His pride in his ethnicity and refusal to knuckle under to the
prevalent racism of his era knew no bounds. The following incident is
illustrative: While still a star with the Ziegfeld Follies, he walked
into a bar and ordered a drink. The bartender, hoping to discourage
him, told him that the price was $50.00 a drink. Williams immediately
produced a roll of hundred dollar bills from his pocket and proceeded
to treat the whole room to drinks.