The Denver star., 1914-09-12
By RALPH W. TYLER.

By RALPH W. TYLER.
Austin, Tex.-This is Texas capital.
So many are the hills here it might be
said, as it was of Rome. that Austin
is built upon seven hills. Austin is a
pretty and orderly city of $4,000 popu-
lation, 1000 Of which are colored.
The two colored colleges here, with
the splendid public schools, in so far
as the race Is concerned, makes Aus
tin typical college town and filtrates
through the race community culture
and moral purity not always found in
cities of this size. Under President
Lovinggood the NJ. Z. college here is
doing a wonderful work, and its presi-
dent is thoroughly in touch with and
active in every movement which has
for its object greater progress for the
race.
Austin, in so far as the races popu-
lation is concerned, is religious city.
This is shown by its support OF twen-
ty-one colored churches But while the
race in Austin believes in laying up
treasures in heaven. where thieves do
not break in. etc, they are somewhat
inclined to the belief that treasures
laid up here on earth become a pretty
soacing asset pending our transition
from earth to heaven. a transition
which few live ones are in a hurry
for. This is shown In the fact that
our people here have $25O,0OO invested
in business enterprises, own real estate
approximating 100000 and have $780,
600 in cash in the banks Of this city
to their credit.
1t would appear from this that the
race in Austin is willing to lay up and
take chances on thieves breaking in
and moths corrupting and rust corrod-
ing treasures. One Of the leading busi-
ness men Of our race in Austin Is l.. d.
Lyons, perfectly live factor in every
movement conceived for the better
ment of race conditions. Texas Is get
ting rid of the lazy. shiftless members
of the race. In many things Austin
is an Ideally attractive little city-the
air of culture, the thirst for education
and the hospitality OF its people ars
such as to compel one to linger here and
impel a regret at leaving. Austin's ma
terial progress. while complimentary,
has not been of that aggressive stripe
characteristic of some other cities be-
NkuSe Austin had no live. active busf-
ness organization. Success here in the
past has been individual
| Awakening to the fact that cooper
ative success is most vital to race ad-
vancement, Austin colored men have
recognized its business league, officer
| t. f$l, tN1 md
with earnest, enthusiastic men com
posing its membership. In talking with
number Of the real factors In racial
advancement / learned that they now
realize that there are many things
which Austin should have In the way
of business controlled by men and
women Of the race. and that earnest
efforts should be made to encourage
the race to pa atronize race enterprises.
The recently reorganiZed business
league has already begun a business
revival.
The homes and churches of the race
here are attractive. commodious and
evince commendable civic pride by the
manner in which they are beautifled
) and kept up. The interest the race
takes in the property possessed by It
in beautifying it and keeping it in re-
pair and the energy displayed III better
citizenship and in education no doubt
are most responsible for the helpful
entente existing between the two races.
Austin has the maximum of desirable
SolOred citizens and the minimum OF
the undesirable. One Of the finest high
cf,hn f.,,.
country is to be found here. 1t Is q
splendid tireproof building. with an
unusually large campus. The equip
ment is complete. the school board being
quite liberal in nppropriatng for Its
building and equipment. There is a
total of six ptjic schools for colored
children. Professor l., c. Anderson
one of the best known educators in the
south. is principal of the high school
and practically the head OF the colored
schools generally. His effective work
Is seen in fine results
There are three colored physicians
here. two dentists and two pharma.
cists. AS vet no lawyer has hung out
his shingle in this city. and do not
see why one should not succeed If he
did SO. Two drug stores. undertaking,
printing. furniture store. painting. car
pentry and stone contracting. transfer
business. blacksmithing. grocery stores
and truck gardening are some of the
business activities in which the race
Is engaged here. w. NJ. Tears. L. d.
Lyon, j. J Jennings. j. ii. Stewart.
President LOvinggOod. r. r. Fairbanks
II. Brown. q W. NormHn are among
some of the men who are active in
making Austin IN ideal city The State
Institution For the Colnre1 Blind. Deaf
and Dumb IL located here. 1t is II com
modious building with the teachers
and Qfficera MT uInnn nurnnaf h,ak a4-