The Denver star., 1914-11-21
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.
1915, to show the progress Of the race
since 1865 have been fully mapped out.
The exposition is to be held under the
auspices Of the Negro Exposition essO-
citation. of which the Hon. Giles B.
Jackson is president 1t is the wish Of
the society to have President Wilson
deliver an address on the opening day
of the exposition. With this purpose
in view 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:
MFR. President, on behalf of the
Negro Historical and Industrial asso'
citation, a corporation. under whose
auspices the exposition and celebration
of the tifteth anniversary of the eman
cipation and achievement of the Negro
will 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 if possible to
have you visit it 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.
"On behalf of the colored people of
the country. as FAR as this committee
has authority to speak. we feel author
ized to speak for them all on this occa-
sion. they will esteem it the greatest
favor that could De bestowed upon a
struggling people 70 have your pres
ence nj the opening of this exposition.
1t would indeed stimulate and encour-
age them 10 know that the chief exec
utive uf the nation will come at the
time ana place where they are trying
to show the marvellous progress made
by them in the last fifty years and to
hear fan from his lips words of encour,
agemcnt to press forward in the future
deveiopnent of the race.
''Thry feel that since your Inaugural
tion You have not had the opportunity
nor occasion to speak to a race whose
position in the nation is so different
from others. and this will be the op-
portuur time for you to say n word of
enco,r m cement to the Negro race.
which constitutes IL per cent of the
nation over which you so justly and
satisfactorily preside. \ large per
cent Of this race resides in the south.
where their relations are different
from those who reside in other sec
tions uf the country. and who are sow
ing their own problems with the AS
sistance 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
VIII 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 us having done what
| no other race could have done similar
| lv situated and within that short peri
| cd of time"
I 1t was pointed out to the president
/ that the colored people of Virginia
| alone pay taxes on S34.0OO.OOO worth
| of property and own school and church
! property TO the value of $4,000 600.
which is free from taxation. The ac-
| cumulation in fifty years has been
| $4,000. 600. or more than 81 100000 a
/ year
At the close of the appeal the presi-
| dent made u 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 un-
certainties OF politics made 1t impos-
sible for him to give definite answer.
| He said in part:
Your invitation is a most attractive
one, but I can make no definite prom.
| ise so far ahead. II nothing turns up
10 prevent certainly shall be there
| hope to be with you on the opening
| day or some other time. for | am sin
cerely interested in the object OF the
exposition. and it 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 Z. Churchman.
Orange. N. j.: Walter Fl. Land, Nor,
! folk: John ". Lewis. Washington:
| James II. Anderson Of New York. edi
| tor of the Amsterdam News; Rev T