The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1911-03-23
(Thompson's National News Bu-
reau)

reau.)
Washington, D. c., March 22.-
The citizens of the nations capital,
regardless of color, We're inexpressi-
bly, shocked Monday morning to
read --in-th dispatches that DR..
Booker T. Washington had been
brutally assaulted the night before
by a burly carpenter in New York
City The story developes that the
attack was entirely unprovoked by
the eminant Tuskegee educator, and
was absolutely , unwarranted. DR..
Washington's assailant turned out
to be a German carpenter named
Albert Ulrich After a preliminary
examination he was bound over un-
der a $1,500 bond to answer a
charge Of felonious assault, lodged
against him by Dr. Washington
Wilford H. Smith is the Doctors at
torney, and from facts given it is
evident that the case will go hard
with Ulrich. Business men Of the
highest standing are siding with
DR.. Washington, and intense in&ig-
nation Is felt in all quarters that
man of the Tuskegeean's quality
should be thus set upon and out
ragged for no offense whatsoever.
The story in brief as carried in
the daily papers, Is that Dr. Wash
1ngtOn, searcing for the name Of a
Mr.. Smith on the bell roster Of an
apartment house at II IL West
63rd street in New York City, at
tracted the attention of a woman
who passed through the corridor.
She reported to her husband that
a strange Negro was on the prem
lses. The man, giant in size,
without giving DR.. Washington an
opportunity to explain, struck him
with a heavy cane which he had
brought with him and continued
the attack, reinforced by other
white men, until policeman broke
up the mob and escorted the party
to a neighbofing =" station house.
Here the truth came out and con-
sternation reigned when it was
found that the innocent victim Of
the hasty assault was none other
than the Negro races '"first citi-
Zen,' whom kings and queens had
delighted on more than one occa-
sion to honor, and to whom Presi-
dents and statesmen looked for
counsel. The Doctors wounds,
which were quite painful, were
dressed at the Flower Hospital, and
later he was taken to the Manhat-
tan Hotel, where he makes his
headquarters when in the national
metropolis
kilograms and letters, expressive
or the deepest sympathy and con-
tidence, flew thick and fast from
this city as soon as the sad news
reached our people. Although the
facts were meagerly stated in the
morning papers, no one was willing
to believe that DR.. Washington was
in any way to blame for the occur
renee and were satisfied that all
would be we'll when the truth came
out The chief concern Of the Doc
tors friends, was the likelihood Of
wide circulation Of false reports,
magnifying and distorting the af-
fair, with the result that the great
educator might be placed in an en-
barrassing position through the in
ability of well-disposed persons to
secure the actual facts. DR.. Wash
ington's long and useful career,
his clean and wholesome life, his
perfect freedom from a breath of
scandal throughout his years in the
searching glare Of the limelight,
render 1t impossible for any mali
cious tales to injure him in the
eyes Of fair-minded people. No one
can be found, not even among those
opposed to his educational policies,
who is willing to believe anything
to his discredit. So, it is not ap-
pretended that any injury to his
marvellous international influence
Will follow the unfortunate incident.
1he whole episode may be ascribed
to the needless alarm Of a. woman
at the sight Of q colored man, and
the hastX and ill-considered attack
OF an excited individual, whose fear
or bullying tenn perament led him to
brutal action without the formality
Of asking questions. The circum-
stance Is one that happens frequent
ly in all Of our cities, partially be-
cause the sensational stories of Me-
groes In the yellow journal habit
ually paint them as dangerous char
acters, likely to rob white men OF
assault white women.
That Ulrich will be severely pun.
ished for his part in the affair goes
without the saying. Regretful az
the situation seems today, the ep.
isode will soon become a chapter OF
ancient history and the world JOE
along in the even tenor Of its way
DR.. Washington's friends Will be
come stronger in their allegiance
should enemics attempt to make
capital Of the event, and any at
tempt to besmirch his good name
will meet with prompt and effective
steps toward redress at law,