PARAGRAPHICS CURRENT NEWS AND OPINION (By X. Mabie Wright) A Better K. N. E. A. The Klan Reasons Queerly. Howard University Sick. The General Confeerence. Rev. Noah Williams. The New Secretary of Missions. "Black Mammy" Bill Dead. Teaching is a branch of a very big industry - Nation-Making. The K. N. E. A. has grown great in nuhbers. It waits for the man or woman or group of persons who will mold it into a great constructive agency for the profession and the race. A few days ago the Klan gave a Colored Methodist church down South $100. The K. K. K. reasons queerly indeed if it thinks that contributions to Negro churches - as poor as some of them are - will dispel the distrust and hatred that the Negro has for the Ku Klux plan. What colored folks have to say to the Klan is this one thing: Unmask, disband and bring forth fruits meet for repentance. Howard University is a great school, but there must be something wrong somewhere. Able trustees like Dr. Grimke are denied freedom of speech; men worth lots to Howard the race like Prof. Kelley Miller are embarrassed; and heads of departments, as in the case of Dean Turner, are assaulted. For a long time Howard has needed a house-cleaning. The present aggravating situation naturally reacts disadvantageously on her prestige and service. It's sixty years since 1963, and Negroes have been studying hard and creditably in school and in life. Isn't there somewhere a Negro capable enough to be President of Howard and to respect and appreciate the feelings, the manhood, the scholarship, the service of the lne Negro faculty of Howard? Yes, and by his personality and attainments to give prestige to Howard University; to outline and execute a big policy and program for the institution; and to handle the Inances and appropriations honesty and wisely? No Negro in America measuring up to these and other essential requirements? God forbid. On to Louisville! The representatives of 1,000,000 African Methodists are preparing to swoop down upon our fair city. From every nook and cranny in America, from the colonies of England and France, from still bleeding Africa, and from the isles of the seas they will come hundreds strong, and show to tens of thousands, the bigness and the potentiality, the achievements and the grandeur, the progress and the ideals of the African Methodist Episcopal church. See how the grace of God and the labor and loyalty of men have developed the seed planted by Richard Allen! Assemble, ye cohorts of Methodism. Quinn Chapel and Louisville are ready. Hats off to that loyal churchman, that eloquent pulpiteer, that Chesterfeldian divine, and that master organizer - Noah W. Williams! A month hence we shall write it thus: Dr. Noah W. Williams, Secretary of Missions of the A. M. E. church. The "Black Mammy" bill did not pass. For which the Negroes of America extend hearty congratulations to Congress. And if Congressmen and Senators are open to suggestions the colored people are ready to tell them how they may show their appreciation to the "black mammies." God bless 'em.
Miss Pearl Marshall and Mrs. Willie White are the guests of Miss Marjorie Murray of 1629 W. Walnut St.
Mrs. John Brittle of Chicago, is in the city. She came to attend the funeral of her brother, Mr. Joseph C. Stafford.
Second Period Closes Next Saturday Mrs. Gipson Still In The Lead; Mrs. Smith and Mr. Johnson Close Up As is usually the case, voting in the Leader's "Everybody Wins Campaign," took a tumble after the close of the first period Saturday, April 12. There are five more weeks however, before the campaign is over, and things are expected to become lively again, and more interesting than any time during the first period before the Essex coach and the other prizes are awarded to the winner Wednesday evening, May 21. Ten dollars are offered to the candidates reporting the largest number of votes during the present period, the second, beginning Monday, April 14 and closing next Saturday, May 3. A candidate doesn't have to be anywhere around the top of the list to be winner of this $10, but the person who now has the very smallest number can get busy, and by securing the largest number of votes during this period becomes winner of the second period premium. The second week finds Mrs. B. Creath Gypson of Clarksdale, still in the lead, with Mrs. W. H. Smith of Jackson, a close second and Mr. Andrew Johnson of Buechel, in third place, close on the heels of Mrs Smith. Mrs. Fannie L. Turner of Gunnison, Miss., moved up to fourth place. There is not so much change in the standing otherwise. Turn to page 8 and get the facts as they were Wednesday noon.
