Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1914-01-23
IOWANS MAKING GOOD IN OUR
NATIONS CAPITOL.

| ence, NSuDSCance SAID lne mar
who does not avail himself of the op
portunity to purchase lands now Of
fered him within the next fifty years
viii lnot be able to do so, so rapidly is
the land being taken up
The people of Washington seem tc
have accepted the advice and every.
where all over "The City Beautiful
are making rapid strides to secure
lands and homes.
Within ten years sections of the
city that prior TO that time were the
fair residences of the dominant race
are today largely occupied by colored
people as tenants and landlords.
1t may not be too much to say that
this spirit of realty getting is greatly
due to examples set by people from
the west and southwest, who, coming
here, could not stand to see all of
their money going from hem in rents,
leaving no equity in return for it,
commenced making payments on
homes, the effect of which has been
to cause others to do likewise, until
today there are at least 25 per cent
more people trying to own homes than
there were ten years ago.
The drug business in Washington
gives, perhaps, the greatest examples
of business thrift of about any other
line. With a small beginning some
thing like decade ago there are
now over twenty we'll equipped drug
stores run and controlled by colored
pharmacists. Pharmacy, unlike many
other lines Of business, requires a
thorough knowledge of it before it
can be entered into, hence to this is
due the subsequent success of the
pharmacist.
There is a growing interest devel-
oping among the colored people
along the line of incorporation indus
tries.
True, there have been some failures
in these business attempts, as must,
as a matter of fact, be expected, but
the benefit derived from organized
business has been manifold.
No better example of it can be
shown than in the National Life Bene-
fit association, that writes all forms
Of life policies into the thousands; has
large real estate holdings; owns many
stocks and bonds, and gives employ
ment to over fifty employees. The La
borers' ard Mechanics Realty COM
pany does q general realty business,
giving safe investment for its
many depositors and substantial en-
ployment for it's clerks.
Out of this enterprise has grown
the Industrial Savings bank, which
has splendid rating and is doing its
share of the business.
Time nor space will allow me to
more than give cursory glances at the
various activities Of the 1888 COL
ored population of Washington, but
it suffices to say that while they are
doing we'll, there yet remains vast
field for improvement along all lines.
It can be said for the Iowa people,
and especially Of those hailing from
Des Moines, that they have made
good, both in the halls of congress
and in the common walks Of life. Not
only do the Iowa people feel salts
fed pride in the representatives from
the Seventh congressional district,
but it is an open secret in progressive
circles that they feel that this district
offers presidential timber of no mean
caliber, and openly associates the
name of Hon. Albert B. Cummins with
those of the possibilities for 1916.
Mr.. T. E. Barton, Jr., is junior
in the NJ street high school. After
finishing this course he expects to
take a full course at Iowa State uni
versity, preparatory to taking up the
practice of dentistry.
Owing to the comfy Of states late
" established between Iowa and the
District of Columbia, Mr.. J. F. Blag-
burn, who, as you all know, was a
pharmacist of merit, will soon be able
to register as full fledged pharma-
cist in the district. This will mean
much to him in the race of life.
Mr.. J. Edward Moseley and family
and DR.. P. M. Edwards, all of Phila-
delphia, were over Sabbath guests OF
Mr.. and Mrs. I. E. Williamson.
Mrs. Lucy A. Blagburn has accept
ed, for the ensuing year, the position
of leading soprano in the Metropolitan
A. M. F.. church. This means much to
her. as Washington has many fine
singers.
In the religious world Atty. I. e.
Williamson surprised many OF his
friends by connecting himself with
Door Baptist mission, but recently
organized and Incorporated, through
his efforts as the Antioch Baptist
church. Williamson has been actively
associated with the big A. M. E
churches for many years.
Among the fraternal societies, /: Il
Williamson is the president OF and ar
active member in the American
;Workmen, an order that accepts al
Americans on terms Of equality. Mr.
J. F. Blagburn is very earnest ane
active member in a number OF fra
ternal orders, but his greatest activi
ties are, perhaps, best known in tn
order Of Elks, one branch or lodge o:
which he is the exalted ruler. Th'
order is quite strong here and stands
i in high favor with the public.
Among the social functions nom
perhaps has been given in a long tim
where merriment and genial good vii
was the order of the occasion as wa
~ ona o,;van NV Columbia lodge, Nc