The Washington herald., 1907-06-03
REPLIES TO DR.. HALE
Rev. C. E. Smith Says Former
Has Been MisinfOrmed.
NEGROES IN ALL SECTIONS
Northwest Not Purely Gentleman's,
Nor Southeast Section Wholly
Negro Quarter, Says Pastor of 81.
Thomns'-HOw Rich Practitioners
shirk Contributing to Churches.

Rev Edward Everett Hale's statement
last week before the annual convention
Of the Free Religious Association Of
America, at Boston, 10 the effect that
Washington IS a city Of four corners,
with the southeast section populated with
negroes, while the northwest is for gentle
men. has been considered here by some
as not being altogether correct
Assuming that Or. Hale Is correctly
reported in his statement, he has un-
doubtedly been misinformed as TO the
conditions in Washington" said Rev G.
Ernest Smith, pastor Of 81, Thomas
Church. yesterday. 'In the first place,
the southeast is not settled altogether
with colored people In fact there are
many white people living in that part Of
town. some Of whom are very desirable
citizens.
Negroes in Northwest Section.
Furthermore. Or. Hale says the
northwest is for gentlemen. And that
isn't all Hundreds Of colored people re-
side in this so-called aristocratic part Of
Washington. There are any number Of
settlements in the northwest occupied
wholly by negroes. In fact, they are
everywhere, owning and renting houses in
the very best parts, and living side by
side with the whites
Just take this neighborhood where
I've as an example. There is the residence
Of Secretary OF the Navy Metcalf al Nine
teenth and n streets. Within a stones
throw Of the Cabinet members house
there are more than dozen colored fami-
lies making their homes. Still, Rev. Mr..
Hale says the northwest is for gentlemen.
"Dr Hale also makes the statement
I that he knows OF but one church in
Z America which addresses itself 10 the
/ business OF caring for the southeast. so
I that IL shall have an equal chance with
| the northwest This Is hardly a fair
statement, Ia my opinion. To my own
knowledge there are many Of the churches
I Of Washington that are assisting churches
/ IN the southeast Perhaps, the churches
are not doing as much as they should,
/ but certainly the church cannc, be held
/ for something the individual members
/ have neglected 20 bring about
Rich Shirk Church support.
THE churches Of the National Capital
are placed In a peculiar position in many
/ instances. However, think the majority
/ Of them are doing their duty toward the
support Of churches IN the southeast.
Thousands Of people spend only a few
months here each year. Many Of these
/ people are wealthy. some Of them mil
. u0naires or course IL Is supposed that
. these people contribute literally toward
/ the support Of the church and give with
Ia fun hand for phIIanthropic purposes.
Such is not the case however Should
they be reminded that a contribution
would be welcomed. It happens in many
/ Of the cases that the visitors will remind
. the solicitor that they belong 20 the
church az their own homes and that they
make their donations at that place So
/ Washington has these people at rs
churches. and dozens Of those who can
well afford Il simply neglect TO give any
sums that amount 10 anything year after
/ year.
! 81 was sorry to see the statement Of
DIT Hale. He IS a man Of too much
/ influence to say such things Of Washing
ton. which are unquestionably not true"