The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1914-10-31

whose activity consists in making
resolutions that reach no farther thar
the door of the meeting place. Lei
us get out of this habit of resolving
and do a little active work in bring
ing about better conditions among GU
people and institute a sounder bust
ness policy among business people.
The Way.
There are some $4,000 Negroes in
Greater Kansas City to be fed, clothed
and housed. Abstractly, this means
much, how to feed, clothe and house
these people through Negro enter
prises and with capital controlled by
Negroes is the practical problem OF
u business men. We have had great
orations in abundance telling us how
far the Negro has come, but little or
nothing about how to really solve the
eternal row" problems which are
confronting the business person of
the hour. We believe that the Bust.
ness League started wrong, and there
fore can not end right.
The thing to do is to halt and cor
rect ourselves and put this organiza-
tion which really has a latent pow
err for great good upon a better work
ing basis. 20 do this we are giving
what appears in our opinion) some
practical suggestions to advance the
cause of business.
zFfrst-Cleaner and better appointed
business places, neat and attractive,
polite and prompt service, not a mere
sign hanging on the wall, but a real
active and sincere effort to please and
satisfy. Satisfaction they say makes
regular customers.
Second Honest advertisements
with persistency, not the hating or
sporific kind, but steady, practical ad-
vertising that brings business and
keeps alive business consciousness of
the people who would otherwise for
get. Back up everything we say and
pay for advertising as sc%rupulously
as we do u gas bills.
Advertising is a science. If you do
not know the game secure the serv-
ices of an expert and pay him for
his labor. Advertising is what keeps
the wheel of industry "a going $50
the people may know" is a good slo.
gan in advertising.
Third-A concerted actio non the
part of all members to his W PEG.
pie, and make it a crime for any mem.
Der of the business league to trade
with a people who despises his very
presence but who will take his money
and hate him more. Any member OF
the Business League found guilty OF
buying an article from a white con.
Germ when he could easily secure the
same from like place run by colored
should be ostracised from the league
CHURCH and lodge. If the white mar
wanted your patronage he would moi
har you from his best places. Then
out of decency and ~self-respect we
should stay out altogether.
Fourth-We speak for cleaner and
better places. Remember it does not
cost as much to keep a place clean
as it does dirty.
Cleanliness is economy-dirt is
wastefulness. Order invites business
and trade. Disorder ~repulses both.
Fifth-Let the league get out a
merit sign" for window display and
general efficiency to be given only
to members who meet requirements
or standards set by the league.
Sixth-Appoint every member a
delegate to actively patrols the
streets and boost Negro business and
direct customers to all progressive
Negro enterprises. Gy a little work
on our part and a little loyalty on the
part of the public we could easily
freeze out a certain element who
are not of our race and who do not
contribute anything to our churches
public institutions or to our real eco
nomic life. AS the administration
for cleaner streets in our business
district. Stop the tendency to slum
our best community. Put our small
capitals together and do something
practical. A big, we'll established gro
Gerry store on Eighteenth street, run
and controlled by negroes, would cor
tribute toward more race salvation
than a hundred poverty ridden
churches which sap the vitality of the
! people at least financially. Start g
great movement to p~atronize our pres
ent enterprises and we will have bet
ter business concerns. Put enthusiasm
in our business and let us be Loyal
to ourselves. There are 5000 sugges
tions to be carried out, but let III
start right.