The Washington bee., 1908-11-28

Following brief addresses by Prof.
Kelly Miller of the Howard Univer-
sity, Rev. w. J. Howard, Prof. R. c.
Bruce and selection by the choir.
Mr.. Weller delivered an address in
which he said, in part:
The Colored Social Settlement at
ITO and II8 NJ street southwest in
my Judgment, is one of the most i'm
portant philanthropies of Washing
lclse the colored race for the faults Of
some of their members or TO feel that
the colored people have accomplished
notable results in their forty-tbree
years of freedom, we must all agree
IN commencing a work which teaches
thrift, inculcates habits of industry
and raises moral standards in the
neighborhoods where such lessons are
most needed. The social settlement
places in the midst of the poorest and
most undeveloped community a model
private home, the residence of peo-
pie who have had education and other
cultural advantages which they de
sire to share with those who have
been less fortunate.
This residence, with its family life
becomes the center for neighborhood
gatherings and for clubs, classes and
educational work Volunteers are en-
listed to aid in carrying on the many
activities, and the settlement reaches
out its influence into the homes of its
neighbors. At the Colored Social
Settlement for example. there are
classes in housekeeping. including
cooking and chamberwork. There is
instruction in carpentering and other
branches of manual training. There
are Sunday meetings and frequent
gatherings through the week, when
the boys and girls of the neighborhood
absorb, often unconsciousIy, the ideals
of the club leaders.
"A branch of the City Library is j
! type of the many useful activities
! which naturally come to center in
such a social settlement.
Since | removed from Washing
ton to Pittsburg, | have kept closely
in touch by correspondence with the
work of the Colored Social Settle
ment. Nothing in Washington has
seemed to me more brave and more
devoted in spirit than the work which
Miss Eloise Bibb, head resident OF
the Colored Social Settlement, has
done to collect funds for the running
expenses of the work and of making
possible the erection of the new build
ing which has long been greatly need
ed.
For six years the settlement has
demonstrated both the fact that it IS
greatly needed and the fact that the
methods which It employs are emi-
nently appropriate and effective. II
has now outgrown its quarters, and
it has undertaken to build very
plain, modest looking building, which
it is securing at remarkably low cost
Two contributions, one of $500 and
one of $500, have been received, to-
gether with smaller gifts. John Joy
Edison is treasurer of the building
fund, and | know of no other work in
Washington which is more worthy OF
generous support
District Suffers by Contrast.
Washington has about 10000 Ne
groes, it was declared. who live ir
alleys, shacks and shanties. AS {
contrast with the efforts made in other
cities for extensive settlement" anC
'neighborhood" work, Washington
has but this one settlement for Ne.
groes. which occupies two adjoining
small dwelling houses, and with very
limited equipment influences 600 fam
lilies in its vicinity Early next yeal
the work will be moved into a new
building near by.
! The reception was held at the clos'
of the exercises.
Besides Commissioner Macfarland
the other members of the advisor!
council are Rev. Dr. Edward Everett
Hale, Mrs. John Hay, Miss He f
Crippen, Judge William H. DeLacy
| John w. Douglass, Mrs. Elizabeti
| c. Hobson, Mrs. Archibald Hopkins
Mrs. John R. Mclean, DR.. w. P
Thirkield, John B. Sleman, jr, ant
Rev. DR.. John Van Schaick.
Henry E, Williams, assistant chic