The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1907-05-30

Interest Of Many Exhibitors at James
town 80 Deep That They Decltnc
to be Reimbursed for Freight
ChargcS-Frank Methods.

Norfolk, Va. May 25.--Within the
n past few weeks there seems to have
been a complete revulSiOn of public
feeling throughout the country with
reference to the Negro Department
Of the jamestown Exposition. Where
II the enterprise two months ago had
but one friend in ten, it has now nine
II supporters to one opponent, and
thousands of those who were luke
warm and Indifferent have Eow be-
come enthusiastic champions Of the
cause and are voluntarily rendering
| their services toward insuring it's
success. This favorable change in
sentiment has been brought about
very largely through the open and
candid methods pursued by the Exec
| utive Committee since it took charge
| In January last, and the frank and
honest manner in which it has TAX
en- the people into It's confidence,
Each week the colored papers in ev-
cry section of the land have carried
comprehensive statements touching
the plans and purposes of the man
agement, and every step has been
placed sQuarely before the public, to
The end that all may know exactly
the progress that is being made Il
has been the invariable policy of the
Executive Committee to treat the en-
terprlseS as movement designed to
serve the entire race-not as Il pri-
vate concern for their own pecuniary
profit Or personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
The people have come to know this,
and consequently are rallying hear
tily to their support. The Negro ex-
hibit is rapidly being put in shape
60, inc h>
are finally opened, the display will
be one OF which every member Of the
race may justly feel proud.
Referring to the cheerful state OF
mind existing among the 5000 Or
more talented persons who are to
have in the collection the best pro-
ducts Of their brain and Drawn, and
calling attention to the unique fash
ion in which some are extending
practical assistance, Chairman II. J.
Galloway remarked TO press rep
resentati the other day:
THE Quickening public spirit OIL
the race is being made manifest in a
most gratifying way by a surprising
ly large number Of exhibitors who are
sending in their goods to the Negro
Department, and declining to be re
imbursed for the freight charges in
cidental to the shipment Of the
same. \ case in point is that Of Mr..
H. Webster Ashe, an artist Of Phila
delph!a, Pa, who sends on a splendid
specimen of his work and in his let
ter of transmittal, adds: Please
consider yourself under no obliga-
ton whatever TO me for freightage,
as | would accept no return for such
a sight expense. I am glad to be
able to help you with your exhibit
"Another letter Of similar tenor
and effect comes from Mrs. D. E. Will
liams, of Brooklyn, \. Y, who also
refuses to take advantage of the
guarantee Of the Exposition Com
plny to pay all freight charges on ex
nibits. Mrs. Williams generosity IS
al! the more noteworthy when it is
considered that she is Il years old
and at that advanced age has made
by heI own hands a chi!d'S dress,
which is a remarkably fine piece OF
expert needle-work.
incidents Of this kind, multiplied
many times over, are encouraging
evidences Of deep interest in this
Negro exhibit, and denotes an in
creasing tendency toward the deVel-
opment OF race pride and self-helf-
fulness that cannot fail to leaven the
whole lump Of Negro citizenship