GOOD WILL DELEGATION OF BUSINESS MEN GIVEN GREAT RECEPTION HERE The Good-Will Tour delegation composed of men and women from New York, Boston, Chicago; Baltimore; Pittsburg; Tuskegee and other cities North and South, arrived in Louisville over the L. & N. from Nashville, Tenn., last Wednesday morning at 7:45. The tour was arranged for the purpose of studying the business development of the present day South and to give the people of one section an opportunity to know and make contacts with those of another, engaged in similar lines, as well as to encourage and inspire both the people visited and those making the survey.
The delegations included Prof. J. R. E. Lee, extension secretary of the National Urban League, as director of the tour; Frank L. Gillispie, President Liberty Life Insurance Co., Claude A. Barnett, President Associated Negro Press, Nahum D. Brasher, editor in chief A. N. P.; M. Davis Carey, of the Sanitary District, and Mrs. Maude Lawrence, manager Urban League, Chicago; Thomas R. Smith, hotel owner, and Howard Venable, real estate New York City; Dr. W. A. Smith, pharmacist, Boston; Mass.; Dr. S. O. Cherry, physician and surgeon, Pittsburg; Charles S. Johnson, editor of Opportunity, New York City; Albon L. Holsey, Secretary Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, Ala.; and Mrs. G. B. Valentine, Bordentown School, Bordentown, N. J.
The [delegation?] was met at the station by a committee from the Louisville Business men's Association, hedaed by the President, I. Willis Cole and Samuel L. Thompson, chairman of the special committee, including H. E. Hall, H. C. Russell, Thos. Bradford, J. E. Smith, A D Doss, N. M. Willis; Drs. J. A. C. Lattimore and G. D. Smith; and conveyed to the Walnut Hotel, where an old fashioned breakfast was served. Addresses of welcome were made by Editor William Warley and Dr. J. A. C. Lattimore, with responses by Prof. J. R. E. Lee, and other members of the delegation. After breakfast the men were shown thru the residential sections. At Simmons University for chapel exercises, they were treated with several selections by J. Berni Barbour and his big University chorus from his great operetta, the "Arrival of the Negro," to be rendered here at the R. E. Jones Tabernacle Monday and Tuesday nights of next week. Barbour has developed out of the University talent some of the best [voices?] to be heard in any place, and the men regarded it as one of the most enjoyable treats of the tour. At Central High School the visitors were welcomed and shown through the several departments.
The Public Reception.
At 6:30 the guests were assembled at the Walnut Hotel by the Louisville Business Men's Association for a public reception in their honor. The public responded readily, and the big dining room of the hotel was crowded to table and seating capacity by some of Louisville and Kentucky's most prominent men and women who came to do honor to the distinguished guests.
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WHITE WOMEN AGAINST RACE PREJUDICE
WOMEN STIR METHODIST CONFERENCE
Make Plea Against Race Prejudice; For Protection Of Colored Women
Resolutions against race hatred and prejudice, and the Ku Klux Klan were passed after strong speeches by women delegates of the session of National Conference of Methodist Students here last Saturday. The elimination of race lines in school activities, industry; professions and on common carriers, asking that laws be administered without the race and that laws be promoted to protect all industry, particularly colored women, was the sense of one resolution. Another was designed against the Klan. A young lady student of the North Carolina College for Women took the large audience by storm and elicited much applause in her vigorous denunciation of the Klan, which she characterized as an organization "that thrives on race hatred, creed and class prejudice."
Nashville Citizens and Fisk Near Goal
PLATO MAKES STAT'M'T
CLAIMS HE WAS NOT GIVEN A FAIR DEAL IN LETTING OF BUILDING CONTRACT BIDS NOT RECEIVED FROM SUB-CONTRACTORS We do not question the right of the Mammoth Realty Company or Mr. Wright to let contract for their proposed building to white contractors but in view of the statement of last week in this paper, in fairness to our reputation and in order that the public may be correctly informed, the following statement is submitted:
Immediately after the announcement of the Mammoth Realty Company's intention to build on their Walnut street site, one of our representatives saw Mr. Wright, discussed the advisability of having colored architects to draw plans for this building, and asked that our firm be considered for the work. Mr. Wright stated contract had not been let for the plans, but that definite action might be expected shortly thereafter. This representative spoke to Mr. Wright several times later, emphasized the fact that [we?] were in position to save him money on his plans, and asked for an opportunity to submit some drawings free of charge; this Mr. Wright refused to let us do, but placed the contract with white architects without giving us any chance for the work whatever.
