The New York Age from New York, New York • Page 1

1- The New Bock Age VOL. XXIX No. 29 THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 1916. PRICE FIVE CENTS MORE ARMY OFFICERS A Chance for Seen in the Formation of New Regiments NEED SECOND LIEUTENANTS To Fill Vacancies that Will be Caused by Promotion of Officers of Lower Grades to Command Increased Military Forces. ENTRANCE EASY WITH RUSH Retired Veteran Tells What Is Required in the Way of Grit and Determination In Order to Secure Commissions from the Ranks- -Urges Enlistment Now by Those Ambitious for Shoulder Knots- The agitation for preparedness, which bids fair to result in an increase of the military establishment, through legislation by the present Congress, will create a demand for a larger number of officers in the regular army.

This demand, according to a farsighted veteran, who has served with the colors for many years, will furnish an opportunity for young men of the race ambitious to enter upon a military career, to win their way to a commission as second lieutenant. That the goal is not impossible of attainment is proved by the example he quotes, although the task is not one for weaklings. But let the veteran outline the situation: "As it is highly probable that several colored regiments will be added to the army upon the passage of either of the military bills now before Congress, and as many vacancies in the grade of commissioned officer will be created, I would urgently recommend that our newspapers and our race leaders make a determined fight for the appointment of as many Negroes as possible to the grade of second lieutenant in Negro regiments. "As every increase causes the promotion of officers of lower grades vacancies in new regiments, it is quite probable that the increase proposed by either bill before Congress would cause the promotion of every second lieutenant in the army. As that is the lowest commissioned grade, what would be more reasonable than that these vacancies should be filled by Negroesthan that we should here start on the lowest round of the ladder? Is it possible that in this day, and at this time, the Federal Government would follow its old tactics to keep us out? True, there is no law barring the Negro, but by all manner of discouragements he has been made to see that he is not wanted; and appointments from civil life which are entirely in the hands of the President have not, to my knowledge, ever been given a Negro.

But I don't know if any have applied. "In the comparatively small increase in the army in 1901 hundreds of men were commissioned who never would have been so fortunate in ordinary times. Davis and Green got in. This is not meant to reflect on their ability, as both have proven to be highly proficient and able officers, but merely to draw attention to the fact of how much easier it is to get in during the rush than in normal times. the man with some military experience has the advantage over the man with none, I would urge that young men with military taste and suitable education and physical ability, who desire to try for commissions, begin enlisting now for the four existing regiments so as to be prepared to compete at the proper time.

The present law requires a service of two years in the ranks to eligible to receive a commission, but during the rush in 1901 it was reduced to one year, and I believe the same will be done when the army is again increased. charge Besides, with assistance, if desired, discould "be obtained for the pure pose of accepting commission from civil life. matter should be brought the "This the attention of the leading military, men of race in civil life- holding rank in full militia organizations. For asking, for particulars as to the requirements applicants for commissions either be had ranks, or from civil life, may from the "With from the the War Department. ture of many families of our race in the wealth, education and culleading cities of the country, and the place should in the nation which some day he ours, it would to shame if we fail at this me time seem to a great be prepared to take advantage of so said great an opportunitv.

Much has been get about the inability of our men to trouble commissions from the ranks, but the list. I have the material doesn't enis right groes met in the army many Nefrom colored colleges, but most cases they were failures in civil life, and failed to make need men with the good as ambition, soldiers. We determination that would take grit them and through West Point had they been so fortunate as to have been appointed there, just as it took Flipper, Alexander and Young through, and which is to-day keeping Young, Davis and Green in the army." WORLD WRITER TELLS ABOUT NEGRO TROOPS The correspondent of the United New States York World, accompanying the troops in Mexico, writes the World on April 8, concerning the battle on April 1, engaged in by a detachment of ti the Tenth Cavalry, near the village of Aquascalientes at a San Antonio Canyon. Concerning the Negro troopers the correspondent, B. C.

