The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-06-10
True Status Of Southeast.


Editor The Washington Herald
Just now, more than ever before, when
thousands of people in every section of
this country are seeking investments and
homes in Washington. the renowned DR..
Edward Everett Hale. standing in a pull
pit. in house of God, before the annual
convention Of the Free Religious Assoc
citation Of America. at Boston. is credibly
reported to have made statements touch
ing the character of the citizens Of the
southeastern section that could have been
prompted only by the NEST INSCRIPTIONS
real estate syndicate Of another section.
It is not believed however, that any syn
dicate exists so vile and malicious. Ordi
narily such misstatements might be over
looked and passed by with silent con-
tempt. but. coming from the lips of such
a man as DR.. Hale, and the pen OF Rev.
c. Ernest Smith, who, in namby PANTY.
apologize way, SAYS that DR.. sHale's
statement that THE southeast section is
populated with negroes. while the north
west is for gentlemen. has been consid-
cred here by some as not being altogether
correct" they demand attention. DR..
Smith also says that in the first place
the southeast is not settled altogether
with colored people In fact" he says,
there are many white people living I'm
that part of town. some of whom are
very desirable citizens" Wonderful con-
CcssiOn, Ali Of this is the merest twaddle.
In point of fact. everybody who knows
anything knows that the citizens Of the
southeast. compare favorably in every way
with those of every other section. Such
talk is so absurd and silly that such a
discussion was never before suggested
was never conceived by any sane per-
son. No one not familiar with the facts
should ever attempt 20 write about them.
I have been citizen and active par
ticip3nt in many of the public improve
ments OF the southeast for more than
thirty-fiye years. and no man is more
familiar with every part Of IL, both in
the city and that between the Eastern
Branch ana the Maryland line SO far as
the city Of Washington is concerned, the
Rev Dr. Devries. of St. Marks Epis-
cOpal Church. of Third and A streets
southeast i'm his communication Of the
4th instant. in The Washington Herald,
states substantially and correctly the
facts. But when he, referring to negroes,
excerpts as TO AnaCostia, he shows that he
is wholly ignorant of its status. 1t is
pre-eminently. and always has been,
white mans town. on the contrary.
Hillsdale and Garfield are inhabited al
most exclusively by negroes. With a few
scattering exceptions there are no others
not I per cent in all the other towns
and subdivisions embracing an area of
two by six miles.
In conclusion. it is suggested that a
public meeting be called by the District
Commissioners to take into consideration
the atrOCiOus wrongs referred TO. and
that a committee Of representative Citi.
zens be appointed to wait upon Dr. Hale
and demand a retraction, fun and COM
plcte. or else submit TO a suit az law for
libel and damages. Incidentally. | would
have il understood that l am not making
war on negroes as "a class. Many white
men and women are more objectionable
than they. DIR. " LEE WHITE
Washington -. g.