The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1912-03-29
FRIDAY, MARCH 90, 1912.
Our Board of Trade.


leaps and bounds. At each meeting a
goodly number of the leading citi-
zens are becoming members and TAX
ing an active part in the organiza-
tion. This is an encouraging sign,
and indicates that Nashville Negroes
have desire to keep abreast of the
times and to do their part in making
Nashville an ideal city. 1t shows
further that they realize that peo-
pie to do effective work in COM
munity must have some kind Of an
understanding; that there must be an
organization of some character where
the leaders can congregate and ex-
change views, and thereby reach con-
illusions to which all can subscribe.
There is a great work that this
Board of Trade can do in Nashville.
Negro men are engaged in nearly
every commercial pursuit conducted
in this city. Most of them are on
the small scale, it is true, but every
business. be it much or little, needs
some encouragement. Since this Is
true these Negroes who are putting
forth efforts to accomplish something
in a small way have long felt the
need of an organization Of men with
whom they can meet and discuss
their business affairs. There is an
old saying that "everybody's business
is nobody's business" this is true,
but it is also true that no man can
conduct a business successfully who
lives entirely to himself or who at
tempts to do so absolutely in secret.
Business meI all have kindred beset-
ments, and they all have their cloudy
days. There comes time when
they desire tc meet with their fellow
men and exchange views. They real
ize that they can thereby oft times
pick up ideas that will help them.
Through the medium of Board of
Trade our business men who are
sometimes hampcred in their pur-
suits can, by relating their embar-
easements to their fellow-men, get
an insight into conditions that they
could not otherwise. A point that
will illustrate what we mean is ex-
emplified by the Builders Exchange
in this city. There are a number OF
Negro contractors here; carpenters,
painters, brick masons, plasterers,
stone masons, etc. They are not
members of the Builders Exchange,
and thereby are not, in sense, en-
titled to the courtesies to be received
therefrom. They often find them
selves handicapped when they want
to bid on job, and it is charged that
the Exchange sometimes makes the
Negro contractor feel that he has
been refused the privilege of look.
ing at plans Of buildings on which
he desires to bid. The Negro Board
Of Trade will be in a position to
bring about a better understanding
between the white and black contrac
tors. We do not mean by this that
those Negro contractors who are ir
responsible should have any courte
sizes shown them, or that they should
receive any consideration whatever
from any sources, but there are some
Negro contractors who are trust
worthy and who have as good repu
tations as any in the city. We NEAR
that these men should have chance
to do business, and that way should
be made for them to get an opportuni
ty to bid on any Job they desire to.
What is true in the case of con
tractors is also true in the case Of
men engaged in other lines Nash
vile bears the reputation Of being a
great city constituted Of broad-mind
ed men, who want to see every man
have fair chance in the struggle
Of life, and it goes without saying
that If the proper understanding can
be had between the Negro Board OF
Trade and the Nashville Board OF
Trade that better feeling and a
spirit of fairness will be created that
will be helpful to all parties con-
cerned.