Franklin's paper the statesman., 1911-05-06
RxR. W. 1Hor1PsoN.

ny X. w.
Durham. n. Can institution of a
truly national character. which mer-
its place in any discussion of the
higher commercial endeavors of the
colored people. is the North Carolina
Mutual and Provident association, with
headquarters in Durham, the thriftiest
center of colored people in the Old
North State.
The splendid article by DR.. Booker
T. Washington in a recent issue of the
New York Independent calling atten-
ton TO the manifold attractions of Dur
ham and the contrast afforded by the
disasters that have befallen a number
of unsound racial enterprises through
out the country emphazise in no uncer-
tain way the commercial solidity rep
resented by the North Carolina Mu-
tual and Provident association.
To refer to this association in these
columns at this time is to pay a trib-
ute TO the worth of men who are sue
ceeding because they are doing bust
ness on n firm business basis and to
sound note of encouragement to the
masses that they may not be discour-
have come to other concerns that neg
lected TO properly safeguard the inter-
ests of their investors. The abstract
of the associations report for the year
ended Dec. 81. 1910. discloses a vol
ume of business which should be a
source OF pride to every healthy mind
ed Negro in the land and of which the
leaders of the movement have every
reason to be proud.
The books for the year show n total
of business done amounting to S245.-
239. an increase of S25. .l3S over the
previous year. The association was
organized in 1899. and the first years
business amounted to $40. The next
year 1t was $l.265 Each year the as
sociation has enjoyed steady and
substantial growth until the high wa
ter mark in 1911 has been reached.
with evidence that there Is no limit
TO the possibilities that the future
holds out
Among its real estate holdings the
company has four commodious office
buildings OF truly metropolitan type.
1t has in force little over $500. 600
years the company has paid over $780,
COO In benefits to its members.
Furthermore. 1t has $4,000 cash
bond in the hands OF the South Caro-.
lima insurance commission as n guar
antee for its policy holders in that
state. All claims have been promptly
paid. and managers and agents conf
IDENTIFY assert that the business adver-
tises itself wherever 1t is being oper-
ated- The instructions to agents. a
copy Of which has been widely circu-
lated. indicate that vigorous cam
paign is TO be inaugurated looking to
the extension of the associations op-
erntions far beyond its present con-
fines. The entire country is to be in
ciuded in its scope as rapidly as com
mercial prudence will admit
Visitors to Durham are astounded
when they view the tangible results
that are growing out Of the activities
OF this immense enterprise. They see
lucrative employment offered to ear
nest and intelligent men and women
OF the race. They see the practical
working out Of the race problem by
the esteem in which the colored people
Of the community are held by the best
whites because OF this demonstration
of the capacity of the Negro for self
helpfulness and his ability to cope with
the most exacting commercial require
ments of peculiarly commercial age.
The North Carolina Mutual and Prov
ident association is directed by the
most reliable colored men in the south
They have character. brains and bus-
ness acumen of the highest order.
They enjoy the confidence and esteem
of both races. Their methods are the
cleanest. and their credit is gilt edged
The official roster is as follows: John
Merrick. president and founder: A. NJ
Moore. NJ. D.. secretary and treasurer:
c. c. Spaulding. vice president and gen
eral manager; directors. John Mer-
rick. A. NJ. Moore, NJ. D., G. C. Spauld
ing. E. r. Merrick. ]. NJ. Avery and
]. II. Garner.
There is no gainsaying the fact that
It ia to solid enterprises like the North
Carolina Mutual and Provident nsso.
citation and to the type OF men behind
them that the Negro race must look
for the permanent solution of the vex-
atious problems OF life and living that
confront us day by day. They deserve
md should receive our constant and
most prayerful support.
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