The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1909-04-17
WASHINGTON SOCIETY Is ALL A.
sHUDpER OVER THE COLOR
QUESTION.
Eighty Year Dispute Ended-Japs Are
nvsntors-Cushman Tells
Story-Wjse Chief.

WASHINGTON, D. c.. April IT,
Washington society is all Of shuddeJ
over the color question?
How can the ancient negro hack.
man and his dilapidated carry-all be
kept OFF the swell new Speedway
along the shore of the Potomac that is
being prepared for the enjoyment OF
the elite?
Workmen are rushing the construc-
ton Of the stand that is to accommO-
date the Marine band when it plays
down there on Wednesday and Satur
day afternoons, and many nobby turn
outs are being given extra coats OF
glossy varnish in anticipation of the
joyous opening day~today. But in
the midst of the pleasure Of anticipa-
ton there comes the disquieting ques-
ton, can the Speedway be kept for
the exclusive use of the official and
social set. or will the rag-tag and bob
tail Of the capitals population "but in
to spoil the procession and monopolize
the space around the bandstapd?
When Mrs. Taft, first lady of the
land, and new arbiter Of affairs social
day, and Saturday Speedway concerts,
the idea was hailed with great ac-
claim by the army, the navy. the Of
flee holders, and the society set gener-
ally. The Speedway would soon be-
come another Hyde park. they all
declared with grshes OF praise for the
distinguished woman who had made
the suggestion. The fact that the
president and Mrs. Taft had promised
to grace the concerts with their pres
ence made the plan ''go" from the
start with every one in Washington
who wanted to bask in the sunshine
surrounding the White House. Now,
however, that the first enthusiasm has
died away. the Sassiety Folk are not
so sure that it will be an unmixed JOY
The cloud on the horizon is a very
dark cloud indeed, and very sfzeable
one, also.
Ever since the day when Lincoln
struck the shackles from the slave
the colored population Of the capital
has been growing rapidly. The last
census gave Washington more negroes
than any other city in the world, Dark
est Africa's centers not exceptet-a
third Of the entire 100000 population
They are, as a rule, first in evidence
whenever any governmental outdoor
function is pulled off, and during the
last few years have Just about sue
ceeded in crowding the whites away
from the summer concerts given every
Saturday on the lawn back Of the
White House. Now, there are great
number of antequated rigs owned by
Washington negroes. In fact all the
old cabs, Surveys. hacks. landaus, and
buggies that survive honorable SER
vice with the white families, pass into
the possession Of the less particular
colored brother and with them too the
broken down, spawned and string
halted animals that dragged them
through the streets in better days. 1t
is the prospect Of thia procession OF
scurry equipages. trailing in among the
smart automobiles, motorcycles and
horse-drawn turnouts OF the rich that
is now giving Washington society a
headache
Another item that may cause the
Speedway concerts to fall into dis
favor is the TACT that the democratic
opposition. and especially that portion
Of It that halls from the back districts
is already greeting the idea with
sn6rts OF derfsion. "Aping Lopdon.
Copying Royalty" Unannerican
snQbbery, Catering to the Rich" are
a few of theexpressions used by he
political critics.
But no matter hoV loud these Jeers
become. Mrs. Taft is resolved to give
the concerts a trial. She is a quiet