Some time later we wrote Mr. Wright, setting forth our desire to build this building, offering a proposition which in our opinion would have saved the company some money; we did not get a reply to this communication. About two months later we were advised by white friends that the plans for the proposed building had been in the hands of white contractors for several days. Upon inquiry we found that our name was not on the architect's list of contractors. We complained to Mr. Wright and later received a set of the plans. Since we were not on the original list of contractors we did not receive bids from all sub-contractors figuring, placing us at a disadvantage.
These bids were not opened in public, as is the usual custom, but were left at the architect's office. A week or ten days later we were told by Mr. Wright that our bid was approximately seventy thousand dollars higher than the low bid. We immediately checked our estimate and explained to Mr. Wright that it was impossible for us to be that far out of line, and that evidently there was something seriously wrong about the matter. We further explained that we had figured against these same contractors on three previous occasions--the Domestic Life Insurance Building was let to us because we were more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) lower than the white contractor; on the Central High School Addition job we figured against twelve (Continued on page 8)
First Standard Resources Over Half Million The rapid growth of the First Standard Bank is not only a source of pride to its Officers, Directors, stockholders and thousands of depositors, but to all who have an interest in the commercial development of our people. The growth of this institution has been steady since its organization three years ago. Starting at that time on the corner of Seventh and Walnut streets with practically no deposits, on February 4 of this year, when it moved to its present quarters at Sixth and Walnut streets, it had resources of $400,000.00. But the remarkable feature of its entire history as stated by its cashier, Joseph R. Ray, is the heights to which it has climbed in the past Ten Weeks. As is shown by the statement below during this time its deposits have increased over $120,000.00, bringing the total Resources considerably over the half million dollar mark. The Cashier also states that since February 4th more than twelbe hundred now accounts have been opened, ranging in amounts from $1.00 to $40,000.00; all of which points to the ever increasing confidence of our people in our financial institutions and the hastening of the hour when the Negroes of Louisville will really have a Million Dollar Bank. Statement of condition of the Bank at the close of business Thursday, April 24, 1924 follows: Resources. Loans and Discounts $358,659.15 Commercial Paper 75,000.00 (Continued on page 8)
Recent Methodist Conference One of Greatest The 55th Session of the Lexington Conference closed, Sunday afternoon with one of the greatest sessions held in the history of the conference, held in the R. E. Jones Temple. For the first time in the history of the conference, both the ministerial and lay delegation were able to meet in the same building, together with other conference committees, which speaks much for the R. e. Jones Temple. The program was carried out just as it had been outlined by the Rev. I. Garland Penn, Jr., the great pastor of this church. Bishops Leete and Jones were so delighted with the program and organization that they spoke in highest terms of the pastorate of Rev. Penn and of the work of the faithful members. The broadness of this young minister was shown when his name was being used as a candidate to the General Conference of his church. Even after receiving 21 votes on the first ballot on which no one was elected, he arose saying that his name be not used because of the interest he had in putting over the program of his local church program, and the helping to entertain the A. M. E. General Conference, this speech stirred the Conference and won for him a larger place in the hearts of the citizens of this city. Among some of the great speakers at the conference were Bishop Leete, resident Bishop, Indianapolis Area; Bishop Jones of the New Orleans Area, Dr. King, editor of the Southwestern; Dr. Penn, Secretary of Negro Education, and father of the Rev. Penn; Dr. O'Connell, Dr. Coggins, Dr. Butler; Secretary Epworth League and others. Rev. Penn was returned for another (Continued on page 8)
K. N. E. A. In Great Session FORTY SEVENTH SESSION BRINGS TEACHERS FROM EVERY TOWN AND HAMLET OF THE STATE PRAISE DUE PRES. REED AND SEC'Y WILSON A record breaking enrollment featured the forty-seventh annual session of the Kentucky Negro Educational Association. The teachers began to arrive from every town and hamlet in the State Tuesday evening and continued to come in increasing numbers until Friday afternoon. So keen has become the interest in this meeting that its annual session is an event in the life of practically every teacher in the State and its convening is looked forward to with pleasant anticipations by the people of Louisville, who each year are its host.
The day sessions were held in Quinn Chapel, the Western Branch Library and the Central High School building; the evening sessions in Jones Memorial Temple. On Wednesday afternoon the principals held their first meeting at Jones Temple while the music teachers rendered their first program at Quinn Chapel. The first evening session was held in Jones Temple at which time welcome addresses were delivered by Miss Carrie Warren, Editor I. Willis Cole, and Mrs. Ellen Taylor. After a response by Mrs. Fostell of Hopkinsville, Dr. Carl G. Roberts delivered an excellent address on "The Man of Tomorrow."
