The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1913-03-21
REMARKABLE PROGRESS OF THE
NATIONAL NEGRO PRESS
ASSOCIATION.

EA0OOOAA AAOAN.
Under the capable an denergetic ad-
ministration of President r. w.
Thompson, the National Negro Press
Association is making phenomenal
p ogress. 1t has grown to proportions
far n excess of the anticipations Of
It's most loyal friends, who stuck by it
faithfully at Chicago last August, and
forced Mr.. Thompson to re-assume
the presidency to redeem the organi-
zation from foes who would have
throttled it, if they could have done
50. Backed by a cabinet or sturdy
friends, headed by N. B. Dodson, of
New York City, chairman of the execu-
tive committee. and Henry Allen Boyd,
of Nashville, Tenn, corresponding Sec
rotary, Mr.. Thompson rolled up his
journalistic sleeves and went man.
fully to work.
With a Observation-Disclosures treas
ury in hand, the managers got out
attractive stationery, circular letters,
return envelopes, membership cards
and all the paraphernalia of an estab-
lished business, wrote to every news.
paper man in the country and secured
the cooperation of those friendly dis
posed. .............. by irresistible
arguments, showing the advantages
accruing to the craft through compact
organization, the doubterS enrolled
themselves on the side of the Associa.
ton. Still later, when the success of
the movement was assured, as indicat-
ed by the journalistic "love-feast'' at
Philadelphia, February l, the hold
outs" yielded up their prejudices and
came into the fold. Critics who came
to scott at Chicago, remained to pray
at Philadelphia, as it were.
During Mr.. Thompson's brief adj
ministration, the membership Of the
Association has increased from a bare
twenty-five to over eighty, and new
members r being enrolled by Mr..
Povd every week. The number will
Oass tho hundred mark long before
the meeting of the National Conven-
lion at Cape May and Philadelphia,
AUGUST Is and 10. The menn enrolled
are all strong factors in the journals
tic life of the race-men who have no
time to fool with trihes-men who
mean business and nothing but bust
ness. Old-stagers say the palmiest
days of the press associations of other
"avs bio fair to be eclipsed by the
Young, virile and enthusiastic Press
Association today. Along with the
Younger men, the Association has such
seasoned veterans as Chris Perry,
Tohn G. Dancy. ] Fl. Murphy w. H.
Steward, Or. w. T.. White. IT. Thomas
Fortune, George i. Knox, w. r. King.
p. J. Waring and others of like ex-
pe'icnce and capacity,
Among the numerous achievements
NJ Mr.. ThompsOn's administration, as
set forth by Mr.. Boyd. are;
First-The organization of an ex-
ecutive committee, embracing nearly
every state in the Union and foreign
countries, where there is an accredit-
ed Negro newspaper man.
Second-Putting before the people OF
the country the form and substance OF
bona fide Association, awakening an
unprecedented interest in the inside
workings of the journalistic craft
through a series of carefulIy-compiled
notes treating of the Fourth Estate
as the profession is often described be
sides, carrying on an exhaustive and
expensive correspondence with the
members of the profession everywhere
ard raising enough money to pay all
stationery and postage bills, with a
snug surplus left over.
Third-'Pulling Off the first mid
winter meeting of the executive com,
mittee ever held by the organization
attracting from distant POINTS tc
PHILADELPHIA a group of the ablest
men of the country, all of whom re
sDonded cheerfully to the call and
paid their W expenses. The City
of Philadelphia threw ODen her doors
and promised to "kill the fatted calf
in even more liberal fashion when the
full convention came on next August
Fourth Tentative arrangements
have been made for the holding o!
the national convention two or three
days, divided between Cane May ant
Philadelphia, the most elaborate plaI
vet attempted by the body. A pro
gram as complete as that for the
business League itself is in nrcDara
ton, and the Association will stand
upon its own feet as an ORGANIZATION
Fifth-Well under way is the sys
tenn for the Standardization Of adver
|, iisements, the reciprocal ncws-service
a plan for the better handling of new
4. AGENTS, ideas for the extension of tn,
circulation, the organization of loca
, ond state auviliaries, and many othe'
, features looking to the higher develop
mont Of race journalism.
Sixth-The leading papers are nov
0E 90 In cnId civon Awo,