The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-21
c. A. HOWZE WRITES LETTER
Explains Attacks Made on Him as Head of Negro Fraternal Society

To the Editor of The Age-Herald
 Under date of December 24, u statement was published in The Age-Heral which, in connection with number of irresponsi- ble publications made in other papers consider have a tendency to damage me personally and the United Brothers of Friendship. the colored fraternal society which represent in this state as grand master and chief executive.
 For sometime certain designing per sons who are or have been members of efforts to oust me from office on specious charges of acknowledgement which should be tried and determined inside the society and according to it's laws, which are am- pie for the purpose
 It is stated in your paper under the headline, twill assume charge Ad- vices received in this city from T. E. of the United Brothers of Friendship and Sisters of Mysterious Ten a negro fra ternal organization, convey the informa- tion that P. F. Hill of Nashville has been ordered to come to Birmingham December 2S and take charge of the affairs of the order in this state. 5 in order to forestall any action on the part of the state authorities c. A. Howze has been at the head of the order in this state for r years
 It has been published in several of the negro journals controlled by my accusers that the charter of the grand lodge of Alabama has been abrogated and that the Rev. J. S. Jackson was calling meet ings to reorganize the society. I have waited patiently to make public the true facts in this controversy until l could under the signature of the national grand master, Speed of Jefferson Tex, make. an Authoritative refutation of these stste. ments made recklessly and with the sole design to injure me and the society It is true that the conduct of my office is to be investigated, and I invite and well come the investigation, properly made under our laws. and such investigation is ordered by the national grand master
 It is not true that the charter of the grand lodge of Alabama has been abro- gated. Such action cannot be taken ex- cept by the supreme or national grand lodge in session. The national grand master has not undertaken to do so.
 It is not true that J. S. Jackson. as has pccn Stdteu III OtneT newspapers Tn B1r- mingham, has or will take charge of the affairs of the society in Alabama or that he could do so if he desired, on any ac- ton taken up to the present. It is not true that the national grand master has put him in charge. I made inquiry by telegram last night addressed to the na- tional grand master at Jefferson, Tex, as to the publications in The Age-Herald and other papers of such statements. and I give his reply as received today by wire:
 Jefferson. Tex, January 20, 1915. c. A. Howze, Birmingham. Ala: have not abrogated your charter. I have not re- moved you from office. I explained to you in my letter about the expenses for investigation and told you Hill had charge of it. T. L. SPEED. N q M
 have received from T. F. Speed, na- tional grand master. Of date of 17th inst. letter of great length in which are the following statements as to this mat ter: This investigation will be conduct ed by no one but but myself as presiding officer. Further, I have fiatly told your accusers that I would not abrogate the charter of Alabama on any charges they could make against you unless said charges had been proven. That all men accused were considered innocent until