The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1912-12-14
RACE PROGRESS
IN The SOUTH
Cottonseed OH MIN Formally
Opened at Mound Bayou
WASHINGTON STARTS ENGINE.

:"
Launching Of Mammoth Manufao-
turing Enterprise In Famous Mis-
sissippi Town - Charles Banks the
Master Spirit Of the Achievement.
Plant Represents 100000.
Mound Bayou, Miss.-According to
the most conservative estimate, 10000
persons were present at the formal
opening of the cottonseed oil mill and
manufacturing plant which occurred
In this town the last week in Novem-
Der. They came in great throngs on
special trains from New Orleans,
Memphis, vicksburg, Jackson, Natchez
and Greenville.
DR.. Booker T.. Washington, accom-
panied by Mrs. Washington, came d.
rect from Boston in the busiest period
Of his great work In the interest Of
the Tuskegee (Ala.) institute for the
purpose Of making the principal adj
dress and pulling the cord that blew
the first whistle marking the formal
completion and opening Of the 100000
oil mill manufacturing enterprise
which the Negroes of Mississippi, un-
der the guidance and direction Of
Charles Banks, master spirit and presi-
dent of the Mississippi State Negro
Business league, have been promoting
for the past four years.
In the presence Of the leading pro-
fessional, educational and business
men and women Of the race, who rep
resented thousands Of the most sue
cessful farmers of Mississippi, Arkan-
sas, Louisiana and Tennessee, the
formal exercises were held In the open
and on the grounds Of the oil mill
plant. They were marked with sim
plicity and yet with dignity betting
an occasion Of so much moment.
Charles Banks called the assemblage
to order and introduced Isaiah T.
Montgomery, founder of the town Of
Mound Bayou, who In turn introduced
DR.. Washington.
OF DR.. Washington's address 1t Is
not too much to say that It reached the
high water mark Of constructive elo-
quence, a happy blending Of citation
and Just pride in the successful COM
pletion of great and monumental
task. q word of admonition and adj
vice-a characteristic address by the
eloquent Tuskegeean. He was listened
to not only by thousands Of his own
race, but by hundreds of white citi-
zens-county officials, judges, profess
sional men, newspaper men and most
notably, Mr.. @. P. ]. Mooney, editor of
the Memphis (Tenn.) Commercial APP
peal, who followed DR.. Washington In
q trenchant, forceful and thoroughly
appreciative address.
Thousands Hear Washington Speak.
DR.. Washington said In part:
I count It great privilege to be permit
ted to take part In the formal opening of
the Mound Bayou Oil Mill and Manufac-
turing company. The opening Of this oil
mill marks a unique and distinct step in
the progress of the Negroes Of America.
It represents, In my opinion, the largest
and most serious undertaking In o purely
commercial and manufacturing enter
prise In the history Of our race. ] congrat-
ulate Charles Banks and his board Of d.
rectors and the stockholders upon the
success that they have attained In bring
ing this enterprise to Its present degree
Of completeness. Mr.. Banks and those
who have stood by him In this movement
are entitled to the lasting praise Of the
people Of this country.
Back of this enterprise which we form
ally open and dedicate today know that
there is struggle. disappointment and
| heartache which the outside world little
knows about or can little appreciate.
am proud Of the fact that the National
Negro Business league has had some in.
fiuence in the starting and bringing to
completion this magnificent enterprise
From the very beginning Of our organiza'
ton Charles Banks has been one Of thu
leading spirits In keeping 1t alive and
making the National Negro Business
! league powerful and useful. said in the
beginning that this Is unique enterprise
marking a distinctive step In the devel
opment of our race. Here only forty-nint
years after our freedom as race the
black people have gathered and invested
nearly 100000 In this manufacturing en-
| terprise.
I am glad that this oil mill. the first ir
the history Of our race, Ii located In thu
heart Of the south. where 1t will be per
| petual demonstration Of the fact that oul
people cannot only make progress, bu
whenever they make progress along legit
innate and helpful lines the white maj
! 10 willing to stand back Of them and en-
courage them right here In the heart o.
the south. Again and again ] congratu
| late Mr. Banks and his coworkars. con
graduate every white and black either
Of Mississippi on the launching Of thi
great manufacturing enterprise. the great
est Of It's kind In the history Of our race
| I congratulate you because II 10 locates
IN the heart Of the black belt of the south
where black people and white people ar
| side by side to work out their destiny
and prove to the world that II In possible
for two races different In color to liv'
together, each promoting the happiness
| and welfare Of the other.
Educational Needs Of West Africa.