The Washington bee., 1907-08-17
Can't. s H Darby
Deputy State G. NJ, U. B. F., and S.
NJ. rs, 1913 Third avenue, Birming-
ham, Alabama.

| Deputy State ". M, y. b. r, and =.
NJ. T.'s., 1913 Third avenue, Birming-
ham, Alabama.
By E B. BARCO. CITY EDITOR
From the Atlanta Independent.
Birmingham, Ala. Aug 9. 1907
(SpeciaD-On Monday last, August ;,
Grand Master Houston was the guest
of the c. First Johnson faction Of the
Odd Fellows Of Alabama. All day Mon
day great crowds came to town from
all parts Of the State to see and to hear
the Grand Master The committee OF
arrangements had arranged a gala day at
Traction Park, where nearly ten thou
sand people went expecting to see and
hear the Grand Master, but instead met
fun and folly.
1t appeared that those at the head OF
affairs were not for graft and 1t seemed
10 circulate among those who had no
finger in the pie hence the night meeting
was a failure so far as a crowd was
concerned. 1t seemed quite difficult TO
tell who had the largest following.
Howe OF Johnson. Howze's Office was
packed all day with delegates passing
IN and out as they were en- route TO
Selma The johnson men seemed loyal.
and hopeful TO their leader and to what
they believed TO be right On Monday
night at $50 p. NJ, was the hour set
for the rendition Of an excellent pro-
gram which the committee had prepar-
ed. but before the hour arrived some
heartless being had sworn out a war
rant for the arrest of Mr. Houston.
which delayed the meeting until o3o,
when he appeared without the congre-
CATION knowing what had happened.
The program was then executed with
some parts cut out. Rev @. F. Welch
delivered most timely address Of vel
come, which convinced his hearers of
careful preparation DR.. Welch is a
presiding elder Of the c. NJ. E. Con-
nection, and measures up to the stand
ard of a man
Mr.. Thrift, Mrs R q. Robinson and
Miss Annie B. Read rendered very
beautiful solos. which held the audiencc
spellbound.
Hon c. F. Johnson. D. @. NJ, was
then called upon to introduce Mr.. Hous-
ton, which he did in a few well-chosen
remarks.
Mr. w. L. Houston arose in the midst
.of cheers. He delivered a very instruc-
tive address without censuring or abus-
ing any persons. His talk was manly
and becoming a Christian gentleman.
He, however. took the liberty to say
that he regretted the conditions of Odd
Fellows in Alabama. and yet only the
grand officers elected at Montgomery
in March are the only officers recog-
nized by the subcommittee of manage
ment, and those who were acting differ
ent were doing 50 at a serious risk.
While the address was all that could
be hoped for, there were less than 900
people present, most Of whom were
women.
We cannot say why it was that such a
small audience greeted the Grand Mas
ter There were but few Odd Fellow
of the city present. If one should Judge
from those who greeted Mr.. Houston
and the Johnson faction, one would de-
eide that the Johnson faction was not
popular Only a few of the leading
Negroes were present. while all OF them
are members of the fraternity, but seem
to have no interest in affairs of this
kind.
It IS true that some rain fell but only
enough to cool the earth, and II was
soon dry on the streets, hence there
was no excuse for bad weather. 1t is !
now rumored that the Howe faction
will organize an independent order of
some kind if the subcommittee OF man
tgement contends that Howe is ex-
PEELED The condition of affairs in Ala
bdma among Odd Fellows IS deplOTabie, |
and We see no hope OF ever uniting
the forces unless both Howe and
Johnson be sacrificed. and new man
elected
The feeling among the factions is
intense. and little of each side goes
long way. with the other
Many of the leading lights Of this
city believe that the hope of the or
der in this State IS blighted There
were many prominent ones on the stage
on Monday night at the Jefferson opera
house, among whom were ]. o. Dify, /
G. w. Martin. Rev. G. F Welch. ID.
Dr. Pittiford. Hon. c F. Johnson and
". T. Bruding. Prof. R G. Robinson