PARAGRAPHICS CURRENT NEWS AND OPINION (By X. Mabie Wright) Flappers. Mr. Guggenheim, Philanthropist. John Preston Davis, Debater. Stellar Fortune-Teller Dethroned. "When The Cullud Band Comes A-marching Down The Street." Kentucky Klan Dying. Flappers. What are They? An evangelist answers: "They are Bungalows. [Painted?] in front, shingled in back, but nothing in the attic." Just like evangelists. From John the Baptist on down, they have been hard hitters. Multimillionaire Guggenheim has set apart $3,000,000 to encourage and enable young folks of merit and mettle to study abroad. Real philanthropist, he does not draw the color line. Thank God for it. And so another Door opens for all youth. And more and more America means Opportunity. And the world knows one more name to write into the List of the Splendid Minority. Right here is the time and the place to mention young John Preston Davis. One of us. Pohn, now a Junior in Bates College, has made an enviable record as a student and a debater. Bates says that youngDavis is its best debater, and therefore send him over the sea to cross his lance with Oxford. He is a cousin of our own brainy and congenial young J. Everett Harris, now in Harvard his second time. And men's colors are like the colors of toys and books. The black ball bounces as high as or net [as?] high as, or higher than the [illegible]. The red book, contains as good a story as, or note as good a story as, or a better story than the brown book. 'Tis not in the color. "Margery" (Mrs. Le Roi G. Crandon) of Boston has been called the most famous medium of the century. She has failed. A committee on Psyhic Phenomena, after having had her under investigation for a year, has declared that she gives no convincing proof of supernormal powers. The famous Houdini calls her a fraud and claims that she used trickery. So Science is destructive as well as constructive. But if it destroys our wizards and witches of Endor, what will it matter? Monarch Band of New York City is the best musical outfit of the race in this country. It is composed of sixty-five pieces. Each man is an artist and several fo the members were formerly with the famous James Europe. Monarch Band is so fine that New York engaged it last summer to give concerts in various parts of that city. And the Monarchs received applauses and encores. When the order's for music, we can fill it. The Kentucky Klan is dying. There is no sad wailing of grief-stricken hearts as the ugly spirit passes out of the sheet. As it expires automatically it confesses voluntarily. The Confession: The Klan has been doing business without the formality of complying with the laws of the state. It has been misusing funds paid in by the 100,000 members and initiates - The Grand Dragon has been getting the "enormous sum" of $60,000 per plus $1 out of every $10 of initiation fees - the Cyclops has been paid a monthly stipend plus $2 out of that every 10 - "In many instances" and as "a rake-off" Klan agents have collected $15 instead of 10 from recruits. These are not charges, but confessions. "When thieves fall out - ."
FINAL All social items and church notes must reach The Leader office by Tuesday noon. All other news matter by Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock. Copy received after these hours will be held over to the next week. THE PUBLISHER.
Plan $100,000 Exhibit Philadelphia Mayor Announces Big Sesqui-Centennial Exhibit of Race Progress President Coolidge Gives His Approval
B. HUGHES BADLY HURT IN AUTOMOBILE WRECK When O. Vance, salesman for the Orman Company, Brook and Main Sts., was driving a Ford north on Johnson Street and the front wheel of his car was struck by a Maxwell roadster driven by D.H. Fitch, 1415 S. 10th St., the Maxwell was turned over and Blakey Hughes, 823 Cawthorn Street was badly hurt. The Ford was damaged $25, and the Maxwell $100.
MR. GOODE APPOINTED MESSENGER TO JUDGE MOORMAN Mr. Thomas R. Goode, well-known citizen and fraternal man has been appointed messenger for Judge Chas. H. Moorman, United States Circuit Court Judge at Cincinnati, Ohio. YOUNG LADIES OFFER PRIZE Something unusual is the prize story writing contest sponsored by the Phyllis Wheatley Club. This club of young ladies is offering a first prize of $10 and a second prize of $5 for the best original short story by pupils of the elementary schools. Superintendent Hartley has highly endorsed the contest and circulars of instruction are in the hands of the teachers. The prizes will be awarded at the K.N.E.A. which meets in April. Mr. and Mrs. James Allen and Mr. and Mrs. Earl Pruitt spent the week end in St. Louis, Mo., among friends.
