Richmond planet. [volume], December 27, 1930, Page 4, Image 4

About Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938

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I
uul ew»ry SaMiday by Roecoe C.
11. at 311 N. 4fh St., Richmond Ta.
One Year- **0°
Six Months __- 1,10
Three Months-- ----
\1\ communications Intended for pub.i
.atiou should reach ^s by Wednesday, j
Entered at the Post-office at Richmond
Virginia, as second class matter.
i EDITORIALS;
Give Cox A Chance
It was one of the most unfortunate things that happened m
Richmond County, December 19th. From reports it seems that d
State Prohibition Inspectors went to the home °t Ram op '
and found some liquor. When he was observed to enter hn.
house, the officers commanded him to come out, stating that the)
would not hurt him. Just why it was necessary totel I him tout
hP would not be hurt, is not clear to us. I he ofiiceis uuinu
stated that after more colloquy, he fired two shots at them, kill
Officer Jam^sN. Wood. What the Planet is interested m is
until* the* Sheriff'(who w known by him) and the Common
wealth’s Attorney) who was also known by him) armed upon
the scene and then surrendered as gently us a child, gives rise to
a belief that he acted as any wise or prudent man is supposed to
act when attacked by strangers, without any identification mai ks
to indicate whether they were on a lawful mission, or whether
“Billv the Kid” or ,4Jesse James reincaiceiated.
w ‘ We are sure Randolph Cox is sorry he killed Officer Cox
and we are also very sorry that the Officer is dead, but it a hu
man mistake was made, even by Cox, he should be given the full
measure of justice by the courts of Virginia. By full we mean,
that he should be tried in an atmosphere that will give him a
chance and the right to have his side ol Die case belie\ed (not
just hear) and then let his story be weighed against the offi
cer’s story by a jury.
We believe that when this is done, Cox will be declared not
guilty of murder, either in the first or second degree, but that
it was a plain case of manslaughter, and that in our judgment at
this distance, lamentably justifiable.
•»
Rev. Graham’s 50th Anniversary
We note with pride that Dr. Wesley F. Graham, pastor of the
Holy Trinity Baptist Church, of Philadelphia, Pa., has served fif
ty years in the active pastorate. This is an enviable record and
his Richmond friends (whose name is legion) rejoice with him
in the achievement. The power of his pastorate held for many
years at Fifth Street Baptist Church, was so potent and life-giv
ing that his works here shine yet with pristine splendor. Dr
Graham is not only a great religious asset to a community, but
his ability and ingenuity give impetus to the business and civic
life. His Church has elected him for life and we wish for him a
long one.
The Guide's 31st Anniversary Edition
The Planet congratulates the Norfolk (Va.) Journal and
Journal and Guide on its Thirty-first anniversary edition. Its
journalistic sense and printing ability were demonstrated superb
ly in this massive production. May they continue to demonstrate
their ability until its 50th anniversary edition, and then some.
-o
THE AMENDMENT INVALID
It is left to a New Jersey judge of a United States District
Court to decide that the Eighteenth Amendment to the United
States Constiiution is invalid. This decision has created consid
erable comment, the force of which remains to be seen. This
decision is given by the youngest judge on the bench, who show
ed som etemerity in doing so. The decision only affects the ju
risdiction of the court, but no doubt it will reach the Supreme
Court of the nation where it will be reviewed and decided upon.
The judge holds that the amendment was not legally ratified in
that only constitutional conventions and not state legislatures
should approve ratification. There seems to be some premises
for the conception and which will cause the judicial ones to pon
der the point. On this decision also hinges the amendments af
fecting the citizenship ot the colored people.
STAUNTON, VIRGINIA
Rev. A. Hall Whitfield, pastor of
the Augusta St. M. E. Church
preached what his members think
was his strongest sermon alst Sun
day Morning. The pastor took for
his text “Ethiopia shall stretch forth
its hands.” The pastor first began
his sermon by admonishing his hear
ers not to take the “inferior com
plex” that is often directtd at our
group, seriuosly, as the Negro was
rich in ancestry. Beginning at the
dawn of creation Rev. Whitfield
carefully unfolded the history of the
world to show his hearers that every
important man of the bibical age
was of dark extraction.
