St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1936-07-10
HERE and
THERE
By W. M. Smith

Last week listened to panel
discussion on "cO-Operatives." 1t
was interesting and enlightening,
for the men who took part were
well informed and in some cases
engaged in cooperative enter
prises. But it was not completely
satisfying because there was not
time for a full discussion; many
times the speaker was shut off
just as he got to the explanation
of the thing in which many of us
were most deeply interested. But
the theme of cO-Operatives is vital,
especially in the economy of the
cOlOred people; we are destined to
hear much more and learn much
more about it. 1t will require lots
of study and necessitate the en-
gaging of the informed attention
and interest of many people be-
fore a successful beginning can be
made.
And in the meanwhile I am won
dering if it is not possible to give
some thought to things near at
hand in which a few can work to-
gether to make more sure fOun-
datiOn upon which a cooperative
society can be built. For instance:
In this same community of which
I write, live many thousands of
colored people who spend a con-
siderable amount of money and
who could, if they would, build
more important business enter
prises. On a certain prominent
corner there is drug store much
like the chain of stores the Wal
green firm conducts here. It is
well equipped, carries full stock,
a fine soda fountain and lunch
counter, it's personnel is all COL
ored and it's patrons, who fill
the place continuously, are all col
ored, too. But it's owner is white.
Now what's wrong with that?
Nothing except that as it's success
is due to competent colored help
and it's supporting patrons are col
ored, there is no reason why the
great advantages of ownership
should not be in the hands of the
colored people, also. Colored-owned
it would still give employment to
the same number and perhaps a
larger number of colored en-
ployees; it would still be patron
lied by the same colored clientele.
But the 10, Is or 2096 of net profit
now going back to the white COM
munity through white ownership,
would go instead into building a
more important colored commu-
nifty. Some of these profits, at
least, would go in to further sup
port of the churches, some into
larger support of the N. A. A.
c. P, the Urban League or other
civic organizations, some into ex-
banding present colored businesses
or starting new ones; all of it
would help to increase the impor-
lance and respect, the colored citi-
zens of that community would
command in the eyes of their white
fellow citizens. Can it be done?
Of course. What is lacking? Just
that individual initiative so force
fully brought to attention by Nam
ME Burroughs in her brilliant Kan
sas City address. In any of the
larger churches of this community,
of which I write, there are enough
men holding good positions, with
money in the bank or invested in
non-profit making real estate to
carry such an undertaking to COM
plete success. And this drug store
is only one of many enterprises
where smart white men are ex-
plotting the colored people to their
own enrichment and to the dis
couragement of the future welfare
Of young colored boys or girls
wondering this minute what the