The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1914-06-19
Activity Of Afro-Amerlcans In
Missouri Metropolis.
BUSINESS IS GROWING FAST
Dy RALPH w TYLER.

81 L0ulB.-N1Slung tnlS CITY aS rep
resentative Of and In the interest OF
the National Negro Business league.
naturally went into conditions here
more carefully than the casual visitor.
Next to Washington perhaps st. Louis
has been famed most for her colored
society. Its large number Of colored
schoolteachers. drawn from every sec
ton Of the country and representing
the best institutions Of higher educa-
don. gives to the city cultured com.
munity. as Washington's more than
500 colored teachers give to that city
q superior air of culture.
a Secure In their professions Of culture
and consciousness Of much "higher"
education. the colored people Of st.
Louis for years neglected that basic
foundation for permanent and substan-
tial progress-business. There is re-
vival on here now, business revival.
and, while not neglectng either culture
or the 80 called higher" education, the
colored people Of st. Louis. inspired by
the achievements Of colored business
men in other cities and encouraged by
its local Negro Business league. are
branching ont rapidly and successfully
into various lines OF activities.
One Of the most complete mems fur
nishing stores conducted by colored
men in the country Ia to be found here
in this city. conducted by Clark &
Smith. The largest and most modern
steam laundry. owned and operated by
colored men, is one Of St Louis boast
ed colored cooperative enterprises.
The drug stores, print shops, grocery
stores, newspapers and cafes are now
equal to the best to be found in other
parts Of the country.
The schools are among the best In
the country-best buildings. best equip
ped. best managed and possessing q
corps Of the best prepared teachers
No city compares with St Louis for
the magnincencs Of it's colored
churches. and no city's colored pull
piteers surpass In eloquence and pre-
paredness the colored ministers Of this
city nor in their race devotion.
was Of course particularly inter
ested in learning Of business progress
among our people. I ascertained. after
four days careful investigation. that
the colored people Of this city have
$4,000 invested In business enter
prises. that they own $25O.OOO worth
Of real estate and that the men and
women engaged in business and pro-
fessions are injecting into their work
rare energy and an admirable personal
service which makes for success. /
also ascertained that the race is repre-
sented az owners and conductors Of
the following businesses: Mems fur
nishings. groceries, meat markets.
drug stores. coffee and teas. undertak.
ers. livery. shoe repairing. notion
stores, printing. publishing. horseshoe.
ing. theaters. cafes, laundry, hair cul-
ture. etc. found the local Negro
Business league, recently organized.
under that splendid business man. W
@ Gordon. has become very potent
factor in prOpagating the doctrine Of
business and professional cooperation
While here every opportunity was Or
fered to me to get at the real facts
concerning the races progress along
business lines In few places have
enjoyed greater courtesies.
There are seven colored lawyers
seven colored dentists and twenty-o
colored physicians They are top
notchers In their respective profes
sions and appear to be enjoying splen
did practices which their ability de-
serves and warrants. Dr. Ernest Har.
ris. DR.. Wilson and DR.. w. Fl. Mosby.
the druggists. have indicated race
progress with their modernly furnish.
ed and largely stocked drug stores.
the former having two stores @. X
Robinson. one of the most public
spirited race men I have had the good
fortune to meet IL making splendid
success with bis modern. up to date
printing blishment, and one must
60 far to nnd q cafe to equal in ap
pointments and cuisine the one con
Quoted by Mr. Ferguson.
A few Of the men who are pushing tn+
business spirit among colored people
In this city and who are untiring In