Tracing very carefully the human
race from the time of Adam to Noah,
and from thence on Rev. Whitfield
traced even Jesus Christ from the
sons of darker people. An unusual
word picture was painted of the
birth of Christ and how the Lord
told the men to flee into Egypt,
which he pointed out was a race of
darker people. Rev. Whitfield declar
ed that this was done by God, not
only because Egypt was hostile terri
tory, but because He knew He was
sending the Christ to His people who
would protect Him- After reviewing
the history of the life of Christ the
Rev. Whitfield pictured the death,
march to Calvary’s Hill and showed
that it was a Negro who helped
Christ to bear His cross on that bit
ter day when the sun refused to
shine.
Contrasting the age of the Black
Supremacy ox the black people, he
said that Sodom and Gohhorah were
inhabited by black people. Ninevah
was built by Nimrod, a dtcendant of
Ham. Here* he pictured the downfall
of the black folk because they had
forgotten God. But, he shouted that
God still gives “Ethopia hope” and
it w'ill yet stretch forth its hands.
That the Negro simply passed thru
the period of slavery to again know
how to appreciate God and learn the
* V
art of self-government, and chat
some day he would return to his
homeland to claim it. At this point
the pastor likened the efforts of Mar
cus Garvey to Moses, as a leader
who would lead the sons of Ham.
Rev. Whitfield declared that God
worked wonders in a mysterious way.
Altho it looked as though the white
races had about ravashed Africa of
its great wealth. He dramatically
questioned his audience with the
query: “Who knows but that strip
of land that causes all white men
sleeping sickness in Africa is but a
way that God is guarding it for
rightful owners, the Negro race?”
He urged the Negro boys and girls to
hold up their heads, as they had a
priceless heritage. The Rev. Whitfield
remarked that if Jesus Christ should
come to the United States today it
migh be difficult for him to stop at
the best hotels, and especially would
it be so in Virginia on account of its
“One Drop of Negro Blood” law.
-o
HUBERT DELANEY DONATES
EXPENSES OF SPEAKING TRIP
TO N. A. A. C. P.
New York, Dec. 19— Assistant Uni
ted states District Attorney Hubert
T. Delaney has sent a check for $5.
to the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People,
which had been sent to him by the
Orange, New Jersey branch, to cover
his expenses incurred on a trip to
speak there. «
“You can well understand,” writes
Mr. Delaney, “that even though the
country in general and I in particu
lar are suffering from the financial
depression, I cannot quite see my
way clear to take money from a na
tional association which is doing such
splendid work in behalf of our group”
Mr. Delaney has asked that the
check be applied to renewal of his
1 membership.
Dr. W. L. Ransome
On
(ECONOMICS
VERSUS CHRISTIANITY)
Hit Ote Side OfThe Negro Cluirpiil UraployiiHt
It is not the policy of this writer to provoke controversy by
an apparent attempt to answer newspaper articles. Generally
speaking, it is better to let unapproved articles die in the shadow
of silence, but sometimes it seems wise to speak.
An article from the pen of Miss Nannie Burroughs with res
pect to the duty of Negro leaders, especially the churches and
pastors, concerning the unemployed, recently received wide pub
lication. The Rev. Dr. A. C. Powell of New York characterizes
this article as a “scorching indictment.” He cites much that he
and his church are doing to meet the situation and says, “This
is the only practical way to meet Nannie H. Burroughs challenge
and to answer her scorching indictment.”
The Incident Is Uncalled For
Dr. Powell seems to indorse the “scorching indictment.” His
eiforts put forth to alleviate the tense situation of unemployment
seem to be prompted by what Mrs. Burroughs says rather than
a sense of duty. Long before Miss Burroughs wrote, churches
were doing what they could in many places to meet this situa
tion. Many who have never read her article or who do not know
her are helping. It is not reasonable to conclude that the
ministry is so ignorant, indifferent and selfish as to need a
scorching indictment to call them to this task.