Utecht, writes as follows: Following the at Guerrero, in which forty-six Villistas were shot down, fifty others being found later buried at Bachineva, the American troops pursued relentlessly, and last Saturday part of the Tenth Cavalry under Col. William C. Brown came upon a large body of the enemy near the village of Aquascalientes at San Antonio Canyon. the Mexicans thought they were safe, as their hiding place was well chosen and almost impossible of discovery. The American attack, as at Guerrero, came as a surprise, but this was no Mexican spy to give warning.

Mexicans were lolling in the grass, eating or sleeping, as it was noon, when Mexicans dislike to be on the move. Their horses were grazing nearby and the Mexicans did not know of the proximity of the Americans until first crack of a rifle. Then they leaped for their horses and again there was a short running fight. The shots of the Americans told almost every time, while the Villistas failed to inflict any losses of consequence, according to reports. Villa's losses are reported to have been more than thirty.

The remainder of the band is still being pursued into the canyons. The Tenth Cavalry is composed of Negro troops, and the battle on April 1 was the first time Negro soldiers had ever fought against Mexicans. The Negro is held in high respect army, for he is known as an able fighter and keeps well disciplined. Just a few days before Col. Brown's fight, I heard Gen.

Pershing discussing the Negro soldiers. "They are among the greatest fighters in the warld," he said. "They are a hardy lot and love the I have seen these Negro soldiers march all day in high spirits, humming songs together. I have never heard them plain. They keep their camp in neat order, which means much work, and after evening mess they gather around the fires for songs, card games and stories.

I saw these Negroes day after day doing these things, and they went into battle just the same way, light heartedly, yet determined to make good records and please their officers. It mattered not to them whether it was a battle, card game or a frolic, the job must be a good one, and a good one they made it. IRVIN COBB GIVES WRITERS A SURPRISE Irvin Cobb, war correspondent and novelist, sutherner born and bred, was a guest at a recent dinner given by the Society of. Composers, Authors and Songwriters Keen's Chop House, West 41st street. James W.

Johnson, contributing editor of THE AGE, and J. Rosamond Johnson of the Music Schoo Settlement are the only colored members of this organization. They were present at the dinner. When Mr. Cobb, whose racial prejudices are well known, was called on 'to speak, he made the following declara tion, remarkable because it was made by.

Irvin Cobb: Mr. President: I appreciate the honor of being here. am a southerner, an inheritor of all the prejudices of that section. But I esteem it a privilege to be the guest of an organization that recognizes talent and ability, regardless of race, creed, condition or the pigment of the skin, giving to that talent and ability, entitled." the recognition to which it His sentiment aroused enthusiasti applause. James W.

Johnson was one the speakers, the others being Victo Herbert, composer, Wilson G. Mizner playwright, Rufe Goldberg, cartoonist Seymour Brown, song writer, Irvin Berlin, song writer, and George Cohan, actor and play writer. CHISUM. LEAPS FROM TRAIN TO JAIL Special to THE. NEW YORK AGR.

Oklahoma City, Okla. -According to the Black Dispatch of this city, Melvin J. Chisum, convicted of criminal libel in the district court of Logan county, made a futile and final attempt to evade the clutches of the law, by leaping from a railroad train. here received, word early Monday apprehend Chisum, who had failed put in an appearance in Guthrie on the date required. County AttorSwank.

asked. for Monday, which was granted. Deputp Fate Sanders Th -locatChisum on a Rock Island train, with to Memphis, Tenn. Chisum watched his chance and leaped from the train. Sanders: followed and was successful in overtaking his man.

Chisum was taken to Guthrie where he will be remanded to jail for the nonpayment of fine and costs in the now famous case that grew out of the upheaval at Langston University last fall. E. E. McDaniel, of Muskogee. and Coody, Johnson; of Wewoka, are the men who qualified on Chisum'8 bond during all of his, former trials.

It is said that they refused to longer be his surteles because of fear that he might attempt' to leave the state. AMERICAN SECRETARY COMING FROM LIBERIA The State Department has granted a furlough to Secretary Bundy of the American Legation at Liberia, and the United States cruiser Birmingham is bringing the secretary and, his wife to this country. This is an unusual honor which the government is paying Secretary Bundy, who is having the first relief from duty in four years, RABID ADVERTISING IN NORFOLK PAPER Municipal Campaign Calls Forth Sensational Appeal to Race Prejudice REV. C. S.

