- ation that the Negro children would make use of them. The Board of Education then opened three playgrounds and the Y. M. C. A. opened a play-field. Ever since then playgrounds have been given to and used more widely by the children of our race. Later, three com- munity centers were built and employment was given to playground directors. An 'important development of the work of the Urban League towards community uplift- ing were the Block Units, which were organ- ized to better the social standing of the com- munity. Some of the proposals that the Fed-- eration of Block Units sent to the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen, are: Q11 that the city replace all trees that had been destroyed by the tornado in the resi- dential section, and plant trees in certain districts, especially in the neighborhood of the New City Hospital. C23 that Tandy Park be remodelled with a swimming pool, a bath house, and the like, and be made a playground for adults only. Q33 that a separate playground with a ten- nis court be made for the children within these districts, and also a community center. Then committees were appointed to follow each request through. As a result of the Block Unit, the physical appearances of homes were improved. Not only did the Federation of Block Units do such things as these, but it held the largest picnic in 1936 ever held in St. Louis. I have talked about the most outstanding work of the St. Louis Urban League, but I must not forget that in 1921 the first Negro Health Education Week was directed by the League and has been celebrated every year since. Also during the year 1929 the first Art Exhibit was held, showing the work of our Negro artists of greater St. Louis. Page Fifty-six We must give credit to the people who have so nobly participated in this great League. Now the Urban League has its headquarters at 3017 Delmar, where it is continuously giv- ing, Not alms but opportunity. Virginia, A. Suggs. All Aboard!! The 1930 census figures gave the number of Negroes in railroad service as 140,000. By 1938, this figure was reduced to 90,000, due to discrimination against the Negro, and the efficiency in the industry resulting from the use of labor-saving machinery. The most important phases of the Negro in transportation are in connection with the pull- man cars, doing service porter work, includ- ing red-caps. When George Pullman placed the first pull- man cars on the rails soon after the Civil War, he put them in charge of the porters and waiters, not to mention the chefs in the diner. These employees gave the loyalty, kindness, and excellent service which is characteristic of the Negro. First aid, care of children, and giving information on weather, population, speed of the train, and air-conditioning are only a few of the types of service that the porters, the maids, the chefs, and the waiters are asked to discuss. Few of the travelers, however, know that many of the men whom they ask such questions are college men. Long hours, poor wages and class discrim- ination were just a few of the obstacles that faced these employees, however, they have steadily made progress through the eforts of MAROON AND WHITE