The national forum., 1910-11-12

particular Her address was di-
rected particularly to the women,
and at its conclusion words of ap-
proval were spoken by others from
the floor. Under Miss Bowen's
capable leadership it is expected that
the women who are stockholders in
the association will soon have in op-
Grafton business which will be a
credit both to the order and to the
race.
Rev. A. c. Garner, who is first
vice-president of the Hall Associa-
ton, also spoke to the meeting in
his usual inimitable style. In clear
and convincing language he told of
the necessity in the District of just
the thing which the association is do
ing, and how admirably it is filing
the need.
DR.. Garner said in part: "The
two greatest factors today in the de-
velopment of the race are the church
and the fraternal organization. They
are the only forces which so far have
been able to unite us in cooperative
effort, which is the only way in
which we can hope, as race, to &C
complish any great thing, because of
our individual weakness, The |. O.
of St. Luke is primarily a fraternal
organization, founded upon the eter-
nal principles of love, purity and
charity, comforting and caring for
its sick and burying its dead, But
no such organization can hope to at
tain its greatest possible efficiency
in any community where it may be
established until it has in such conf
munity some tangible evidence of
its existence in the form of real es-
tate. Realizing this fact, and know
ing that the rank and file of the St.
Lukes of Washington were merely
awaiting an opportunity to show
themselves ready to cooperate with
each other for the good of the order
and the benefit of the race, this asso-
citation has been brought into exist
ence."
AT the conclusion of the speaking
all those desiring to do so were given
an opportunity to subscribe for stock
or make payments on shares already
subscribed for. Many took advan
tage of the opportunity to subscribe
for stock, while others who had al
ready subscribed made cash pay
ments on their subscriptions. The
amount received from this source
was most gratifying to those. in
charge of the meeting, as it gave
ample evidence of the fact that the
people have taken deep interest in
the movemnt and intend to sup
port it.
Just before the close of the meet
ing Mr.. M. M. Peace, treasurer of
the St. Luke Hall Association, arose
and made an effective speech in be-
half of the True Reformers, whose
licenses to do business here and in
Virginia have been revoked. He ex-
pressed the belief and hope that the
organization would come out of its
difficulties and be all the stronger
for its past mistakes, and requested
his hearers to suspend their iudg-
ment on it, at least until it is shown
that it cannot re-establish itself. He
said: "We are all working in a
common cause, and should each aid
the other, as the downfall of one i'll
evitably tends to drag the other
down. Our sister organization has
suffered a great misfortune, and
though we should profit by its mis-
takes and avoid the pitfalls into
which it fell, yet we should not by
word or deed add to the anxiety and
sorrow of those connected with it,
but should extend to them a helping
hand and words of sympathy and en-
couragement." His remarks were
quite we'll received, and the audience
plainly indicated that it was in SYM
pathy with all he said.
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