The Tribune. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1951-19??, 1955-01-29
By SIDNEY J. PHILLIPS, President
Booker Washington Birthplace, Virginia


1. Conception of suitable Memorial to be erected
al the birthplace of Booker T. Washington.
When in 1916 Mrs. Portia Washington Pittman
oaughter OF Booker T. Washington approached S. j. Phil
ups with the request to her fathers birthplace for
poStery. Inc concept of suitable memorial to this fa
NOUS American Immediately shaped itself around the idea
OF perpetuatng his ideals and teaching Justification in
establishing memorial to Booker T. Washington was
found in the following facts:
lal Booker L. Washington from a log cabin to
the Hall OF Fame memorial il his honor would stand
as tribute to the broadness of the government under
Whch we 1--we and would inspiration to hum
bic Americans of every race and creed
W WORK is powerful factor in the progress of
any nation Booker T. Washington taught millions Of
people the glory and dignity of work well done II s fiji
ting that memorial be established to do honor to an
Apostle of Labor ~ ca
|c) Booker T. Washineton's teachings are sane and
FUNDAMENTAL Their value has been proved hevond q
doubt They be applied to todav's nroblen,s nc vii
as TO yesterdays timely establish memorial that
VIII FOCUS the attention of the American people upon his
philosophy and teachings.
(d) Several projects stand in America TODAY that
are closely connected with the of Booker T Wash
ngton These are the results of HIS LABORHIS GIFTS
10 the American people. 1t is fitting that the ANIERI
CAN PEOPLE establish Booker T. Washington Memoir
1al as THEIR GIFT of appreciation for his labors
(e) Booker L. Washington was an apostle of inter
racial and sectional goodwill. All groups working to-
gether to bald memorial in his honor woad be practi
cal demonstration of the fact that and races can
IogeInef 1or mutual welfare and mutual
t) Booker I. Washington worked unselfishly and
untringly for his fellowmen 1t would be fitting here
were his efforts recognized IN this tangible way
e The Projection of the Idea:
well-rounded program based on the five cardi
MAJ points OF Booker l. Washingtons phosophy--AGRI
CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT: HEALTH PROTECTION :.
INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION; THE DIGNITY OF LABOR
and lNTERRACIAL GOODWILI--was developed and
set forth m printed form Through the of an eff
cen and interested cf workers. simple straight
literature, and MA
forms, the Memorial then set about the task putting
this into action reach farmers men on the
jobs IN mills and factories boys who hadn't chance at
education and girls who had to give up formal education
In the grade schools and bring each of these hope
and inspiration the opportunities offered for advance
ment in his common teachings.
g. Contemplated Interest From The American
Public OF Both Groups:
So enthusiastic were memorial workers that thew
felt that the response the memorial idea would be
gratifying among members of all races and creeds
Booker T. Washington contributed to our Amer
lean of life that they felt that Americans would
readily join hands in the building of the type memorial
planned The program had not been developed very far
however, when they discovered that the cooperation
which they had hoped for forthcoming Particu-
arly it surprising to find that when and
operation manifested largely the white
group. The Negro public generally evidenced but very
little interest in the undertaking.
Endorsement By Governors Of All States:
In several high places" the idea of service me-
mortal to Booker T. Washington was warmly received
Particularly this true of the men who were then
serving as of AZ states. Each of these
gave bis endorsement to the memorial movement, and
served member of BOARD of Governors" for the
memorial for several years.
5. Many organizations and outstanding individu-
ais were confused because of the attitude
kegee institute and of the negative interest admin
instration.
When the birthplace Of Booker T. Washington
about to be offered for sale at public auction the adj
minstraon of Tuskegee Institute was written and Of
fered the privilege of purchasing the site The admins
traton not Interested It seemed to have been the
general idea that Tuskegeee Institute sufficient
memorial and that any other might detract from the
porance financial support of Tuskegee Institute Many
individuals and organizations that might have supported
the memorial would not do so because they con
fused by the attitude of Tuskegee Institute.
b. Nationwide interest aroused because of the]