The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-22
PLAN BIG StRO-0fF
FOR COl0RfO MEN
Great PARADE and Mass Meeting fri-
day WIN Be Part OF
Program

Definite orders from the war de-
pertment that me celored men would
ne sent to camp october 81. 1917.
have given great impetus to the move
ment to give the drafted men a great
send-off.
a mass meeting vas recently held
ut the Colored Industrial exchange,
$40 West Broad street, and the fol-
lowing plans were agreed on; The
coiored branch Of Richmond cha pier
of Red Cross was recognized as the
proper organization in which TO CEN
ter ell activities Of the coiored people
for the drafted nen. The advisor y
committee Of tho colored branch was
enlarged 20 include representation
from every religious. home. business,
civic. frsternal and soci&i organization
among the colored people
A committee OF which Rev. w. r.
Johnson Is Chairman, with 4 repre-
sentative from every denomination,
was authorized 10 take complete
charge of the religious and moral af-
fairs OF the drafted men. This com
mittee will keep in touch with army
chupiains and other religious workers
in the camp and will conduct special
services for the men when they visit
the city. This committee will also
have the co1ored churches to pfovtde
church socials for the men These
eocials viii be in charge OF trained
female church workers
The committee to prepare sweaters,
Kits, socks, badges. etc, is In charge
OF Mary r. Carter, who Is ably as
sisted by mem ers of the oolored
branch and a large number of volun-
teers
A COMMITTEES on civic matters on
which some of the leading colored
men have meen asked to serve, will
look after all civic problems arising
from the contract of large bodies OF
solder" from rural and other sec
TONS with city life. This committee
vii, see to it that repetition OF the
Brownsville, Tex, affairs will not take
place in Richmond.
a committee on recreation was al
so formed This committee will look
efte' the pleasure and comfort of the
drafted men while visiting the city
Special credit should be given the
Spartsns' Literary and Athletic asso-
ciotion for assuming the great respon-
sibihty Of providing headquarters for
these men.
The Spartahs will open their club
>rooms TO these men without charge
I mis- means that the drafted men will
have full access TO shower baths. gym
nasium. resting rooms and oil other
features of an up-to-date club This
VIII Keep the men from lounging
around questionable places or idling
away their time on street corners
| The committee on parade composed
| NJ w. II. Anderson. Roscoe c, Mitchell
and Ino- G. Dabney. assisted by the
| committee on Invitations, composed Of
| Drs J. II. Blackwell, Jr.. and Bessie
| b Tharps. have invited about 100 or
! Eanizations to take part In the parade
| f'tt-7c organizations VIII form a line
about two miles long. As there are
1 only two colored bands in the city,
the committee will ask the city and
military authorities 10 help them to
/ secure other bands from the camp at
/ Petersburg
Monday. October 70. at $40 p. NJ. all
| committees and representatives from
each of the above organizations will
! meet at the Southern Aid society's
building, b27 North Second street. to
perfect all arrangements for the great
! parade and the mammoth meeting AZ
/ the CITY Auditorium on Friday night.
! october 90, 1917.
The governor, mayor and several of
the leading white and coicred citizens
viii speak. A great chorus, composed
~ ShoHS from all the cOiored churches
under the leadership Of w. D. Jones
WILL s.ug. a.4 ..,- 1...5
The Officers OF the Richmond chan
Ter OF Red Cross, as we'll as other
prominent white people, are co-operat-
ing with the colored branch IN this
great send of.
An after collection will be lifted In
all of the colored churches today 20
assist In giving the drafted men a sun
per at Johnson's auditorium following
the parade,