New-York tribune., 1901-09-22
4 HOME FOR NEGRO BOY ;.
pRoEESSOR w. II II. HARTS PRACTICAL
EFFORTS TOWARD A SOLUTION OF
THE RACE PROBLEM.

Washington. Sept p (speciaD.-stuated on the
Potomac River. just north Of Fort Washington Is
the Hart home and farm for homeless and friend
less boys, institution which gives promise
| of doing much for the coiored The farm
comprises seven hundred acres, and is owned and
controlled by Professor William II. ii. Hart. a
recognized leader of his race and a man In whom
the utmost conden is placed both as to his ab!l-
ity and his earnest efforts toward building
practical solution Of the race problem.
Professor Hart realized that the sending of young
boys to the workhousc and jail sentences
for minor offences was simply putting them in
company with hardened criminals and. believing
that they came from behind the prison bars worse
boys in every way than when they were locked up.
he determined to do something to save few OF
the many. He had long conference with Judge
Cole relative establishing a home and farm
where such boys could be taken and cared for.
The judge believed with Professor Hart that such
a plan entirely feasible, and he agreed that
he would aid him TO the extent of turning over 20
his keeping number of boys Other judges of the
courts were consulted, and they gave the new edu-
cational Moses a great deal of encouragement. bat
it is only justice to say that these knew Pro-
lessor Hart well enough TO know that he would
sacredly carry out every promise made relative to
his proposed management Of the home and farm.
and that the boys would be returned to the court
officials if It found that they could not be
managed and their morals improved
With his money-sometlling like 500, ,oe0-Pro
fessor Hart bought and equipped the farm. stocking
it with horses and other live stock. and erecting
suitable buildings for schoohouse, blacksmith
and carpenter shop. He sent to North Carolina and
secured the services of experienced educator
and well trained men were put IN charge of the
farm work and dairy. When everything ready
he went to Judge Cole and told MIN tc unload some
of the boys at the door of his home. in Arthur
Place. A few days after this the Black Maria drew
up in front of Professor Hart's home and four
young negro boys turned over to him. He
carried them into his private Office. and told them
he proposed to save them from prison and make
ncef anU ctah rtti cd
they would accept home his farm. where they
would be schooled and taught agricultural and
industrial pursuits. They told that they would
have home, but that they would be required TO
work and to submit to such rules and regulations
as he might adopt and put into effect for toe
agement of the home and farm. or course the
young boys gladly accepted the conditions, and
under the professors care they taken TO the
farm.
From time to time other boys have been turned
to him by the courts and now he has some
thing like half n hundred young fellows under his
care. That they happy and contented is at
tested by the fact that they buckle night down
work and he has seldcn, found ii necessary to
have one Of them corrected or punished for in
fraction OF ihe rules. Last Christmas Professor
Hart brought several of the boys to the city and
geve them a chance 10 spend short while With
r friends. When they were landed ii the wharf he
gave each OF them spending money. and told
them TO meet him at the wharf promptly at n
certain hour dav. At the ho;r named the
BOYS Were all on nap'i. Not one he'd NiptGtCd the
rules. and they returned ~ sh" far, sn1 work
as happy kings. From tne very sta't M boys
are taught ana, they must T"rk 2" aL 'ay receive.
enc TGe2 rSt engaged IL the Sc:e oirGont ih.y are
occupied Ci' :He farm. 20 the dairy NacAsmitn or
ca-tent:- scor. Evt-ytlns snuchInE t. work Of
the fa-ta Is tadght ;h"T. v eli the and
, repairing o. tools and feeding ara OF stock
-. HaIe endceVored to Keep Qua q. he news
pafers, sad Professor Hart and 70 Il: the work
progress w!tiout any nGtufIe;y. The enterprise IA
Simply business proposition have asked fc. 80
agsisanSe hrancialy. aud I shall rot ask FOR any.
II the hr!le s2G farm be T'adn stf-susta.r-
ing wy theI, IL Is 2 failure. and may add does not
deserve Ia live. do not believe tGat institution
or enterprise OF this character shnud depend on
Christianity. sympathy, charity Gnd superstition.
II should be run simply business principles. II
II Is necessary for collector go around with "A
greasy Bible undet ore arm and a collection or
subscription paper ia his hand soliciting funds to
sustain q work like this. then count mine am
not peIleI er IN such and do not believe that IL
is the solution OF the trouble We have changed