Activities Among Negroes
The Negro grand lodge of Knights of Pythias, and grand court of Order of Calanthians, for North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, for the Jurisdiction of California, which has just closed its nineteenth annual session in this city, represents one of the leading fraternal organizations among Negroes in the United States. It numbers among its members Negroes who have won national recognition in business, law, and in the sciences. One of its members, T. G. Nutter of Virginia, has won the Spingarn medal, bestowed annually by a board of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People for the most outstanding work done for the race during a single year.
Grand Chancellor J. Allen Reese, Venice, Cal., described the organizing of a grand lodge among the Negro Pythias in California, stating: In 1912 the grand lodge was organized in Oakland with 432 men, with $1612 in the treasury, offering $300 death benefits. Since then, the grand lodge had grown until it was a recognized factor in California. The National K. of P. supreme lodge had to their credit buildings whose valuation ran into millions of dollars, notably the K. of P. building in New Orleans, the K. of P. bathhouse in Hot Springs, Ark., and the recently completed ten-story building in Chicago, covering a full city block. These buildings stood as an example of efficiency and workmanship, exemplifying the principle of the order of friendship, charity, and benevolence. The speaker then revealed the resources of the order as given in the supreme chancellor's report for July 1929: Supreme lodge, $9,350,219.28 and supreme court, $2,487,256.45.
GRAND OFFICERS ELECTED
Grand Chancellor J. Allen Reese. Venice, was re-elected, and Rev. T. Allen Harvey, prominent in A. M. E. Zion church, was elected grand vice chancellor. Rev. Harvey is located in Sacramento, as presiding elder of African Methodist Zion church.
Among those attending grand lodge were past grand chancellor of California grand lodge who has served seven years, and at present is active past grand chancellor for the state, and a member of the finance committee, a member of the Marchell Neil lodge No. 4 charter member of the grand United Order of Odd Fellows for the state of California, serving as district grand master for three years. He is one of the leading officials of the Masonic Order Court of Shriners and a thirty second degree Mason. He has lived in Oakland about 50 years and is a retired southern Pacific employee.
Another attending was Prof. William A. Payne, grand lecturer for grand lodge, El Centro, Cal. He was formerly principle of public schools in Allensworth, at present is principal of East Side high school at El Centro, and president of B. Y. P. U. of southern California Western Baptist convention. He is a graduate of Dennison university, at Granville, Ohio, from which school he holds the degree of A.B., and has done graduate work for a master a degree in the University of Southern California.
Lieutenant Leon F. Marsh, Berkeley, grand auditor of G. L. K. of P. state of California, keeper of records and seals, Pride of West lodge Oakland, was also present. He was made past grand chancellor. He is assistant grand secretary of grand lodge Order of Masons for the state of California. This lodge recently closed its annual session in Fresno. Lieut. Marsh is one of the few Negro men of California to graduate from the separate training camp at Fort Des Moine, Iowa, and receive the rank of first lieutenant. He has seen service in the Philippine campaign, in China, Mexican expeditionary forces and during the World War with the 317th infantry, retiring as commander of 368th infantry.
Other men of note in attendance were Keeper of Records and Seals F. B. Norman; Grand Master J. G. Lindsey, Los Angeles; Grand Medical Registrar Dr. Wm. E. Richardson, Sacramento; Grand Attorney Edward Mabson, San Francisco; Secretary to Endowment Fund T. S. Dawson, Berkeley; Chancellor Commander Panama Lodge Jess W. Walker, Los Angeles; P. C. Pacific lodge, Fred Paterson, Los Angeles; Chancellor Commander Cryspus Attucks lodge, Fred C. Brooks, Los Angeles.
The following lodges were represented on the committee of refreshments: Marchel Neil lodge No. 4, chairman, F. H. Mitchell, chef, H. Jarret and waiter, Vernon Jiggetts; Pride of the West lodge No. 7, Ira Longress and Mokann Temple No. 1, Donald Dallas.
GRAND PAGEANT
The grand pageant given Tuesday evening in the arena of the municipal auditorium by the Marchel Neil Lodge No. 4, Pride of the West; Lodge No. 7 of K. P., and Mokann Temple No. 1, D. O. K. O. has been pronounced the most beautiful ever staged by colored people in Oakland. It represented "Torn Leaves from a Scrap Book." It was directed by Alonzo C. Ewing. The king was A. P. Johnson, of Berkeley, and the queen Dorothy Saddler, of San Francisco, wearing the supreme lodge colors, blue and gold. The pageant was in two parts. In attendance upon the king and queen were members of the K. of P. lodge dressed in white cloth trousers with surplices of gold over white. They wore K. of P. caps of blue and gold. The ladies in attendance were gowned in old colonial evening gowns of rich silks and satin. The second part of the pageant represented the wedding of the painted dolls. Ninety-six girls and boys danced, and little Dorothy Longress, with her special fancy toe-dancing was a feature of the evening. The bride was Miss Alberta Dawson, of Berkeley, and the groom Lester Longress, Berkeley. They were attended by the following flower girls: Louise Cox, Ellen Brooks, Marie Sweetwine and Dorothy Reed.
The music consisted of a band of 20 men, conducted by Mrs. J. Terrell, of San Francisco. It is known as the Franciscan band and has the distinction of having the only Negro band conductor in northern California.
Other women who took a prominent part in the grand session were Capt. Theresa Osborne, Lieut. Emma Avery and Corp. Martha Griffin, who in full uniform acted as escort of honor to the Grand Worthy Councilor.
WOMAN'S DAY
Thursday was woman's day for the Saint John Missionary Baptist association that has been holding its eleventh annual meeting in Oakland this week, Mrs. Potts, of Stockton, as president, presided. Devotions were conducted by Sister Elvira Bland, Oakland, and Sister H. H. Lee, Fresno. An address was given by Sister Knox, Bakersfield; a paper by Mrs. M. C. Barron, Oakland; a report of Starlight Bands and Y. W. C. A. led by Mme. E. B. Moberly, Oakland. Report of missionaries was given by Sister M. C. Williams, Berkeley, and Sister Shelbie, Bakersfield, and a Bible drill by Mrs. Etta Win. The report of the corresponding secretary and treasurer, the president's annual address, the report of the committee on permanent organization, election of officers, and sermon by Rev. John Turner followed.
Sympathy was extended to the pastor and members of North Oakland Baptist church, whose church was destroyed by fire. They had for two years been collecting funds with which to erect a larger church and planned within another two years to be in a position to build. Because of the fire they will have to proceed immediately, a hardship upon the members.
The meetings of the convention have been well attended and reflect credit upon Rev. G. C. Coleman, the founder, who believes in his race and its ability to do whatever any other race can.