The Church Made Last When It Should Be First and
First When It Should Be Last
Many of the people now in need had little use for the church
in the time of prosperity. Much more money is given to rackets,
bootlegging, good time and fraternities by many people than is
given to the church. The average Negro pays his club and lodge
dues and gets his luxuries before he puts aside any church
money. Some even live high with no thought of the needs of the
church. When, however, need comes, the church and the
preacher are hauled before the bar of damnation if they do not
take care of such people in a time of need. We do not mean
that the church should retaliate. We do not deny the call of
charity which is “the greatest of these three,” but some how one
ought to say that if the church is to be a present help in the time
ol' trouble, then those who would be helped should remember the
church when the time is not one of trouble. We do not charge
that all who are in need have not been faithful. There are gen
erally exceptions and good ones, but a wholesale criticism of
the ministers on account of failure to help or relieve such a situ
ation is unfair.
The Norfolk Journal and Guide in its last issue carried the
cut of a woman under which was written this inscription: New
York-Mme. Stephanie St. Clair, a wealthy Franco American who
told the investigators of the Magistrate’s Court of how she made
regular payments to police who in turn “protected” her number
racket in Harlem. She claimed that after she retired these offi
cials “framed her and had her sent to the work house” We
wonder how many of the women’s foi rner customers are on the
charity roll of Dr. Powell’s church. Help them? Yes, help
them, but no one should make such people feel that they are glo
! ouslj privileged to sin, gamble and squander their earnings, and
that the church and the minister are ingloriously doomed for not
supplying all of such people’s needs from the earnings which they,
the ministers, have saved, and few ministers earn enough to live
decently, to say nothing of saving.
Where Is The Money To Be Had?
If the people are out of employment, and the “collections”
from the people must be the source from which the church gets
her charity money, then how can the church do many great
things? It is simply a vicious circle. Most of the money, the
money, the minister’s salary excepted, which has been con
tributed to churches has gone into fine buildings. The church
cannot convert these into cash to give away. The members of the
church who have jobs and who have notbeen affected by the pres
sure should, contribute, but these are largely in the minority.
The Pastors
Most of the pastors do not make a “living salary.” Dr.
Powell is able to give away more than the average preacher
makes during a whole year. Those who have should
give. Every wel linformed person knows that the salary of the
average minister is below that of any other of the kindred pro
fessions. Most churches are behind in the payment of the pas
tor’s salary since the coming of the economic pressure and some
pastors have almost become objects for charity. Dr. Powell
states that he refused to accept the gift, or offered gift, of a new
car even though the one he now drives is four years old. We have
been informed that Dr. Powell’s is a Packard car. The average
preacher has been driving a Ford or a Chevrolet for more years
than that—the same car bought by him. Many pastors have none.
A Packard cost three and four times the Ford and it ought to be
driven longer. The average church is barely able to meet its as
sumed obligations because of the stinted way in which the aver
age member contributes. Let those who can give, give. But indirect
abuse is a sin.
Charity Not New With Churches—nor With Pastors
The church is not excited over the situation—“the poor ye
have always with you.” Despite the fact that many men in pros
perity forget the church, the church “faithful few” have always
made sacrifices, when necessary, to help—even though the recip
ient caused his need by his sinning.
Noble Examples
The church forces—without the criticism of the Burroughs
article, have done many noble deeds to meet the present situation,
in the city of Richmond the Sunday School Bible classes (white)
siarted a movement to employ 102 of the most needy unemployed
men in ihe city, for three months, at three dollars per day three
of these men were colored. The pay roll for all was to be the same,
t hey were to work on the parks and city cemeteries—places
where Negroes had not previously been employed. Churches
and fraternal organizations of both races joined the movement
and are rising nobly to do the task. They are doing this not to
answer Miss Burrougs, but because they are not dead to a sense
of Christian duty and the call of charity.
