The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-01

cans of preserved fruits, vegetables, jel-
lies and fruit juices have been shelved
there. and the work still goes on Milk
and butter from 30 Jersey cows; pupils
are taught the care of stock, milking and
dairying. nurses are trained in the hos
pital, both men and women. This is a
human factory, turning from its work
shop. out of rough material laborers
ready to meet the worlds emergencies
in the field of progress, in the demand
for skilled labor. There is no foolishness
about the system-it is worth while. They
are teaching them practical lessons and
teaching them books, studies adapted to
their vacations. There was no mention
OF lessons on Cicero; no effort to show
off. 1t was matter of fact business.
One thing that appealed most to me
was little cottage set off In the corner
or the grounds-the center of several
acres, surrounded by garden, orchard,
poultry yard, barn and pig pen, a home
or the humble type, just such home as
work will give to any thrifty negro; or
white man, who wants to live, to make
home. This is where every girl in the
school has to spend a week during the
term She is given a small amount of
cash-40 eents day, and she has to
manipulate with the others living with
her during the period, having each an
equal amount of change. So as to make
comfortable home for themselves. here
is their real lesson in household duties
with teacher to direct The house con-
sists of two bed rooms. kitchen. dining
room, living roon pantry, bath. front and
back porches.
The furniture made by the beginners
in woodwork, indicating that anybody can
make some furniture without much eff
fort, at least with so much wood around
have bed, chairs, tables and a few
benches. The windows are draped with
oh alo ~ i'll
the portieres are made from croker sacks
or other rough material. dyed by pupils
settees are made the same way; rugs,
home made: the students are taught hore
the care of beds. of closets, of woodwork,
disinfecting, dish washing. cooking, set
ting table and all duties pertaining to
housekeeping; they work the garden,
gather and prepare the vegetables, care
for chickens and the stock, even learn
the care eff garbage. Connected with the
home is a flower garden and a play
ground. Do our mountain people. do our
rural schools have such chance in life?
Why not?
did not go there to find out what the
northern capitalists were doing to edu-
cate the negro. had been told all of
this. I knew what money would do. l
went there to find out what Booker T.
Washington and his wife were doing for
the negro, and how the negro was max
ing use of the opportunity
I did not leave the grounds from the
minute | drove in the Lincoln gate until
I left for the depot. l ate and slept there
in home reserved by the school for
white friends. I was treated with the
same courtesy and attention as | have
been accustomed to by the negroes all of
my life, and | profited by the experience
and enjoyed every minute of my time.
Booker Washington was not there but
h xnrifa hos mob fnp
the uplift of her race as he has. He has
financed, and planned and she has ex-
ecuted much of the details. She was
born in Macon. Miss, educated at Nash
vile, and taught in this institution be-
fore she married.
She Is a very intelligent, Industrious
woman, with q strong purpose, and she
is working the details of this problem OF
the poor and helpless among her people.
She hopes to see the day when every ne
gro is trained to give the best of his
sense and energy, when he is certain that
work is the only way to attain great
end.
She has a handsome home and she
keeps it well. She loves the south and
speaks with gratitude of her friends in
the north.
This trainin gand environment will in
time give to the white people of the south
the competent service that was theirs in
part; intelligent work is needed IN every
office. This is work for the people of
both races, as l saw it on my visit.
The work is extending. Mr.. julius
Rosenwald of Chicago has given this op-
portunity. He has reserved a fund to
be expended in school extension among
the negroes of Alabama. This beneficence
is to be distributed through Tuskegee in
stitute uopn the recommendation of its
president. Already schools have been
built upon the plan in - counties, in
Guiding Macon Russell, Lee. Chambers,
Tallapoosa, Coosa, Dallas. Perry, Hale,
Monte and Lowndes. Each coun-
tvs own people must raise $500 and Mr.
Rosenwald will give equal amount;
the property is decided to the state; the
teachers paid by county school funds and
the schools are planned to cover just
such work as I have above described in
the cottage training at Tuskegee.
Can you see anything but help to
acrue-civilzation, better morals, better
service, less need of jails and penten-
tares? When everything is done to build
a better man or woman. no matter what
the color 1t Is social service, kindness,
uplift. The negro race today has lead
err who Is a missionary-the best among
them; IL they follow his lessons as 1 saw
them at Tuskegee, they are entering a
new life, and their white friends, north
and south, are glad to see them improve
their character and their skill.
The negro occupies peculiar place in
the south-we who have known them al
ways, who have known them in our