Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1919-06-29
u. S. Builds City
In Virginia for
COlOred People

The opening of Truxton, Va, the
first town in the United States plan
ned and constructed by the Govern
ment for colored persons exclusive
ly. calls attention to widening in
terest in the proper housing OF the
negro population of the United States
Truxton has $50 houses, each contain
ing five rooms and BATH All modern
conveniences are provided, and the
dwellings are attractive. The town
is to be governed by the tenants, who
meet with the town manager, repre-
sentative of the United States Hous-
ing Corporation.
According to reports sent to the
United States Department of Labor,
Ohio is interested in working out
plans to. improve the housing condi-
tions which prevail among the colored
population. A statewide. plan that
will relieve congestion and assure the
proper housing for thousands is being
discussed, and it is possible that a
means of financing building on big
scale will be found. Several sugges-
tions have been discussed as practi-
cable. One of these is the organiza-
ton of building and loan associa-
ton by responsible colored men. Such
an enterprise would command the sup
port of many large companies that
would be interested in aiding the new
venture to become firmly establish
ed. Another idea is that the negro
insurance with the cooperation of
orther negro organizations would be
assured. should make the necessary
connections with local building and
loan associations.
Since the war many northern cities
have had such an increased demand
for houses and apartments from col
ored tenants, that in certain commun-
tiles, the congestion has become SER
ious. The urgent need of dwellings
that shall be in every way desirable
has been emphasized by the fact that
there is a steadily increasing number
of negroes able to pay for comforts
and conveniences as we'll as for mere
shelter and place to sleep.
FILTERS
The demand for telephones in ia
pan is so great that when one sub
scriber is ready to give up his tele-
phone, he sells it through broker,
there being a regular market value on
the phone. At the end of 1917 there
were 10000 persons awaiting the in
stallation of telephone Instruments.
Japan's foreign trade in forest pro-
ducts has greatly increased during
the past year. The export of lum-
Der amounted to $S,000,OOO: vege-
table wax, $1,792,00O. Camphor was
shipped to the value of S1,572,000,
and exports of coconut oil amounted
to $5,84O,O00.
The diamond imports of Japan
show a large increase. To the end of
1918, diamonds to the value OF 81 ,059,-
500 were, imported as against $4,000
in 1917. No diamonds are produced
in Japan, and the heavy import duty
has not affected the demand
!. The imports of, condensed milk in
Japan are now steadily declining, for
there are now several large manu-
facturers of this commodity in Japan,
and last year 100000 cases of Japan
csc condensed milk weer exported to
China, India, and the Straits of Set
Element.
Chinese government railroads are
yielding good profits. For the year
1917, the report shows surplus for
the entire system of $2l, 630,195,
which 81 a slightly larger sum than
the 1916 surplus, and nearly double
that of 1915.