MORRIS THE ISSUE Baptist Preacher Charged With Making An Address to a White Audience and Attacking the Present Mayor in the Interest of An Opposition Ticket -The Old Spirit of KuKluxion Invoked. Special to Tas NEW YORK AGE. NORFOLK, city has just emerged from the throes of an exciting municipal primary campaign. The present mayor, Wyndham R. Mayo, was opposed for reelection by the Citizens' Party, which made an active canvass against him.

In the course of the campaign it appears that the Rev. Charles Satchell Morris, pastor of the Bank Street Baptist Church, and well known to many New Yorkers, made an address at the Majestic Theatre. His evidently did not please the supporters of the present mayor, and instead of trying to refute them by proper evidence and argument, recourse was had to the old dodge of appealing to race prejudice. This revival of the spirit of Ku-Kluxism took the more modern shape of a newspaper advertisement. The weakness of the cause advocated may be gauged by the venom apparent in this appeal.

It follows, with all the emphasis that headlines in capitals can give: WHITE MEN OF NORFOLK! SHALL TO THE "RECONSTRUCTION DAYS?" SHALL A NEGRO PREACHER DIRECT WHITE MEN HOW TO VOTE?" ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN THE CITY OF NORFOLK, AN OCCURRENCE TOOK PLACE THAT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN COUNTENANCED IN ANY OTHER CITY IN OUR SOUTHERN COUNTRY. So anxious are the supportersthe ill -advised supporters of the Citizens Party for success, that they hark back to the "dark days" and, from the stage of a certain theatre in this city there comes forward a NEGRO PREACHER, who, in spite of his apparently sacred calling, has sought to mix religion with politics, and this NEGRO stands before an audience of WHITE MEN, many of whom call themselves Democrats, and this Negro united with them in their meeting, advises with them, and verbal innuendo, reflects upon the honor, the and R. the MAYO, ability the of pressent Mayor of the city of Norfolk, a Virginian, and a gentleman. A circular is already being spread throughout the city, signed by Messrs. Steele and Derring, disclaiming any knowledge of C.

S. Morris, or of any control over the meeting at which C. S. Morris spoke. We make the following ment without fear of successful contradiction: First: C.

S. Morris, a Negro preacher, did address (sitting on the stage with other speakers) a white audience at the Majestic Theatre on April 2nd, 1916. Second: He did not speak under the auspices of the Mayo and Hannan Committee. Third: He attacked Mayor Mayo and he did not attack either Mr. Steele or Mr.

Derring. Fourth: No sane man could construe his remarks other than an appeal for Leon C. Steele and his ticket. Therefore we ask in whose behalf was this meeting held at the Majestic Theatre? MAYO AND HANNAN COMMITTEE. Commenting on this occurrence the Journal and Guide, a weekly paper published in Norfolk, said: It is unfortunate that the Negro is placed in such a situation politically that he cannot honestly and decently protest against civic unrighteousness without having political opportunists seize upon such protests as occasion for making political capital.

It is unfortunate that without having the power to cast a single ballot to determine in the slightest degree the issues or control of the Democratic party the race is stigmatized in its factional and general campaigns and used as an Instrument for stirring the baser passions of impressionable minds to the debasement of the Negro race and the elevation of political opportunists. In the efforts of the Democrats to deprive the Negro of the beneAts of the ballot they have disenfranchised nearly hAlf the white men in the State and established a government by the minority. In their efforts to regulate corporate interests they have precipitated an endless conflict between the legislative and judicial branches of the government; the state is no longer able to exist without taxing the income of private, citizens and taxation is no are fomenting revolutionary, tenlonger common. dencies, that like smouldering volcano, threaten the social and political structure. In adopted" accordance the last with session a proposition at Grand Lodge, No.

2, Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, jurisdiction of New York, definite plans have been projected for the erection of a building in New York City, to be owned, controlled and managed by the Order. To this end, articles of incorporation have been taken out for "The Headquarters Building Association of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows of the State of New York, (Inc.) with a capital stock of $50,000. This is divided into thousand shares, par value, $5, and many of most prominent men and women of the city are at the head of affairs. The stock will be sold to the public generally as well as to members of the Order, and it is now on sale at its par value. The list of officers include members of all branches of the Order, the women having representation also, and the roster for the first year is as follows: Jas.

