The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-06

cational lines here are considered the equal,
II not n higher, type OF citizenry than in
perhaps any other city Of Its size. They
may be counted on to do their full duty
towards helping themselves, and the col
ored people propose to raise sufficient
money among themselves to make possible
the remodeling Of the Duncan hotel prop
erty in order to meet the requirements Of
the Y. NJ. c. A. service.
The board of directors of the Nashville
association will have direct supervision
over the colored mems branch, which will
be operated on such n business basis as
will insure the minimum Of expense with
the maximum Of revenue consistent with
its service and mission. Receipts from
membership fees, room rents, etc, must be
supplemented by Il modest annual sub
scription budget.
1t is planned to ask the citizens Of Nash
willie during the month of February to pro
vide the money which will be necessary to
pay for the Duncan property, and with
the additional sum which the colOred peo-
pie themselves will contribute, 1t is hoped
to claim the conditional gift Of $25. 600
which Julius Rosenwald, a Hebrew philan-
throplst of Chicago, has offered to give to
Nashville.
Nashville Negroes
Are Asset to City.
That the negroes are an asset to Nash
Vile is generally admitted by those who
have kept up with the progress Of that
race, An evidence of that fact is shown
when It is realized that:
1. Nashville is the center Of educational
and religious influence among the negroes
of the south.
.. Five leading negro institutions of
learning are located In Nashville. These
schools have a teaching force Of 1872. They
enroll nearly 1000 students each year.
3. The largest negro medical college in
the world is In Nashville. The largest
arts college for negroes in the world is in
Nashville.
I. Two negro publishing houses in Nash
Vile own property valued at $500 600.
These publishing houses employ regularly
300 skilled workmen. They send literature
to 1000, 900 people in all parts of the world.
These are but small arguments that de
note that 1t is worth while to encourage
the negroes in their efforts to make better
and more useful citizens In the community.
On the other hand, 1t may be clearly
stated that the Nashville negroes are also
a liability, as Indicated below:
l. The death rate among negroes in
Nashville is 1885, nearly three per day.
The white death rate Is 14.32.
.. During the first three months of 1SI6
there were 1889 male arrests among the
negroes In Nashville, nearly II per day.
z. There is not a public place in Nash
Vile where negroes CAT secure q bath, a
bed or a wholesome meal with desirable
surroundings.
4. There are 5000 negroes in Nashville.
The negro boy and young man face temp
tations more fierce with safeguards much
fewer than those of the whita young man,
8. These conditions vitality affect the
white, as well as the colOred, race, and
must not be permitted to continue.
Building to Solve
Many Problems.
In providing this building for the col,
ored men and boys II is proposed to con.
tribute to the solution of the problem OF
housing, health, education, moral influence
and religious training of the members OF
that race. The program of service is here
indicated q
1. Housing. Sleeping accommodation
will be provided for negro young meg
away from home in keeping with the ap.