The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1916-07-08

the great assets of Southern Indus
trial life, according to a report brought
from Kentucky to the convention of
the National Association of Manufac-
turers held recently at the Waldorf
Astoria. 1t vas brought by Frank ID.
Rash Of the Kentucky Manufacturers
association, who, although a manufac-
turer, gave the convention a treat in
old-time oratory as good as II he did
nothing else for a living.
mo longer" said Mr.. Rash, docs
the gallant, be%whiskered southern colo
mel surround himself with %cupbearers
and lounge on the broad veranda of
his colonial mansion, all the while sip
ping the seductive mint julep from
the frosted cup of silver. And though
the Kentucky colonel still lives, you
Will now see him DOMINIC cap and
overalls and leading the forces of in
dustry in bringing Kentucky's marvel
GUS mineral wealth to the use of man
kind, or yet, perhaps, as the execu-
tive directing his staff in any one Of
the many manufacturing enterprises
springing up within the borders of the
commonwealth.
Much has been written and said
concerning a so-called Negro problem
"A great part of this at long distance /;
and it may be that the tirst-hand ex-
periences and observations of Il south
erner may be of some interest to you.
AS respects the completeness of the in
formation of many writer's on this sub
Ject, the average southerner cannot
avoid regarding some statements as
did the two old Irish ladies'. The arch
bishop had preached a fine sermon
on married life and its beauties. The
two old ladies, both with figures and
families of ample proportions, were
heard coming out of church comment
ing on the address.
"'"Tis a fine sermon his reverence
would be after givin' u.s. said one to
the other. Tt is, indade,' was the re-
ply; and | wish ! knew as little
about the matther as he does
I'm expressing the belief that Ne
gro labor is one of the greatest as
sets of southern industry it is de-
voutly to be hoped that such express
sion will not be considered in the light
OF an attempt TO point out any CON-
mercial advantage of one section of
the country, but rather a desire to
present the idea of the thoughtful
%southerner of today and to pay just
tribute to the worthy southern Negro.
THAT remarkable man, Booker 7.
Washington, pointed out to the people
of his race that their only hope lay In
work, hard work and efficient work in
the fields, the forests, the factories
and the mines, in the Industrial school
and in the college and in the profes
sions, and to that end never ceased
his call to service. You will recall
his wonderful address at the opening
of the cotton states exposition in At
lanta in 1895, which did more thar
any public utterance of any man tc
temper suspicion and race hatred and
to bring about a better understanding
in the South, and while the UtOpian
state in this understanding has moi
been reached and may never be, yet
nevertheless, we are day by day anC
year by year approaching Booker T
W~ashingtOn's dream for the South.
Having had opportunity to observe
the application of the Industrial prin
ciples Booker 7. Washington laiC
down for the southern Negro, or, a!
to that, for all peoples, 1t is gratifying
to bear testimony TO the CORRECTNESS!
Of those ideas, if such testimony were
needed, and in which the best though
Of the South will join"