Franklin's paper the Denver star., 1913-02-01
UNITED I EFFORTS
: OF The PEOPLE
Put Miles Memorial College on
Good Footing.
AMBITION OF THE STUDENTS
Alabama Institution Receives Loyal
Organization Which Enables It to
Broaden Sphere of Usefuness-J. W.
Oveltrea to Direct Industries.

Oveltrea to Direct Industries.
Birmingham Ala The establish
ment and maintenance of Miles Me
mortal college local institution OF
learning under the auspices of the
Colored Methodist Episcopal church
in this state. present the most re
markable example of self help among
xthe colored people of the south per
haps yet on record.
The institution has been in existence
for several years. but recently 1t has
received a character of support from
members of the race in Alabama who
are members of the church in this
state that has placed 1t In its equip
ment and in the character Of work on
par with any other institution In the
state. with the exception of Tuskagee.
For four or five years the ministers
and laymen in the various churches
have given OF their meager earnings
on an average about $4,000 per year.
But with the increased needs of the
work and the demands made upon 1t
by Its constantly growing influence
this amount will hardly be adequate
for all purposes.
In keeping with well acknowledged
conception OF the needs of education
in the south, no colored school Is con
sidered able To fully meet the de-
mands made upon 1t unless 1t has n
well developed manual training or in
dustrial department. giving training
TO its young people in such callings as
they are most likely to follow in the
al ha a
Just got to the place where II feels
that 1t can with wisdom and justice to
all concerned give attention TO the de
velopmcnt of it's industrial plant
The mann nngement feels that the peo-
pie have done 50 well In developing
this institution 50 far that 1t will be
encouraged in the effort to provide for
its young people such Industrial train
ing ns they undoubtedly need.
They have accordingly called in an
experienced man to develop the indus
trial work OF the institution. ]. w.
Oyeltrca. who has charge OF the work.
IS n Tuskegee graduate. He was for
fourteen years nt the East Tennessee
Normal and Industrial Institute. locat-
ed at Hartman, at which place he did
some effective work.
Two years work in Admission. Ala,
ms principal OF the colored public
schools secured for Mr.. Oveltrea the
best commentator OF the authoritie.
and all the local journals. and he Is
now working manfully TO build up in
this great birmingham district such an
industrial plant that will be able to
train the young people 50 that they
may cope with the larger demands of
this highly industrial section.
Those who appreciate the situation
have given generously of their means.
and the management OF the institution
has always expressed grateful and
sincere acknowledgement Of the sncri
fees the more thoughtful OF the race
was making. Encouragement of these
people 10y the friends OF education gen
orally will have twofold effect-that
of helping TO place within immediate
reach OF practically $4,000 young peo-
pie the very kind OF education they de
Sire.
To meet this situation the trustees
decided to call in Mr.. Ovcltrea, who is
regarded rs one OF the most expert
enccd men available for industrial lead
ership Developments thus far since
the beginning of the work have proved
the wisdom OF their choice. The stu
dents do not by any means manifest
that distastc for work that is so often
held up to be the truth. The race itself
has got entirely away from that.
The girls do sewing. raflia work, bas-
kerry. housekeeping. cooking and laun.
dering. Some good results are also seen
in the practical and scientific farm
work attempted on the twenty acre
farm which the school owns. The
needs of the institution for the develop
ment of an industrial plant sufficient to
meet the demands of the people can
therefore he very plainly seen.
1t does appear that one good, well de-
veloped school in this district, where
our people in such large numbers are
depended upon to do practically all the
Greater birmingham in the class with
the worlds greatest industrial centers
will appeal especially to people who
would want to do anything for race
of people that Is making such heroic
fight for development
Certainly the needs of the work and
Mr.. Ove!.rcas ability to develop and
maintain 1t on high character should
commend 1t to every one who for the
moment gives thought to the vast
amount of work yet to be done for the
larger emancipation of the masses.