The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1914-11-06
STORY OF ACHIEVEMENTS.
What the National Benefit Association
Is Doine For Our People.

Is Doins For Our People.
Chester. Pa. The National Benefit
association. Inc. of Washington has
added another jewel to its crown. The
third paid for modern office building
of this race organization was formally
dedicated in this town the latter part
of October. and the event created q
profound interest among the white and
cO1ored population here. Nearly
thousand visitors white and cOlored-
inspected this beautiful $4,000 proper
ty. which stands as Il beacon light to
the men aud women of color in this
section.
The Morning Republican. the leading
daily newspaper OF the city. pays this
tribute to the principal speaker Of the
mass meeting which featured the first
of the two days dedication and bust
ness conference:
miss Mamie Fl. Burroughs. presi-
dent Of the National Training School
For Women and Girls of Washington.
proved to be one Of the greatest ex-
ponents Of the race problem that ever
have been heard in Chester.
"Her address kept the large audi,
ence thrilled by her passionate appeal
to her race to live up to high ideals.
She showed the great possibilities OF
the Negro in the struggle Of life. All
day the handsome new Office building
was crowded with interested persons.
who inspected the spacious and well
furnished quarters. The building Is
credit to the association and the Negro
race"
This corporation is regarded as the
business Gibraltar Of the Negro. 1t has
grown from tenant Of Il five dollar per
month office room in 1898 to landlord
of fully paid for improved real estate
in Washington. Philadelphia and Ches
ter valued Mt $4,000, owner Of railroad
and municipal bonds worth $l29.OOO.
over $4,000 Of which is deposited for
the protection Of its members: deposi-
tor with present cash bank balance
Of $1,000: possessOr Of business worth
$4,000. embracing a growing plant Of
Is clerks, 700 agents and 20O.OOO mem
bers In six states. Sixteen years ago
the business was born. Today its re-
sources exceed quarter Of million.
One Of the unique features Of the
joint agents conference was the train
ing course for the field representatives
of the National Benefit association.
Two days of special drill was conduct
ed personally by S. w. Rutherford.
general manager. and other officials.
Perhaps no business institution Of the
race gives an equal degree Of trimming
the National gives. Its value as an
educative factor Is shown by the in
creaSing efficiency Of the field forces.
for never before in the history Of the
| enterprise has the business advanced
by such leaps and bounds as during
| the first nine months of 1914.
The program Of the mass meeting
was noteworthy. Hon. George Fl
White. excOngressman from North
/ Carolina. acted as master Of ceremO'
MES. A valuable paper was read by
Mrs. r. J. Bennett of Chester. Music
by the choir of Murphy A. Nj. E.
church and the Girls Culture Club of
Chester was enjoyed. Rev. w. s.
DrummOnd is the excellent pastor of
the Murphy A. NJ. E. church. where
both business convention and mass
meeting were held. William J. Robin
son. contractor. and c. Henry Wilson
second architect. both cOlOred and
from Philadelphia. were the c0mpany's
sole employees In the entire building
operations.