The broad ax., 1914-09-12

First Days Program at Fifteenth
Annual Msetins-Tims TO Inauaurat,
New Policy, He Says
Muskogee, Okla.-The fifteenth an
nual> meeting Of the National Negr
Business league was held in this city
at Convention hall from Wednesday
Aug. ~. to Friday, Aug. 81, inclusive
The sessions were attended by dele
gates from local business league.
from all sections of the country. The
program bristled with interest through
out the meetings as those who tool
part outlined their struggles and
achievements in the various lines OF
business.
The climax Of the first days pro
gram was the Wednesday evening ses
sion, when DR.. Booker T. Washing
ton. president of the league, delivered
his annual address. he, in part, said:
Throughout the world ten millions
and more of black people in the Unit
ed States are being observed and stud
led in a larger measure than is true
Of any similar group Of black people
in existence or perhaps that has ever
existed. People from all parts of the
world interested in the civilization OF
black people are coming to the United
States to study the condition and the
progress Of the American Negro; for.
after all is said, II there is any place
where the Negro has a chance to show
his mettle It is right here in the Unit
ed States.
For this reason, as well as for the
sake of ourselves. 1t is a matter Of ex-
treme importance that we not disap-
point ourselves nor those who are
studying and observing us. Within
the fifty years OF our freedom and
even before physical freedom came
great and almost marvellous progress
has been made. but we must not rest
upon the past. We must continue to
60 forward.
Before beginning the body Of my re-
marks there are a few simple but fun
damental things to which / wish to dI
rect the special attention of each local
league. These things / ask in order
that the usefulness Of the league may
be still further felt among the 10000
900 Of our people
much time in your meeting in techni-
calities known as parliamentary rules.
'SecOnd.-Let each local league
study the condition and needs of our
people In its community and devote IT.
self to doing that which will promote
the commercial. Industrial. education
al. professional and moral life Of our
race in that community.
'Third.-Have regular time OF
and always have a meeting at
that time
"Fourth.-Strive to have a regular
place Of meeting. one that shall be at
tractive and convenient.
"Fifth.-Have for each meeting a
arranged program that shall
strike at some definite thing. A gen.
eral program means little. Serving re-
often helps.
''Sixth.-Each local league should
strive TO gather into its membership
every man and woman who is interest
ed iD any kind Of honorable business. |
no matter bow humble that business
may appear 10 be.
Seventh Each league should have |
FOR one Of its objects the bringing OF |
the white man. by whose side we live. |
INTO friendly and sympathetic contact
with the progress of the race. One
way to do this is TO invite successfully
white men to visit and speak to the To-
al leagues. The white man will help.
ind we will be helped.
Il believe that the time has come
when we as n race should begin pre-
,aring to enter upon a new policy and
new program. In plain but In en-
,hatic words I want to suggest wheth-
r the time has not come when we
hould get Of the defensive in things
hat concern our present and future
nd begin to inaugurate everywhere
10 aggressive and constructive pro
ressive policy in business, Industry.
ducation. moral and religious life and
q our conduct generally. We must
GLOW the teachings Of the Master.
when he said. Overcome evil with
oOd'
"a general, however able, who con-
apts himself with merely holding the
arritory that he occupies or merely
evotes himself to defending himself
gaiust the assaults Of the enemy Is
of the general who gains renoWn Tor
enuine leadership or gains the con-
depce of the world. A general VINO
couples much of his time In explain
10 the weakness OF the enemy or the
niust assaults or tactics Of the enemy
not the general who wins many Dat
%. So II Is IN business OF every
ind.
~For example. the merchant VINO
,ereIy contents himself with holding
Is present trade without covering
ev ground In the way OF Increased
.tronaee and trading in new territory
- -..-.honf WhO gels muCn OF |