F. Adair, Mamilton 710, president; Chas. H. Gibson, Manhattan 5477, vice-presidena; John W. Simmons, Philonathean 646, secretary; Edward Henry, Alpha 1381, treasurer; Mrs.

Nannie R. Gover, Vincencio H. assistant secretary; Wilford H. Smith, counsel; executive committee: W. David Brown, Thomas Johnston, James A.

Glasgow; board of directors for first year: Jas. F. Adair, Mrs. Nannie R. Gover, Edward Henry, William J.

Smith, Charles Gibson, John W. Simmons, J. Thomas Johnston, James A. Glasgow and W. David Brown.

The officers and directors are all stockholders in the corporation, those handle money are bonded in a reliable bonding company of the city and no salaries are paid to any of the officers. The president, J. F. Adair is the district grand secretary of the District Grand Lodge, and for twelve years has held States a responsible position in the United Customs Service. John W.

Simmons, secretary, holds a responsible position with the Grolier Club, 29 Fast 32nd street. He has been there sixteen years. He is secretary of Philomathean Lodge 646, the oldest lodge in the Order in America. Edward Henry, master treasurer, Order is an exdistrict grand of in the state, and has been with the Title Guarantee and Trust Co. for more than twenty years.

The chairman of the executive committee, W. David Brown, is a successful business man in New York City, conducting two large undertaking establishments. He is district grand master of the State of New York, and Grand Treasurer of the Grand United Order of Fellows of America. Wilford H. Smith, counsel, is one of the strongest practitioners at the New York bar.

Special agents for the disposal of the stock will be named from the board of district grand supervisors and the Effort Club, composed of ladies from the Households of Ruth. The supervisors are Howard Vincent Fry, A Arthur G. Der rick, Walter Mims, George A. Marshall, Oscar Brewster, Allen Baird, Charles J. D.

Kemp, W. Elliot, Harry Bright and Joseph H. Shockley. Ladies from the Effort Club are Mrs. Mary Turner, Mrs.

Louise Granada, Miss Annie E. Brown, Mrs. Maggie Goidwin, Mrs. Lena Chandler, Mrs. Milicent Wilkins, Mrs.

Alberta Taylor, Mrs. Annie Barnwell, Mrs. Mildred Smith and Mrs. Pinkie B. Walker.

The president, J. F. Adair, 1212 St. Marks avenue, Brooklyn, or the tary, J. W.

Simmons, 26 West secrestreet, will answer all inquiries concerning the proposed buildings, subscriptions for stock, etc. BUILDING FOR NEW YORK ODD FELLOWS NAMES OF JUDGES IN BABY CONTEST Through an unfortunate oversight last week, the name of Mrs. James S. Anderson, 828, East 222nd street, Williamsbridge, was omitted from the list of ladies who officiated as judges in THE NEW YORK AGE BETTER BABIES CONTEST. The complete list of the Board of Judges is as follows: MRS.

JAMES S. ANDERSON, 828 East 222nd street, Williamsbridge, N. Y. MISS MAYBELLE McADOO, 156 West 131st street. MISS LOUISE LATIMER, 202 West 63rd street.

MRS. CORA B. WINSTON, 188 W. 135th street. MRS.

MAUDE G. HALL, 917 Lafayette avenue, Brooklyn. MRS. A. S.

REED, 316 West 52nd street. DR. GERTRUDE McPHERSON, 188 West 135th street. MRS. MEDIA DODSON, 9 Douglass street, Brooklyn.

FIFTEEN CHILDREN, 53 GRANDCHILDREN Special to THE NEW YORK AGE. RICHMOND, Catherine comb of Lynchburg, after an illness. of about three days, passed away at the ripe old age of 92 years. She had wonderful vitality and spent the summer of 1913 with her son and daughter, Mr. and Mrs.

C. D. Lipscomb, in Atlantic City, N. J. She made her home with one of her daughters and and Mrs.

Richard Jones of Richmond. where she died April 1. Undertaker Price shipped the reraains to Lynchburg, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Jones and family.

