The broad ax., 1917-09-15
TIE REMARKABLE PROGRESS ON
THE PART OF THE coLoRED
PEOPLE OF DENVER, COLORADO.
Special to The Broad Ak By T. 7.
Moseley.
Denver, Col, Sept. II, 1917.

Chicago, Ill.
Dear Editor:
You will doubtless be surprised to
hear from me in this far off western
metropolis. I am somewhat surprised
myself, not that 1 am here, but at the
reaf and substantial progress our people
are making in this democratic city and
state. Where no republican holds elect
i've Office, one would surmise that the
brother in ebony would be in such a
place a much neglected potato, to say
that the reverse is true and that he
the negro has climbed to unheard of
be an unbelieved declaration. Yet this
is true: during all the years since 1865
to 1912 this state was republican and
until 1904 this city was republican.
During that period the race in the state
was given by that party one messenger
to the governor and five janitors in the
state capital and in this city one turn
key or guard in the county Jail as the
sum total of his part in republican vie
tories. How different now-and the
cause of the difference is what surprises
me and furnishes food for political lead
ers of bygone age, as well as formula
for those who would lead in the future.
Arriving here Friday last over inter
urban line from Littleton, made in
quiries at the county court house con-
corning where and who I might meet
that could be of service in assisting me
to meet the better element IS my own
people and the leading whites of the
city. I was promptly informed that the
man I wanted to see was Mr.. Victor
Walker, proprietor of the Dunbar Hotel,
who was a leading citizen and knew
everybody worth knowing in town and
that Mr.. Benz. Burnett, who worked in
the courthouse would show me how to
reach him. L was introduced by my
| erstwhile white friend to Mr.. Burnett
: who kindly pointed out the direction to
. Mr.. Walkers place. was still in doubt
J as to Mr.. Walkers nationality, but
found my way to his place, 3-story
| brick building modernly built and fur
, nished, and conveniently located Oh
Arapahoe street two blocks from the U.
J s. postoffice or Federal building, which
, is the finest granite building of its kind
in the country. Here 1 found the Dun
bar Hotel in charge of Mr.. Walker IS
charming wife, who received and made
it pleasant for me. Her husband, Mr..
Walker, having been called by the War
Council of Defense to Pueblo. After
his return was again surprised at his
frank and open way of receiving one
and the high esteem in which found
him held by the Denver public. He ex-
planned that he was being urged to ac-
cept a eaptaincy in the State Militia
and that by reason of his so years of
age he felt like declining it in the inter
est of younger man, but this the
people would not have and it looks at
this writing as though he will have to
accept, and from hence he is known as
Captain Walker
Well back to my subject. The sur
prise of the Negro's progress in Colo
rado and Denver under democratic rule,
my last paragraph gives the cause, and
now the race have under Governor Gum
ter, the present democratic governor,
one clerk, insurance department, 81, 200;
one messenger at $1,000; one clerk, au-
diting department, $1,000 a year; one
clerk, secretary of state office, s., 200 a
year; eleven janitors at $500 per year
each; one major militia, So, 900 per
year; four captains at $2,440 each per
year; four first heutenants at $4,000 per
year each; four second lieutenants at
LAO each per year, and in the city,
under Hon. RObt. NJ. Speer, Mayor
Dumer, under a charter written by him
self: One fire company comprising one
captain, 81 500 per year, one lieutenant,
ST $3.50 per year, five fremen at ST 1920 |
each per year, four police officers at
81 ,320 each per year, one police officer at
$500 per year one surgeon on hospital
staff, one physician, city health depart
ment, $1,000 per year, one fumigator,
$1,000 per year, one lady chemical labor
atory assistant, 5000 per year, five lady
attendants in public service stations at
$40 each per year, one maehinist, city
machine shop, union wages, three street
sprinklers at Sc per day, six or more
utility men in highway department at
$3.50 per day, ffty-one men running ele-
vators, pilots, etc, at $75 per month.
What caused this progress2 Walker, Vic
Walker if you please, and yet he is not
q democrat. He is a man, a real race
man, who is big enough and courageous
enough to do battle for the man or
measure that recognizes Negro man
hood and ability first regardless NJ nartv