The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1917-04-14

=" "OOooWoaTyS OSUOOiSs
New York.-At a meeting held on
March % at TO- Fifth avenue in this
city aicommission was organized to be
known as the Durham Commission to
Study the American Negro. This meet
ing grew out Of the educational confer
ence called by DR.. J. E., Shepard and
held at the National Training school,
Durham, N. c., from Nov. 21 to "a,
1915. 1t seemed to the many persons
Of prominence who attended this con-
ference that it would be too bad to
have the matter end simply with In
formation and resolutions They deter
mined, therefore, to appoint a perma-
nent commission to study present con-
dittons In Negro education.
Many were aware that similar stud
les had been made In the past and that
at,present certain investigations were
being prosecuted, but they learned
with regret that In the present inves-
legations. white investigators were con-
cerned and that colored men Of knowl-
edge and with deep interest In the
subject had been carefully exclud-
ed from all participation. 1t seemed
absolutely certain that no real study
Of the American Negro could take place
without the participation Of competent
Negroes, since they possess knowledge
and have access to sources Of knowl-
edge OF their own race which no others
could command.
u A commission was therefore appoint
ed 10 beginat the work Of research un.
der the cchairmanship Of DR.. w. ID. B.
,Dui Bois, editor Of the Crisis Magazine
and former director Of the social stud
les made for fourteen years at Atlanta
university. DR.. James K. Shepard.
president Of the National Training
school, undertook the difficult task of
raising funds for, the commission
The commission met In New York
with the chairman. DR.. Shepard, pre-
siding; MIR. William G. Pearson of the
Durham public schools, President w.
]. Hale of the Tennessee Normal
school, Mr.. j. A. Cotton of the Hender.
son IN. g. institute and President w.
8. Scarborough OF Wilberforce univer-
sity present. President rRendell of Lin
coin university and DR.. j. w. q. Bowen
Of Cannon seminary were detained.
The commission decided to undertake
survey Of secondary schools for the
education Of the Negroes in the United
States, with the idea of ascertaining
the number and distribution of these
schools, their equipment and efficiency.
their attendance and teaching force,
their income and expenditure and the
extent to which they are filling the de-
mand for secondary education among
colored people.
The 800 schools which are to be
studied are divided into three districts
Of about 100 schools each, and year
is to be devoted to the study Of each
district. The method Of study will in
volve investigation by correspondence.
for the gathering Of material and per-
sonal visits to the schools. A report
will be prepared and published each
year.
The general form OF procedure In
gathering this information will be sub
mitted for suggestion and approval to
the Sage. foundation, to the general
education board and to the trustees OF
the Slater fund, and their cooperation
in the work will be asked. The same
procedure will be followed in the case
of various UNCONVENTIONAL educational
boards. IL is proposed that after this
survey Of education the commission
turn its attention to other fields Of in
vestigation concerning the American
Negro, with the idea OF establishing in
connection with the National Training
school and in cooperation with other
institutions and organizations syste-
matte series Of surveys into the social
condition of the American Negro.