Funeral services were held Monday, April 3 at Holcomb Rock Baptist Church. She was the mother of fifteen children, fiftvthree grand children and twelve great grand children. She is survived by two sisters, eight children and a host of sorrowing friends. BUSINESS WOMEN GIVE TO MEMORIAL FUND Coworkers of Mme. C.

J. Walker Organize Association- -Will Pledge $100 or More SOUTHERN BENEFICIAL LEAGUE Organization Has Attracted. National Attention Since Its Large Subscription to Washington Memorial Fund Easter Ball at Manhat an Casino! to be Record Breaker -Officers of the League. Mme. C.

J. Walker's local agents are among the latest to become actively interested in the campaign being conducted on behalf of the Booker T. Washington Memorial Fund. On Wednesday evening of last week over one hundred agents met at the Lelia College, 108-110 W. 136th street, and formed the Mme.

C. Walker Agents' Benevolent Association. Pledges to the fund amounting to over $100 were made, and an agreement was reached to pay over the money to the local memorial fund committee no later than June 1. The meeting was presided over by Mme. Walker.

The officers electted were Mrs. Lelia W. Robinson, president; Mrs. E. E.

Green, vicepresident; Miss Arline Saunders, recording secretary; Louis W. George, corresponding secretary; Mme. C. J. Walker, treasurer; Mrs.

Jones, chaplain; Mrs. Lulu Bush, sergeant-at-arms. Last Monday evening a second meeting was held, and $30 or more was given to Mme. Walker for the fund. The agents are confident of raising their sum before June 1.

The members of the association who have given subscriptions to the Washington Memorial Fund to date Mme. J. C. Walker, Mrs. Robinson, Mrs.

E. E. Green, Mrs. Ellen Flynn, Mrs. M.

Hutchinson, Mrs. Irene Huyler, Mrs. M. Boddie, Miss Louise Langhorne, Mrs. A.

Goodwin, Mrs. Addie Robinson, Mrs. Emma Burwell, Miss Blanche Scott, Mme. C. Bone, Mrs.

Susie Smith, Mrs. Slaughter, Mrs. Rebecca Sears, Mrs. Lillian Tyson, Mrs. Cora McMaken, Mrs.

Lillian Brown, Miss Adeline C. Olley, Mrs. Alice Meninghal, Mrs. Helen Harper, Mrs. Geneva Page, Miss L.

Codrington, Mrs. L. B. Scott, $1. Officers of Southern Beneficial League.

Since announcement was made by the Booker T. Washington Memorial Fund Committee of Greater New York that the Southern Beneficial League had voted to give the bulk of its proceeds, which will amount to about $1,000, from the big Easter reception and ball which will be given at Manhattan Casino, on Monday evening, April 24, many' inquiries have been received from out of town about this organipation. The Southern Beneficial League was organized in May, 1886, and has seventeen hundred members. It is one of the strongest organizations in New York, and its financial affairs are in excellent condition. The officers are: Thomas W.

Grigsby, president: Archie B. Roberts, vice-president; John D. Younger, financial secretary; J. R. Harper, corresponding and recording secretary; Dr.

Albert S. Reed and Dr. E. P. Roberts, physicians; Allen J.

Mason, chaplain. Managers: Robert Ladson, Granville O. Paris, Daniel P. D. Agard, Walker Holmes Edward Walker, John W.

Hudspeth, John D. Hadwin, George Deas and Cyrus H. Trent. Auditing Committee--Joseph R. Harper, Paul Hargrave and Granville O.

Paris. Sick Committee -Allen J. Mason, B. Smith and William H. W.

Johnson. Admissions Committee -Moses W. Slaughter and Joseph S. Williams. Marshals--Moses W.

Green and Hillary Hebron. Executive Committee -Hillary Hebron, chairman; Robert R. Ladson, vicechairman; Granville O. Paris, secretary, Daniel P. Agard, assistant secretary; John D.

Hadwin, tresaurer, Lee, D. Lincoln Reid, Moses W. Slaughter and George Deas. The committee most in the public eye just now is the Reception Committee owing to the big Easter ball, and is composed of William Heir, chairman; M. A.

