Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1912-03-22

Full CONFERENCE WITH SEN
ATE COMMITTEE ON INDUS
TRIAL OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ING FACTS BY DRs. WRIGHT
DU BOTS AND ROSS.
Washington.--A committee of promi
nent 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
for an appropriation of $25O.000 for
an exhibition of the progress CT the
race 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
Major r. r. Wright of Savannah. Ga;
DR.. r. r. Wright Jr., editor OF the
Christian Recorder, Philadelphia: Pro-
lessor w. E. B. Du Bots of New York
and Rev. I. N. Ross of Washington,
each having assigned to him a 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 1876 the gov
eminent had appropriated over $685.
100000 for expositions He now asked
for only 1 per cent of that amount,
$250,000, 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 a 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
1860 and 100000 now: the litter
acy had been cut in half. being Sc per
cent in 1860 and 44.5 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 $4,000
farms and the ownership of 100000
farms. They have held their own as
farm laborers, besides developing 9TH
er trades. New occupations, unknown
so years ago, have emerged. There
are $4,000 negroes in professions to-
day. Negro physicians. lawyers, ETC.,
unknown in the south to the genera
ton before the war, are now in every
city. Negro teachers number 100000.
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 1.0O0,OOO,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 must.
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 so years ago was not
organized. today organization is the
rule rather than the exception. One
above 81 years Of age is organised.
These items represent some Of the
facts 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.
E. B. Du Bots of New York, who told
the plan of the exposition. 1t is to be
held between Jan. 1. 1918, and Dec.
81. There are to be, first, collected
maps, pictures models, etc. represent
ing Africa and African industry.
There would also be exhibitions of,
second, the negro physique; third.
negro population; fourth, negro occu.
pations; fifth, negro education: sixth,
negro organization; seventh, negro in
civics, negro cities, etc.
There would be awards and medals
for meritorious exhibits. A grand his
torical pageant, musical festival and
finally a permanent exhibit. DR.. J. N.
Ross, pastor of the Metropolitan
church, Washington, made the closing
address on the good such an exhibition
would do His speech was pronounced
one of the most eloquent and pointed
flve-minute speeches ever made before
the committee. DR.. Ross said in sub
stance: "Such an exposition would
show the real significance Of the
American form Of government and the
meaning of American opportunity.
"Second-It would be an inspiration
to millions of our people who do not
know the opportunities that are theirs
and who are respondent because Of ig-
norance of the progress made by
their race.
"Third.-1t would inspire hope and
Gel EpASSEoSIAN