B lack H istory M F eb ru ary 2 3. 2 0 0 5 onth W s p e c ia l c o v e ra g e P age A 9 Black H istory M onth Increased Food Supply Inventions turned crops into plenty Dr. George W ashington Carver’s development of hundreds of new uses for peanuts, soybeans, sweet potatoes and other crops helped pave the way for many of our modern conveniences. Carver’s beginnings were inauspi cious; he was never sure about the date of his birth, sometimes claiming it was “about 1865,” or “near the end of the war,” or "just as freedom was declared." What is known is that he was bom a slave near Diamond Grove, Mo., never knew his parents, and was raised by the white couple who had owned his mother. continued on page A10 Hotel Workforce Builds a Middle Class The staff of the former Portland Hotel, primarily made up o f African American men, was lead by head-waiter Albert Morton. There was virtually no change in the occupation o f the black work force until 1942, when World War II hit and about 2 0 ,0 0 0 African Americans were recruited from the Northeast and South to work in Portland and Vancouver shipyards. The Portland Hotel also recruited workers from the South. The workers at the hotel earned wages high enough to purchase homes and start their own businesses, which began the boom o f the black middle class in Portland. photo provided by O regon H istorical S ociety onfy toA& u/2 hafy tAp -w /, do WE FIGURED WHY CHARGE {p/i tAp uAdfa tAinpi? Kidd 2 - / 5 /tide kafy pitijee. There’s no kid-friendlier way for families to travel. On Amtrak'; you and your kids can grab a few hot dogs, play a cardgame or just watch the scenery go by. The train is fun for them and budget-friendly for you. Kids’ fares are always half price, when accompanied by an adult. Limit two kids per adult. Caff. 1-800-USA-RAIL on. idAit www.amtrak.com to fpattn mo/n>. A A A TR A K OVER 500 D E S T IN A T IO N S • K ID S 2 -1 5 R IO E HALF P R IC E J Up to 2 children ages 2 1 5 ma» accompany each paid adult at 1/2 the adult rail fare Senior Discount applies to rail portion of travel only Fares, routes and schedules subject to change without notice and seats are limited Other restnctions may apply. Amtrak is a registered service mar* ol the National Railroad Passenger Corporation Advertise in v "'^ J o v tla ith (O b s tru c t I 503-288-(X)33 ads@portlflndobservcr.coni