Negro Chain

"In Tulsa, 32 stores; in Dallas, 25; in Manhattan, 25; in Omaha, 10."

Last week members of the Colored Merchants' Association, meeting in the Bankers' Club, Manhattan, inspected figures such as these. Three years ago, at the suggestion of the National Negro Business League, the C. M. A. was founded in Montgomery, Ala. Since then it has expanded rapidly, now boasts 253 stores. Not quite a chain, since the members all are independent grocers, it has such chain advantages as cooperative buying, co-operative advertising. At last week's meeting the C. M. A. planned organization of its own personnel, apart from the N. N. B. L., and the appointment of six field men who will go to all stores, advise on budgets, auditing, displays. Any city with ten stores willing to become members may join. The dues are $5 per month per store.

So far the work of the C. M. A. has been carried on by Albon Lewis Holsey, secretary of the National Negro Business League. Trained as secretary to Tuskegee's potent Principal Robert Russa Moton, Organizer Holsey is well able to handle his work. He has written numerous articles on the Negro in business. He also wrote "Learning How to be Black" for the American Mercury. Although in this essay he said, "At fifteen, I was fully conscious of the racial difference, and while I was sullen and resentful in my soul, I was beaten and knew it," his interest and perseverance in his work show no passive defeatism. When not at work, he likes dancing, theatres. Now in Manhattan, he acclaims The Green Pastures, recalls King Dodo, seen 35 years ago.

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