Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1911-06-02
INFLUENCE OF LOCAL LEAGUE
NEGRO BUSINESS LEAGUE OF
SELMA RESPONSIBLE FOR
MANY MOVEMENTS THROUGH
OUT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
Al IN PUTTING coLoRED PoR-
TERa ON TWO RAILROADS.
COME OF THE MEMBERS.

Selma, Ala. Especial. )--Much OF the
success attending the recent session
OF the Alabama State league Is due to
the fiourishing condition Of the local
Negro Business league OF this city, OF
which Prof. r. B. Hudson is president.
At Selma the Negro Business league
Is regarded by the negroes just as any
other commercial organization Is re-
garded by the white people. The Ne
gro Business league, under Professor
Hudson's direction, has to do with all
progressive movements. inaugurates
many Of them and sees to 1t that any
other movement is carried to suc'
cessful elimination.
The league here has been instru-
mental in placing colored porters on
two railroads running out OF Selma
and is now at work on the third one.
1t succeeded in securing an extension
Of time, when necessary. on the pay
ment OF the extra tax on a sewer sys-
tenn for negro citizens, and has en-
couraRed and aided many other laud-
able undertakings. One sees IN Selma
a greater spirit OF cooperation than
in most towns Of the size, even where
there is present quite as many negro
business establishments.
Among some of the leading spirits
OF the local league are 3. w. Stone
who is q blacksmith and large planter,
Mr.. Stone owns large tract OF land,
which has recently been included
within the extended city limits, which
portion has become fashionable resi-
dence district. The land Is conserva-
lively estimated to be worth about
$4,000. He Is an active member OF
the A. M. E. church and has been 9
delegate to several general confer
ences.
No man is more popular with the
masses than Duncan Irby. who, like
Mr.. Stone, runs a large blacksmithing
establishment. Mr.. Stone 10 slave
to his work: works night and day and
as q matter Of course, has reaped the
attendant reward. He holds the con
tract for carrying the United States
mail. runs a half dozen Of the finest
carriages In the city for public hire
and owns, right in the heart OF the
downtown region, a three-stOry brick
building valued at $4,000. He haz
other real estate holdings running W
to at least 100000.
Prof. r. 3. Hudson is the one negro
living in Selma who has attained g
national reputation. He is the only
layman holding ONCE under the Ma
tional Baptist convention. He has
been secretary OF that large body FOL
five years. his election being always
accomplished by reclamation. Pro
lessor Hudson has been principal o.
the Clark school in Selma for y
years. and holds the confidence OF the
entire people. He has valuable real
estates. lives In one Of the handsomest
homes In the city, and 10 the proprie
tor Of the only coal and wood YARD
managed and controlled by negroes
He Is untiring in his efforts to make
the Negro Business league q factor II
the development Of the people.
In considering the value OF property
downtown, 1t is well to call attention
to another three-story brick structure
owned by negro, just across the
street from the city hall. Professor
Hudson owns this property, and 1t ad'
Joins the stree.story structure owned
by Mr.. Duncan Irby Both these
buildings, at about $4,000 each, and
stand rented all the time.