The Denver star., 1916-01-15

Among Afro.Amsrieans Shows Re-
markabis Work Along Many Lines Of
Aetivity-Grsat Work Of Or. }. e.
Spinsarn.
BY N. BARNETT DODsON.
New York-Civilization is the altru-
istic fruition of the ages and rests
ppon mans unselfish service to man,
says DR.. c. v. Roman Of Nashville.
Tenn. He also says that faith in man
is as important as faith in God and
that faith in God unaccompanied by
faith In man is an injury. not bene
1T, to human society. This is broad
statement, with truth as broad rs
its meaning from whatever point of
view we may discuss 1t. In relation
to the efforts and achievements of the
colored race in America DIR. Romans
ipse dixit Is applica BILE to the letter.
Efficiency, preparedness and service
are leading elements and essentials in
the progress of nations. races and indi-
viduals toward the higher and better
things of this life. The past year
1915 was one of great effort and
struggle In many directions among our
people and along many lines for racial
betterment without the qualities of
manhood and spiritual attitude such
as we find in DIR. Romans declaration
our race could never have recorded to
its credit the marvellous progress
which we see and read OF within the
short period of fifty years as free
Americana.
spinsarn Makes Pisa For Square Deal.
In the EFFORT for equal legal rights
and the enforcement Of the law alike
to all. without regard to race or color.
the first gunshot Of the year was fired
by DIR. Joel E. Spingarn. chairman of
the board Of directors Of the National
Association For the Advancement of
Colored People Dr. Spingarn made a
tour of several Of the western states.
which lasted through the month of
January. In Chicago. Columbus. Day
ton and Cleveland. O., and at Indian
apolis. Ind, he spoke before the cham
bers OF commerce and other organ
lied business groups of prominent and
lhuuentldI IuSu OA tuV ucNSSsltN
Of using their influence on the side Of
justice for our people and in the mat
ter Of giving them an equal chance
and equal pay for the same kind Of
labor as other groups OF Americans re-
ceive. DR.. Spingarn created much ia
vorable sentiment in our behalf
From Jan. l to the end OF April tdi
tor William Monroe Trotter of the Bos
ton Guardian toured many of the
northern and western states. speaking
in the large cities against race segre
CATION. On this tour Mr. Trotter told
how a committee appointed by the
Equal Rights league, OF which bo vas
chairman. made a visit in November.
1914, to Washington and there laid the
matter OF race segregation in the gov
ernment departments before the pres
ident The result of the conference
created n national sensation from the
fact that for the first time since this
unjust practice had been put in force IT
was admitted that such a practice ex.
isted.
Mr.. Trotter received much praise and
some criticism for the part which he
tooh tLio AhtSiNieW Will lht BitSl
dent. Public sentiment finally decid-
ed that It was an act in behalf of hu-
man rights and American citizenship.
which were above the selfish motives
of any individual and that 1t was per.
formed in a legal. orderly manner and
was therefore justifable.
Or. Just Wins spinsarn Modal.
Tho hty 70 h1 ,.,l,
ruary was the annual meeting of the
National Association For the Advance.
ment OF Colored People. held Mt Ethical
Culture hall. New York. At this meet.
ing Governor Charles S. Whitman of
New York awarded to Or. Ernest Ev.
erett Just. head Of the department OF
physiology Mt Howard university. the
first Spingarn gold medal. This trophy.
which costs 500, Is offered annually
by DR.. Joel Il. Spingarn, chairman of
the board OF directors OF the above
named association, to the man or wo
man OF African descent and American
citizenship who shall have made the
highest achievement during the preced.
ing year in any field Of elevated or hon,
ornble human endeavor.
Responding to the call OF the late
DR.. Booker T. Washington for ma
donal health campaign the third week
in March. over twO-thirds OF the large
organizations OF various objects and
aims conducted public meetings where
instructive talks and addresses were
made and literature on health topics
was distributed. This movement was
the frst Of its kind on 20 large scale
ever undertaken and in which the pub
lie evinced unusual interest The ru
raj communities were greatly benefit
ed. and in several large cities the dealt h
rate among our people for the eight
months following was much lower.