In the Writer’s Church i
Yestei'ay (Dec. 21), sixty-two dollars were laid on the table
in answer to the efforts of a little society of the church who
looks after the “poor.” This church carries regularly a list of
its members who are in need and who are helped monthly. The
writer himself has never turned a beggar from his doo—and
there have been many. He is not an exception* but rather just
one of the thousand ministers, who themselves have nothing for
old age, yet hely beyond their means, taking consolation some
times in saying, “great is your reward in heaven,” and sometimes
rising to a noble height and doing for virtue’s sake.
Learn A Lesson
Instead of criticising the churches we should call the atten
tion of the people to the fact that since churches are expected
to help them when a needy time comes, they—the people—ought
to remember the church when there is no time of need with them
and let go the number racketeers, good time social and luxuries.
People should not waste money and then expect to fleece the
clergy as a panacea. If the people would obey the gospel preach
ed in the churches there would be far less human suffering in
this world.
What The Np Wants
Is work, Not Chanty
From The Atlanta Independent
Charity is no remedy for unem
ployment. The remedy is a job for
every man who is idle. Congress may
appropriate millions and billions and
place it at the hands of the President
to be disbursed in his wise and ex
perienced discretion, but such an
expenditure of the taxpayers’ money
will not provide jobs for the millions
of unemployed men and women
tbioughout the country. What the
people want is work, and not soup
houses and bread lines.
Loans to farmers in the drought
stricken area on sentiment as securi
ty will not make jobs for the idle.
Then, loans to farmers and other
special classes every time they have
a short crop, or it rains too much, or
the Mediterranean uy «uei.u>
smacks of socialism, destroys sell
help, and leads to communism.
The people must not look to the
government to feed them, but the
government must look to the people
whom it protects to support it. Loans
to farmers, land grant banks,
drought and Mediterranean fly relief
are special legislation for the favored
few, have not even afforded tem
porary relief to the privileged classes
these experiments sought to help.
None of these remedies were in the
interest of all the people and none
of them have helped any part of the
people. Condition have drifted from
,ad to worse and the favored few are
now suffering in common with the
masses.
What the people want is work, not
money from the Government to open
ip soup houses, bread lines, and
charity wards. The Negro is willing
for the President to give the White
otople all the millions that Congress
gives him, if he will just make it
possible for the unemployed Negroes
to get jobs so they can help them
selves.
If the President is going to use
the millions voted him to speed up
good roads and public buildings, see
to it that union labor and no other
agency shuts the Negro out from his
share of the work. The man outside
of the union is entitled to as much
consideration as the man inside; and
it is hoped that the President’s big
and humane heart will see that equity
is done between Americans, as he did
when he fed the world during the
World War.
If the Government is going to pay
the farmer a dollar a bushel for
wheat when it won’t bring but sixty
cents, and pay the fruit grower for
fruit when the Mediterranean fly eats
it up, why should it not pay the
laboring man his perdiem when out
of a job?
The principles upon which these
appropriations are made are entirely
different from the principle upon
which the protective tariff is based.
Protection to home industries has
for its purpose the protection of
American labor against the pauper
labor of foreign countries and at the
same time build up home industries
to provide employment for American
labor. This policy is not in contraven
tion of the Federal Constitution, but
in harmony with its purposes and
aims.
But millions to feed the people and
pay the fruit grower for a crop he
has never made, and the farmer a
price for his produce, contraiy to the
laws of supply and demand, is special
legislation and in violation of the
Constitution of the United States. It
is little less than a raid on the
Treasury, as the President has point
ed out.
hy create a deficit by giving the
taxpayers money away? The millions
appropriated are not only going to
create work for the unemployed; they
are purely charity. The politician
wants a story of philanthropy to tell
his constituents when he goes home.
H. hey don’t care whether it is consti
tutional or not, nor how much it costs
the taxpayers.
