The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-07-27
SHEPHERDS OPEN
 SESSIONS HERE
Back to the Soil Movement One Solution of Race
 Problem

Seventeenth annual session of the United Order of Good Shepherds of America opened at the Twenty-third Street Baptist church yesterday. Delegates from different parts of the state and from abroad Joined Rev. P. E Gilven in devotional exercises.
 The welcome address was delivered by Dr. Thornton. pastor, who stated that he considered 1t an honor to welcome members of an organization that has for it's object not only to promote fraternal feelings but to encourage and help each other to buy land and get homes in the great state and beloved southland.
 Twelve years ago the Good Shep- herds, with headquarters in Mont gomery. realized that one of the means of settling the race problem was to encourage negroes to buy homes and settle down on the soil With the scant means in hand, Pres ident Chandler and few others ne- gotiated with real estate dealers In Selma for a large plantation, con- sisting of 3,1a0 acres of rich land in Dallas county, IS miles south of Selma, and began the work of de- veloping the plant. The purchase price of the plantation was s2s, ,000
 According to President Chandler the plan was to divide the land into 20-acre and 40-acre plots and sell to farmers on easy terms.
 Chandler Speaks
 In his address yesterday President Chandler stated: Tt was only a few years ago that a small number of us banded ourselves together to en- courage our people toNgo back to the farms, settle down. buy land and build homes for themselves.
 We purchased plantation on easy terms, consisting of 3,1O0 acres of the finest farm land in the state. We began the work of improvement. We now have 65 families on the plan tation. numbering 355 men, women and children.
 .sThe improvements on the planta- tion together with reliable appraise- ments of the value of pine timbers, poplar, red oaks, cedar, pottery rock, etc, give us assets amounting to $291,10o, with total liabilities, s101,- 200, leaving admitted assets over liabilities $1s9.900, which does not include $3,143.so cash brought for ward.
 Besides this" said Chandler, i've have planned for an old folks home. an orphan home, a rescue home for delinquent colored girls. and an ideal negro community at Shepherds vile our community headquarters. Having ample timber and saw mill. we have planned to start casket factory with capital of $40. 1000.
 "on our farm we have fifty frame houses, two-story frame building. two-and half story brick building. two churches and a large school building.
 "our total receipts for the year aggregate s21.1S5 which includes $1.759 rents from the tenants on the plantation. All payments on the land have been kept up and all bills on improvements have been paid"
 Promoters.
 Promoters of this remarkable negro enterprise are. G. w. Chand- Ter, Montgomery founder and pres ident: S. L. Duncan. Montgomery, na-, tional secretary; Rev. L. W. Gallo way, Selma, chairman board of con- trol; Rev. A. F. Owens, Selma, off cial reporter; Rev. F. W. Cooke, Shepherdsville, superintendent: Rev. William Madison, Chicago, H., vice president Mamie Clemmons, Macon, Ga, recording secretary; Rev. P. E.. Given, Ensley. Ala, chaplain; Rev. c. A. Smyley. Selma: Rev. c. NJ. Mos ley Mt. Willing, Ala; John Tran ham. H. Jordan. Annie E. Tranham. H. Strawbeidge Rev. c. l.. Thorn ton, J. M King. Charles A. J. Mc- Pherson, NJ. D.. Birmingham; William. Beasley, T. L. Berkley. H. K. Lewr Rev. c. J. Davis. Montgomery; Percy Manning, Columbus, O., president: Rev. H. J. Stark. Columbus. O.; z. J Jackson. Fla: c. F. Guice, Mt. An drew. Ala.
 The late Bishop J. W. Aistork. of Montgomery, was one Of the stron- gest promoters and Tor many years