Evening star., 1903-08-31
IN ANNUAL SESSION
ORDER OF TRUE REFORMERS TO
MEET IN THIS CITY.
Thirty-Six States to Be Represented
Growth of Order-Arrangements
for Entertaining Delegates.

Ine tWenty-thlrd annual session OF tne
Grand Fountain of the United Order ofTrue
Reformers will be convened at the Reform
ers' building, corner of 18th and U streets
northwest, tomorrow morning at 1890
o'clock. Delegates and their families will
be here from thirty-six states The gath
ering promises to be the largest and most
representative body of Afro-Americans
ever assembled in the nations capital.
Chief w. s. Woodson and his associate
workers of the Washington division have
been busly engaged for the last two weeks
securing quarters for the delegates and
their friends who will number several
thousands Every possible arrangement is
being made to entertain the visitors.
The United Order of True Reformers was
organized in Richmond, Va, in January,
1881, by Rev. William Washington Brown,
an ex-save of Habersham county, Ga. 1t
was designed to be a fraternal beneficiary
institution, composed of male and female
members. 1t began with membership of
1O0 and a capital of $3.50. 1t has grown
within the last twenty-five years, according
to the records, to number 10000 financial
members 10000 having been enrolled since
the last annual session
The paid-up capital Of the Reformer Saw
ings Bank is stated to be 500 600 with
10000 depositors. The total amount of
business for thirteen years is reported as
$S,613 1882; average business per month,
$34, 1876. 90 1t is also stated that over
$SO,OOO has been paid in dividends to the
stockholders. 1t possesses real estate val
ued at over S40O ,GG0. included in halls in
Missouri Kentucky, Ohio, New York Penn
sylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, New
Jersey and the District of Columbia.
Second Session Here.
This will be the second time the annual
session of the Grand Fountain of United
Order of True Reformers has convened in
this city The session of 1885, which was
held here, was interesting from the fact
that two of it's most important departments
were inaugurated at that time. The insur-
ance, or class B and E, and the Rosebud
or children'S fountain. The meeting will
be held in a magnificent new building,
which cost $4,000. which was built by
negro contractors and mechanics and su-
pervised and planned by negro architect,
with every dollar of the cost paid when the
building completed Rev. w. L. Tay-
lor, G. w. M. and president. will call the
session to order and deliver an annual ad-
dress. after which committees will be ap-
pointed on credentials and on the eight de-
partments of the order. There Will be three
sessions each day, and the convention will
continue until Friday evening, when an ad-
journment will be reached.
President Taylor and his executive board
will remain here until the following We'd
nesday and complete the unfinished work
of the session. Among the prominent Off
GERS present Will De ReV. w. L. IayiOr,
G. w. NJ. and president; Mr. Edward Ellis,
jr. G. V. master; Mrs. Rosa Thompson,
G. w. mistress; Mr.. w. p Burrell, G. w.
secretary; Mr.: r. T. Hill, G. w. treasurer
the Reformer; Mr.. J. c. Robertson, attor-
ney. and chief of the real estate depart
ment; T. w. Taylor, superintendent Old
Folks Hone; r. j. kyes Sles. private secTe-
vision; W. L. Taylor, jr., superintendent
r. NJ. I. Association; Mrs. Eliza Allen, gov
erness; Mrs. F. H. James, chief of Balti-
more division and assistant governess;
Louis, Mo-; c. A. Puryear, deputy general,
Washington. D. c.; Rev D. w. Rivers,
deputy general. Lynchburg, Va.
The Local Division.
The Washington Division of U. o. T. R.
was organized in 1884, with only few
hundred of the humble class of people,
and at times the opposition was such that
the advancement was slow. During this
interval there have been different chiefs,
the present chief being w. S. Woodson.
During rhe three years of his admins
tration every department of the work, 1t
is claimed has shown remarkable progress,
and there is general feeling of unity of
action and purpose in the division, which
was demonstrated at the division meeting
last Thursday, Whe- Chief Woodson sub
mitted his annual report. This report
showed that the total amount of money
received Dy the washington DIVISION from
all sources was $50, ,O31.s6. This does not
include the business and proceeds derived
from the mercantile and industrial depart
ment, under the supervision of Mr. c. l..
Marshall business manager.
Resolutions Adopted.
Resolutions were introduced and adopted
the evening of the 9th at the division
meeting of the United Order of the District,
setting forth that "all great movements
succeed by the combined effort OF the
masses, under the leadership of those who
inspire confidence and directed by the
wisdom and power of the Ruler of the Uni
verse" and that I'VE, the members of the
Washington Division of the United Order
of True Reformers, confirm our hope in the
principles and prosperity of our organiZa-
ton. AT the close of this fiscal year we
find ourselves in $50, 600 building, which is
equal to any of it's kind in this country, and
demonstrates the possibilities of the race as
architects, contractors, mechanics and
builders. The financial and numerical in
crease of this division has far exceeded any
previous year and gives an abiding faith
to our future achievements.
I'VE, the members of the Washington
Division, return our sincere appreciation
and thanks to Rev. w. l.. Taylor, d. d. G.
w. NJ. and president, and his associates,
the executive committee and board of direc-
tors for the loyal support we have received
in the erection of this magnificent building.
which is a credit to the order and an honor
to the race
High approval was expressed of the
chanical skill displayed by Mr.. ]. A. Lank
ford, the architect and by MeSSrS. BoldinS
and Everett, contractors and builders. The
valuable services and loyal effort made by I
MIR. c. A. Puryear, deputy general of the
Northern Grand Division, and by Mr.. C. l..
Marshall, as member of the board of
directors and business manager of the mer-
camille department of the division, were
recognized Mr.. w. S. Woodson, as chief
and Mr. ]. S. Settles. secretary of the
Washington Division, We're given indorse-
ment for services rendered in their respec-
tive positions.
Mrs. Sarah E. Baum, president of the
Rosebud board of managers, and her asSo-
cIate workers were commended for the eX-
cellent services they have rendered in in
creaSing the membership of the department
and arouSing a general interest in the work
in the District of Columbia.
The appointment of Mr.. John w. Lewis
as janitor of the building approved