ACTIVITIES AMONG NEGROES

By Delilah L. Beasley

The following interesting news has been received from Edward L. Wertheim of New York City. It will be of interest to readers of this column, because the musical part of the program presented by Leonard Jeter and Olyve L. Jeter brother and sister of the talented local pianist, Lillian Jeter Davis of Oakland. The article states: "Richard B. Harrison, the 'Lawd' in 'The Green Pastures,' the recipient (March 22) of the Spingarn Medal, gave a dramatic recital at the Mansfield theater Sunday, April {19}, carrying out a long-cherished ambition to help other talented Negroes to gain public recognition.

"Under the auspices of the Commission on Race Relations of the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America, Harrison gave an interpretation of 'Shylock,' believing that he understood this character from the Merchant of Venice, because of the suffering of his own people. At Harrison's request the program was supplemented with musical presentations by the Weir-Jeter Trio, a Negro ensemble composed of Felix V, Weir, violinist H. Leonard Jeter, cellist, and Olyve L. Jeter, pianist.

"To assist other Negroes with creative ability and to increase the good-will between the races, Harrison is cooperating with the Commission on Race Relations which in his early unrecognized days gave him counsel. While considering the acceptance of the part of the ‘Lawd’ in “The Green Pastures” he read the manuscript to Dr. George E. Haynes, secretary of the commission for his advice. With the widespread acclaim which has come to him in his present role he has not forgotten his ideal to help his people to get a chance for expression.

“In a recent letter to Dr. Haynes, he said: For several years I have watched with keen satisfaction the effort of the Commission on Race Relations of the Federal Council of Churches to bring to public recognition Negroes who have made worthwhile achievement. As a part of your program for interracial appreciation and goodwill this especially appeals to me."

COOPERATIVE ASSISTANCE

More than a dozen representatives of organizations cooperated with the Commission on Race Relations in support of this effort in artistic appreciation. Included among them were Miss Eva D. Bowles, National Y. W.C. A.; Dr. Frederick Gordon, Brooklyn Church Federation; Dr. J. W. Robinson. St. Marks M. E. Church; Miss Mary Brady, Harmon Foundation; Waiter White, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; Miss Caroline B. Chaplan, Church Women's Interracial Committee; Rev. Wilbur T. Clemens, New York Church Federation; James H. Hubert, New York Urban League; Rabbi Israel Goldstein of Congregation B'Nai Jeshurun; Rabbi Louis I. Newman of Congregation Rodeph Sholom: Clarence V. Howell, Reconciliation Trips; A. R. Elliott, National Council Y. M. C. A.

NEW MEMBERS ADDED

The reader will remember with pleasure the National Association of Colored Women that held its biennial in this city August, 1926. This convention was arranged in transportation detail by Mrs. Daisy Lampkins of Pittsburgh, Penn. A little over a year ago she accepted the position of Regional Field Secretary for the national office of the National Association for the Advancement of colored People. The campaign for new members she conducted last fall in Cincinnati at which time she secured over a thousand new members, was considered amazing.

But she has very recently surpassed this record, according to May issue of the "Cristie" which States: "Mrs. Daisy E. Lumpkins, Regional Field Secretary, has just concluded a campaign in St. Louis $1450 was raised in this campaign. Five teams reached the goal of $100 each. These teams were headed by Mesdames T. J. Nevins, W. C. Bridges, James T. Bush, Minnie J. Acklin and Lisa Myrtle Mae McKinney."

The reader will recall that Mrs. T. J. Nevins visited old schoolgirl friends in Oakland several weeks after the close of the convention. She is coproprietor of one of the largest Negro groceries in the east, a prominent member of the National Negro Business Men's League, and other uplift racial organizations.

