The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-09-21
DES MONIES CITIZENS SHOW AP-
PROBATION FOR MEN AT
FORT DES MONIES.

Unquestionably the most striking
social event ever witnessed in the city
of Qes Moines was seen on last Friday
evening in the spacious Auditorium on
Fourth street, when the citizens of
Des Moines assembled in the form of
a reception to do honor to the men,
bers of the Negro reserve officers who
are in training at Fort Des Moines.
More than one thousand citizens of
both races, including cadets and their
wives, enjoyed the following program,
which preceded the feast. Mrs S. Joe
Brown, superintendent of the depatr
ment of Social Science of the Nation
al Association of Colored Women, who
served as general chairman, called the
meeting to order, and after singing
of the national anthem, "America,"
the Rev. DR.. Reese of the Unitarian
church pronounced the invocation,
after which the mayor of the city,
Capt. John MacVicar, was introduced
as chairman of the evening. The army
octette of Fort Des Moines, who have
delighted many Des Moines audiences,
was introduced, giving as their first
number, "Couldn't Hear Nobody
Pray" Editor John L. Thompson, on
behalf of the Negro citizens, Editor
Harvey Ingham and Mr. Victor C.
Fitch, secretary of the manufacturers
bureau Of the Chamber of Commerce,
on behalf of the city, and ex-senator
Lafe Young on behalf of the state
made addresses of welcome. After a
tenor solo by L. H. Goldman Of Com
pany No. 8 the following persons re-
sponded. On behalf of regular army,
Sergt. McKaine, on behalf Of candi-
dates, Major Ford; on behalf Of medi-
cal reserve corps, Lieut.. Lythcotte,
and on behalf of cadets wives, Mrs.
Sergt. Major Williams. Mr.. R. B..
Patin, of Washington, D, c., repre-
senting war department commission
on training camp activities, and who
was factor in this social movement,
told of his work, while DR.. Geo. w.
Cabaniss, also Of Washington, who is
here in the interest Of the colored SOL
diers, told of his activities.
Among other distinguished repre-
sentatives on the platform were Mrs.
Jas. r. Hanna, wife of former mayor
Of city and chairman of the home and
hospitality committee Of the war rec
reation board, which was cooperating
with Mrs. Browns committee for this
reception; Mrs. Frank C. Travers,
president of City Federation of Wom-
en-, and member of committee; Mrs.
Jessye E. McClain, president OF the
City Federation of Colored Women
and member of committee, and Miss
Mary Ely, a social worker of New
York City. After the singing of the
Star Spangled Banner, Miss Marye 1.
Bell, one of the leading cateresses Of
tn Getty, who had charge Of the repast,
with her splendid assistants, served
the vast audience. On the following
day this general committee was not
only able to serve, ice cream to the
hospital corps at Fort Des Moines, of
more than 500, but made donation
of $500 to the American Bible soci-
ETY., who is fostering movement to
raise $4,000 in Iowa for the distribu-
tion of khaki bound testaments for all
soldiers, and $500 to the Eliza E. Pet
erson w. C. T. u. to assist in fitting
out about 100 housewives, which are
to be presented to officers after the
issuing of commissions.