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[Newspaper clipping]

NEW NEGRO MOVEMENT

LOCAL COLORED MEN FORM
$20,000 COMPANY.

A. D. Corbin, Who Attended Na-
tional Negro Business League in
Chicago Last Month as Represen-
tative of His People Here, Writes
to the Republican and Explains
His Plan - Will Call on Capitalists

It will be remembered that when A.
D. Corbin, the well known colored resi-
dent of this city, returned from Chicago
last month after attending the sessions
of the National Negro Business league,
where, as a delegate from the Colored
Business Men's association of this city,
he was in conference with such repre-
sentatives of his race as Booker T.
Washington and others of a national
reputation, he promised to tell the
readers of the Republican through the
columns of this paper what the object
of the great gathering really was and
what the movement it represented
means for the colored people of Daven-
port. Mr. Corbin has fulfilled the
promise made at the time of his re-
turn from Chicago and has addressed
to the editor of this paper the follow-
ing well written and lucid letter:

Mr. Corbin's Communication.

"Mr. Editor: One week ago I return-
ed from the Negro National Business
league, which was held in Chicago on
the 21st, 22d, and 23d of August. And
now I write a letter explaining why this
convention was held and what it means
to us in this city, not to the negro only
but to all. We have nearly 1,000 ne-
groes in this city, most of whom are
very poor. The calling of the conven-
tion was for the purpose of inspiring
and enthusing the race to work, save
their money, buy homes, become tax-
payers and build up the community in
which they live; to show what has been
done by the race and to lay plans for
the future.

Plan for Getting Property.

"Now the plan for getting property.
We have no money or very little, but
we can work if we can secure it. Now
the cry is help, help, help. We are go-
ing to ask the capitalist of this city to
help us, not to give to us in fact, but to
lend us your name, your influence and
loan us money. In other words pay for
the land we get and take first mort-
gages on it, thereby giving us a start.
We are forming ourselves into a stock
company at $100 per share with 200
stockholders, making $20,000. We pay
$10 cash and $5 per month until the
shares are paid up. The plan is: we
see a piece of property we want; we
pay a small sum and then ask you
to back us. I know it is probable and
possible we can succeed this way. I
know it by experience. When I bought
here I paid but $10 cash, in six months
I built a house, I then borrowed from
the Farmers' and Mechanics' Savings
bank $1,450, and built another house.

Against Great Odds.

"The Chicago convention is not the
question now with us. The question is,
what can be done for the negro in Dav-
enport? It must be remembered a few
years ago eight million negroes were
turned loose without a dollar, without
shelter and with not as much as a half
dead mule. They have since that time
accumulated seven hundred millions of
wealth in spite of the obstacles that
were in their way. Look at our slim
chance here in Davenport to make mon-
ey. Can any of our girls get clerkships
in stores or offices, or can they work
in factories of any kind?

Will See Capitalists.

"Now we ask the citizens of Daven-
port to look and see if they are giving
the negro here a white man's chance.
If you cannot employ us as clerks, fac-
tory girls or cash boys, you might let
us sweep your stores and risk $20,000
that this corporation may attempt a
small real estate business. In conclu-
sion I will say that I intend to see
every capitalist in order that I may get
this amount of money for this negro
corporation. There is one thing sure
you will have to tell me something. We
are going to make the attempt, but can
do very little without your assistance.

"Your humble servant,
"A. D. CORBIN."