The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1915-10-02

both medicine and dentistry, and his
papers. which have been read before
state, national and international dental
societies. have always merited the high.
est praise.
DR.. Bentley Is one Of the few dem
lists who have been successful in the
treatment of pyorrhea, the most diff
cult affection with which the profess
sion has to contend. The manipula-
ton Of the instruments requires the
greatest manual dexterity and delicate
sense of touch. He numbers among
his patients many Of the wealthiest
and most prominent citizens Of the
country and is one Of the dozen or 50
Chicago dentists who count their an
nual incomes in Ave figures.
In late years DR.. Bentley has attain.
ed great prominence in civic affairs,
and his advice Is eagerly sought by
those who are endeavoring to better
the conditions Of humanity in general.
For more than twenty years he has
been secretary Of Provident hospital.
He was first president of the Equal
Opportunity league Of Chicago. He is
a charter member of the directorate Of
the National Association For the Ad-
vancement of the Colored People, an
organization which includes some Of
the most prominent people Of the coun-
try in its membership. He has the gift
Of oratory and is a forceful, logical
and convincing speaker.
In 1893 DR.. Bentley was married to
Miss Florence Lewis, who was for
many years the literary editor Of the
Philadelphia Daily Press, woman of
rare attainments, and their married life
has been very happy. In October, 1914,
DR.. Bentley, at the special invitation Of
the Winnebago County Qll.) Dental so
ciety, delivered an address before that
body on "Oral Hygiene" The same
afternoon, at the request Of the board
Of education, he addressed 1000 stu
dents Of the Rockford high school on
Paul Laurence Dunbar"
DR.. Bentley's new dental offices are
located in the Marshall Field building,
overlooking Lake Michigan, where on
clear days one may look across the lake
to the Michigan and Indiana shores.
The dental appliances in the Offices
are complete in every detail A man Of
learning, polished in manner, having
entree to the highest social circles and
being in touch with many people Of
great influence, he has been able to
do effective work in fighting prejudice
against the colored people. Single
handed and alone he has nipped many
obnoxious schemes in the bud. Many
wrongs have been righted effectively,
but quietly and without any brass band
accompaniment When anything great
In the repression Of race prejudice has
been accomplished In Illinois and peo-
pie are wondering how 1t was done
the chances are ten to one that DR..
Bentley Is the man who did 1t.
DR.. Bentley is ut the head Of his pro-
fession. He is not simply great col
ored dentist, but a great Americas den-
tist. His success has not been circum-
scribed by lines Of color. He thinks
American, feels American, acts Ameri-
can and demands and receives treat
ment as an American. He believes
that all men born In America are
Americans and is opposed to the use Of
the word "Negro" to describe the col
ored people Of the country. He is con-
vinced that 1t is not logical and its use
is inimical to the welfare Of the repub-
lie. He looks forward to the day when
there will be no German-Americans or
French h-Americans or Italian-Ameri.
cans or Afro-Americans or any other
hyphenated variety and when all racial
distinctions shall have disappeared.
When the National Association For
the Advancement Of Colored People
was organized 1t was largely due to
his efforts that the word NEGRO" was
not made a part Of the official title Of
the organization. His career should be
an inspiration to every colored youth.
It teaches the lesson that 1t Is not nee
essary, that 1t is even shortsighted and
wrong, to limit ones activities to the
boundaries Of the color line. It proves
that there are no barriers which study,
determination, constant effort, ability
and skill will not batter down.