Negroes Share in New Orleans Carnival Spirit
BISHOP CLEAVES SPEAKS TO NEWSPAPER MEN Among the many prominent visitors who graced the National Negro Press Association in session at St. Louis last week, with their presence and words of encouragement, was Bishop N.C. Cleaves of St. Louis, prelate of the C.M.E. Church, whose dioces includes the Kentucky Conference. Bishop Cleaves and Mrs. Cleaves had as their guests for dinner several of the bishop's friends attending the Press meeting, including editors J.H. Eason of Birmingham; Henry Allen Boyd, Nashville; W.H. Davenport, Charlotte, N.C.; J.E. Wood, Danville,Ky.; I. Willis Cole, Louisville; and Dr. L.G. Jordan, Louisville, Secretary of the Missionary Department of the National Baptist Convention and former publisher.
THE CALENDAR CLUB The Calendar Club entertained Mrs. F.C. Dillion with a party at her residence, 2409 W. Broadway, Feb. 28 in honor of her birthday. Many beautiful presents were received. Those present: Mesdames Beauchamp, Crawford, Davis, Dillion, Estill, Foston, Ham, Hayden, Humes, Harrison, Mrs. L.P. Davis President. Mrs. G.P. Hughes is getting along nicely after her operation at Red Cross
WHY EDITORS ARE WEALTHY "A child is born in the neighborhood; the attending physician gets $10. The editor gives the loud mouthed baby and the happy parents a send-off and gets $0. When it is christened the minister, gets $10, the editor gets $00. It grows up and marries. The editor publishes another long-winded article, and tells a dozen lies about the beautiful and accomplished bride. The minister gets $10 and a piece of cake, and the editor gets $000. In the course of time it dies. The doctor gets from $25 to $100, the undertaker from $50 to $100, the editor publishes a notice of the death and obituary two columns long, lodge and society resolutions, a lot of poetry and a free card of thanks and gets $0000. No wonder so many editors are rich." NOTE: The above has appeared in several periodicals. Dr. J.A. Emerson, well-known, Louisville dentist, ran across it and mailed it to the Leader editor. Thanks Doctor.
NEGRO GARAGE INCORPORATES AT $20,000.00
Another step forward in the business activity of colored people in Louisville is the launching of the Ben Nichols Garage, 10th and Chestnut Streets, with a capital of $20,000.00 Ben Nichols is President, and several well-known business men are members of the corporation.
The company recently purchased property at the Northwest corner of 16th and Chestnut and also built a cement stone addition to their garage at a cost of over $4,000.00. The corporation is arranging to install additional gas pumps and later will tear down and rebuild the business part of the structure; part of which will be used as office and salesroom, and the other part of the building for supplies and garage purposes.
Mr. Nichols, President of the company and chief mechanic, is well known in Louisville, where he was for seven years a tester at the Ford Assembly Plant. The company has also secured the services of Mr. Albert Cooper, an expert on ignition and electrical work. Mr. Cooper was in the employ of the Louisville Cement Company for eleven years, in charge of their shop as head mechanic. Mr. Cooper has hal unusual advantages because of the fact that each year for more than ten years he visited the Buick Factory and spent several weeks each year perfecting himself in ignition and electrical automobile work. Each time a new model was put out the employers of Mr. Cooper sent him to the Buick Factory to perfect himself in the ignition and electric work of each new model.
The corporation has also secured the services of Mr. Arthur Hayes who formerly conducted a shop of his own in Chicago. Mr. Hayes for two years was an employee at the Federal Truck Company as chief mechanic, and for more than four years was engaged bf the Randolph Motor Truck Company of Chicago as demonstrator and mechanic.
