The Denver star., 1913-11-01

DifficuIties-Editor Perry's Views.
Philadelphia.-The emancipation proc
lamation exposition held here from
Sept. 10 to Sept 80 inclusive is over.
For the past year the public has been
kept informed on the purpose of the
celebration and what 1t meant to those
who have made the struggle upward
through many difficulties for the past
fifty years. Taking all things into con
sideration, the efforts Of the commis-
sion intrusted with the task were sue
cessful
The festival proved the contention
that under given circumstances We
have men and women among us who
are capable of bringing things to pass
which count for equal worth and
achievement similar to the progress
made by those whose opportunities
have been more favorable. The pro
gram rendered from day to day show
ed merit. The end of this great event
brings relief to the managers. who
have worked faithfully for many
months TO present some of the marked
since it. freedom.
But OF those who toiled amid great
handicap to bring about the results
obtained no man had more difficult
task 10 perform than William ]. Rob
inson the contractor. under whose di-
rections the buildings in which the ex-
position was held were erected or
HT Robinson's struggles Chris j Per
ry, the venerable and long time editor
OF the Philadelphia Tribune, tells the
following story.
Mr.. Perry says: 1t so happened that
the emancipation commission appoint
ed by the legislature was composed Of
white men, with one exception in the
person of the Hon. Harry Bass. The
gentlemen Of this commission. not be
Ing familiar with the ability which
celored men possess. threw out the
hint that all the work, even down to
the erection OF the proposed exposition
buildings, ought to be designed and
erected by colored mechanics.
As soon as this gauntlet was thrown
down Mr. Bass Immediately sprang to
his feet and In an earnest manner as
sured the gentlemen of the commission
that our people had men who are thor
oroughly qualified to do all the work
necessary to he done. All they asked
was to be furnished with the means.
After this meeting Mr.. Bass sent for
Mr.. w. J. Robinson. the well known
contractor. and informed him of the
views OF the commission. Mr.. Bass
then told Mr.. Robinson where the plot
Of ground was located upon which the
Sa.!dings were to be constructed
The following day Mr.. Robinson sur
veyed the ground. drew up his plans
and submitted his price for erection.
all of which were speedily accepted
and word was given to the contracto
TO go ahead. 1t did not take long for
him to have tons of lumber and other
material on the ground. with a large
force OF colored artisans ready TO
work. But another hitch halted the
operntion-viz. the lease had not been
signed.
This was followed by some log roll
ing between the mayor and the city
solicitor. one declining to sign this
lease until the other had done So Then
came cessation OF hostilities. caused
by the mayor leaving the city for
rest In the Pocono mountains Day by
day the contractor visited the mayors
office to get his signature, only to hear
in dulcet tones, THE mayor is out OF
town." But the director was in town.
and he kept an officer on watch at
Broad and Oregon streets day and
night to see to It that not even the
skeleton OF a building should be erect
ed until the much sought for permit
was signed.
In this way the erection of the build
ings was retarded. Thus weeks passed
by. Things We're discouraging. 1t Is
true. but persistent man was at the
helm in the person of William J. Rob
inson, and eventually success crowned
his efforts, he secured the long looked
for permit, but received 1t Mt time
that left him only Ave weeks to com
mence and complete his work Grave
doubts were expressed on all sides
concerning Mr.. Robinson's ability to
get the buildings ready In time for the
opening OF the exposition.
But with a snap of the eye and the
curl of defiarA lip he replied. "Get
me some good lamps and I will put a
day and n night force at work" This
was done. and for weeks this dstcrN
mined contractor labored with his men
dny and night. and at the beginning Of
the fifth week he said. "Gentlemen.
your buildings are ready to receive ex.
hibits."
oeranton's Enterprisins Dus,nsss Man
Among the business enterprises op'
Grated by colored men In Scranton.
Pa. rarely found among our people is
4 large storage warehouse owned by
George W. Brown. The building,