The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-09
NEGRO BUSINESS
LEAGUE MEETING
Officers Installed and Campaign In
augurated to Secure More Interest
Among Members of Race

Declaring that the object of the Bir-
mingham Negro Business Mems league
was to awaken the negro people to the
consciousness of self help. to inspire race
pride, to interchange business courtesies
with their white neighbors, and to min
imize the numerous complaints and diff
culties which will continue to come in
the absence of negro business enter
prises, Rev ]. c. Reed pastor of Trinity
Baptist church, opened the big business
mass meeting at the Sixteenth Street
Baptist church last night, at which a
number of strong addresses were made,
the officers of the local organization in
stalled. and the 90-day whirlwind CAM
paign instituted by the league given defi-
mite footing among the people.
Those of the dominant race who be-
lieve in equity and justice according to
the laws of one who giveth life, will, by
virtue OF the dictates of a peculiar SEN
sitiveness which belong to a highly civ
ilzed people, help the negro to succeed
along business lines" said DR.. Reed.
w. B. Driver, district superintendent Of
the Union Mutual Aid association, who
was recently elected president of the local
organization in this movement was not
trying to take advantage of anyone. that
it was not a selfish movement, bur was
designed to help the negroes to help
themselves, thereby enabling them to
contribute more largely to the welfare
of the whole people.
The officers of the league who We're
formally installed into office were:
President, w. b. Driver, district super
intendent of the Union Mutual Aid as
sociation: vice president. W, J Echols
of Eehols &, Strong. undertakers, and
president Of the Southern Business col :
lege; secretary, H.. w. Taylor, editor
birmingham American; assistant sec
retary. w. c. Davis, principal Thomas
school; treasurer, P. J. Harris.
I President Driver appointed several
committee chairmen, who were to be
responsible for the cooperation of men
engaged in certain callings, TO enlist
their interest, have them attend the
meetings, take part on the programme IS
and IL possible assume some of the re-
sponsibilties. The chairmen of the
committees announced were; Executive
committee. w. w. Green; barber shops,
j. O. Diffay; dentistry. w. f. Lacy; ho-
tells. G w. Gillespie; real estate, Ed
ward L. snyder; attorneys, p. J. c..
Randall; undertakers, p. j. Poole; gro
GERS, T.. j. Davis dry goods, r. L..
Mabry: banking, W. w. Hadnott; in
surance, E. w. Howell; newspapers, o.
w. Adams, millinery; Mrs. w. W. Green;
ministers, j. 4. Moreland: tailoring, j.
| w Lemons; cafes, John Reed printing
| J. X. Moore; drug stores, F.. w. Rag
| land: livery and transfer r w. Rhodes
The committees We're called to meet
in the directors rooms, Penny bank
building. Thursday night to go over
all matters fully. The next meeting
| of the campaign will be held in the
Sixth Avenue Baptist church, Avenu,
T. and sixteenth street. Friday night
under the direction of L. w. Howell
| president of the Alabama Atlanta Spe-
| cial Benefit company. h.
DR. w. r. Pettiford, president Alabama
Penny Savings bank, and r. w, Taylor
editor the Birmingham American, made
the principal addresses of the evening
| Dr. Pettiford placed emphasis upon the
importance of negroes controlling then
trade. while Taylor held up the excellent
| opportunity young negro men had in the
| Birmingham district TO win competence
| for themselves and to contribute to the
success of the race by branching out
! in various avenues of trade. Taylor de-
| clared that more respect would be meteo
out to the negro race as it's wealthy mer
| increased in numbers, stating that il
! would be foolish idea to withhold trade
from negro merchant under the narrow
| idea that IT might make him rich.
| Helpful discussions were made on the
/ subject of negro business by large
| number of men in the audience one OF
two women joined in the discussions also
! At an informal conference in the study
| of DR.. j. A. Whitted, presided over by
DIR. W. II. Pettiford. plan was de-
| veloped whereby sufficient money woulo
/ be contributed to have half dozen ad
/ dresses delivered to the people in the
district during the campaign by former
| Congressman George w. Murray, wllo
| has advanced some rather new idea:
upon negro race ideals. The plan Wa,
more fully developed by the league under
! the direction of President Driver.