The Twin City star., 1912-06-01

made by each to former President
Roosevelt, who laid the cornerstone of
the structure on Thanksgiving day,
Nov. 26. 1907. Mr.. e. ]. Morton, presi-
dent Of the colored branch, conducted
the exercises and happily introduced
the speakers.
Too much credit cannot be given to
those indefatigable workers, Interna-
tional Secretary ]. q. Moorland and
Local Secretary Lewis q. Johnson.
who created the movement and whose
unfaltering faith and unfagging indus
try pushed 1t on to its grand realiza-
tion. One Of the most gratifying gifts
was $500, paid in by 81. w. Chase, a
c0lored man and former slave. The
other big donation, aside from that Of
Mr.. Rosenwald, was $25, 900 from John
d. Rockefeller. More than $4,000
came from the colored people Of Wash
ington, representing the generosity of
all classes, from the humblest four dol
lar per week laborer to the $4,000 per
year government official, mingling to-
gether on a common platform Of race
pride and Christian cooperation.
Admirably Adapted to Its Purpose.
The building is admirably adapted to
the purpose for which 1t is intended. 1t
was designed by w. Sidney Pittman, a
colored architect, and every brick was
laid by colored contractor. Thus 1t
Is monument to Negro brain, Drawn
and financial strength. The building
has four floors. In the basement are
barber shop, Turkish bath, social
rooms, swimming pool go by 20 feet,
four to six feet deep, shower baths.
lockers and furnace room.
Four stalwart granite columns adorn
the front. The spacious lobby is flank
ed by a reading room on the south side
and home parlor on the north side.
On this floor will also be found the ex-
ecutive Offices. lunch room. committee
room and the gymnasium. The gym"
is one Of the prettiest rooms of the kind
in the country, having light on three
sides and thirty foot ceiling. The
running track and also the balcony
entirely surround and overhang the
gymnasium proper. The gym is fully
equipped with all the latest and mod
ern gymnasium apparatus. The Sec
ond floor is taken up with the assembly
hall, boys department, classrooms and
Offices.
The third and fourth floors are given
over entirely to dormitories. There are
accommodations in the forty-four
rooms for about 100 men. The build
ing is fitted up throughout with cleo
trio lights and steam heat.
At the conclusion Of Secretary Stim-
sons address and the other features
Of the program the building was
thrown open for inspection. and many
complimentary expressions were heard
touching the beauty, utility and superb
appointments visible on every side.
The Amphion Glee club, led by Pro-
fessor ]. Henry Lewis, furnished mu-
sic for the occasion.
Every night during the week spe-
cial exercises were held. It was
veritable Jubilee week." with mill
tary, athletics, fraternal organizations,
ministers associations. public schools
and ladies' night included in the ar
ray Of attractions offered. On Sunday
the festival period closed with a mon
ster mems rally, with Rev. M. w.
Clair of Asbury M. d. church as the
orator of the day. A vigorous cam
paign is in progress for an increased
membership. Washington aims to set
tho nooo FOR oil ~ tho coIorod " M
@. A. organizations in the country.