Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-10
TRADE FOR NEGROES
Booker Washington Urges
Them to Go Into Business.
Constitute City in Themselves, He
Says, and Should Have Com
mercial Houses.

Advising the colored men of Washing
ton to engage in business enterprises in
proportion to the number of colored resi-
dents within the boundaries of the
District of Columbia, and exhorting them
to strive for success, with the declara-
ton that success in America is honored
and looked upon with respect, regardless
of religion or race. DR.. Booker T. Wash
ington addressed probably 1000 persons
at an enthusiastic colored mass meeting
held last night in the Metropolitan Afri-
can Methodist Episcopal Church.
The sponsors of the meeting had ex-
pected President Taft to be present and
deliver a short address,. Owing to inn
portant business engagements at the ex-
ecutive offices through the evening, how
ever, he was unable to accept the 1nvi-
tation. The address of DR.. Washington
came after a dinner and reception ex-
tended to him by the cOlored 1odgemen
Of Washington. After the preliminary
exercises, he was introduced to his audi
ence by Nelson E. Weatherless, promi-
nent in local colored fraternal circles.
Good Of Secret Orders.
Secret orders existing among the ne
gro race have accomplished much to-
ward it's uplift, notwithstanding the So
called weaknesses of these organizations
are referred to in an uncomplimentary
fashion," said DR.. Washington. 'They
have an exceptionally strong side, side
that with little consideration on the
part of those who condemn them would
receive proper and sufficient credit.
1t is. largely through the work of the
secret organizations of the negro, in
connection with his church, that the
negro has in a large degree supported
and cared for the poor and unfortunate
of his own race. In the southern states
there are few negro besgars, few negro
paupers. The unfortunate are cared for
through the secret organizations and the
church. This in a larger degree is true
of our race than any other race in the
same relative stage of civilization in this
or any other country.
Il am glad to take note Of the prepara-
tons to erect a large and substantial
building that will be headquarters for
secret organiza tions and the plans to
terprises that are owned and operated by
our race. This is most praiSewOrthy and
encouraging. The erection Of this build
ing should command the hearty good will
and the generous support Of all our peO-
pie in the District OF Columbia.
Building Means Much.
1.-THE erection of this building wifi
mean new era in the business life of the
negro in Washington. In proportion to
the number of black people in the Dis
trict of Columbia. and in proportion to
the amount of money they handle, the
race here has not gone into business to
the extent that is true of our brethren
Cf2faC a
negro population of about $4,000. That is
enough black people TO constitute city
within itself. This means that you have
as many back people here as there are
Lynn, Mass; San Antonio, Tex; Tren-
ton, N. j.. or Springfield, Mass. l re-
peat, then. that you have within our race
here a city within itself aside from the
white race.
There should be in operation in the
District of Columbia, on the part of our
race, at least 2,OOO business enterprises.
In a larger degree in the future than in
the past We must become pioneers in in
duStrial and commercial directions. There
are openings in Washington with your
$1,000 black people for 10 architects. )
banks. 40 drug stores, 80 barber shops,
30 blacksmith shops, 10 boot and shoe
stores, 80 shoemakers and repairers lZJ
carpenters and contractors and builders,
30 confectionery stores, 40 dentists, 16O
dressmaking businesses, 80 dry goods
stores. undertaking establishments, 20
florists, 10 furniture dealers, IT'S grocery
stores, 20 hair dressers, 20 milliners, so
trained nurses, 20 painters and kalsomin-
ers. 10 photographers, 100 physicians, 40
plumbers, 80 real estate dealers, 80 truck
gardeners, 80 restaurants and 20 variety
stores
Handle Enormous Sums.
81 note in this city that our people
who are employed by the government
handle $3,O0O,OO0 at least annually. We
should see to it that large proportion
of this tremendous sum is carefully and
permanently invested in business enter
prises.
I'm Birmingham, Ala, with $1,000 ne
grOes, they support three banks; in Men,
phis, with $1,000 negroes. they support
two banks: in Richmond, Va, with A.
OCO negroes, they support three banks; in
Nashville, with $4,000 negroes, two banks;
in Jacksonville, Fla, with $4,000, three
banks, and Jackson, Miss, with 600.
supports two banks. Certainly you ought
to be able to do as we'll in the District
of Columbia.
I'm the public schools here you have
unusual opportunities to secure education
of the best kind for your children. 1
know of no $1,000 black people anywhere
in the world who are provided with such
excellent public schools as are the $1,000
black people here. Your children should
not only receive an education in the alb
stract, but they should learn to combine
that education with the practical, every
day affairs of life.
AT the head of Your school system
stands Howard University, an institution
that is sending out every year an in
creasing number of useful men and Wom
en- to serve their race and their country.
1T is interesting to note to what an ex-
tent our people in Washington support
and attend churches. AT least $1jO,OUo
every year goes into the support of these
churches. In your schools and in your
churches 1 am glad to say that you set
an example that the rest of our people
throughout this country would do we'll
to follow. l repeat, it is largely through
such AS you represent and of the
churches that the unfortunate of our race
are not in any large degree dependent
upon the charity of the public.
Should Not Be Discouraged.
Lastly, do not become discouraged as
a race. Do not emphasize overmuch your
wrongs and your difficulties. While we
not pay to advertise it .overmuch. In the
last analysis, what this country respects
and honors in the case of a race or an
individual is success, and the individual
or the race that succeeds is going to be
hOnored, Is going to be rewarded regard
less of the color of the skin
Notwithstanding many difficulties i'll
the southern states our brethren are go-
ing forward. They have not time to COM
plain about difficulties or injustces. They
are more interested in success than they