The Colorado statesman., 1912-03-23
PLAN and SCOPE
OF EXPOSITION
Senators Favor Appropriation
for Industrial Celebration.

BILL PROVIDES FOR s25o,ooo-
MAJ. r. r. WRIGHT AND HIS
ASSOCIATES HOLD SUCCESS
Full CONFERENCE WITH SEN
ATE COMMITTEE ON INDUS
TRIAL ExPosITIoNs-co
ING FACTS BY DRs. WRIGHT,
DU BoIs AND ROSS.
Washington.-A committee of promi-
nsnt colored citizens appeared before
the senate committee on industrial ex-
positions in Washington recently in
behalf Of the bill introduced by Sen
ator Bradley Of Kentucky providing
Tor an appropriation OF $260,000 for
an exhibition Of the progress Of the
rnce since emancipation. Senator
Root Of New York presided, and Sen
ators Crane OF Massachusetts Taylor
Of Tennessee, Newlands Of Nevada,
Paynter of Kentucky, Stephenson Of
Wisconsin, Jones of Washington,
Works of California, Gronna of North
Dakota and Swanson OF Virginia were
present.
The speakers representing the ne
gro emancipation association were
Major R. r. Wright of Savannah, Ga;
DR.. r. R. Wright Jr., editor of the
Christian Recorder, Philadelphia; Pro
fessor w. e. B. Du Bois of New York
and Rev. I. N. Ross Of Washington,
each having assigned to him particu-
lar phase Of the discussion.
After Senator Root opened the
meeting Senator Bradley introduced
Major r. R. Wright. who told the OBJ
ject of the exposition, the success he
had had for the past six years in ex-
hibiting the progress Of the negroes in
Georgia and reasons why national aid
should be given this exposition.
He stated that since 1875 the gov
ernment had appropriated over $685.
100000 for expositions. He now asked
for only 1 per cent of that amount,
$3.50, 200, which is only " cent for
each negro inhabitant in the country.
Major Wright then introduced his
son, DR.. R. R. Wright Jr., who would
show the committee what progress
the negroes had made which would
warrant an exhibition. This was done
by comparison between the condi-
ton of the race in 1860 and in 1910.
DR.. Wright said the population had
more than doubled, being 100000 in
1850 and 100000 now; the litter
Rcy had been cut in half, being 90 per
cent in 1860 and 445 per cent in
1900, possibly under 40 per cent to-
day.
Public school attendance had risen
from practically nothing to 100000.
In labor negroes have risen from farm
laborers to the control of 917 900
farms and the ownership of 250,000
farms. They have held their own as
farm laborers, besides developing 9TH
er trades. New occupations, unknown
so years ago, have emerged. There
are 10000 negroes in professions to-
day. Negro physicians, lawyers, etc,
unknown in the south to the genera
tion before the war, are now in every
city. Negro teachers number 250,000.
Negro property holders have emerged.
No accurate count has ever been
made
Fully 10000 homes and farms are
owned. Wealth of the negro is esti-
mated at O0O,OO0,OOO Negro liter
ature, art and music tell story of
progress. There are over 200 news
papers, 500 negro authors. Some of
the most popular music of the day
is written by negroes, and negro musi-
clans have appeared on every princi-
pal American stage, and negro artists
exhibited in our leading art galleries
Dr. Wright told of the growth of
negro banks. insurance companies,
real estate operation, etc; also of ne
gro organizations, their towns,
churches, secret orders, saying that,
whereas the race 80 years ago was not
organized. today organization is the
rule rather than the exception. One
lbove 81 years Of age is organized
These items represent some of the
acts of our progress, story which
cannot but interest and encourage all
who have at heart the progress of our
country.
The committee showed special inter
est in the recital of the progress.
Next Senator Crane introduced DR.. w
g. B. Du Bois of New York, who told
he plan of the exposition. It is to be
held between Jan. l, 1913, and Dec
81. There are to be, first, collected
maps, pictures, models, etc. represent
ng Africa and African industry.
There would also be exhibitions of,
yecond, the negro physique; third,
negro population; fourth, negro occu-
pations; fifth, negro education; sixth,
negro organization; seventh, negro in
:ivics, negro cities, etc.
There would be awards and medals
,or meritorious exhibits. A grand his
.orical pageant, musical festival and
finally a permanent exhibit DR.. ]. N.