The broad ax., 1913-12-20
WHAT THE NEGRO HAS ACCOM-
PLIsHED.
Fellowship League, University Society,"
St. Marks, Bethel, Star, Lo Cos
and Tuskegee in Splendid Effort.
By ]. Hockey Smiley.


The fourth Annual Essay Contest,
an idea originated by the Bethel Liter
ary, but sponsored this year by the
Negro Fellowship League was held at
Quinn Chapel A. NJ. E. Church, Sunday
afternoon. Last years great success
the keen rivalry between the contest
ants, then the larger number to par
tieipate this year, the prizes of great
price all tended to make it the literary
event of the year, and the church was
crowded. In an attempt to lessen the
time of last year, the essayists were
limited to fifteen minutes each, time
being kept by two alert officials, but
as a year ago, the hour of evening wor-
ship was but a few minutes oil before
the contest closed and the exercises be-
gan shortly after 3 O'Clock.
Subject Appeals To Contestants.
"What Has the Negro Contributed
to the World for the Advancement of
Civilization, was the subject of the
essays. Twelve persons, representing
seven different literary clubs, read upon
the topic. Two. of the participants
were a girl and a boy in their teens.
The vital interest of the subject evi-
IDENTIFY appealed to the contestants, for
their papers showed deep study and re-
search. There was a similarity how
ever in the latter, so pronounced as
to be noted by the most casual OBJ
server. Miss LeonoTa 7. Curtis, repre-
senting the Negro Fellowship League,
was awarded the first prize, laviliere
necklace set with diamonds and Mr..
Joseph A. Marshall, representing the
Bethel Literary Club, the second prize,
a gold searfpin set with a diamond.
Many Excellent Essays.
The other participants were: The
University Society, Miss BettiOla Fort
son and Mr.. ]. W. Banks; st. Mark IS
Lyeeum, Miss Beatrice L. Robinson and
Mr.. o. E. Vanterberg; The Tuskegee
Club, Mrs. Oscar Brewton and Mr..
Charles C. Dawson; The Lo Cos Liter
ary Club, Mrs. w. Barnes and Mr.. l..
w. Washington; The Star Literary
Club, Miss Eta Woods and Master
Clarence Hudson. The essays by Miss
Fortson, Mr.. Banks, Miss Robinson
and Mr.. Washington were praised by
many in the audience. The five judges
had previously marked the papers for
research and rhetoric and to pass upon
the delivery was their only task. Pro-
fessor Alonzo Bowling of the Y. NJ. c.
A. spoke eloquently in presenting the
prizes.
Mrs. Barnetts' Pointed Talk.
During the short interval while the
judges were out, Mrs. Ida B. Wells
Barnett, president of the Negro Eel
lowship League, briefly explained the
work of that association. She lauded
the broad spirit that prompted Mr.. Us
sellman to donate the valuable prizes,
but hoped that the interest in the con-
tests as manifested by the large assem-
blage would 60 deeper and that the
next prizes would be the offerings of
our own business and professional men.
Many vocal and instrumental numbers
were omitted owing to the length of
the program. Preceding the essays,
after the opening hymn and prayer by
the pastor, Rev. ]. c. Anderson, Miss
Mae E. Smith sang "The Rosary"
Mr.. Frank W. Henry, a winner Of last
years prize, read a letter from Mr.. Us
sellman, and Mr.. B. W. Fits, manager
of the contest, made a short address.
Later Miss Edna E. jackson, pianist
of the Bethel Literary Club, rendered
pleasing number. Many prominent
persons occupied seats in the rostrum.
Among them were: Rev. Jenifer, Rev.
smythe, Rev. Griffin, Mr.. Jesse Bingai
the banker, Mr.. Adelbert Roberts, Mrs,
Ida B. Wells-Bsrnett, Editor s. B
Turner, Editor Julius F. Taylor, Mr.
Frank Hamilton, President Of the Ap'
pOmattox Club, Dr.. N. A. Majors, Mr.
Wallace.