ing for
religious purposes," as I am not interested in that sort of
work. I shall be glad to know whether this proposition
interests you.

Yours very truly,

---- ----.

The interest of this giver was first _aroused_ by his reading "Up from
Slavery" when it appeared in book form in 1901. As soon as he had read
the book he sent Dr. Washington a check for $10,000 for his work
which he has renewed each year since until he made the above offer.
"Up from Slavery" has brought more money to Tuskegee than all the
other books, articles, speeches, and circulars written by Mr.
Washington himself and the many others who have written or spoken
about him and his work. Among its larger immediate results, aside from
awakening the interest of the anonymous giver already mentioned, was
its similar effect upon the late H.H. Rogers, Vice-President and
active head at the time of the Standard Oil Company, and upon Andrew
Carnegie. Mr. Rogers became so much interested that he not only gave
large sums for the general needs of Tuskegee but eventually financed a
large part of the rural school extension work, which has been
described in earlier chapters, and which is now so important a part of
the school's activities. Under Booker Washington's inspiration and
guidance, too, Mr. Rogers later combined railroad building with race
building. In building his Virginia railroad he undertook a
wide-reaching work in agricultural education among the Negro farmers
living within carting distance of his road. Booker Washington had
demonstrated to his satisfaction that by increasing at the same time
their wants and their ability to gratify their wants he would be
building up business for his railroad.

Shortly after the publication in 1901 of "Up from Slavery," Frank N.
Doubleday, of Doubleday, Page & Co., the publishers of the book, in
playing golf with Mr. Carnegie mentioned Booker Washington and told
him something of his life. Mr. Carnegie was interested and wanted to
know more. Mr. Doubleday gave him a copy of "Up from Slavery." After
reading the book he immediately got into communication with the
author, told him of his interest in his life and work, and of his
desire to help him. The result was that Mr. Carnegie agreed to pay for
the construction and equipment of a library to be built by the
students. Booker Washington, his Executive Council, and the school's
architect, spent hours and hours of time in scrutinizing every det