The Denver star., 1914-01-31
By RALPH W. TYLER.

Indianapolis. lnd.-To the casual Wis
itor to indianapolis there is nothing
seen at glance among the colored
people that attracts particular atten-
ton. The white man who saunters
out Indiana avenue and observes the
many groups of colored people on the
street forms the wrong belief that they
are the idle, indolent. loafing class of
the city's population.
To the person who comes here and
carefully investigates and studies In
dianapolis offers one of the most hope
full signs Of Negro progress to be found
In the norLs. aud the person who in
vestigates and studies conditions can
not help but speculate on how much
greater might have been the material
advancement of the race If all along
there had existed live business or
ganization to serve as a clearing house
for business ideas and efforts.
Heretofore there has been apparently
no community of interests here but
rather every man for himself" has
been the prevailing sentiment One
who makes an investigating tour over
this city Is gratifyingly amazed at the
very great number Of Negro business
enterprises. The congested condition
of Indiana avenue is due to the fact
that on and about this thoroughfare
are located the greater number Of busi-
ness offices and that for a distance
north. east. south and west of Senate
street is the Negro business center.
6fov boo
vantage In having a number OF bright.
progressive newspapers that have
done much to advertise the city. The
Freeman. the Nestor here of Negro
journalism. with George L. Knox at
the helm: the Recorder. with Editor
George P. Stewart successfully guild
ing its destinies. which covers Indian
apolis like a blanket; the World.
which bears the imprint OF Editor A.
q. Manning's scinhllating ideas and
hustiing spirit, and one or two other
these newspapers have always been
active in every effort looking to the
betterment of the race.
The erection Of the 7. N. G. A. and
the coming to this city as its secretary
Of that very capable. energetic and ad-
mira BILE man. Mr.. Taylor, has served
as a great stimulus not only to the
moral and religious uplift Of the city.
but to the business activity AZ WELL
The Y. NJ. c. A. has become a center.
and now its secretary is determined
nuential Negro Business league and
says the principles of the Y. NJ. C. A.
are broad enough to house and inspire
such an organization.
In and about Indiana avenue. ex-
tending in four directions from Sen
ate street. within four or six blocks
are located eighty-four Negro business
enterprises. perhaps a greater number
in like area than can be found in
any other city. And indianapolis IL
one Of the very few cities in the coun-
the manufacturing idea.
Among the successful business men
in this city are Fl. L. Sanders, the
Martin Bros. DIR. E. N. Perkins. J. f.
Earle & Co.. J. Walter Hodge. Shelton
4 Willis and Ernest G. Tidrington.
The professional men of indianapolis
have long enjoyed the distinction OF
being ut the top in their respective pro
fessions. With j. Nj. Lott as the
brainy leader. indianapolis has very
clever set Of Negro lawyers. Attorney
y. b. Ransom being one Of the most
successful OF the younger set. The
medical profession is most ably repre-
sented. DR.. Joseph II. Ward, DR.. Arm
stead and DR. Furniss and others form
ing q galaxy OF practitioners of which
any community might be proud. And
in Professor Valentine indianapolis
has an educator the equal OF the best
and one to whom must largely be at
tributed the success of the schools OF
this city.
With the talent and with the busi-
ness esta blishments among our people
to be found in indianapolis. a proper
moiding of these into great business
organization would soon make Indian
apoiis the greatest Negro commercial
center In this country.
The business league as reorgn nized
and rehabllitated inspires the hope that
q greater community of interest will
be fostered and that cooperation will
succeed the Individual success idea.
Anniversary Of Lincoln and Douglass.
The birthdays OF Abraham Lincoln
and Of Frederick Douglass occur In
February. Arrangements for suitable
celebrations In honor OF the great work
for human freedom accomplished by
these two famous Americans are al
f,, rH.. -
the country such anniversary meet
tngs should serve to inspire and re-
kindl4 In the brenst of every Afro
American u determination to make full
use Of the opportunities which he has
as a direct result Ut the fearless stand
taken ny Lincoln and Douglass for