The Denver star., 1914-11-07
STORY OF ACHIEVEMENTS.
What the National Benefit Association
Is Doing 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
profound interest among the white and
colored population here. Nearly a
Thousand visitors-white and colored-
inspected this beautifuL $1,000 proper
| ty, which stands as a beacon light TO
| the men and 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 busi-
ness conference:
Miss Mamie II. Burroughs. presi-
dent of the National Training School
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 or
| 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-
i ter valued nj $4,000. owner of railroad
and municipal bonds worth S129.OOO.
| over $4,000 Of which is deposited for
| the protection OF its members; deposi-
tor with a present cash bank balance
| of 5000; possesSor of a business worth
Sc. 900. embracing a growing plant OF
! rs clerks. 200 agents and 100000 mem
bers in six states. Sixteen years ago
the business was born. Today its re
! sources exceed IA quarter OF a a,mlllion-
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 training
| to as large force of employees as
| 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 tn.
enterprise has the business advanced
| by such leaps and bounds as during
the first niue months of 1914.
The program OF the mass meeting
was noteworthy. Hon. George II
| White. exconsressman from North
! Carolina. acted AS master Of cereno-
MES. A valuable paper was read by
Mrs X. j. Bennett Of Chester. Music
by the choir OF Murphy A. NJ. f
church and the Girls Culture Club OF
1 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 heid. William J. Robin
son. contractor. and c. Henry Wilson.
second architect. both colored and
from Philadelphia. were the company's
sole employees in the entire building
| operations.