Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-10
Should Abandon Politics.

repeat that Senator Works es-
presses m. sentiments iii this regard
want to be correctly understood be
iieve that any nation which taxes the
ballot or any other birthri2ht from any
group Of he" citizens because Of race.
previous Conis. on of servitude or
political advantage commits wrong. a
deep and bitter wrong, and VIII ultl-
malely sufter-ncvitabiH so: but | am
thoroughly convinced that the American
colored man. or any. other materially
weak race in similar condition should
abandon politics. as such, and strive to
build and strengthen the business. com
mercial and financial phases of its life.
Opportunity is euua! as well as universal
IN this phase Of human endeavor iii
America and We find no color line
in. business Then only can the race
build a strong and enduring fundamental
economic basis.
With considerable interest | have noted
that during the past four months color
ed inha bitants of the District OF Column
bia have assembled at eighteen monster
mass meetings for the express purpose
of protesting against segregatine of the
colored employees in government depart
ments With a much larger degree OF
both interest and satisfa ction, have
observed that during this same period
of time progressive business men OF
my race in this city have held forty
five meetings for the specific purpose
of urging colored citizens of the DIS
trict TO direct more of their energy to
ward the development OF business
among the race. 1t was peculiarly in
terestine. and vet not all surprising, to
note that not one word was said regard
ing any discrimination or segregation
problems facing the colored business
man. | trust that more members OF my
race. especially in the city of Washing
ton will realize the great advantage and
seize tile vast opportunity OF conducting
independent businesses OF their own m
stead of being dependent upon some OBJ
scure government position that in MANY
instances subjects them to humiliation
discrimination and segregation.
The. heroic efforts being made by the
few colored Washington
ians cannot be ignored. In the city OF
Washington, among many o.nel en'e
prises owned, operated and controlled by
coIored people are GD grocery stores,
large and small. more than twenty drug
stores: two dozen tirst-class tailors. who
cater to the finest trade: about forty
dveing and cleaning establishments and
dozens of barber shops. undertaking es-
Establishments. confectionery shops. etc
Washington colored people own and con-
troll one shoe store. one thriving banking
institution and several scientifically con
Quoted insurance companies.
The continuation of Just such steps as
have been taken by the few referred to
above in business efforts. will do more
to solve the race problem than all the
Indignation meetings that can be held
between now and the day of judgment
| am thoroughly convinced that if half
the energy, pride. ambition. thought and
money used in promoting Indignation
meetings were directed into channels that
would lead to the erection of a manufac-
turing plant. the organization of a cor
poration or the establishment OF some
other worthy enterprise, America most
mistreated citizens would be better able
to get that for which they strive and
should rightly have.
Spend Millions for Clothes.
The ten millions OF negroes in America
buy about 2o,O0oooo pairs of shoes each