The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1916-09-02
NEGRO EDUCATIONAL CONGRESS
Most Successful Meeting of
the 0rgAnizt tion Held at
Washington, D. c.
Lat Week.

Dldl6S lOStlHSE NGuhGo-
day at Metropolitan African Method
list Episcopal church, Fifteenth and M
streets northwest, for the opening ses-
sions of the twenty-fifth annual con-
vention of the Negro National Educa-
tional Congress, which will continue
through Saturday.
The gathering is a most important
one, and the subjects to be discussed
are of the most immediate interest to
all Colored citizens of the country. In
struction in all branches as applied to
Colored persons, the courses which
should be prescribed and what devel-
opment may be expected in futre as a
result of educational uplift will en-
gross the attention of the delegates.
Another matter of great Importance
which will come up for debate, is the
possibility of electing Colored men to
Congress. The opinion of the dele
gates, as brought out in yesterdays
symposiums, is that the election of
Colored representatives from Philadel-
phia, Baltimore and st. Louis is feast
bes, and perhaps one from a New
that in the event of such elections
Colored instruction throughout the
country would be better systematized
than now and that great benefit to
the race would result.
How to Increase Earnings.
H. P. Cheatham, former Represent
ative from North Carolina, and now
superintendent of the Childs Industrial
School at Oxford, n. c., delivered the
most important address of the open
ing sessions last night His subject
was How Can the Earning Power of
the Negro Race Be Increased?" He
brought out interesting facts as to the
fine results achieved by practical ed
ucation in many cases and urged bet
ter adapted and more numerous
courses of instruction for Colored per-
sons in the United States. Mr.. Cheat
ham paid tribute to Booker T. Wash
ington and other well-known Colored
educators.
The $50 delegates were appointed
by governors of the several states
and form a most representative gath.
ering, coming from every section of
the country.
At the opening session yesterday
morning the president of the Con-
gress Prof. ]. Silas Harris, of Mis-
souri,, was taken suddenly i'll, and Dr.
Grassland, foreign minister and con-
sui general to Liberia, called the meet
ing to order, and after brief remarks
introduced Col. George 7. Wasson as
the presiding officer of the session
Miss NJ. NJ. w. Arter of West Nlr-
ginia, acted as temporary secretary
BY unanimous vote of the Congress,
Samuel 2. c. Westerfield, of Nebras'
ka, was elected official reporter OF
the meetings.
Some of the Addresses.
Addresses of welcome were deliver
ed by the Rev. C. H. Stepteau and
Miss Mamie H. Burroughs, president
of the National Training School for
Girls. Music was furnished by the
E. Azalia Hockey chorus; cornet SOLO
by w. C. Chase, jr.; organ voluntary
Prof. William Braxton. Responses to
the addresses Ol NSlColhO "SiS AN
by DR.. ]. R. A. Grassland of Missouri
and Nelson C. Crews of Kansas City,
Mo. The latter struck the keynote
when he expressed his views as to
the methods to be taken to stem the
tide of oppression. He said:
Change the power of the source
and its effects of evil will cease"
to the effect that residents of that Sec
ton are awakening to the races need
for a fair and square deal at the hands
of the nations hand.
Henry P. Cheatham, in his address
on "How to Increase the Earning
Power of the Negro" said the race
must make friends for itself among
those of the other race, by being con-
servative, gentle and friendly. IN
stances were cited to show the good
that could be obtained. Further, he
said it was not time for force and
arms, but rather peaceful and quiet
methods should be pursued; that IS,
stop and think as to the best way.
Thus can the problem be settled.
Visitors to the congress include DR..
7. A. Cotton, president of Henderson
Normal Institute, Henderson, N. c.;
the Rev. David Johnson, of Washing
ton, and others. The secretary, Mrs.
Julia Embry, of Colorado Springs
Col. arrived on an evening train.
Program for Thursday.
The sessions will be held at 10 a. m.'
. D. m. and s p. m. At this mornings S
session special address will be de-
livered by President Benjamin f. Al
len, of Lincoln Institute, Jefferson
CITY, Mo-, on the subject, Where the
Emphasis Should Be Placed in Mod
ern Education" other topics to be
taken up for symposiums at the morn
ing and afternoon meetings are, How
can the alarming death rate among
Negroes be checked?" discussion LED
by DR.. J. r. A. Grassland, and Should
the education of the Negro and white
youth be identical?"
Comes Out for Hughes.
The Negro education convention last
night adopted resolution indorsine
xr.lon and Etotrhauka taking the