The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1911-09-28
Take STEP LONG ADVOCATED
TO PROMOTE CLOSER REIlA-
TONS AMONG THEM
SELVES
Delegates Meet Here
From the Masons, knights Of Pyth-
ias, Odd Fellows, Red Men and
Elks and Perfect Plans for the
Formation Of the Friendly Society
Movement in West Virginia.

West Virginia was taken here today
when representatives Of the Knights
Of Pythias, Masons, Odd Fellows, Red
Men and Elks met in the K. Of P. Hall
and adopted constitution, elected
officers and mapped out line of work
to be approved by their several fra
ternal societies.
Representing the Masons were: II.
B. Hundley, Grand Master, of Nc
Donald; J. H. Taylor, Deputy Grand
Master, Charleston; and J. M. Ellis,
Grand Secretary. Oak Hill. For the
Knights of Pythias there we're: ]. NJ.
Lakewood, Supreme Representative,
and G. w. Boyd, Grand Keeper of
Records and Seal, both of Charleston
Chas. E. Mitchell, assistant secretary,
of Institute, and A. P. Straughter, Of
Hinton, were delegates for the Odd
Fellows; II. H. Railey, Of Montgomery,
and Rev. D. G. Hunter, Of Sylvia, for
Elks were looked after by w. o. Terry
Of this city.
Object Explained.
The object of the movement, as
stated in the constitution adopted IS
to foster closer relations among Its
constituent organizations and tue
race, and to suggest ways by which
funds may be raised to protect the
interests of each and all. In the prel
iminary organization, Chairman II. 3.
Hundfey explained at some length the
necessity for such an organization. lie
recalled the introduction in the last
legislature Of a bill designed to put
the Negro fraternities out of business,
and the narrow margin by which II
failed Of passage. He did not think
the Negro secret societies could long
er afford to depend upon mere chance
as was true last winter, to be inform
ed when hostile legislation is under
consideration by the lawmakers, but
that they should have some one on
the grounds whose duty it would be
to sound the alarm whenever danger
threatens. There are" he said,
many other ways in which such al
organization as we propose to perfect
here today may help the race 1t
might exert it's influence toward Kill
ing any legislation of a discrimiEa-
tory nature and see to it that every
safe guard is thrown around the Negro
in the full enjoyment Of the rights
guaranteed by the constitution. Many
abuses exist that can be corrected OH
ly by such an organization as is pro-
posed. In more than one community
Of this state white children in the
grammer schools have longer terms
than the colored children because,
after high schools with nine months
terms have been established for the
former, their grammar schools arc
given the same number Of months as
annexes to the high school. In many
instances where the number Of color
ed children do not justify the estab-
lishment Of q high school, the gram
mar school is open only six months.
This is plainly unfair to the Negro
child and the attention of the mem
bers of the Legislature should be cal
led to this distinction"
Jones and Starks Promoters.
The meeting today is the direct, If
belated, result Of the efforts Of the
late j. McEsnpy Jones, who, on his
return from England as q fraternal
delegate of the Odd Fellows called at
tention to the great good being &C
complshed there by the body COM
posed Of representatives of all the
secret societies. The project had al
staunch supporter in S. w. Starks and
during his incumbency Of che Supreme
Chancellorship Of the Knights Of
Pythias and that of Mr.. Jones as
Grand Master of the Odd Fellows,
commissions were appointed by both
organizations to act with similar conf
missions to be appointed by the other
fraternities for the purpose Of work
ing out plans for their mutual he]p-
fulnesS and closer relations. Nothing
came Of the matter and both Jones
and Starks passed away without sce~
ing the fruition Of their hopes.
If the organizations represented
here endorse the actions of their del
egateS an annual tax Of five cents
will be levied on each of their mem
bers to be used by the Fraternal So
ciety Movement in the execution %
its plans. Such funds as are collect
ed will be turned over to the Move |
ment which will eXpend it for the pur-
poses stated above. 1t will have It's
own officers and rules Of government
and purposes to act within the law
in cases where the interests Of any |
community Of Negroes is affected or
threatened by hostile forces. Meet
ings Of the whole body, which Is to