The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-02-03
DIRT, DARKNESS AND DISEASE.
The Slogan OF the First Negro Con
qreSs cn tuberculosis.


The Slogan Of the First Negro Con
gress ca tuberculosis.
Tuskegee, Alabama-"Down With
Dirt. Darkness and Disease" was the
slogan adopted at the First Negro
Congress on tuberculosis held at
Tuskegee. the third week of Deem.
Der. The Negroes fight against tuber
culosis for the sake of both races
was the burden of the weeks meet
ings. .-...,.-.... ....-.
During Health Sunday" the open
ing day of the Congress, seven meet.
ings were devoted wholly or in part
to problems of the human body. For
six successive days the entire group
of nearly fifteen hundred students at.
tended the evening platform meetings
which included a series of stereopti.
con addresses having to do with var
led conditions conducive to the spread
of tuberculosis and the control of the
disease. School Improvement"
"Children's Gardens and Civics,
"Play grounds and Recreation" what
Churches Have Done" Better Con-
ditions for the Worker and What the
Worker Can Do" and ''Neighborhood
improvement in Town and Country
were some Of the topics illustrated by
stereopticon slides.
During five afternoons group meet
ings were held. These brought to-
gether circles of earnestminded lead.
ers who sought to define possibilities
for themselves and their people
throughout the country, for it was
early decided that the results of the
congress should be made as far-reach.
ing as possible. Doctors, teachers,
church organizations. including the
Young Mems Christian Association,
wOmen's clubs and other societies,
business leagues and other mems as
sociati0ns, as we'll as the interests OF
the country home and school were dis
cussed and plans for future work out
lined.
What Next?
The closing conference included
representation from the thirty local,
state and national welfare efforts GEN.
teriny at Tuskegee In this session
the leaders sought to answer, What
are We going to do about it," They
planned a permanent tuberculosis
committee at Tuskegee with similar
committees at other leading Negro
n sf,pfi 10
Shaw, these schools to work togeth-
er. each pushing the tuberculosis
campaign in their immediate terri
tory. The colOred press of the coun-
try will be counted upon to spread the
propaganda. and the state boards Of
health will be asked to supply printed
matter about the disease and the
manner of living which will control
its spread.
Health Month.
OF greatest hope is the plan for
making February Health Month"
for Negroes north and south. This
New Years effort began December
30th in a conference at Chicago where
it was determined to lay plans so that
during February practically every COL
o-ed church, lodge and society in
Chicago will hold a meeting to con-
slider Tuberculosis Among the Ne
groes: What Are We Going to Do
About It?" In preparation for this
plan it is expected that general ad
dresses upon tuberculosis this shall
be given before all of those Negro
CARNATIONS in Chicago which have
not already been lectured upon the
subject.
The same plan will be followed
wherever any considerable number
of Negroes are to be found. With
January as a month of preparation,
February will be month of discus
sion among these people who form so
large a portion of the population in
many sections. White citizens are
asked to call attention to these plans
and to give such encouragement as
will advance this attempt of race
to free itself from the ravages of a
needless disease and at the same time
to serve the highest interests Of both
races. Nebraska Association Study.
and Prevention of tuberculosis, 4OS
City Hall, Omaha.