ADDITIONAL MEMBERS

A news release from the national office of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People states that recently Mrs. Lampkins conducted a campaign in Akron, Ohio, to obtain new members for the N. A. A. C. P. branch in that city. Among the list of new members included the names of the ex-governor, C. Y. Cooper and Mayor Weil, together with three judges of the court of appeals, William E. Pardee, Rose W. Funk and Judge Washburn, and also the following: Donovan D. Ishman, prosecuting attorney, and Merry L. Sicherman, assistant prosecuting attorney of Summit county, six judges of the court of common pleas Messrs. Author W. Doyle, Lionel S. Pardee, Oscar Hunsicker, Cary C. Hoyt, L, D: Slusser, and Walter Wanamaker; four judges of the Akron municipal court. Messrs. Claud V. D. Emmons, Owen M. Roderick, Stephen C. Colopy and Gordon E. Davis. Other officials who have joined the Akron N. A. A. C. P. included Alvin Henry, sheriff of Summit county; Amos Bishop. George Schutz and George Neal, deputy sheriffs; Frances Seiberling, congressman from the Fourteenth district: State Senator V. D. Emmons and State Representative Frank E. Whittemore."

INTERNATIONAL TEA

At the tea held last Wednesday afternoon In the St. Francis hotel by the League of Nations Association for northern California honoring Miss. Hennie Forchhammer of Denmark, guests included Attorney Virginia Stephens, Miss Mary Norris, and Delilah L. Beasley. It was most interesting to this audience to have Attorney Virginia Stephens, only Negro woman graduate in law from University of California, ask Miss Forchhammer, a question pertaining to the method of the settling of the international status of women citizens. Miss Forchhammer explained to Attorney Stephens and the assembly this very important question. It was this correspondent's privilege to have met Miss Forchhammer at the quinquinnial of the International Council of Women, in 1925 in Washington, D. C, at which time she was the only Negro woman at the press table representing a daily paper, and the only Pacific coast press representative.

SPRING MASS MEETING

Mrs. G. D. Spencer, president of the Oakland Council of Church Women, states that the spring meeting of the council will be held Thursday, April 30, in First Baptist church in Oakland. The council is cooperating with the clubwomen in observing at this date "Better Homes Week." They are having at the same time a mass meeting for mothers, believing that better homes must begin with better mothers. The meeting is open to the public and all races. Lunch will be served at 13:30 for 50 cents, program being afterwards. The Oakland Council of Women are rendering a fine service to the community. During the past year they completed the raising of $350 to renovate the Coffee Club established by the Oakland Council of Churches for unemployed men. They are now in the midst of raising a fund to use in employing a trained Deaconess to visit all the public hospitals in Alameda county. They have discovered there is a great need for such work. Everyone is asked to encourage this band of women by attending this meeting April 30. You will be welcome.

PREACHER'S DAY

An advance step in race relation was made on Tuesday when the Council of Churches ministers held their "Preacher's Day" monthly meeting with the Negro ministers in a Negro church. It was held in Cooper A. M. E. Zion church over which Rev. W. J. J. Byers is pastor. He reports that it was one of the best in attendance and enthusiasm the organization has ever held. It was presided over by Rev. Van Horns of First Congregational church. It took the form of Round Table discussions on “International Peace” echoes from Holy Week downtown meetings held in a local theater, the forthcoming convention on social work. A representative from the national convention of American Surgeons sent a representative to speak on medicine, and also a representative from the firemen’s organization, who made a plea for a one day rest period.

FILBERT STREET Y. M. C. A.

W. E. Watkins, executive secretary of the Filbert Street Y. M. C. A. submitted a partial report of the work done in this branch during the past year. The following is an extract: Membership for 1929, men 109; for 1930, 270 boys, 51-45. Physical work attendance, gymnasium classes, 1929, 450; for 1930, 1029; attendance athletic games. 1929, 1539, for 1930, 3640; employment placement 1929, 13; for 1930, 27. One was a Linden branch girl. Mrs. Ethel P. Cragg. who was placed in the Oakland post office during the Christmas rush. In the occupants of the dormitory the report states: "For 1930 we have had three regular occupants most of the time, but the unemployment problems cut in on our revenue. The number of transients was 18 free beds given to 46." This report under the circumstances is not so bad because the Filbert street Y. M. C. A. is the poorest equipped in all of California, has no inducements to offer, only one secretary and all of the activities have to be conducted outside of the building (uptown). When the branch was located in North Oakland, they did have a tennis court or a place where they could play hand ball.