Mr. Alfred Nichols who has had four years experience under his brother, Mr. Ben Nichols, is also another of the first class mechanics employed by this company. Mr. Lee Anderson, who is well known as an ice dealer, is a member of the corporation, and is in charge of the garage as active manager.
Having the advantage of owning its own completely equipped garage, and with a capital of $20,000.00 sufficient to handle its business, the Ben Nichols Garage experts to [develop?] its business to the place where it is doing at least $50,000.00 worth of business a year. With the reputation og Mr. Nichols as a master mechanic and his experience on Ford work particularly, and with the adlition of experienced men on ignition and electric work, in the person of Mr Cooper, and the practical experience of Messrs. Hayes and Alfred Nichols, the Negroes of Louisville have a garage business where it is possible to carry an automobile and receive instant and expert service.
MR. H.E. HALL President of the Mammoth Life Insurance Company. A safe, sane and sound business man; conservative yet progressive. This insurance genius has in 10 years built up one of the most substantial insurance companies in the country.
STANDARD BUILDING AND LOAN MAKES GREAT PROGRESS It is reported that for the second time within a year the stockholders of Standard Building and Loan Association have found it necessary to increase the capital stock of the Association to be able to take care of the increased volume of business and to receive new persons who are constantly applying for membership. At the Annual Stockholders meeting on February 16th, an increase of twenty-five hundred shares was voted which will raise the capitalization to a half million dollars. The report of the General Manager showed that several hundred members had joined the association during the first year of operation and more than fifty persons were aided through loans. It wa sshown also that a number of persons and organizations had invested their funds in paid up stock certificates which yield a better income than do most other high class investments. Great enthusiasm was shown by members and directors, and a year of greater achievement is promised for 1925. Mr. W.W. Spradling is president and Mr. H.C. Russell is secretary of the association.
Third Attempt Made To Fire Home THIRD ATTEMPT MADE TO BURN HOME Dallas Braxton has been played as a victim of an enemy who has sought upon a number of occasions to set fire to his home which he owns and occupies at 129 Williams Street. Once he found a bundle of half burnt excelsior in the entrance of his home. Another time the rear of his house caught afire from an unknown cause. The damage was slight. And on a third occasion, he found a piece of carpet saturated with oil and grease half burnt on his roof. He suspects a neighbor of trying to set fire to his place.
The Mammoth Goes Up GREAT KENTUCKY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY CELEBRATES TENTH ANNIVERSARY - REMARKABLE GROWTH IN 10 YEARS MADE PUBLIC Elsewhere in this issue is an announcement of the Tenth Anniversary Campaign of the Mammoth Life and Accident Insurance Company. While the campaign is unique in some respects the interesting fact brought home in this announcement is that the Mammoth has successfully weathered the storm test of a decade. It is to the credit of the Mammoth that it has had business organizations among us which have sprung up and for a short time enjoyed apparent success. Others are yet young and the outcome of the test of time must be awaited. It is to the credit of the Mammoth that it has successfully stood the test of a decade, during which time the "flu", one of the worst epidemics known in history, swept the country. Thousands died and many thousands more were bound to sick beds but the Mammoth never in all this period found it necessary to turn down a just claim. These claims were met as promptly as in normal times. Not only has this company emerged unscathed from these trying periods but has enjoyed a phenomenal growth each year since organization in 1915. In nine years its premium income has been [multiplied?] fourteen times. That is an enviable record of progressive management. To the colored people of Kentucky alone the Mammoth has returned over a million and a half dollars.
It is difficult for us to appreciate fully what we see every day around us. This is not to say that Louisvillians and Kentuckians in general do not appreciate the Mammoth. Its remarkable strides in ten years proves this--but few of us perhaps realize the exact standing of this organization in our midst, among insurance companies of the country. The Mammoth today although operating directly under its name in Kentucky already operates in three other states through its subsidiary companies in Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. In a short period it is said the Mammoth will consolidate these organizations under the one banner of the Mammoth Life and Accident Insurance Company.
