The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1907-10-10
THE ANTI-TUBERCCLOSIS
LEAGUE.

r..
ABOUT three months ago there was
organized in this city among colored
people the first local league of the
State Anti-Tuberculosis League. This
organization processes to have as its
aim "to arrest the progress of, and
to effect cures in those who are now,
or may become infected with tuber-
culosis." Among other statements
made by the organizer were that the
League is nOn-partisan and nOn-sec-
tartan and that earnest efforts would
be made to reach all classes Of cit
izens,. regardless of race or condi-
ton, since it was an evident fact that
. their labor would be in vain, unless
it embraced rich and poor, white and
black. We were given to understand
further that our league would re-
ceive instructions from headquarters
as to the best methods to pursue in
warning against the Great White
Plague" and that each member would
be supplied from time to time with
literature for his enlightenment
The Advocate devoted consider
able space to the movement in its
incipiency, believing that much good
would be accomplished if the prin-
c1ples of the organization were ad-
'hered to. Unfortunately. this does
not seem to be the case. Scarcely a
week passes without a meeting Of the
white league. Lecturers have been
secured for white audiences Open
air. treatment is being furnished
about twenty white unfortunates, but
at the time this is written absolutely
nothing beyond the initial meeting
has been accomplished among Ne
groes. Our president has received
no instructions from Headquarters.
The members have for the member
ship fee no more than a receipt and
have, one and ALL about concluded
that there is screw loose somewhere
in the machinery Of the West Vir-
Sa"'ch ANU uOSlNulOSlS bcdSuS.
If those in power think to wipe
out or even stay the ravages Of tu-
berculosis in this or any other com
munity by ignoring that element
which is charged with being most
. susceptible to its insiduous attacks
= they are reckoning without their
host and the sooner they come tC
! realize the futility Of their efforts the
? sooner will they arrive at their goal
In this fight against tuberculosis We
are dependent one upon the other
4 The man who lives on Virginia street
is at the mercy Of a dweller Of the
triangle. Consumption has no race
prejudice nor is it color blind, and its
foes. but waste their energy to com
bat it upon any other than it's owr
grounds.
2 %. Believing as we do that the cause
-. is worthy, we, regardless Of what
has passed, stand ready to do ou1
part. On account Of the unsanitar,
tenements and tumble-down shacks
n IN courts and alleys to which The
Negro has been driven by his owl
Ignorance and the senseless prejudice
OF landlords and white neighbors. h,
has been rendered peculiarly suscep
& ttble to consumption. The mortalit,
in the race from this cause is appal
hing and hundreds are dying yearl,
simply through ignorance, each
menace not only to his immediate
!, associates but to the community. I
not then for otr sakes, for the GOO
OF the whole, it behooves the loca
Vi authorities to throw down the bar
81 and enlist the, services OF each An,
gfgyery inhabitant in the town.
9gE ~ .'. D., IT, .f.... XIX y.