The Government cannot afford to
Pay a farmer because it does not rain
in his field, or because the Mediter
ranean fly eats up his fruit, or the
boll weevil eats up his cotton boll.
Give the Negro work, not charity.
,®n t let aliens and foreigners get
all the work? Let the native born
Americans have a chance t.o earn
meat and bread. Don’t let a man’s
color stand between him and a job.
1 he black man is starving like the
white man. Let relief be common, not
special. ’
V1*3 frisis the Negro is not
soing to be placed in a position where
5L5?n ftelp dispense charity and
divide the work the government
rhrhtCSf Ie,Vh°Se who deny him the
dktHhnk6 f PJotectlon be fair in the
;l stribuhon of government help and
IS intolerance^ P'eJ'UdiCe' “»***
SCIENTIFIC MEN HO'VOfi IVOPtf
OP MOREHHOUSE PROFESSOR
Atlanta, Ga., Dec. 20:— The nos
sibihty of improving the acoustics
ort ^satisfactory auditoriums by
iegulating their humidity was the in
teresting suggestion embodied in a
paper read before the Indiana Acad
emy of Sience at its annual meeting
last week, by Prof. Halson V. Eagle
son, of Morehouse College, this citv
Entitled ‘‘The Effect of Hmidity oa
the Reverberation Period of a Room,”
. rof- Eagleson’s paper aroused great
interest at the meeting of the Acad
emy, which was attended by more
than four hundred scientists from
over the State. It will be published
in the proceedings of the body.
The study comprehended several
hundred delicate experiments with
the reverberation periods of rooms
under varying condition of humidity.
These revealed the fact that the de
gree of moisture in a room bo affects
its period of reverberation as to make
decided changes in its acoustic prop
erties.
The work was done under the ad
vice of Dr. Authur L. Foley, head of
the physics department of Indiana
University, from which, Prof. Eagle
son graduated in 1926 with the A. B.
degree, and in which he is continuin'
post-graduate work looking to the
masters degree. Dr. Foley expressed
great interest in the experiments, it
is understood, and has offered his
cooperation in carrying them to more
exact and unmistakable conclusions.
Since 1927 Prof. Eagleson has been
a teacher of physics and mathema
tics in Morehouse College.
VIEWS OF .
THE PUBLIC
_ ------ ■■ - - ■
DOCTORS OR UNDERTAKERS?
By Frank R. Cro«»waith
With Unparalleled Avidity the
cancer of unemployment continues
to gnaw at the very vitals of the
capitalist system. Notwithstanding
the frantic efforts 9f many quack
economic and social doctors to
arrest its progress, the social
microbe appears determined to
conquer. The agonized moans of
the patient grow increasingly
fainter. In the search for a salve
that will ease the pain, prolong
life, and perhaps postpone death,
the “best minds” of capitalism
obviously are baffled and bewilder
ed. Frankly, the situation is
alarming.
Unemployment Is No New
Pestilence, no stranger, but an old
acquaintance. Periodically it sal
lies forth to attack its capitalist
patient. Each succeeding attack
leaves the patient in a more
weakened condition and thus ren
der him less able to withstand the
next visit. This gorilla-like warfare
of the unemployment bacteria
seems at last on the verge of
proving its tactical value. When,
in its latest attack, the first
symptoms of the desease appeared,
the “quacks” made “a careful
diagnosis” and falsely labelled
this traditional foe of capitalism
“prosperity.” “The sage of
Northampton had generously and
wisely bequeathed to God’s chosen
country the golden heritage or
prosperity,” chorused the* quacks;'
whereupon Wall Street anointed
Herbert Hoover to safeguard the
legacy.
It Is Now Generally Apparent
that this “blessing” was a malig
nant disease in disguise. It is be
coming increasingly clear to
millions of people that this “burst
of unprecedented prosperity'’
meant for the masses who work,
involuntary and protracted idle
ness, poverty and destitution;
while for the relatively few finan
cial and industrial rulers of the
Republic, it meant increased
wealth, prestige and power.