Music of a high character was furnished by the Kentucky Normal School Glee Club, directed by Miss Iola Jordan.
Thursday' Friday and Saturday were marked by interesting programs in the various departmental and the general sessions. In addition to addresses by prominent teachers of the State, most inspiring addresses were given by State Superintendent McHenry Rhoads, Superintendent of Louisville Schools, Prof. B. W. Hartley, Mr. Jackson Davis of Richmond, Va., W. T. B. Williams of Tuskegee, Mr. L. N. Taylor of Frankfort, Ky., President D. H. Anderson, West Kentucky Normal School, Mrs. Cora Jordan White of Nashville, Tenn., Dr. J. E. Engleman, Supervisor Wm. Sanders of West Virginia; Mr. J. M. Ragland of the Louisville Urban League, Mr. Lee L. Brown, Dr. W. H. Ballard of Lexington, Ky., Miss Ruth B. Johnson, Cincinnati, Ohio; Dr. C. H. Parrish, Mr. Samuel Plato, architect of Louisville; Supt. H. S. Cox of Covington, Ky.; and Snpt. L. J. Hanifan of Paducah, Ky., and other distinguished persons.
Thursday evening's session was held at Jones Temple at which time telling addresses were made by President F. M. Wood of Frankfort State Normal, and President J. C. Wright of Edward Waters College Jacksonville, Fla.
Other interesting features of the session were the oratorical contest, the annual story-telling contest, the reunion of various educational institutions, the big athletic meet at the armory, and the splendid exhibits in the gymnasium of the High School building.
The meeting closed Saturday evening with the reports of committees and the election of officers. Too much praise cannot be given President E. E. Reid, Secretary A. S. Wilson and the other officers for the excellent programs and the masterful way in which they conducted the taxing work of the association.
Great Tribute Paid Editor Walls, Now Candidate For Episcopal Honors From Nature's Pulpit. Life Sketch of Rev. W. J. Walls, A. M., D. D., Editor Star of Zion. By E. M. Argyle. "You may not know it, but I believe a boy can make the birds his companions, and the trees his audience, and God's green earth his platform in his early youth; and since that day has made a place equal with the most outstanding characters in this country, and has made such a large contribution to his church and race, demands the highest place in our church, and because of that, I am pledged to work for you." The above is a quotation from a letter volunteering the support of a delegate in the North for the election of Dr. W. J. Walls to the bishopric in the A. M. E. Zion church. He has been a preacher from childhood. His ministry was begun when the church felt that he was too young to wear its commission. But he had the commission of God and went to the woods several times a week, and each Sabbath afternoon to deliver his soul of a message, in an old rock quarry cave on the Beaucatcher Mountain on the outskirts of Asheville, N. C. He was apprehended here by newspaper reporters who published the incident on the front page of the Asheville Daily Citizen, under the heading, "In Nature's Pulpit." The boy's audience grew then to children associates, and finally large groups of people went to hear him from all sections of the city. He was unanimously chosen by the church of his childhood, to preach the gospel, and immediately entered the evangelistic work. In two weeks after being granted his license, he conducted a revival at Rutherfordton, N. C., the childhood church of his mother, in which there were 28 conversions, most of whom were adults. Since then, he has traveled all over America a number of times and preached in the largest pulpits of the race and a number of great churches of the white race in America and England. The life of Dr. Walls from the beginning, has been one of hardship and personal effort. He has aided his mother and three younger sisters, while he secured his own education, graduating from the college of the Theological Department of Livingston College, and taking courses in Journalism and Sociology at Columbia University. Six years an evangelist, in which nearly two thousand were brought into the church before he began to pastor, he has had the evangelistic turn of mind, and has brought thousands into the Church in eighteen years of pastorate and in four years as Editor of the Star of Zion, his present position. Dr. Walls has built two beautiful brick churches and pastored three rural appointments. Soldiers' Memorial Church, which was the congregation in which his school masters and the students worshipped at Salisbury, N. C., he contemplated the finest church of the conference. At Broadway Temple, Louisville, the leading congregation in the State of Kentucky, he built the finest church among the colored people of the State. It had (Continued on page 8)