Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-30
LITERARY CLUB IS BUSY
Interstate Meeting Of COlOred People
at Zion Baptist Church.
WELCOMED TO CITY BY MAYOR
victor Rosewater Makes Address
CompliaentInE the Association
on Its work In EIevatiRs
the ColOred Race.

The eighteenth annual session Of the
Interstate Literary Association OF Kansas
and the West convened Monday evening in
Zion Baptist church, Omaha. for a three
days meeting
The church was crowded TO its utmost
capacity, standing room being at q prem
ium. and the exercises Of the opening pro-
gram were well worth the attendance Of
the many who gracsd the occasion. The
church was prettily decorated with flass'
holly and evergreen wreaths and Christ
mas bells, while the platform was a bower
OF palms and potted flowers
Representatives were present from Kan
sas. Missouri, Oklahoma and NeoraskA-
with a few friends from Iowa The pres
eut Officers Of the association are' ProL
f. c. West OF Leavenworth, Kan, presi-
dent: DR.. J. r. Grassland OF St Joseph
first vice president; Miss Francis walker
of Des Motnes, second vice president; MISS
LYDIA Lockridge Of Kansas CITY, Kan,
third vice president; Miss Bertha Coe 0A
Kansas City. Kan. recording secretary
Miss Bessie hawkins Of Topeka, KAN as
sistant recording secretary; J. M Virgin
OF Topeka, Kan, treasurer; Prof. W. Z
Griffin Of Kansas City. Mo. historian;
]. c. Pegs Of Omaha, w. W. Fisher OK
Quindaro, Kan: Ernest Hawkins OK For1
Scott. A Hill Of St Joseph. L b BLACK
burn and Mrs. w. L. Grant OF hahsas
City, Kan, executive committee.
The evening program embraced a series
Of addresses, vocal and Instrumental music
the exercises being presided over oy Fresi-
dent F. c. West
Mayer welcomes Visitors
Following a short opening address oy
! President West. the Zion church ehoH
sang. which was followed by the nvoea-
ton by Rev. J. A. Bingaman. Dan Des
Dunes orchestra then gave a selection
when the formal address OF welcome 10
the association was delivered by Mayor
Dahlman. Mayor Dahlman said in part:
1 am glad to be here to extend to this
organization a most cordial welcome on
behalf OF the city. l am told that ~ mas
been the purpose OF your society IA tns
eighteen years Of its organization 70 teacn
in your homes the principles that snail
I make good citizen and for the improvement
OF your physical and educational coma,
tons. Among you are learned men and
women from the different states and 1
bid you most welcome. The welcome arch
Of our city bids you welcome ana we All
to you the keys of the city and know
you will do honor To them. Again 1 bid
you a hearty and cordial welcome
Mrs. r. Des Dunes then sang
! Ous NY Ott0hNEF "ANh 80 ~
A Grassland Of 81. Joseph responded to
the address of welcome on behalf OF the
association. He expressed the deep ap-
probation Of the association for the cor
dial words Of welcome expressed by Mayor
Dahlman. He then compared this great
gathering with the little handful Of peo-
pie which met only a few years ago to
inaugurate this organization. He paid a
high tribute to Omaha, to which he
ascribed all virtue, beauty, integrity and
enterprise. and extended to Omaha .
warm fraternal greeting. He complimented
Mr.. Pegy and Mrs. Kate Wilson for bring
ing this meeting to Omaha and accredited
them with its certain success during the
remaining days Of the session.
On the Right Track.
Victor Rosegater. editor Of The Bee. de-
liyered a short address Of welcome on be-
half OF the press. Mr.. ROsevater. after
renewing the welcome of the visitors to
Omaha. said in part:
This association appeals to me because
1t Is for the elevation OF your race and
Is one OF the practical solutions Of the
race problem, this notable progress you
are making in your self-education The
press is close to your association along the
lines Of modern progress and educational
advancement This Is the chief object OF
the press. and the press will support any
organization that has for it's object the
OF a race. Your organization deserves
every announcement / think, and know
from observation IN many other cities. that
the people OF the colored race In Omaha
are the most advanced intellectually Of
any city in this country. The white people
here are glad to help the people OF your
race 10 attain an education
Mr.. Rosewater concluded his address by