The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1919-11-08

night, members of the order of
knights of Pythias had been engaged
in working up a monster mass meet
ing which was held at Academy Hail.
14th Street and Michigan avenue
Very little noise was made concern
ing the matter because attendance
was confined to members of the or
ganization. The general public was
neither invited nor expected.
The meeting was the climax to the
first step in the movement to finance
a Pythian Temple in Kansas City
which it is proposed shall be the fin
est and most complete structure of its
kind owned by Negroes anywhere in
this country.
Viewed from every standpoint the
climax to the first effort was over
whelmingly successful. In attendance
interest and enthusiasm the meeting
was everything that could have been
desired, while in the result attained
it exceeded the most hopeful eXpecta-
tion of the men and women who COM
pose the committee having the man
dBthGuL vi IuS III Cudl
At the close of the roll call, when the
lodges and courts had all reported the
secretaries who had been keeping
track of the figures as the reports
were made, announced that a total
S30,000.00 in subscriptions had been
reported. The announcement brought
forth a demonstration of approval on
part of those who were present
Grand Chancellor A. w. Lloyd who
was present, congratulated the Com
mittee and it's officers on the wonder
full showing that had been made.
In congratulating Chairman L. A.
Knox, be said: "In my judgment, this
is the greatest showing ever made in
a financial effort put forth by our
people anywhere in this country.
Thirty thousand ollars is large sum
and to produce it in one effort, con-
vinces me that Kansas Cjty's Pyth-
ians and Calantheans have their eyes
set on success. Any doubt concern
ing victory which have heretofore ex-
isted-and I have no knowledge that
there have been any-must be dispell-
ed by this result. This result is con-
elusive. 1t can indicate nothing but
that success for the temple project
is certain and assured.
The Pythian Temple is to be the
most pretentious building ever at
tempted by the Negroes of the West.
Plans have been submitted to the gen
eral building, which is composed of
three members from each lodge and
court in Kansas City by the architects
showing a four story structure with
an elegant theatre, suites of office
rooms, store rooms for merchants,
large spacious lodge halls with every
modern convenience, including eleva'
tor service and a public entertain
ment hall which is to be adequate to
the needs of the day.
When organized, the company is to
be incorporated as the Pythian Tenn
pie Association. 1t is to be a joint
stock company in which the share
holders participate both in profits and
control according to the number OF
shares held. The committee is plan
ming the revenue-produicng features
of the building with idea in view OF
being able to pay annual dividends OF
1917 on the capital invested. The
interest which exists is very encour
aging to the committee and its Off
ces. A splendid rivalry has develop
ed between the big Four" lodges;
New Era, Progress, Advance and KaW
Valley. New Era Lodge No. 40 re
ported the largest subscription of any
lodge at the Friday night meeting