ACTIVITIES AMONG NEGROES

By Delilah L. Beasley

The reader will be pleased with the following news item received this week from the twenty-second annual conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People which has been meeting during the week in Pittsburgh, Pa. It was the first message received by that organization from President Herbert Hoover, and was most appreciatively received and reads:

PITTSBURGH, Pa., June 3O. A message of greetings from President Herbert Hoover to the twenty-second annual conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, was read at the opening mass meeting. The letter was addressed to Colonel J. E. Spingarn, president of the association and it reads as :follows:

“My dear Colonel Spingarn: On the occasion of the twenty-second annual conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People held in Pittsburgh, June 3Oth to July 6th, I should like to extend my greetings to the members of the organization and those gathered to consider with them problems vital to the welfare of our country. Lawlessness or the gross type of which members of the colored race often are victims, is a feature of our national life which deserves condemnation and suppression. Every citizen is entitled to the full protection of the law and to absolute justice. To make that ideal an actuality is one of my strongest aspirations as it is of the nation, and to its accomplishment the government and all good citizens will pledge their devoted effort.

“The many problems of our country requiring a breadth of vision and a willingness to cooperate which I have no doubt will be the spirit of your association.

"Yours faithfully, "(Signed) HERBERT HOOVER"

A message came from U. S. Senator Arthur Capper, of Kansas, a member of the association Board of directors. Senator Capper telegraphed as follows:

"Very much regret my inability to attend the twenty-second annual conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. I hope, however, you will convey my hearty greetings to the conference and the assurance of my warm interest in the program of the association. The truly remarkable progress of the Negro during the little more than half century of his freedom, his constantly enlarging contributions toward the betterment of his own race and his useful participation in the affairs of the nation generally attest in noteworthy way his intelligence and adaptability. Member of the national association have much reason to be proud of the splendid part they have in the furtherance of this valuable and satisfying program in the interest of our colored citizens. My best wishes for a most successful convention."

CALIFORNIA NOTES

Among the increasing number of newsletters received for publication in this column this week were from Atlanta university, and Spelman college, both In Atlanta, Ga and -Long Beach, California. The following is an extract of the memorial presentation address delivered at the memorial services during the convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Sunday, May 14, at the Long Beach municipal auditorium. N. C. Davis made the memorial presentation on behalf of the Johnson-Davis post 407, American Legion, Long Beach, California. He said In part:

"In behalf of one group of people of these great United States of America, a people who have always responded to their country's call, it is with a mixed feeling of gratitude and remorse that I stand before you and attempt to say something that you will remember, Brother Comrades gave their all in defense of the weak and oppressed. It was in a spirit of patriotism that they went forth from their own beloved country to uphold the integrity and confidence of this nation.

"We should feel proud of them and ever keep their memories fresh that we may live such lives in charity and patriotism that our works also, whether in peace or in war, should rebound to their glory, Let us therefore comrades bow our heads in humble submission to our Father in Heaven who does all things well. - "It is mine to present this spray of flowers as a memento to their valor."

ROLAND HAYES UNIT

The Roland Hayes unit of the Republican Study club of Long Beach, held their installation of officers Sunday afternoon, June 21, in the home of Mrs. Lotus C. Taylor on East Eleventh street. In the program featured was an address delivered by Attorney Eugene C. Jennings, of Los Angeles, who installed the officers. Jennings paid glowing tribute to Mrs. Bettie Hill, of Los Angeles, executive secretary and organizer, stating: "No other woman has done more for the launching of the women's Republican Study clubs than has Mrs. Hill. For years she has been a tireless leader in social and civic affairs for the race in Los Angeles as organizer of this movement for the sole purpose of raising the civic and political standards of the colored women of the state."

Others appearing, on the program were Mrs. Donura Williams who rendered a vocal solo, and Miss Letitia Calaway, who gave a reading by Paul Lawrence DunBar.

LOCAL NOTES

The last reciprocity meeting for the club year of the California Federation of Colored Women's Clubs was held Wednesday in the First A. M. E. church, Oakland. Mrs. Chloe Sledge, president for northern district, presided. The meeting was pronounced the most interesting and best in attendance held in years. During Mrs. Sledge's two years in office she has succeeded in uniting all factions, including organizing a Junior department. Instead of allowing the work to lag on account of the economic depression, the treasury last year held 78 cents, whereas this year it closed with bills paid and a small deposit in the bank to their credit.

Clubs sent delegates "from Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento, Stockton and other northern sections. After the executive board meeting in the morning the gathering after lunch listened to the reports of these clubs, and committees were appointed as follows Courtesy, Mrs. Ethel Craig - January, H. Hogan and N. Collins; resolution committee, Mesdames Hettie B. Tilghman, Ada Nelson. Josephine Williams; Justine Ross Viola Brooks, Nettie Coats, and Gertrude Jackson; memorial, Mesdames Fletcher, Anderson and Gracen; publicity, Mrs. Ceola Brown, California Voice: Delilah L, Beasley, Oakland TRIBUNE: and Mrs. Alma White, Oakland Independent; nominating committee, Mesdames T. Pitman. C. Brown. L. Johnson, Bertha Allen and Foreman. Among the out of town delegation was Mrs. V. S. Johnson and Mrs. Brooks, Sacramento, and Mrs. L. J. Williams of Vallejo.

PROGRAM IN MEETING

A unique program of spirituals and other numbers were rendered during the meeting by the Junior members or the Art and Industrial club. This girls' club was highly complimented, and are a nucleus of the 110 girls so organized in this part of California, with Mrs. Branford as chaperone. This marks the twenty-fifth annual convention of the colored club women's movement in California.

Mrs. Tilghman was called upon to deliver an address to the following pioneer representatives: Mesdames Melba Stafford, Willa Henry, E. Brown, Ada Wilson of Francisco; Hattie E. Dehart, Berkeley; Miss L. J. Williams, Vallejo; Hattie James, of Oakland. The response was made by little Miss Louise Williams, of the juniors, after which Mrs. Hattie James told something about being a charter member of club life in Chicago, with Elizabeth Lindsey-Davis, and the late Ida B. Wells Burnett.

BUSINESS OF IMPORTANCE

The business of importance was the passing of resolutions to send a letter of thanks and appreciation to the Oakland TRIBUNE for the splendid editorial appearing in that paper on June 19, headed "That Scottsboro Case". A letter was also recommended to be sent to President Herbert Hoover heartily thanking him for the greeting to the national conference of N. A. A. C. P. Adding that they judged by the splendid greeting that he purposed seeing that the 13^th, 14^th and 15th amendments to the constitution of the United Slates were enforced."

After the reading of the resolutions, Mrs. M. K. DeHart, chairman of reciprocity, offered a short program, at which time iread a paper on "Mother," followed by a musical number by the juniors on "Home."

The meeting closed to meet at the state convention, which will be in Los Angeles July 28 to August 7. Just before closing Mrs. Lydia Smith Ward announced that the national president of the N. A. C. W., Mrs. Sallie Steward, would not reach California in time to attend the state convention. She had received such word by long distance telephone, and that she would be in Oakland August, when she would deliver a lecture in Parks' chapel. Clubwomen who do not go to Los Angeles were urged to attend. There will be no admission, but a silver offering instead.