The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1916-12-30
JOHNSON WORKING
FOR RACE UPL|FT
Becomes Field Secretary Of Ad-
vancemont Association.
MAN OF HIGH DISTINCTION

Man OF HIGH DISTINCTION
Has Won Fame In Letters and In Unit
Cd States Consular Serviee-Awarded
Prize For Editorial on Recent Elec-
tion-Contributins Editor Of the New
York Age.
New York.-The National Associa
ton For the Advancement Of Colored
People at the December meeting Of the
board Of directors appointed James
Weldon Johnson to the newly created
position Of field secretary. Mr.. John
son is well known throughout America
as contributing editor of the New York
Age, az an author Of distinction and
as prize winner In the recent contest
Of tho Philadelphia Ledger for edi
torials on "Why Hughes Should Be
Elected"
His appointment indicates that con
solidation of forces is being effected
among colored Americans at the pres
ent time and that the substantial
unanimity of opinion expressed by the
leaders of all schools of thought rep
resented last summer at the Armenia
conference is working out in the di
rection Of a more united front tn the
common enemies Of the race.
James Weldon Johnson was born in
Jacksonville. Fla. June II. 1871. where
he was educated in the public schools
In 1904 he graduated from Atlanta
university with the degree Of A. Il
he received his masters degree at the
same university IN 1904. His southern
: birth and southern training will make
It possible for him to work and organ
ize In the south as no northern man
could.
Mr.. johnson spent three years in
graduate work at Columbia university,
in this city, and for several years was
principal of the high school at Jack
sonville. He was admitted to the Flor
ida bar in 1897 and practiced law in
Jacksonville until 1901, when he re-
moved to New York to collaborate with
his brother, j. Rosamond johnson, in
writing for the light opera stage. He
married Grace Il. Nail of New York in
1910. He has had an interesting ca
reer in the public service In 1906 he
was appointed United States consul at
Puerto Cabel!o, Venezuela, being trans
ferred as consul to Corinto. Nicaragua.
in 1909 and to the Azores in 1912.
While at Corinto he looked after the
interests of his country during the
stormy days of the revolution which
resulted in the downfall Of Zelaya and
the abortive revolution against Diaz.
His knowledge of Spanish has been
put to use in the translation of many
Spanish plays. He was the translator
for the English libretto of "Goyescas,"
the Spanish grand opera produced at
the Metropolitan Opera. House in 1915,
and also has several translations from
the French to his credit. But it is as
an American author that he is best
known. His poems have appeared In
the Century, the Independent, the Cri
sis and other magazines, and his novel,
'AThe Autobiography of an Ex-Colored
Man." IL one Of the most powerful
stories ever woven about the theme of
race relations.
Mr.. johnson is a member of the
American Society Of Authors and Com
posers, Of the Civic club, New York,
and is vice president of the New York
branch Of the National Association Fol-
the Advancement Of C0lored People.
Recently he has been on a six weeks
mission throughout the south, repre-
senting the National League on Urban
Conditions Among Negroes, In an en-
deavor to persuade the editors of the
leading white newspapers to take an
enlightened attitude toward the exodus
Of Negro labor from that section. Ev-
erywhere r,he was received with the
greatest courtesy and consideration,
and much good Is expected to result
from his splendid work Of representa-
Hon Of the Negro. -