ACTIVITIES AMONG NEGROES
A Happy New Year is extended to all readers of this column. Acknowledgement is also made to readers and friends who have sent Christmas cards and books. The list is far too lengthy to publish. The spirit of cooperation is deeply appreciated, and the writer will continue to work for a "better racial understanding" by giving to the reading public a knowledge of the efforts, ability and progress together with the struggles of the Negro peoples throughout the world.
REVIEW YEAR'S WORK
In reviewing the past year in regard to the Negro peoples, progress is shown notwithstanding the economic depressions. First place must be given to the work of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, which has at great expense and effort convinced both the Negro voter and candidates that the vote of the Negro citizen in the United States, is of value, and as a citizen will struggle to maintain it. Such a program had never before in the history of American politics been tried by the Negro citizens until this year. Under the leadership of Dr. DuBois, editor of the Crisis magazine and Walter White, acting secretary of the organization, the program was carried out successfully. They not only rendered a service to their own race, but to the American public, because far too long has the vote of the Negro been used to increase race hatred.
NEGRO WOMEN HONORED
The Negro club women of the United States also have made progress through the activity of one of their former national presidents, Mrs. Mary McLeod Bethune. It was this woman whom Dr. Ida M. Tarbell nominated as one of 50 living women in America today who, in her opinion, stand foremost as contributors to the welfare of the country in business, arts, professions, social service, and other callings. This statement appeared in the daily press throughout the nation in September, the author prefaces her remarks, or statements to her use of a three-fold measuring rod; Ability to (1) initiate or create; (2) lead or inspire; (3 carry on).
"Mary McLeod Bethune, born to Negro slave parents founded in 1900, the Bethune-Cookman Institute for colored girls and boys at Daytona Beach, Florida: established a home for delinquent Negro girls at Ocala, Florida; active in all forms of social, educational and moral betterment."
In the Bethune-Cookman school publication, The Advocate, for November the following appeared:
"The entire community, white and colored, joined with the teachers and students of Bethune-Cookman in October to do honor to the founder and present head, Mrs. Mary McLeod Bethune. The occasion was the nearest Sunday to the anniversary or the school's birthday, representative of various local organizations and communities, colored and white, brought greetings and congratulations, appreciation and good will because of the recent honor that has come to Mrs. Bethune in being named one of America's 50 greatest living women."
CHILD CONFERENCE MEET
There is another Negro woman in the south who too has lifted her race to a higher position in the person or Mrs. H. T. Butler, of Atlanta, GA., who a few years ago sought the nomination of president of the Parent-Teacher congress, and asked if she might be given the opportunity to study and to give to the Negro women of the south the same program that this organization was giving to the women and children of other races. Last year for the first time a Negro woman was invited to attend as a delegate the White House conference on Child Welfare. This honor was accorded Mrs. Butler by President Hoover.
The result of this contact and through the activities of Hon Eugene Kinckle-Jones, executive secretary, and T. Arnold Hill, director of the department of Industrial Relations of the National Urban league, Dr. Rav Lyman Wilber, of President Hoover's cabinet has written and published in "Opportunity Journal of Negro Life" article on the "Value of Child Welfare White House Conference." As a result in 1920 several outstanding Negro club women were invited to attend the conference held in the White House. They also served on several important committees.
This contact has resulted in T. Arnold Hill, director of the department of Industrial Relations of the National Urban league being appointed liaison officer between the President Hoover's Committee of Employment and the Negro unemployed.
TOO MANY LYNCHINGS
While there have been twice as many lynchings of Negroes during the past year than the year previous, investigation has proven that out of the large number only three were accused of an unmentionable crime. White Women of prominence and distinction have joined with their federated clubs and with church and civic organizations in passing, publishing, and signing their names to resolutions condemning such disregard for law as the burning and lynching of human beings. Their action in this particular will hasten the day when Southern United States congressmen and senators will realize it is in their power and their duty to introduce and pass a federal anti-lynching bill. These southern representatives are fast becoming to realizing that designing politicians are using their position not only to create race hatred, but to keep the advancement of the south down likewise. This was clearly demonstrated only a few days ago when Oscar DePriest, a representative from the first district of Illinois, asked for just two minutes to make a statement on the floor of congress in defense of the passage of an appropriation for a new library for Howard (Negro) University, in Washington D. C. Several congressmen have spoken against the bill when DePriest appealed to their sense of fair play and how the south would be more benefited by the passage of the bill than any other section of the country, adding, “if the gentleman will but stop and think for a moment they will vote as I intend to do for the bill.” Press dispatches stated it passed with almost unanimous vote.