What Is This Thing Called Un
employment? To begin with capi
talism and unemployment are
synonymous. As long as we persist
in operating industry for private
gain, and permit individual owner
ship of the socially necessary
means of human existence, unem
ployment will follow society like
the tail follows the kite. Society
con no more escape the blight ol
unempoyment while at the same
time it continues to tolerate pri
vate ownership in land, factory
and transportation facilities, than
can a cake of ice cream remain
frozen in a cauldron of molten
lead.
In Order To Prolong Its Lite,
capitalism must constantly seek
new and improved methods of
producing and transporting
wealth. However, while new in
ventions generally bring to the
capitalist owner a measure of in
creased profits, it nevertheless,
also drives an additional nail in
capitalism’s coffin. Under the
capitalist system industry is run
for profit, not service; therefore,
by substituting machinery for
human labor the capitalist in
creases commodity output; yet, in
order to bring to the capitalist
owner the margin of profit he
seeks this increased output must
be consumed. The capitalist him
self is unable to consume it. His
class as a whole, because of its
relatively small number, is also un
able to consume it. Machinery can
increase production, but machin
ery cannot consume that which it
produces; hence the problem. If
machinery had the same wants and
desires as a worker and was paid
a wage, most likely with a little
skill we could navigate around the
industrial bends (periods of de
pression) if and whenever we
came to them.
Since The Ability Of The Working
Class to consume goods depends
upon the availability of employ
ment and wages received, it ought
to be clear even to a moron, that
when the working class is cut off
from employment, the largeat
market for the consumption of
gods becomes closed to the capita
list. It is a partial recognition of
this economic truism that has
prompted some of our celebrated
quacks now whining at the bedside
of capitalism to suggest that
science •and invention take a ten
year holiday. Fortunately for man
kind, it is as Impossible to stop the
flow of mechanical invention and
scientific research as it was im
possible for Joshua to make the
sun stand still, or King Canute the
waves cease rolling.
The Capitalist System is a dying
system. The quacks attendant
upon it may succeed in accelerat
ing the tempo of its now feebly
beating pulse, but their patient’s
days are numbered. Neither i)r.
Rugged Individualism nor his
Commissions to “investigate unem
ployment”, not all the State and
Municipal Committees for “the
reief of the unempoyed” can re
store Old Man Capitalism to a
state of vigorous health as in the
days of its long spent youth.
Old Man Capitalism has seen his
best days.. His back is bent, and
his head is bending lower. Feebly
he totters down the lane at the
twilight of his life, on his way to
his long-deserved grave to join the
company of his forgotten fore
bears. Upon his final collapse and
consequent interment there un
doubtedly will come from the
corners of the smug and contented
rich exploiters of both black and
white labor, a sigh of regret. It is
even possible that from the ranks
of the working class, ignorantly a
tear or two will be shed. But
neither sighs nor tears nor prayers
can bring back to vigorous life
the old man. However, he shall not
be forgotten. The world will re
member him for some of the
worthier contributions he made
during his youth. It was he who
did most to tickle and encourage
the acquisitive instinct in man and
thus laid the material basis for a
life of peace, plenty and freedom
MR. JONES SUGGESTS SMALL
LOAN ACCOMODATION FOR
COLORED PEOPLE
Editor The Richmond Planet
Slfhat the two colored banks in
Richmond have merged into one will
he a demonstrated fact January 1st,
1931. It is far more interesting and
far more inspiring to know of a bank
merger than to know of a bank
failure. The latter denotes bad»
business and when it happens the
depositor invariably gets the worst
of it.
Since the writer belongs to the
depositor class, it may not be in
appropriate or inopportune to sug
gest that experience has taught us <
a colored bank should not be
individaully owned or individually
run. It should not be tied up or con
trolled by any special interest, or by
any one organization, or association,
or fraternity, or religious denomina
tion whatsoever, but in a large way
if should represent the entire Negro
’•ace. And if thus organized and
operated it will command greater
nnnuiar support.
