The Colorado statesman., 1912-04-20
CIVIC REFORMS
FOR The negro
Will Be Urged by Delegation
of CoIored Men.
CONFERENCE TO BE HELD
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WILL
COOPERATE IN MOVEMENT.

committee, representing the chamber
of commerce, and delegation repre-
senting the colored residents of Sa
vannah, for the purpose of inaugural
ing certain reforms and general i'm
provements concerning the colored
population.
The movement had its inception
through a resolution presented by Col.
G. A. Gordon at a recent meeting of
the directors of the chamber of COM
merce, requesting Prof R. R. Wright,
president of the Georgia State Indus
trial College, to appear with a com
mittee, representing the colored popu-
lation of the city and Chatham coun-
ty, and submit recommendations upon
which the chamber of commerce may
exert its influence in placing into ef-
feet. Colonel Gordons resolution fol-
lowed the reading in the Morning
News of a letter from Professor
Wright.
That the movement has been vel
coined is attested through a reply
from Professor Wright, expressing his
appreciation and giving an outline of
what in his opinion Is essential to
bring about the reforms. Professor
Wright's letter is as follows:
LETTER FROM PROF WRIGHT.
Georgia State College for Colored
Youths
Joseph F. Gray President and
Chairman of Executive Committee
of Savannah Chamber of Commerce,
Savannah, Ga.
Dear Sir:
Permit me to thank you for your
very kind letter showing the interest
which you have taken in the colored
people of our city. | wish to thank
not only you, but Col. G. A. Gordon,
chairman of the committee on public
interests, and others for the manifes-
tation of your good will. am salts
fled that this manifestation of your
good will is an earnest of much bet
ter state of feeling between the white
and the colored people of this city.
Your very wise and valuable eff
forts towards creating a greater Sa-
vannah deserve the consideration of
all the people of Savannah. Not only
the energy and enthusiasm of the
public-spirited white people of this
city should cheer and aid you, but the
energy and enthusiasm of all the best
thinking colored people should be en-
listed. There should be, l think a
thorough understanding between the
best colored people and the best
white people of the city of Savan-
nah"
I'VE are interested in the civic i'm
provement as well as race better
ment. You would be surprised to
know what a deep interest the col
ored people have taken in the fact
that you have sent the letter to me to
which l am now replying. 1t has been
subject of comment and ever the
cause of resolutions of thanks and
gratitude by the leading colored peo-
pie of the city of Savannah. The two
minister's unions, which contain all
the leading colored ministers of the
city, have considered the matter and
expressed their appreciation and ap-
proval.
STUDY OF LOCAL CONDITIONS. .
Now the first thing | want to say
is that | want you to feel and to un-
derstand that personally | do not
want to suggest anything that does
not mean for the best interests of the
city of Savannah | think | under
stand somewhat the conditions, and l
know it is impossible to do every
thing at once but | do believe there
is a possibility for considerable i'm
provement in the conditions which
confront the colored people of Savan-
nah and | do believe by the co-opera-
tion of the best white people and the
best colored people that many of
these unfavorable conditions can be
remedied.
81 feel that your distinguished body
can do more than any other organiza-
tion to bring about more favorable
conditions, and this is the reason
have desired your cooperation
"In the first place | should be glad
If the chamber of commerce would in
vite committee of five colored per-
sons to appear before them and set
forth certain suggestions as to the i'm
provement of the colored people We
have agreed that these suggestions
should be along the following lines:
IMPROVEMENTS ARE SUGGESTED
"First-The improvement of the
slum districts In which the colored
people live, by lights, paved sidewalks
and water
"Second-The encouragement of
the erection of insanitary dwellings
that are in insanitary districts.
"Third-Co-operation with the
board of education in encouraging
more and better educational facilities
for the colored people of the city;
especially the erection of at least one
good modern school building properly
finished.
"Fourth-To encourage the erection
of a Young Mems Christian Associa-
tion building for the colored people