The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03
NEGRO ODD FELLOWS
SEEKING HARMONY
STATE CONVENTION NOW IN SES-
SION HERE HAS BROUGHT ABOUT
1000 DELEGATES = RIVAL FAC
TIONS UNITING FORCES

The negro Odd Fellows of Alabama
are about to declare peace within their
ranks and will unite to pay off an in
debtedness of $4,000. This is the OBJ
ject of the present session of the dis
trict grand lodge of Grand United Or
der of Odd Fellows, and District Grand
Household of Ruth, which are being
held in Birmingham and have brought
to the city 900 delegates.
For several years they have not beer
living in peace and harmony. Contest
for leadership has divided them into
three or four factions, headed by c.
First Johnson of Mobile, c. w. Howe
of Birmingham and J. H. Breeding of
Montgomery The trouble has been
aired In the civil courts and before
the committee of management. 1t was
finally agreed that the annual session
would be held in this city and the COM
mittee appointed e. H. Morris. the at
torney for the order, and who served
as grand master of America, to hold the
session. He was accompanied by ]. j..
Needham of Philadelphia, secretary Of
America.
The session was opened yesterday
morning in Bethel A. M. e. church by
District Grand Master C. First Johnson,
one of the best known business ne
groes of Alabama. e. Fl. Morris pre-
SlQeQ. MOTIFS Is cOuoldclSo OAc VI llc
best lawyers of his race in America
and several sessions served as MEM
Der of the Illinois Legislature. He has
the respect of his people all over the
country. His opening address was list
ened to with attention by the Odd Fell
lows. 1t was punctuated with outbursts
of applause.
After the opening exercises, fnclud-
ing an opening prayer by the Rev. DIR.
n the grand officers de-
livered their annual reports. Grand
Secretary C. w. Scott made a report
sh owing the condition of the order.
His report showed a big falling off In
the collection during the past year on
account of the fight. He had collected
$639. He was commended for his eff
ficient work.
Then followed the report of the Sec
rotary and treasurer of the Odd Fell
lows Benefit association, r. T. Jack
son, whose office Is In the Mason build
ing His address attracted much atten-
ton and was listened to attentively.
He showed the receipts of the depart
ment, the amount expended and the in
debtedness.
B, G. Davis of Atlanta, Ca, dis
trict grand secretary of Georgia, de-
livered an address, as did r. T. Truner
of Pulaski Tenn, district grand, Sec
rotary of Tennessee. Charles Stewart
of Chicago, the negro newspaper corr
respondent, was introduced and made
q short address.
c. w. Howe offered resolution ex-
tending thanks to the visitors. H,
spoke on the growth of the order, show
ing it's prosperity and influence for
good.
number of committees were APP
pointed and their reports today will
bring up many things. The endow-
ment department will receive special
attention. 1t Is in the hands of a
committee composed of some OF the
leading delegates who will report on 1t
this afternoon.
The election OF officers promises to
furnish a warm time. There are about
Is candidates for grand master. G. w.
Howe declares that he Is out of the
race for peace and harmony. He is a
strong factor