The forum. [volume] (Springfield, Ill.) 1904-192?, 1917-03-31

Hampton, va.-William 8. Dodd, who
is in charge Of the Hampton institute
business course, has written an inter-
esting account Of the way In which
Hampton is training students for high
grade business positions. Mr.. Dodd in
a recent report says:
The National Negro Business league,
organized by Booker Washington and
composed of scores Of local leagues
scattered throughout thirty-one states
is yearly becoming more beneficial in
its influence.
The league has served to awaken in
the Negro q sense of his business
shortcomings, has taught him the me-
cessity and value Of cooperation and
is gradually leading him TO an appre-
citation of the approved business meth
ODDS employed by the white man. The
need of trained business men to direct
and manage the various business en-
terprises of the Negro is a crying one,
while the opportunities that are open
To him are many and alluring.
In no sphere Of activity has the Ne
gro greater opportunity for useful
ness and success than In agriculture.
Success in farming, however, is large
" dependent on the practical applica-
lion and use of correct business meth
DDS. What is true in the case of agri-
culture Is also to a great extent true of
the various trades In which the race is
becoming so largely engaged.
Hampton's business course is plan
ned with view to meet and supply,
rs far as 1t can, the needs of the Ne
gro business world. The course is one
of four years. Thirty boys are now
taking this course, and yearly in
crease In numbers is probable. An en-
ceptional and valuable feature of the
course Is the advantage offered in the
fourth year of daily work In the yari-
Gus offices of the Hampton school. The
student is thus enabled to gain by
actual contact and handling practical
knowledge Of business practices. This
feature furnishes another instance of
Hampton's educational method of
learning by doing"
Some of the subjects taught in the
course are such as form the basis OF
every practical and well balanced bust
ness curriculum. Bookkeeping, stenog-
raphy, typewriting, English, penman-
ship and commercial arithmetic are
the fundamentals. The thorough In
struction which is given IN the sub
iects mentioned fits young men to serve
efficiently in clerical as well as In GER
tain larger business positions. pur-
pose of the course, however, Is a wider
one than merely to train young men
20 be hookkeepers, typewriters or ste
nographers, important and necessary
as this Is.
The race today stands in need of
business leaders who are thoroughly
equipped and able to inaugurate, or
ganize and direct business enterprises.
Besides, then, the subjects already
stated a practical study is made of
business transactions, methods and
law, and there is an effort to stir In
itiative and to give grasp and vision
Experience has already shown that
this broader purpose may reasonably
lie expected to be realized in some
cases.
Aside from this exclusive business
course, there Is given a short course
in practical business matters. The
Negro generally is sadly lacking in
knowledge of such matters and conse-
quently is too often victimized or suf
fers unnecessary loss. The aim of this
short course of four months Is to give
to the student a knowledge sufficient
for him to understand and to handle
the ordinary matters of business. This
course is made as practical I'm its bear
Ing as possible, and the topics studied
are such as are suggested by existing
needs and conditions. Deeds, mort
cages, wills, banking, taxes and insur
ance are among the subjects studied.
All the girls take this course, and as
most of them are to be teachers they
will be In positions to impart to others
the knowledge they themselves have
received. In this way the influence
and value of the course will be made
farreaching Every boy and girl while
at Hampton receives some instruction
In business.
One of the graduates of the Hamp
ton business course, Don A. Davis, Is
now the efficient cashier of the Hamp-
ton school, while two others, William
NJ. Rich and e. IL. Vaughn, are in
charge of a Negro bank in Norfolk
This bank under their successful man.
agement has grown into large insti.
tuition. Its Christmas accounts alone
the past year amounted to over So
600 and were exceeded only by those
of the largest white bank in the city
o. Norfolk.