Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1911-06-16
NATIONAL ORGANIZER O. The
NEGRO BUSINESS LEAGUE
VISITS GALVESTON, TEXAS

HulSSStOu, leA. opcCldl WI =
Charles H. Moore. the national organ
izer Of the National Negro Business
league, Of which Dr. Booker r. Wash
ington is president, was visitor to
Galveston, and while here he made
two addresses, where he was greeted
by representative and appreciative
audience composing number OF bust
ness and professional men, ETC.. Of
the race. Mr. Moore spoke on the COL
ored peoples progress in the nation,
In the commercial and financial fields,
and still he did not lose sight Of tell
ing some helpful things along other
lines Of character building. The ad-
dresses were full Of facts and pointed
hopeful spirit of a continuance Of
the colored peoples success in the
business and financial side Of life. He
enumerated various lines Of business
Of our people in the thirteen states Of
the south in which they have made
good since 1865, at which time they
were turned loose without anything,
but today there are over 10000 en-
gagged In business avenues alone, rep
resenting many millions Of dollars.
The banking capital Of the Sc banks
operated by the colored people, Mr..
Moore stated, represents capital Of
one million and half dollars, and a
report Of them last year showed they
had business representing $21 100000.
There have been organized In this
80 hy,t ho
ored people since freedom and now
there are IS in operation. Mississippi
colored people have established II
banks, leading all other states; 81 in
surance companies, representing 49,
100000 dollars Of insurance In force,
the largest Of them being in Durham,
N. c., where hundreds Of colored men
and women are employed by 1t. In
Mississippi, my friends. our people
are well up In the steps Of business. In
Mound Bayou, Miss, there is already
a 100000 oil mill put up by colored
peoples money. Mound Bayou Is the
home OF Hon. Chas. Banks and Is the
town owned entirely by colored people.
The colored people are back In the
commercial lines, etc., in Louisiana.
Your state Of Texas, to which this is
my first trip, Is remarkable so far as
I have seen. A great friendly spirit
exists even among the whites toward
our peoples uplift in business as we'll
as other lines, and our people should
indeed appreciate such and make good
Of the offered opportunities. He
called attention to the friendliness Of
the white people Of Galveston; toward
our peoples well being along these
lines, as we'll as others, Of their uplift
and advised to hold ourselves always
appreciative Of same. as their help is
Of our people are doing something In
both commerce and finance that Is
encouraging. He urged more conf
dence, faith be placed In ourselves.
and that our people in business must
awaken more to render service and
value as other people. and not hold
so strong to the spirit of doing bust
ness on race pride, etc. Everybody
cannot be a business person, but those
Of the race who are capable and
trained to conduct themselves and
business to the points Of merit are
deserving Of the loyal support Of our
people and the other people would
think less Of you as people when
you fail to support that which Is good
and worthy among our own. This ap-
plies to those of professions, trades,
ETC., as we'll as to business, was the
opinion OF Mr.. Moore. There are
about 600 local leagues IN the United
States, having a membership Of from
$4,000 to 10000, and there are women
of business included in the leagues
membership. These local business
leagues are for the purpose of stimu-
lating greater activity and growth in
business among our people and feel
ing the need Of constant cooperation
and conference for mutual advice
among the members of the race al
ready engaged in business and to en-
courage others Of the race to go into
business, and to promote our inter-
ests on the part Of the race to give
support to business enterprises con-
Quoted by it's members, and also de-
string to cooperate with the National
Negro Business league.
The National Business league meets
in Little Rock, Ark, in August, this
year. Hon. Emmett J. Scott Of Tus-
kegee is corresponding secretary.