New-York tribune., 1905-08-13

The negroes OF this country are leN rning 20
,urn race prejudice into an asset and an element
,n their own development Their leaders are
rreaching a new gospel They now say: I'VE
Will be independent Of the whites. and. by show
,nr chem that we can succeed in busin-As we
Win win their respect in that way. 4. VIII
sbow them that we can do something toward
solving our problem ourselves" rTegroes who
ere now going into business are appealing TO
members of their own race so patronize them In
stead of giving trade TO white men, promising in
-e,urn that they win give their customers as
GOOD service as they can secure from the whites.
This is one Of the ways they making race
nreiudioe an asset in attaining business success.
Those who follow the reports of the sessions of
she sixth annual convention OF the National
Negro business Leagu which are TO he held on
August l6. l. and Is, at Palm Garden. in East
5e,h-st, this city. win be surprised 10 learn how
much the negro in this country has done TO dis
prove the belief that because Of his laziness' or
for other reasons he could not succeed In busi-
ness. Many negroes have attained success as
busiress men, especially in the regions where
rreip5ioe againt the negro is supposed 10 be
strongest This league, Of which Booker I
washington is president. IS encouraging negroes
70 go into business. and urging the members OF
their race to patronize them.
one Of the ways in which the negro is making
of prejudice an asset is illustrated Gin New
York The thrifty ones find ii difficult TO secure
quarters IN the better residence streets. although
able and willing 10 pay for them. They have
no more desire 10 be numbered among the deni-
zens Of san Juan Hill' than have white people.
A number Of successful New-York negroes con-
ceived the idea o. forming a real estate COM
pany 10 lease and buy first class hathouses for
the exclusive use of members of their race
This is the way in which they coined race
prejudice into cold cash. The number Of fat
houses with modern improvements is constantly
increasing. AS each new house has the latest
improvements and inducements are offered TO
possible tesants. those which are slightly be-
hind the times do not keep filed UP. The owner
does not get a full return on his invested capital
he cannot rent the vacant apartments TO ne
groes who would be glad 10 take them. without
driving out his white tenants. He is therefore
willing 10 sell out at a reasonable price The
negro realty company takes advantage of the
opportunity. and either buys or leases for a
term OF years. All the white tenants are per-
mitted 10 depart with their chattels. and the
entire building is turned over TO negroes. 1t is
Immediately filed. for the quarters are in great
demand. The family. once in, stays. for it is
difficult TO secure good rooms elsewhere.
Should Il move out one OF the families the
long waiting list almost treads upon the heels
Of the departing family with its goods. In this
way race prejudice. compelling negroes TO seek
hn1oes in closely confined areas has added TO
shs wealth OF the stockholders i'm the realty
company. Their houses good income pro
euosrA II owns six five story hathouses and
naS control OF ten Others under five year leases.
Us capital stock is 100000, Of which sl35,000
"a paId IN II maintains finely furnished suite
oS otroes IN the Wall Street district.