Last year the Mammoth was re-organized from a mutual to a stock company. The success of any stock company undoubtedly is reflected in its abilities to pay its stockholders a return and at the same time build up a creditable surplus. Judged by this criteia the Mammoth scores big--for although it has been a stock company just one year the Mammoth has been able to declare two semi-annual dividends to its stock holders. There is no question that this record has had a very beneficent effect on all Negro business in Kentucky. At the same time the Mammoth has given equitable returns to its stockholders its reserves and surplus are perhaps the largest dollar for dollar of any Negro insurance company in the country. Every dollar required by the state the Mammoth has practically two dollars for the protection of its policyholders.
Insurance Service Bureau [Established?]
In addition to its growth along sound financial lines the Mammoth has taken the lead in service to its policyholders. During the present campaign This company established an insurance service bureau. The purpose of this bureau is to discover what are the needs of the prospective purchaser of insurance and from this information suggest the exact type of insurance to fill these needs. This type of service is being offered only by the more progressive white companies as it entails not only expense and a vast amount of clerical detail but an expert knowledge of insurance, budget making and economics on the part of its management. Not many of our organizations have been in a position to command this type of trained service. The Mammoth, however, believes nothing too good for its policyholders.
Company Maintains School of Insurance Fundamentals The service bureau has been the direct outgrowth [of?] the Mammoth's training school for its agency force. Certainly no person would think of employing other than a licensed physician to attend loved one in the family. The Mammoth evidently has taken the same view, that in order for its agents to intelligently offer insurance to the public, these agents must first know the fundamentals of insurance. So the Mammoth established a school for all its agents. When a Mammoth agent gives advice on an insurance contract the prospect feels the agent knows about what he is talking.
Modern Methods Used in Selection of Agents It might be interesting to the public to know how the Mammoth selects its agents. When a prospective agent has gone thru the usual preliminaries of applying for a position with the company he is sent to the personnel division where he is put through psychological tests to determine his general intelligence, chief characteristics and honesty. This done --a [personnel?] record is made and kept of the [agent?] so that his progress might correctly be gauged from time to time. By this means the public is assured of efficient service from the agents.
We might go on indefinitely mentioning first one and then another service which the Mammoth in its Tenth Anniversary has inaugurated for the public, but in all one big point would stand out--along with its phenomenal financial growth the Mammoth has as a fitting means of celebrating its tenth anniversary inaugurated the most modern methods possible to insure the maximum of service and convenience to the insuring public.
FRIENDLESS MAID, WITH NO RELATIVES JUDGED INSANE Selastena Samuels, for four and a half years, maid for the T.H. Mitchell, 110 E. Broadway was taken to the City Hospital suffering from insanity. It is claimed that she threatened Mrs. Mitchell and on several occasions attempted to run her out of the house. Miss Samuels has no near relatives, nor friends who have called to see her at the home of the Mitchells where she had her room.
PROF. DAVIS IN THE CITY Prof. E.B. Davis, well-known educator and fraternal man of Georgetown, Ky., was in the city last week. Prof. Davis is a candidate for the presidency of the K.N.E.A., and his friends say it is all over but the shouting. Divorces Granted Oscar Johnson vs. Vivian Johnson. Ruby Lee White vs. George White. W.C. Brown, Attorney. Mr. and Mrs. John R. Smith's little daughter, Nancy B. Smith has a slight touch of bronchitis, but is somewhat better. Mrs. Ida Macauley and daughter, Diana Macauley, have returned home from Cleveland where they spent the latter part of last week with friends. Mr. Alexander B. Thomas, formerly employed by the First Standard Bank, is now connested with the J.R. [illegible] Realty Co.,