The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1919-12-20
NEGROES URGED TO
INVEST IN HOMES

New York, Dec. 20-Ihrough the
reconstruction period following the
close of the Civil War and for many
years thereafter, the Colored people
of the south were the victims of all
sorts of fake schemes by unscrupu-
lous persons who practically robbed
them out of their hard earnings.
Among the first of this group OF
fakes were the root-doctor and the
fortune teller. Then there followed
in close succession the cheap jewell
ry and the patent medicine man. Be-
ing almost void of education and
practical business experience the Col
ored people were easily fooled into
buying the wares of the faker until
the practice soon became deep
seated habit.
With the coming of the free schools
and the missionary educators the
people began to become more enligh-
tened and as they gained both know
ledge and experience they used these
qualifications for self protection, thus
lessening the traffic OF the faker.
But like Banquo's ghost. the takers
would not down. His explorations
have continued to this day though in
a milder form. Our country has
Just emerged victorious from the fir
ing line of the great world war We
are now at the beginning of another
reconstruction period and we find
this same class of takers busy at
. their trade exploiting the Colored
people of the rural districts out of
their earnings in various ways. The
Young Mems Christian Association
will throw the weight of its infl-
uence against the faker class in its
campaign of education during and
after the National Thrift Week Cam
paign of the Government 10 be con-
Quoted throughout the country the
first week in January, 1920.
DR.. ]. E. Moorland, senior secre-
tary of the Colored Mems Department
of the International Committee, OF
the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton who has returned from a trip
through sections of the country
where Colored people from large
percentage of the population reports
that he is convinced that there is
an urgent need of an intensive cam
paign of education among our people
against such a waste of their earn
ings upon such things as the fake
salesman and the quack doctor have
to offer them. This, he says is the
best remedy.
Dr. Moorland says Furthermore:
II was never so much impressed with
conditions as / found them in the
northwestern parts of Arkansas anG
southwestern Missouri In the sec.
lions of these two states which
visited the Colored people are pros
porous and yet many of them yielC
to the tactics and unscruplous prac-
tees of this class of merchants anC
vendors at every turn. On the trains
the news vendors have no trouble t.
unload their wares in sales to Color.
ed people, telling them they SHOULD
buy because the white people die
so.
In many cities and towns through
which l passed the quack medicines
are bringing high prices among thu
Colored people because they have
not yet learned to say no! to wha
they do not want or that which does
not material benefit them. If they
were properly educated in judicioui
spending these explorations would
not obtain. I find that the ColoreC
people of Missouri like those in many
other states of the Union contributed
largely to the Liberty loan. 1t is es
timated that the Colored people O
Missouri alone bought upward {
million bonds. The race should nov
turn its attention to home getting
educating the children and the eco