The Enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 192?-1930, 1927-07-15

the sideline rabble. They know
more about how John Smith should
conduct his grocery store than he
does. The peculiar thing about this
rabble is those who have done the
least are the most active in their
criticisms. Those who have not sue
ceeded in anything appear to be
the best fitted to tell other people
what they should do in order to have
success. John Smith may not be
conducting his business properly, but
even so, is not John Smith doing
more than his self appointed critics
who have never done anything ex-
cept stand on the sideline and talk
about what should have been done?
Is not the fellow who attempts
something and fails infinitely better
than the man who attempts nothing
and succeeds? The chances are that
the man who is actually trying to
do something knows more about his
business than those standing on the
sideline. 1t is very probable that the
person who is conducting business
would like to do the very thing that
the rabble is talking about but on
account of certain conditions it can
not be done at the present time.
Perhaps he is bending all of his en-
ergies toward that end.
The sideline rabble could use their
energies to a better advantage If
they would get into the game them
selves and teach their less fortunate
brothers how to do things by ex-
ample instead of talk. Frankly we
need all of the brain power possessed
by those who know how to do big
things. But standing on the side
line telling the rest of us how foolish
we are will not help us at all. II
those who possess all wisdom would
only start something it would help
those of us whom they consider dumb
to do our several jobs better.
Several noted Nordic statisticians
have recently stated that 1.-THE Ne
gro population in the Nothern in
dustrial centers and cities does not
reproduce ITSELF and that "by 1885
the Negro population of the United
States will be decreasing absolutely;
and this will go-on until the Negro,
as a separate population, will have
ceased to be a factor of import
ance."
A glimpse of the u s. Census
Bureaus Statistical Analysis of
Negro population will reveal the
fact that the depopulation prophesy
is merely a spectre. Probably its
originators cherished a secret hope
which was parent to the prophesy.
As a matter of fact, the Negro
in industrial centers is reproducing
himself, and more than that. His
death rate. at these points at least,
is growing lower; and his birth
rate higher than in past decades.
His health Is improving and his
prospects for longevity, in compari-
son with competitive racial groups,
are Frightening.
Depopulation has set In only In
Southern ,farmlands. which are
yielding up each year a goodly num-
Der of Negroes who are able to
purchase railroad tickets to points
North. Even this influence. how
ever, is growing less and less, for
the reason that those who have en-
deavored to stifle previous depart
ures Of Negro groups from the cot
ton and rice fields and from the
lumber camps and steel mills of the
Southern States are beginning to
realize that the proximate cause.
not the result. is what should be
given first attention.
1t is indicated that, as between
the years of 1910 and 1920, when
the Negro population increased
more than half million, a new
trend of increase will begin within
the next few years. With restricted
immigration and increased indus
trial opportunities, nothing else
could be expected.
In the meantime. IL crossing the
line" could be averted. either by
the removal of miseegenation laws
of the South or the estoppel of
unethical practices instigated by
the other group, which tend to
bring about an indirect depopula-
ton. through blood rather than
through actual numbers, a greater
menace to the Negro population
| than that caused by the actual les
SEEMING of population would have
been removed.