Activities Among Negroes
The writer's attention has been called to the omission in last week's letter in regard to the list of distinguished visitors at the Eucharistic Congress of the name of the most notable colored person in attendance Louis Borno, president of Haiti. His party consisted of Mrs. Borno, Mr. and Mrs. Dejean, secretary and interpreter to the president; Lieutenant Chan and Lieutenant Roche le Roache. After being received and welcomed by Chicago Cardinal Mundelein, and attending the congress, he was visited in his hotel by Robert S. Abbott, editor and publisher of the Chicago "Defender," who placed at his disposal six automobiles decorated with American and Haitian flags. Accompanying the sight-seeing party were Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Abbott, Attorney and Mrs. McGill, and Judge and Mrs. Albert George.
After the sight-seeing trip the president and his staff visited the "Defender" plant, where he gave out the only interview while in America, a part of which is here quoted:
"I have the highest regard for my brethren, for the millions of my race in America. It is only too natural that it should be so. As a race we have the same origin. The colored people of America are my brethren. It is absolutely inconceivable that the people of Haiti should have no interest in the race in America.
"The people of Haiti have been misunderstood. Some people who have visited our country have been exploited. This has created certain antagonistic sentiment against our people. Politics has disturbed the peace of Haiti for a number of years. There has always existed a band of discontented politicians in our country who were dissatisfied when they or their party were not in power. These disturbances finally led up to the American occupation of Haiti by the United States Marines."
After speaking at length on the conditions in Haiti and the treaty submitted at the time of the intervention by the U. S. Marines, he said: "The country was on the verge of a precipice, and seemingly nothing could be done to save it. The Haitian people realized the help offered them by the United States, and the treaty, after many modifications, was signed with the greatest honor possible to Haiti. I want it to be known that Haiti has not lost one iota of her national dignity in accepting the cooperation of the United States Government.
"The United States Government has solemnly promised that our national independence shall never be molested. I believe that America is sincere in her promise, as well as in the help she is giving us. I love my country, and would die to preserve the sacred patrimony bequeathed us by our ancestors."
In the New York Evening World a compliment was bestowed upon the Chicago "Defender" newsboys' band. This paper said that it was one of the best in the parade at the Eucharistic Congress. The band served as an escort to a group of colored Catholic high school girls in the parade at the "Mass of the Angels." These boys have been trained by Prof. N. C. Smith, formerly of Tuskegee Institute, Alabama.
Rev. Nelson Pryor, pastor First A. M. E. church, announces that their new pipe organ will be he unveiled Sunday morning at the 11 o'clock services. He extends a welcome to the public to attend in not only this service, but every evening next week when Prof. Elmer Keeton, together with members of the different choirs, will render a musical program, all of which will be free. There will be in attendance at the Sunday morning services Mrs. Collins of Newark, N. J., the daughter of the late Rev. J.B. Sanderson and the first colored woman kindergarten teacher in the United States. She has come to visit her sister, Mrs. Grasses, and to attend the N. A. of C. W. biennial meet.
The Linden branch Y W. C. A. at their vesper services last Sunday afternoon listened to a farewell address from Miss Brookman, the retiring Central Y. W. C. A. secretary of Oakland. The branch regrets exceedingly to lose Miss Brookman, whose guidance and encouragement made it possible for their center to become a branch. The music for the vesper service was furnished by Miss Mary Norris, a student at the University of California. She sang a group of rare old negro spirituals. Miss Ruth Moore, the branch secretary, wishes to announce that for the first time the branch will have a girls' reserve camp this summer near San Leandro. It is named Camp Brookman, and will be open July 14-21.
Evidently the colored people of Alameda county are registering and intending to vote because they have announced two candidates for the August primary election Attorney Leonard Richardson, for freeholder, and William McFarlan for the Thirty-ninth district for assemblyman. In the meantime Walter A. Butler is touring the state from Bakersfield to Oregon, and organizing Shortridge for Senator clubs.
The women of California beginning to realize the responsibility facing them when the coming biennial of the National Association of Colored Women is held here soon. This fact was brought home to them with the recent exhibit of arts and crafts held in this city. The handiwork displayed is only a part of the many different branches of art studied to be displayed during the coming meet. There is the department of fine arts, department of arts and crafts, the drama and plays and sculpture.
California women are recognized, and have members as different department chairmen. Mrs. Minnie Paterson of Chicago is national chairman of arts and crafts. The local chairman for the national arts and crafts is Mrs. Melba Stafford of Oakland and the state chairman is Mrs. Theodora Purnell of Berkeley. Mrs. Sadia Chandler Cole of Los Angeles is chairman for the southwestern region, which includes California. Mrs. Melba Stafford will have the responsibility of receiving and assembling all the arts and crafts exhibits sent from the forty different states and foreign countries that are members of this N. A. of C. W. It will be a valuable collection. Mrs. Cole will see to the collection and delivery of Mrs. Purnell all the arts and crafts exhibits for the southwestern region. Mrs. Purnell will be responsible for all the state exhibits of arts and crafts.
The Northern California clubs believe in encouraging art in daily life. Hence the Fanny J. Coppin club in carrying out this policy made two old-fashioned quilts, each member making a block.
The following is a list of blue ribbons awarded last week at the arts and crafts exhibit. First prize was awarded to the Polly Ann club, a junior auxiliary to the Arts and Industrial club of Oakland. It was awarded on a lamp shade made by Lucile Willis. The second blue ribbon awarded this club was to Gladys Logan. The Arts and Industrial club's first prize was awarded to Mrs. Logan on plastic crome and irridescent works of art; second blue ribbon to Mrs. J. E. Terrill, silk lamp shade, by Mrs. Sledge, the president. The Mother's charity club first blue ribbon was won by Mrs. Baker, lamp shade, Imperial Art club; first, linen centerpiece, Mrs. Florence Archie; second, pillow by Mrs. L. A. Barnes. Elmhurst Progressive club, first, child's dress by Mrs. Ella Hawkins, the president. The Mary Church Terrill club, first, towel, hand embroidered, by Mrs. Wall, also a handmade lace and linen sideboard scarf made by Mrs. Wall. The San Francisco booth, representing the Martha Ann Wilson club, first, bedspread made by Mrs. Mary Garnes; second, centerpiece made by Miss Gene Kennedy. Booker T. Mothers' club, first, French doll by Mrs. Peace; second prize, elementary school children of San Francisco. The Madam C. J. Walker club, first, bedspread by Mrs. A. B Clark; second, lace centerpiece by Mrs. C. R Chambers, Berkeley Mothers' club, first, crib spread by Mrs. Stocking; second, frock by Ann Elkins. The Phyllss Wheatly club of girls, first, pillowcases by Loma Mitchell; second, parchment shade, by Miss Barnaidy; third, lamp shade by Mrs. Thomas. The Oakland Mothers' club, first, baby cap by Mrs. Ruffin; second, baby silk dress by Mrs. Richardson. The Fleur de les club of San Mateo, first, linen luncheon set; second, silk cap. The Fanny J. Coppin club of Oakland, first, boudoir set; second, woollen dress and jacket by Mrs. Pyrnell.
