The fifth bombing directed against Mr. Binga is treated humorously in spite of the serious damage done to his home.
The average length of racial bombing articles was about four and one-half inches. The explanations of motive offered were stereotyped in character and involved assumptions which it is not considered necessary here to analyze. It was explained that the person bombed was a Negro or that he had moved into a "distinctly white residential district," against which encroachment bombing had been instituted as an intimidating or expulsive measure. It was sometimes stated that the person was a real estate agent negotiating with Negroes concerning property in "restricted" districts. This sort of explanation was either stated in the headline or appended at the end in a brief sentence. The reports in the papers apparently undertook merely to notify the public that bombings had happened. The following are examples of press treatment of race bombings:
Herald-Examiner, May 25, 1918:
This building was occupied by Negro families.... The white residents objected to the Negroes.
Post, November 19, 1918:
Bomb Shatters Negro Home in "White District"
Tribune, March 19, 1919:
Binga Property Was Wrecked
Binga is an agent for buildings. He is colored, and has been leasing apartments formerly occupied by white tenants to colored.
Post, March 20, 1919: