Page:Chicago Race Riots (Sandburg, 1919).djvu/23



bombs or dynamite containers have been exploded within the last five months on the doorsteps of buildings in the south division of the city, all of these buildings being situated in streets adjacent to the residence district popularly called the "black belt," where the population is about 80 per cent colored. The eight explosions took place between Feb. 5 and June 13.

The amount of property destroyed by each explosion varied from $50 to $600. Seven of the cases were investigated by the police of the station situated at Wabash avenue and 48th street, and one was investigated by the police of the Cottage Grove Avenue station.

The police began their work with two theories in mind: one that the explosions were the result of race feeling, the other that there was a clash between two real estate interests. As a result of their work, the police now believe that the second theory is the more likely to be correct.

Facts in this situation to be reckoned with are that practically every organization of colored people, business, political, social and religious, is making propaganda in favor of the right of the colored people to buy real estate "wherever the white man's money is good." On the other hand, the only organized and noticeable propaganda among white organizations in this respect is the movement in real estate organizations and neighborhood improvement clubs.