Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1937-01-01
LEADERS OPTIMISTIC
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opment and perpetuation of bust
nesses; that we should cooperate
fully with the National Negro Bus
mess League; should exercise our
right of suffrage until we become a
race of voters. We must not be
content to secure a few political
plums but equal pay for teachers
in the South, jobs as policemen,
firemen, park employees, custo-
dians of public buildings, clerks
and government departmental su-
pervisors. These and other benefits
come only by voting intelhgently."
A College President Speaks
DIR. JOHN WARREN DAVIS,
president of West Virginia State
College, says:
"The year 1886 found the Negro
emerging from the hard lessons of
the depression period more inclined
than ever to think and act upon the
basis of fact. A measurably chang
ing social order reveals changes in
the Negro which represent keen
er interest in his economic and So
cial welfare. Blind allegiance and
out-worn tradition cannot now de-
ter the Negro from making deci-
sions for his material and spiritual
advancement. He desires to be an
integrated and contributing person
atty in the recreational, social, eco
nomic, intellectual and spiritual life
of America.
"The year 1886 has found the
Negro more thoughtful of his
progress and the years immediate
ly ahead will find him increasingly
studious of his constructive we'll
being. Much remains to be accom-
plished in the onward march of the
American Negro and the indica-
lions are that his problems of the
future will be met with greater
tolerance, intelligence and under
standing"
billboard" Jackson Speaks
JAMES A. JACKSON, special
representative of Standard Oil
Company, &c Broadway, New York,
says:
81 am a commercial traveller and
Market student. It is natural,
therefore, that would be more OBJ
servant of the economics than of
any other phases of race develop
ment. During the year have
visited 121 communities in q
states; and the most significant
thing l have discovered, has been
the awakened sense of the race
group with reference to practical
business. More and more, Negroes
are engaging in business. What's
more important, most of them are
beginning in very small enter
prises; and are no longer trying to
create big commercial organiza-
lions beyond the limited manage
ment abilities of the promoters.
eve are, in many places, COM
polling employment of colored
sales people in stores catering to
our trade, thereby not only increas-
ing the immediate group income,
but assuring a forthcoming genera
ton of experienced business per-
sonnet for the future commercial
efforts of the race.
FINALLY, my experiences during
the past year shows that we are
becoming more race conscious, and
expressing that consciousness in
terms of business patronage. There
is, as yet, far from enough of this,
but the years show a very signifi-
cant advance along this line. More
churches, lodges, and civic societies
are staging programs of this type
of education. A North Carolina
church actually delayed a COM
munion service to listen to an
hours talk on race business. That
is significant of a changed attitude
that means much.
"The depression is over, or we
are becoming accustomed to it; and
if, while it lasted, it has taught the
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