Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1907-10-18

PIE OIL IOWA dUO DcS HOlucS IA pS1lSAO
ular have heard much concerning the
Metropolitan Mercantile and Realty
Company, and some perhaps more
venturesome than others, have placed
their confidence and dollars in this
Negro enterprise, which has done so
much and bids fair to do even greater
things in the future. 1t Is safe to say,
however, that the majority Of people
who have given the matter any seri-
GUS consideration, though impressed,
have not a clear understanding as to
what this institution really is, many
confusing it with insurance compan-
les, building loans and some mistak-
ing it for a benefit society.
.s The MetrQpo Titan Mercantile and
Realty Company is asNegro corpora
tion founded about eight years ago in
the city Of New York, combining the
real estate, mercantile. banking and
beneficial business. It was incorpOr-
ated for the purpose Of providing a
way for the Negro to earn a dollar as
we'll as spend one. 1t is capitalized at
$1,000 600 and has branch offices in a
score of states in the east, west, north
and south The company has built
nearly one hundred homes for it's
stockholders, besides hospital in
Philadelphia, a Masonic Temple in
Savannah, Ca, and an apartment
house in East Orange, N. j.; owns and
operates department store in Balti-
more, Nd, and a flourishing grocery
business in the city of Plainfield, N.
j., a savings bank in Savannah, Ga,
and has an insurance or beneficial de-
partment attached, operating In six
states which has membership OF
100000. In a few weeks the company
will open in the city OF New York the
largest department store in the coun-
try owned and operated by Negroes,
having $1,000 square feet of flooring,
and will give employment to nearly
three hundred persons. -r
A few weeks ago Mr.. l.. H. Smith,
the company's chief representative in
this section, who is making his home
In Des Moines, arranged a series OF
stereopticon exhibits and lectures
which was Of an educational charac-
ter and enlightened the people as to
the achievements and holdings OF the
company. This was a source OF much
interest and enjoyment to the many
who attended the lectures. The Rev
r. L. Griffith, pastor Of the Corinthian
Baptist church, while on trip east
made a personal Investigation Of the
company in the interest Of his people
and paid visit to The Metropolitan
Department store in Baltimore, Md
What he saw and his. impressions are
best told in his own words: 5 +
'While on my trip to the east at
tending the National Baptist Conven
ton and the jamestown Exposition,
stopped at Baltimore for the express
purpose of viewing the department
store Of the Metropolitan Mercantile
| and Realty Company, and may freel!
say, that I was pleased and satisfied
| with what I saw. The store Is locates
on Eutaw Place near Druid Hill ave
nue.. where scores OF our people ar
securing valuable property. It has I
most convenient location for this rea
SON. ate (.
/ "The building itself has a basemen
and three other stories. On the base
ment floor they have their grocerie
and there was every evidence Of
large patronage. On the main foo
( they have soda fountain, notions
mems furnishings, shoes and once Q
J the store. The second floor -is give
| to ladies clothing and millinery. tn
third floor has the Office Of the con
pany and large store room. The
keep two wagons going and on Satu
days they use two extra wagons.
'The manager Of the store, M
J Diggs, informed me that they hav
, twenty-nine clerks, that the maje
part Of their patronage Is from tn
colored people, but they also have
good deal Of trade from white peopl
I talked with a number OF leadin
men In Baltimore, all Of whom spoA
in complimentary terms OF the vc
ume Of business which Is being don
on the whole the business impresse
me az commendable. It was inspi