Henson, chairman Anthony McCarthy, J. E. Smith, Samuel Brown, W. M. Pugh, Wm.

Rose, C. P. Williams, James M. Kelley, E. E.

Ragland. L. M. Jackson, Wm. J.

Mercer, William E. Mickens, Walker Holmes Joseph Queenan, T. B. Smith, Chas. E.

Beauder. B. L. Hicks, F. S.

Grant, A. E. Herbert and L. Reddick. The Southern Beneficial League's ball has always been largely attended, but the general opinion prevails that this year's affair will eclipse all previous efforts.

Dr. E. P. Roberts, treasurer of the local committee, warns the public against giving money to unauthorized persons who request subscriptions for the Washington Memorial Fund. It has come to notice of the Executive Committee tithe persons are going about Greater New York asking for subscriptions without having received the consent of the local committee.

All duly authorized agents have credentials bearing the signatures of the chairman of the Executive Committee, the treasurer and the secretary. FIGHTING LILY WHITES, WALTER COHEN Interesting visitors in New York this week were Walter L. Cohen, the prominent Negro Republican, and Emil Kuntz, a white Republican, both from the famous French-Creole town of New Orleans, La. They came to New York to lay before Chairman Chas. D.

Hillies of the National Republican Committee a formal notification that the republicans of Louisiana would meet in regular State Convention in the City of New Orleans on Thursday, April 27, when delegates would be elected to the Republican National Convention to be held in Chicago, June 7. Learning that this was their sole object in New York, an AGE representative sought them out and asked for the reason. "Lily Whitism," said Mr. Cohen, "and lily whiteism the rankest sort. The first gun was fired on Tuesday, October 6, 1915, when a meeting of the lily whites was held at the Hotel Grunewald, New Orleans, a building no Negro is allowed to enter.

This meeting was held over our protests, and we even sent a committee to the management of the hotel asking permission to enter that might attend the meeting but this request was refused. The men in attendance on this meeting did not repparty, yet they proceeded elect a new state committee, composed of all whites. "Within the ranks of the party in the state are many loyal white men who are absolutely opposed to the lily white element, and these men have joined with the Negro Republicans in the fight. We are determined to find out if the Republican party, which the Negro of Louisiana has been so constantly loyal, is going to recognize this renegade eleof ment the which organization constitutes and so small a is part representative the influential part. 1 certainly not It has been largely through their neglect and indifference in the past that the Republicans of the State have not been able to retain its identity as a party at the polls of the State.

"It has been almost impossible to get a Negro registered, these lily whites joining hand in hand with democrats to prevent. In one parish, St. James, which, by the way, is the home of the state national committeeman, Victor Loisel, it was impossible to secure the registration of a voter until the services of Judge Gauthier were secured at a cost of $50, and then only after strenuous endeavor were Dr. Ernest N. Ezidore, a prominent and well-qualified physician of Gramercy, and James Robinson of Lutcher, La.

allowed to register. And then the judge requested them to keep it quiet to prevent trouble." Want Whole Vote or None. "And it was our votes that elected Loisel to the national said Mr. Kuntz. "We are completely misled by him, and of the nine votes necessary to his election seven from our faction.

Now he is canvassing the state in the interest of John M. Parker, candidate for, governor on the SOcalled progressive ticket, which is really nothing but the Independent Democratic ticket. And Parker has stated openly from the stump that if one Negro vote would elect him, he did not want that vote." Mr. Cohen was asked as to his reception by Chairman Hilles. "Oh," said Mr.

Cohen, "he promised a full and fair investigation of our claims. Of course, he could express no opinion. But he told me that the issue was clear cut and would be put squarely before the committee. In other contests, in years past, there has always been a compromise effected, with each side given a half vote, and that would be satisfactory to the lily whites. But not for us this time.

