Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-27
ANNUAL CONVENTION
INITIAL SESSION OF w. c. T. q.
MEETING THIS MORNING.
Presidents Report Shows Encouraging
Neutrality-suspicious. by DR.. Greene
Other Business.

The initial session of the twenty-ninth
annual convention of the Woman's Chris
tan Temperance Union of the District of
Columbia was held this morning in the
Calvary Baptist Sunday school house on
Sth street near H street. The session was
replete with features. The cradle roll
presentation was an interesting and
unique exercise and the address of the
president was heartily Endorsed by the
large asemblage in attendance.
The auditorium in which the session
was held presented a pleasing scene. The
officers of the body, seated on the roS-
trum, were almost hidden from view by
the beautiful floral decorations, which
consisted of huge palms, ferns, potted
and cut flowers.
The banner of the association of white
silk. embellished with insignia of the or
ganization worked in gold braid. occupied
conspicuous place Immediately in the
rear of the chair of the presiding officer
The various banners of the association and
huge American flags feStooned in an artistic
manner, constituted an important part or
the wall and balcony decorations.
The convention was called to order cy
the president Mrs. Clinton Smith. The
business session proper was preceded by
short devotional exercises under the leader
shit, of Mrs. S. H. Martin. The first item
Of business was the roll call of the general
and local officers, after which the report OF
the last quarterly meeting was read by
-.
tary.
Miss Susan Pollock who, although iden-
tilted with the national kindergarten work
since 1885. only recently accepted the sup
erintendency of the same department under
the local w. c. T. T., submitted her re-
port which was approved and adopted. In
the document she referred at length to tie
kindergarten work In Baltimore, Nd, ana
declared that such work is the foundation
of all temperance work Miss Corneiia l..
Lloyd, as superintendent of the department
on temperance literature, reported the num-
Der of pamphlets booklets, magazines and
circulars bearing on the temperance move
inent distributed to the prisons, station
houses, railroad depOts, etc.
Speeches and Reports.
Rev. Dr. Samuel H. Greene. pastor of
Calvary Baptist Church, extended hearty
welcome to the members of the temperance
union. The minister declared that wedlock
and womanhood stood together in the holy
bond of ten perance. He avered that the
home is the first consideration in temper
ance work. and that by no secondary means
can the workers reach the home. Mrs. L.
D. Moore responded to the remarks of the
minister and referred, in feicitous terms, to
the late Miss Frances Willard.
The treasurer, Mrs Charles P. Grand
field. reported to finances. She stated
= at last year. at the time of the conven-
IN. there was in the treasury $76l9. The
receipts for the past year have been $S04 80,
and that balance of $3.50 is in the treas
ury.
At the conclusion of the reading of the
treasurer's report the Baby Band of the
white Ribbon Army" composed of about
thirty-five children, ranging in age from
two weeks to seven years, led an attack
on the auditorium. Three of the smallest
children, just able to walk, were the lead
ers, the larger boys and girls bringing up
the rear. The leaders carried long stats.
as did three children in the middle of the
procession and three in the rear. From
these stats were strung wide-bordered
white ribbons The children also carried
flowers, fruit and grains. Mrs. Don P.
Blaine was in command, of the juvenile
army. These exercises came to a close
with the admission to the union of six of
the children.
Presidents Address.
President Smith next delivered her annual