Phoenix tribune., 1920-01-10
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TUCSON
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(By Prof. Cicero C. Simmons, Princi-
pal p. L. Dunbar SCHOOL,

Taking all the circumstances into
consideration, the colored people have
no reason to despair of their 1919
record, locally and nationally.
Here in Tucson the general char
acter of our people has changed for
the best. There is a general disposi-
tion to be more reliable at their work,
more truthful in their words, and
more dependable generally. In a
word, the secret wish now is: To do
something, have something, and to be
somebody.
Two colored men have quit their
city positions and are now engaged
in farming. One of these men has his
ranch stocked up with hogs, poultry
OF all kinds, cattle, horses, excellent
vegetables, barley, and a $500 well
equipped with 12-horsepower en-
gine, 15-inch pump, 4-inch pipe.
The P. L. Dunbar school is trying
constantly to lay firmly and securely
the educational foundation of its col
ored pupils. The Masonic lodge, East
ern Star and Household of Ruth chap
ters are supplying the fraternal needs
of the community.
Colored employees engaged in what
is termed common labor, as well as
those engaged in skilled labor, made
satisfactory records in 1919. The s..
P. shop boys held their own. Colored
business enterprises are doing well in
the city.
In a national way, colored people
have done well, not only in individual
business efforts, but there is a real
disposition to unite their powers into
Zig business. For example, colored
people of Savannah, Ga, plan to build
a $1,000,OO0 hotel and business build
ing combined.
Two Virginia colored banks just dis
tributed s1S0,0Q0 to their depositors
$4,000 members of the Christmas saw
ings clubs).
A negro realty company of New
York city recently purchased a seven
story apartment house in that city
valued at 100000. Last year Negroes
acquired dozen elevator apartment
houses in the Harlem.
In the South Negroes, although con-
fronted with certain sectional draw.
backs, are forging ahead in the man
ner of tilling the soil, purchasing more
farms, and securing more city prop
erty.
The lynching of seventy-six colored
males and one colored female, of
course, is very depressing to the race,
and certainly most discrediting to our
nation in Europe and the South Amer
lean countries. 1t is hoped that soon
er or later mob acts will be a federal
crime. The colored people as a whole
do not condone the criminal acts of
our men who commit improper acts
upon women of any race.
There are 15,O00,OOO colored people
in America at this time. Fifty-fve
years ago only 8 per cent of the Ne
groes could read and write. Today
about 70 per cent can read and write.
The sane leaders of the race (who
are in the large majority believe in
cultivating the closest possible friend
ly relations between the white and
black races.
1t is very gratifying that such great
southern papers as the Atlanta Con-
stitution, Columbia State, and Hous-
ton Post are fighting lynch law" with
characteristic southern vigor
An enviable record was made by
the 100000 colored men who fought
bravely in the great World War. High
praises of the splendid record of the
Negro soldiers in camp and upon the
battle front in France were issued by
Secretary of War Baker, General John
J. Pershing and former President
Theodore Roosevelt.
The Negro helped to win the war
not only with gun but by his rich mI.
sical talent. When they were heard
singing in France, a keen-witted OBJ
server said:
"You cannot defeat a singing ma,
ton"
Send me more singing regiments, "
cabled General Pershing.
The Negro is the originator of the
now famous "jazz" music.
The brave. fighters have returned to
America, splendid group of men
with high spirit, lofty purposes and a
greater hope for his and his races
future