The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-05-05
Activities Among
Memphis Negroes

The program and part that negroes
viii take In the great Centenary cele-
bration Of Memphis inc Shelby county
has been settled upon. In keeping with
the general plans of the Centennial
this program will be the biggest thing
Of its kind ever attempted here by
negroes. 1t will comprise a general
participation with a negro day on the
gath. On this day one of the biggest
float, military and floral parades ever
seer here will occur. There will be
free band concerts, community dancing
and historical meetings in the vicinity
of Beale avenue. There will be a $780,
phis, Prizes Of S25, $50 and SIS will
be given for the best decorated auto
mobiles and similar prizes for the best
arranged school units. Every school,
public n private, will be asked to
participate. There will also be a big
military unit, comprising every SffiGer
county, Memphis will be 100 years
old this May, To negroes this will
not only be a birthday party, but a
rebirth, a rebirth in civic life, ideals
and aspirations. Every negro in Mem
phis and Shelby county will be asked
to take part and negroes throughout
the country. will be invited to join in
lass WYNN - AVONANAlACos HV wan ASNS
the time of their lives.
The pupils Of Porter school on Geor-
gta avenue have adopted q school song,
Dear Old Porter" which fills them
with enthusiasm. The words and music
for this song were composed by Prof.
W. J. Harvey, w~ell-known Memphis
musician and composer. He has writ
ten songs for six public schools, Vir-
ginia avenue, LaRose, Greenwood,
Grant, Kortrecht and Porter, and these
productions are highly priced by teach
ers and pupils. In negro music Mem
phis ranks with the leading cities Of
this country. Perhaps negroes have
not yet reached the place where suffi-
Gent practical patronage is given to
the efforts Of negro talent. Racial
progress would be greatly accelerated
by a wider appreciation Of efforts Of
internal development.
Word has been received from the in
ternational committee of the Y. w. c.
A. that within the next two weeks
they will place here in Memphis a
worker to take up some work among
negro girls. Girl clubs and camping
parties will be a part of this work.
The negro division Of the city recrea-
ton department is responsible for the
efforts that have obtained this worker
and negro girls may hope for a wide
development Of activities along this line
this summer.
The Emma Wilburn undertaking es-
t%ablishment has purchased the spacious
property at the corner Of Mississippi
boulevard Ind Williams avenue n will
move there shortly. This is the first
successful establishment OF this kind
promoted solely by a negro woman in
Memphis.
A partial survey made by a worker
connected with the Memphis League
Of Colored Social Agencies shows that
during the month OF April more than
$26, 900 vas collected by "a negro
churches in Memphis. There are about
70 negro churches here of various kinds
and their financiering is an important
phase of their activities. The survey
also shows that most of the churches
are heavily in debt, some of them even
beyond the original purchase price. This
suggests that a general study Of how
to better manage churches in a finan-
cial way might not be out Of place.