ACTIVITIES AMONG NEGROES
The following is quoted from the "Chronicle" the official organ of the "League of Nations associations" giving an account of its recent, annual convention held in Chicago. It states: "At the first general meeting held Thursday evening, January 22, Professor John R. Commons, of the University of Wisconsin and Ivy Lee, New York press agent, spoke on the general theme of "The League, Economic Depression, and Unemployment." Silas Strawn, of Chicago, former president of the American Bar association, presided.
Professor Commons said: “The United States controls the world situation by refusing to co-operate with Europe. During the past years of apparent prosperity we did not care.” But during these years of world-wide depression and unemployment the American people may perhaps begin to think about the obstructive part we are playing not against Europe's recovery, but against our own as well.
"The gold situation is primarily responsible for the present worldwide economic depression,” Professor Commons declared. “In consequence, Europe is plunging toward one or two kinds of revolutions, ‘Communism or Fascism.’ A long step toward solving the present economic problems would be made;” he said. “If the American Federal Reserve system belonged to the Bank of International Settlements, America controls some 40 percent of the world's monetary gold and no action for the Bank of International settlements can be taken without paying particular attention to the independent policy of the Federal Reserve system. On the other hand, the Federal Reserve system cannot be free to act in stabilization of American prices as it did in 1923 if such stabilization jeopardized the maintenance of the gold standard in Europe.
"But here the jealousy of the American people and the fear of entangling alliances with Europe compels the Reserve system to do underhand and surreptitiously what could be done openly before the world if the Federal Reserve system were represented on the board of directors of the Bank of International Settlements."
LOCAL NOTES
The "Army of Mercy" better known as the Community Chest will open on Wednesday its annual drive for funds. It is so greatly needed that it is hoped that all will realize the terrible fate of many who are depending upon the help from the 53 agencies, if the full quota is not reached in this present drive. There never has been a time in the history of this city when more people were out of work, not because of their own fault, but because of other conditions. It is then the duty of those more fortunate to give, of what they have, that others may not suffer. It is to be sincerely hoped that many who are giving perhaps 80 cents or a dollar in their clubs in an effort to make up a quota for the club will not feel that their duty to humanity and the Chest efforts to HELP has been met by this small sum. STOP and CONSIDER there are 63 agencies that will have to share in this small sum. How could you divide this sum, to give at least five cents to all if you allow this 50 cents or a dollar represent all you are to give.
VOLUNTEER WORKERS
The colored volunteer worker will work under the division, of which J. W. Jeperson is the colonel. The workers will be Adjutant Colonel Miss Lulu Chapman, executive secretary Linden branch Y. W. C. A.; major battalion "C" Mrs. Ivy Gray, chairman committee of management, Linden branch Y.W. C. A.; Captain of team No. "1, ' Mrs. Fannie Wall, president and Founder Children’s' Home and day nursery; assistants, Mrs. E., Ridley and Mrs. Ella Kennedy; captain team No. 2, Mrs. M. J. Stubblefleld and Mrs. T Pittman; captain team No. 3, W. E. Watkins, executive secretary Filbert street Y.M. C. A.; captain team No. 4, Mrs. Mabel Craig. Mrs. M. G. Lane, Mrs. Lillian Hunter, and Mrs. Spencer O. Villa: captain team No 5, Mrs. O. M. Ruffin. Mrs. McMurry. captain team No. 6, Mrs. T.L. Purnell, president Fanny J. Coppin club, and also of the Swastika Civic Study club. Mable Calhoun, assistant secretary N. A. A. C. P. membership committee, Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, president of Home for Aged and Infirm Colored People; captain team No.7, Mrs. Grayce Mathews, official State Federation of Colored Women's clubs; Mrs. R. E. Williams, Mrs. E. Crawford; captain team No. 8, Alvin Nurse, Mrs. Grace Temple.
STANDING COMMITTEE
The standing committee for educational purposes recently organized by Delilah L. Beasley contains practically all of the persons named as volunteer workers. However, a cabinet was appointed by the chairman, to work all during the year, educating the general public as to the value of the Community Chest. The following are the names of this cabinet: Honorary chairmen Mesdames Mary Grasses and Fannie Wall; honorary advisor, Mrs. Hettie B. Tilghman. The reader will remember Mrs. as a former president of the Home for Aged and Infirm Colored People, and active for many years in the Community Chest, likewise Mrs. Tilghman who, during the many years she served as treasurer of the same institution handled over $31,000 and worked all during the year speaking for the interest of the Community Chest.
