Phoenix tribune., 1919-02-22
PHOENIX PROTECTIVE LEAGUE BRINGS
COLORED PEOPLE INTO ONE BODY

Thirty-one representative colored
citizens met at Doris hall on the
night of December 16, 1918, and or.
ganized what is known as the Phoe-
nix Protective League Today, a lit
tie more than two months since the
organization was formed, the member.
ship totals 307 representative citizens
with applications still coming The
purpose and object of this league, as
stated in these columns some time ago,
was to form a more perfect union
among the colored citizens of the
state of Arizona and to work for their
general welfare.
That the colored people are willing
to work together for the good of a
common cause is clearly proven by
the manner in which the membership
has grown. At the present rate of
of increase, the organization will have
every one of the 1000 colored voters
in the state as member of the Phoe-
nix Protective League, before 1920.
What mighty force this will be, all
pulling in the same direction.
Since its inception, the League has
done much towards promoting the
welfare Of citizens in this community.
Several members have been placed in
responsible positions and money is
now being raised to pay for the spe-
cial training of one of our prominent
high school girls so as to fit her for
a high position that has never before
been offered our girls, but through the
workings of this organization, is now
open to any eolored girl who can quail
ify.
Progress is the watchword of the
League, and that the members are
living up to their watchword is being
openly demonstrated. Nothing sue
ceeds like success, and the rapid ad-
vance made by this young organiza-
ton makes us believe that it will
succeed.
The Tribune has advocated a union
of forces among the colored citizenry
of this commonwealth and it is with
pardonable pride that we relate tho
above instances of the fruits of our
advocacy.
The strong, influential and repre-
sentative men and women who were
elected officers of the League insure
its success. What organization among
US can boast a cleaner set of men and
women than those who head this
League? The president, ]. A. Green,
is too well known in Arizona for an
introduction to be attempted. He has
resided here in Phoenix for over twen-
ty years, owns valuable property and
bears an excellent reputation for ho1i-
esty, sobriety and right. Mrs. Jessie
James, the vice-president, is an old
resident of Phoenix, a large property
owner, active in all matters pertaining
to the betterment of school condi-
tions in Arizona and an all-around
WORKER. The secretary, Mr.. R. D.
Simpson, is man of sterling worth
and honor, heavy taxpayer, and an
upright Christian gentleman. The
treasurer, Mrs. l. F. Silvers, is
woman whom we all know and in
whom we place implicit confidence.
She is an old resident of Phoenix, a
property owner and one of the most
active members of the African Metho-
dist Episcopal church. Mr. R. S.
Stearns, another one Of the officers of
this organization is well known and
respected citizen of this community.
He is big property owner, a busi-
ness man, and ranks as one of the
leading colored citizens of the COM
munity The executive, advisory and
other committees are composed of
men and women who stand high in the
estimation of all citizens and of whom
we are justly proud.
held at Doris hall on the first and
third Mondays in each month Attend
these meetings and become innocu-
lated with the germ of unionism. In
union there is strength, and if we
would be a strong race, we MUST
unite.
not of a bOiSterous nature and did NOT