There are many vioces telling us
about race pride, of the great need of
nntyonizing race enterprises, of de
noting funds in Negro banks, and
«o forth and so on. But many colored
ncople do not accept the advice of
Miese advisors when only a few of
Miom practice what they preach. The
average person refuses to be lulled
:nto confidence when he sees stock
holders neglect to patronize their
own business enterprises, when he be
holds bankers that do not realize
their own needs and necessities, that
could not visualize the fact of com
nctition. being foolish, wasteful ami
unnecessary.
It must he admitted that a colored
bank is bound to have its opponents
and doubters just as science has its
'inbolievers and haters. Progress ha/;
always had its detractors and
"remies. and a Negro bank can not:
ppcape the same fate, even though it
"ipv not be charged with an em
bezzlement, or misappropriation, or
discreoancy, or irregularity in the
handling of funds.
Since one of the chief aims of a
well organized bank is to render
ervice satisfactorily in all respects
to its patrons, it is clear that the
consolidation of the two banks into
one strong institution will greatly
h.halize the banking interests of our
group. It will tend to remove the
folding of suspicion, insecurity and.
h* ■ itaney of many when it comes to*
placing their all in a Negro bank.
Business conditions in Richmond
increase yearly with more insistent
demands for greater banking facili
, ties for our people. Under consolida
tion these requirements can be more
readily met and a greater service
rendered the community. It is well
mgh impossible to over-estimate the
value and importance to business re
presentatives which the combination
of these two financial institutions
mean. There was until now a positive
lack of evidence that Negro leadev
ship, Negro executives and Negro
management could adapt themselves
to current business methods as prac
ticed by white business leaders. It
may be said in passing that there are
interlocking associations, institutions
and organizations other than Negr*,
banks that would be wise to consoli
date their interests.
After all is said and done it should
be bourne in mind that a Negro bank
however sound and secure will not
appeal to white people. Reside their
gigantic financial institutions a little
Negro bank appears as a pigmy, But,
the pigmy, so called, gives employ
ment to Negro clerks, bookkeepers
and others. How many white banking
institutions employ Negro book
keepers, clerks and stenographers?
White banks number Negro deposi
tors by thousands, but a Negro bank'
can count its white depositors on the
fingers of one hand. In the last
analysis the growth, usefulness and
stability of the Negro bank must
depend upon the support that Neg
roes give tneir own institution.
Let me ask in closing what would
happen if every Negro in Richmond,
every colored association, fraternity,
organization, club, business enter
prise and .church, would withdraw
their money from white banks and
deposit the same in one Negro bank?^
The answer is that the Consolidated
Rank and Trust Company would
have to erect a new and larger bank- (
ing house. It would be forced to
'■i .ploy more tellers, clerks, bock
keepers, stenographers and janitors.
Ft would be obliged to secure th%
serveces of a messenger, an elevator
operator, a day and night watchman
and then some. The Negro bank
would then cease to be regarded as a
nigmy and white bankers would sit up
and take notice.
One sound, strong Negro bank is
enough for this city. It should appeal
for patronage to all the colored peo
ple in Richmond and vicinity. It
hould be in many respects a poor
:>an’s institution with a small-loan
h nartment in operation. It should
nder service by extending accomo-.
Nation, amply secured, to the class of
•>tople from which its founders
■prang. Only in this way can the
best interests of the banker, depositor
and small borrower of our group be
conserved.
Theodore W. Jones
Richmond, Va.
GOODWILL BAPTIST CHURCH
At The Goodwill Baptist Church
410 N. Monroe, Sunday Decembor
28, 10:00 A. M. Sunday School.
11:45 A. M. Subject “Spiritual
Inventory.”
8:30 P. M. Subject “Post EjT
periences The Premise For Con
clusions.”
Rev. W. B. Ball Pastor.
for all peoples. His claim to fame
will adequately be looked after by
the young, vigorous and healthy
child he is leaving behind in the
world—Socialism. At present the
dying old man needs fewer doctors
and more undertakers.