Active members of this cabinet are Mrs. C. Sledge, president of the California Northern District Federation of Colored Women's clubs (associate chairman) Mrs. Mable Craigg, vice chairman, (secretary Prairie View College club) Mrs. Spencer O. Villa, employment committee Linden Branch Y. W. C.A. and Mrs. Hanna Vann, representative of Women's Progressive club.
Active members among the men are associate chairman, Hon. J.C. Rivers, fraternal organizations; vice chairman, Wm. McFarland, local president Dining Car Cooks and Walters association; Rev. H.T. S. Johnson, president local branch N. A. A.C. P., and pastor of Taylor M. E. Memorial church; Sherman Bridges, commercial printer, and, secretary of fraternal organizations; Wm. Rose, dealer in periodicals and newspapers; Dr. F. M. Nelson, past grand master Masonic lodge; (Berkeley); Dr. Henry Lewis, dentist; and Hon. E. B. Gray, dealer in real estate. Study and research committees will be named later. The writer is very proud of the large recognition given her race in the personnel of the Community Chest organization. I shall feel that they will bring in reports to merit the great confidence I have in their ability to cooperate and give a revaluation to the Negro's ability to share with others in the hour of distress.
LEGISLATIVE LUNCHEON
There were two tables of representative Negroes in attendance at the Legislative luncheon sponsored by the Oakland Civic center and held in Hotel Oakland last Saturday. The table presided over by Hon. M. N. Johnson, president of North Oakland Improvement club had as its guests the following club members: Mrs. O. M. Ruffin, social worker; Mrs. Glenna B. Wehruing, recording secretary; Mrs. M. N. Johnson, chairman of music; Mrs. Margaret Stevens, club collector; and Mrs. E. Macklin, member of committee of the Colored Group Public Welfare league.
Seated at the table presided over by Mrs. B. L. Purnell, president of the Fanny J. Coppin club were Attorney Virginia Stephens, president of graduate chapter Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority of colored students, U. of C; Mrs. Bertha Allen, vice president Alameda county League of Colored Women Voters, and vice chairman, committee of Colored Group, P. W. I; Miss Lula Chapman, executive. secretary; Mrs. Emile Martin, chairman of Sunshine department Swastika Civic study club, Berkeley, Mrs. J. D. Claridy, also an active member of same club; and Delilah L. Beasley.
GRADUATES RECEPTION
In last week's account of the reception held in Linden branch Y. W. C. A. honoring the winter graduates of University of California in Berkeley, under the diplomatic leadership of Mrs. T. L. Purnell, notwithstanding the graduate were all members of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. In the receiving line were the following members of the Alpha Kappa, Alpha sorority, Virginia Stephens, president of graduate chapter of the Rho chapter A.K, A., Miss Bobble Sterns, Miss Elinor Carroll, Mrs. Purnell, also a college graduate, shared honors with Mrs. Sledge and on behalf of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority presented the graduates with bouquets of roses while the Alpha Kappa Alpha girls wore corsages of pink and green. Mrs. Hattie E. DeHart, an official of the oldest federated colored club poured tea.
NEGRO ART DISPLAY
The display of a collection of artwork by local Negro art students, which accompanied the celebration of National Negro history in the Linden branch Y. W. C. A. was a surprise. Especially fine was the work of Miss Eleanor Paul, who, is art editor for the "Crisis" as was that of Mrs. Purnell, which consisted of oil and water color sketches, with block-wood prints, etchings, dry paint, color harmony, studies, and other sketches. The workmanship of Miss Scotlan, in charcoal, that of Miss Angelester Wrenn and Master Rosa R. Dempsey were all commendable.
CELEBRATION
The Art and Industrial club will celebrate this afternoon with a musical tea in honor of Lincoln, Douglass and Booker T. Washington in the residence of Mrs. Masengale. The public will be welcome.
The following are visiting friends in Berkeley. Mrs. Gertrude Clark, of Lawrence, Kansas, the widow of the late Judge Clark of the county court. She is with her daughter, Miss Alice Clark, a graduate of Kansas state university, and majoring in sociology, and is a Delta Sigma Theta sorority member. Her mother, Mrs. Gertrude Clark, is past worthy matron Order of Eastern Star for Kansas. They are with Mrs. Beatrice Countee organist of Park chapel, who has moved to California from Denver.
Activities Among Negroes/Sun, Feb 22, 1931 22 Feb 1931, Sun Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) Newspapers.com
