The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1914-11-27
PLANNING FOR NATIONAL
EXPOSITION IN VIRGINIA.
President Wilson Asked to Speak on
Opening Day, July 4, 1915.

Washington.-The plans for holding
. big Industrial exposition at Fort Lee
Va. for one month, beginning July 4.
1919, to shsw the progress Of the race
Oince 1866 have been fully mapped out.
The exposition is to be held under the
auspices Of the Negro Exposition asso-
citation, of which the Hon. Giles B.
Jackson Ia president 1t IL the wish Of
he society to have President Wilson
deliver an address on the opening day
Of the exposition. With this purpose
IN view a delegation Of prominent men
from various states called on President
Wilson at the White House the first
week In November and extended the
invitation In person.
Speaking for the delegation, Presi-
dent Giles B. Jackson In part said:
"Mr. President on behalf Of the
Negro Historical and Industrial asso-
citation, q corporation. under whose
auspices the exposition and celebration
Of the fftieth anniversary Of the eman-
cipat1on and achievement Of the Negro
viii be held In Richmond In 1915, the
committee now In your presence came
to ask you to accept an invitation to
visit the exposition some time during
its existence, preferring II possible to
have You visit 1t on the opening day.
tentatively fixed at July 4. But In or
der to have your presence the day will
be changed to suit your convenience.
ION behalf of the coloEed people Of
the country, as far as this committee
has authority to speak, we feel author
ICED to speak for them all on this occa-
sion, they will esteem 1t the greatest
favor that could be bestowed upon q
struggling people TO have your pres
ence at the opening Of this exposition
Il would indeed stimulate and encour-
age them to know that the chief exec
utive Of the nation will come at the
time and place where they are trying
to show the marvellous progress made
by them In the last fifty years and to
hear fall from his lips words Of encour.
agement to press forward In the future
development Of the race.
They feel that since your Inaugural.
ton you have not had the opportunity
nor occasion to speak to a race whose
position In the nation Is 30 different
from others, apd this will be the op-
perfume time for you to say word Of
encouragement to the Negro race.
which constitutes IL per cent Of the
nation over which you SO justly and
satisfactorily preside. A large per
cent Of this race resides In the south,
where their relations are different
from those who reside in other Sec
tons Of the country, and who are solv-
Ing their. own problems with the as
distance Of their white neighbors who
reside with them in the southland.
SHOULD you accept this invitation
we will show you the product Of the
race, which will be astounding. We
will have upon exhibition evidence Of
the thrift and progress Of the race
within fifty years, of which you and
the nation you represent will be proud
You will have an opportunity to view
the exhibits Of the Negroes Of this coun-
try. for which we believe you would
commend them as having done what
NO other race could have done similar.
ly situated and within that short peri.
Cd Of time"
It was pointed out to the president
that the colored people Of Virginia
alone pay taxes on $34,0OO.OO0 worth
Of property and own school and church
property to the value Of $20,O00.O 900.
which Is free from taxation. The &C.
emulation in fifty years has been
S54,OOO.OOO. or more than 100000 a
year.
At the close of the appeal the presi-
dent made brief address, in which
he told Of his interest in the exposi
ton and his desire to be present He
explained that he would be In the
west for several months, and the I'M
certainties of politics made 1t impos
sible for him to give definite answer.
He said In part:
"Your invitation Is most attractive
one, but I can make no definite prom
lse so far ahead If nothing turns up
10 prevent I certainly shall be there
hope to be with you on the opening
day or some other time. for am sin
cereiy interested In the object Of the
exposition, and 1t Is my earnest wish
to attend It."
The committee which waited upon
the president was composed Of colored
men from many walks Of life. but who
are true representatives of the best of
the race. Among those present were:
Theodore W. Jones. Chicago. former
member Of Cook county commission,
Ernest Lyon. former minister to Liberia
and now representative of that coun
Try to the United States; Judson W.
Lyons Of Georgia. former registrar of
the treasury: Rev W T Hall. Phila
delphia: Rev. James e Cburchman
Orange, N. j.: Walter Fl Land. Nor
folk; John w. Lewis. Washington;
James Fl. Anderson Of New York. ed
tor Of the Amsterdam News; Rev T.
NJ. Mitchell of this city and c. Fl. vii
hanson of Raleigh. N C.
chsrubim Lodge to Give Big Reception
Cherubim lodge No ,SIl, ,irand
United Order of Odd Fellows. Ia max