FEDERAL APPOINTMENT
The Negro citizen and voter has made progress in federal appointments during the past year. The League of Nations when requested to make an investigation of the report that slavery, existed in Liberia, asked this government (U. S.) to lend a representative to serve with this committee. President Herbert Hoover recognized the great educational ability of Prof. Charles S. Johnson, a Negro teacher in the department of sociology at Fisk University, and selected him to represent the United States on this committee.
As a result of the investigation by this committee it was discovered that slavery did exist in Liberia, and President Charles King forced to resign. After this committee made its report to the several governments, and the same was ready for publication, President Hoover appointed a Negro of proven ability, United States minister to Liberia in the person of Charles Mitchell of Institute Virginia. This appointment was immediately followed by the appointment of Jefferson S. Coage, another finely educated Negro with proven ability to serve as chairman of the Virgin Island commission. He was appointed recorder of deeds, for the District of Columbia, a position made famous by having once been held by Frederick Douglass.
It has been very recently announced through the press that both of these appointments have been confirmed by the senate
LOCAL NOTES
One of the most interesting ceremonies held by Eastbay colored fraternal organization was Saturday night, December 27 in the public installation of West Gate lodge, East Gate lodge F. and A. M., South Gate chapter O. E. S. and Rahab. Court, Heroine of Jericho in West Gate temple in Berkeley. After a struggle and sacrifice of many years they have finally purchased and paid for a ball of their own. These lodges are composed of representative citizens descendants from pioneer Negro families and are recognized as citizens who stand for good morals and citizenship and are a credit to their race.
The chapter of women held their ceremonies first with Hon. J. O. Edmonds. Past worthy patron of the California jurisdiction, Los Angeles, acting as installing officer with Mrs. Justlna Koss, Most ancient Grand Matron, Heroine of Jerico, serving as marshal.
The following are the elective officers: Worthy matron, Mrs. Julia Davis; M. W. Patron, H. Godfrey assistant matron. Mrs. F. Bodin; treasurer, Mrs. Irene Sims; secretary, Miss H. Bodin: conductress, Mrs. H. Thomas; associate conductress, Mrs. Howard; sentinel Mrs. J. Strickland, warden, Mrs. I. Hill. The appointive officers are Adah, Mrs. C. Brock. Kuth. Mrs. M. J. Jiggetts; Esther, Mrs. L. Monroe; Martha, Mrs. C. Royal; Electa, Mrs. E. Mathews; most ancient matron, Anna Swinney.
Installing officers of the lodge were Mr. Host of Victoria lodge of San Francisco, West Gate lodge No. 36 and East Gate lodge No. 44. Assistant installing officers were C. Hamilton and David C. Bruce. The two lodges held their Installation Jointly.
The officers were worshipful master, Dr. F. M. Nelson. E. G.; Wiley Howard. W. O.; senior warden, John M Monroe, E. O.; Junior warden, Harold V, Bruce, 10. O. secretary, Henry A. Godfry, E. G.; W. D. Garne W. Q.; treasurer. Henry A. Page, E. 0.: J. Sparks, W. O. Appointive officers: senior deacon, Treslyian L. .Brock., G.. Walter Williams, W. G.; junior deacon, Robert L. Clinton, E.G.; John L. Monroe. W. G. senior steward. Elmer L. Drisdom, E. G.: Walter Willams. W. G. junior steward. Paul : L. Hackett. E. G.; L. Jegeetss, W, A.: Tyler, William E. Williams; chaplain; Charles Lennex, E. G.; W. Swinney. W. G.: marshal, David A. Bruce, E. G.; past master Frank Bass was presented a booklet. Past master E. Lee, W, G., No. 36 was presented with a pin.
WEDDING CELEBRATED
The wedding of Miss Bessie Beuberry, and Clarence Toland, was held at the home of the bride on Monday evening at 8 o'clock with Methodist ceremony read by Rev. W. J. J. Byers, pastor of Cooper M. E. Zion church, Oakland. The bride was attended by Miss Grace Hackett of Alameda as maid of honor. She wore a blue satin gown and carried an immense bouquet of pink sweet peas. Louis Jackson served as best man. Preceding the bridal party Miss Pearl La Vert sang "All For You" accompanied by Mrs. A. O. Davis, organist of Cooper A. M. E. Zion church who also played the wedding march for the bridal party. The bride was gowned in heavy white satin with bridal veil suspended from a wreath of orange blossoms.