I Mr. Hilles that the action must be definite must be full recognition accorded us. We intend to be given a full vote or we want none at all. As a matter of fact, according to lily whites ignored ever yregulation concerning the calling of a convention and the election of delegates. "On Tuesday, March 28, the lily.

whites again shut out the Negroes. by meeting in the Grunewald. Hotel, and at this meeting they elected delegates to the National Convention, not only from the state at large, but from the congressional districts as well, although these district delegates should be elected in their respective, districts. state convention was called without the preliminary of a primary for the election of delegates because know we could not be shut out of they, primary, and that we would out-vote them. "On the contrary, we held a primary on February 15, at which time delegates elected for our state convention which will be held April 27.

All delegates from congressional districts have been or will be elected in their respective districts. Only delegates at large and alternates will be chosen at our state convention. When we go up to Chicago with our contest, the evidence to presented to the National Committee will be so full and complete that the committee's decision will necessarily be in our favor or else the declaration will be given to the worls that the Republican party is bound to Lily Whiteism and Negro is no longer wanted." Mr. Cohen and Mr. Kuntz left New Orleans last Saturday, reached New York Monday night.

They saw Min Hilles on Tuesdav and left Tuesday night for New Orleans, stopping in Washington a day pay a visit of respect to that old Louisiana warhouse, Governor P. B. S. Pinchback. INFLUENTIAL TRADE BODY Colored Business Men's Association of New York Potent Factor TO INCREASE NEGRO TRADE A Resume of Trade Conditions in Harlem, With Some Reasons Why Race Should Support Race Enterprises.

CONSUMERS' POINT OF VIEW People Who Do the Spending Give Some Reasons Why They Do Not Spend More With Merchants of the Race Race Bank Is Needed, But Chelsea Exchange Bank la Meeting Acceptably Present Need. The series of articles running through the last four issues of The Age, treating on business conditions in Harlem, have attracted wide attention and created much comment. It is the concensus of all opinion expressed to The Age and its representative that a more thorough and exhaustive series of articles on Negro business conditions have not appeared before. It has been clearly shown that notwithstanding the fact that the population of Harlem is almost solidly Net and that ante cent. of the business done in that section comes from the Negro, yet the business is being done by merchants of other races in the proportion of about 80 to 20.

In other words, in the four districts investigated, Fifth avenue, Lenox avenue, Seventh avenue and 135th street, from 130th to 140th streets inclusive, there are 503 business places, of which 378 are run by whites and 125 by Negroes. The whites employ 150 Negroes, the majority of them in menial positions, and the Negroes employ 431, practically all of whom are in positions of responsibility, requiring ability, brains and training. Colored Business Men's Association. There are some agencies at work that section trying to change the present conditions. One of the most successful is the Colored Men's Business Association, composed of men in various lines of mercantile and professional endeavor, but its activities are largely hampered by the fact that many of the men in business fail to see the benefit to be derived from joining its ranks.

The Ace is indebted to this organization for the use of its records, which contain many facts and figures which were used in the preceding four articles. J. T. Clark, secretary of the Housing Bureau of the National Urban League, gives some interesting information concerning the work of this organization, of which R. E.

Nicholas is president. "The association really has a double purpose," said Mr. Clark. "Not only does it hope to influence the people of the race to spend more largely of their earnings with the Negro merchant, but it also strives to influence the Negro merchant to be prepared in every particular to handle the trade he is seeking to acquire. After all, it must not.

be forgotten that 'value received' is a factor to be considered catering for trade, and so the organization tries to emphasize to its members the importance of providing every facility possible for the efficient caring for of his customers. "The colored business man of Harlem who does not join this movement is really standing in his own light. An incident occurred a few days ago that is interesting. One of the largest Negro merchants of Harlem had railed to himself with the organization. Then conditions arose which placed him in a position where he needed help.

His first move was to come to the association with his complaint. He did not become a member of the association until confronted with a difficulty that threatened his progress." Not Used to Negro Merchants. In response to a question, "What is your idea as to why it is so hard to secure the patronage of race?" Mr. Nicholas, president of thee organization, who conducts a haberdashery, said: "One great handicap is that our people have never been accustomed to trading with Negro merchants. That has created a prejudice which it is hard to overcome.

There are many loyal and hearted race men and women who would their custom to Negro merchants, but it never. occurs to them that a race merchant can supply their needs. Not thinking about: the result is they never stop in a color Id man's store to find out..