Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1909-07-16
CONVENTION OF THE NATIONAL
NEGRO BUSINESS LEAGUE.

To be held at Louisville, KY, Aug.
Is, 10 and 20, 1909.
The 9th annual convention OF the
National Negro Business League,
which is to be held ut Louisville, In
"old Kentucky, Wednesday, Thurs
day and Friday, August 18, 19 and
20, 1909, promises to be one of the
most interesting and best attended
conventions that have been held
since the organization of the league
at Boston nine years ago. The slim;
ulating effect upon negro business
enterprise which this league has been
exerting under the direction of DR..
Booker T. Washington and his OFF,
cial staff has been clearly seen and
appreciated and, In part, explains
the leagues constantly increasing
membership.
The league welcomes to its mem-
bership every man and woman of the
race who is engaged or interested in
some worthy Negro business enter
prise and only nominal charge OF
So per year Is expected from each
member. which membership fund Is
used in prosecuting the work and ex-
tending the influence Of the organ
ization; this membership fee of 81
also procures for each delegate q
badge which entities the delegate to
seat upon the floor of the conven-
tion as well as free admission and
service at the annual banquet and at
all of the other social functions pro-
vided by the local committee for the
benefit Of delegates.
The central location Of Louisville,
the special railroad rates that have
been secured for all delegates ca fare
and a third, plus so centsy the ex-
tceilent program which Is being arr
ranged. and the many social fentureS
and other attractions which have
been provided for all indicate an un-
usually large attendance. The ofd-
GERS of the local Negro Business
League of Louisville are working en-
ergetically to make this the banner
meeting Of the league and the gem
erous provisions already made for
the reception and entertainment Of
delegates and visitors, justifies the
prediction. that all those who attend
will be treated to genuine Kentucky
hospitality.
What promises to be an especially
unique and interesting feature on the
program Is known as "Mississippi
Day, which means that one entire
day will be given over to the state of
Mississippi, whose delegates will dis
cuss and illustrate the phenomenal
progress that has been made by Ne
gro men in that state since the eman-
cipation of the slaves The program
is nearly completed and is being
carefully prepared by Mr.. Emmett :. Il
Scott, Corresponding Secretary of the
National League, who has returned
from Liberia; printed copies will
soon be available.
Aside from the program proper. an
Kentucky barbecue has
been arranged and the annual ban
quet will be held in one Of the larg-
est halls of the city. The Louisville
city council has generously made a
special appropriation toward defray--
ing certain expenses connected with
the entertainment of this body, and
on Saturday, August 81, special ex-
cursion to Mammoth Cave GAG miles
from Louisville) will be conducted
by the Louisville Negro League for
the benefit Of the delegates, all OF
whom will doubtless be glad to visit
what Is universally conceded to be
one of the grandest wonders of the
world.