The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1913-02-15
TO give NEGRO EQUAL
CHANCES WITH WHITES.
Chicago Men VIII Seek to Eradl-
cate PrejndIcs Against
Colored. Race.
BANKERS, LAWYERS AND MER-
CHANTS INTERESTED IN =.
WIPING OUT FEELING
WHICH EXISTS.

Investigations started by Edward G.
Wentworth, chairman Of the execu-
tive board of Frederick Douglass
center, 1922 South Wabash avenue, to
determine whether there is pre-
judice against employment Of negroes
in Chicago stores and offices resulted
today in the publication by the GEN.
ter of letters written by Chicago
bankers, lawyers and merchants,
recognizing that such prejudice ex-
lists and pledging their help to Grad
icate this feeling. Among the men
who assured Mr.. Wentworth that
they will lend their aid to give the
Negro young man or woman an equal
opportunity with whites were Julius
Rosenwald, William e. Mason, Judge
e. o. Brown, N. w. Harris, George H.
Webster, Irwin s. Rosenfels, John
O'Connor, Maurice 8. Kuhns, George
Packard, Francis e. Bromell, Louis
F. Post, Robert McCurdy, Hareld
Ickes and others representing many
professions.
Feels Injustice Keenly.
81 feel keenly this injustice and
have for some time past been making
efforts to convince some of the head
men Of Sears, Roebuck & Co. of our
duty in that direction" was the re-
Spouse of Julius Rosenwald, who has
led In the movement to give the
Negroes Y. M. G. A. buildings.
Colored Men In Bank.
N. w. Harris, founder of the Har-
ris Trust and Savings bank, wrote:
I'VE have 'colored men here in our
bank. There have been in years past
certain prejudices between the races,
but l trust 1t is growing less, and I
think the white people certainly
should do what they can to advance
civilization among the colored people.
On the other hand, the colored people
must do their share and success real
ly lies with themselves. No one else
can do it for them, and If they are
Industrious and frugal, am sure they
will succeed" rs. ...
Praises Work of Nurses.
"The colored professional trained
nurses are the nearest practical sue
cess in overcoming the barrier you
allude to-" was the reply Of George
H. Webster. Their welcome in many
white families here and elsewhere
has been a great satisfaction to those
who have been instrumental in their
preparation" 80.
Irwin 8. Rosenfels, advertising
manager Of Sears, Roebuck & Co.,
wrote:
1T will interest you to know that
have recently secured a favorable ex-
preston regarding the admission OF
colored apprentices from shop chair
men Of three different labor unions
employed in our printing plant"
Cause Of Discrimination.
"The discrimination against col
ored men is due to race prejudice
which, whatever we may think about
it, does exist" was the reply OF
George Packard. "Its eradication has
to be secured by gradual, almost i'm
perceptible degrees. 1t cannot be &C
complished by any sudden jump, still
less by forcing the issue in concrete
instances. Rational and frequent dis
cussion seems to me the only feas-
ible way and there should be opened
up through the press and in every
manner and form, in my Judgment,
free discussion Of this >amportant
question. It is not only one Of equal
opportunity In business but Of equal
opportunity in al lines.
II do not agree that on account Of
these conditions it is useless in city
like Chicago to give the younger gen.
Grafton Of colored men and women
educational advantages. There are
certain spheres of occupation that
are always open to colored people,
and educational advantage is just as
useful, just as apparent and just as
helpful in those occupations as in any
other. Whether man is Pullman
porter or waiter he becomes bet
ter porter and waiter and better able
to advance and get into things II he
has an education.
Maurice 8. Kuhns, president of the
Safeguard Accounting company, wrote
the center that he has just sent a
form letter to the heads of his offices
asking them to reply as to their per-
sonal attitude on the employment Of
colored men by his firm. One of the
questions reads:
IF the mental, moral and physical
considerations are equal will you be
willing to have colored man use
the desk next to yours and will you
extend to him the same courtesy
given any white employer"
Mr.. Khuns adds that he Is anxious
to help solve the problem Of race pre-
JUDGE.