The northwestern bulletin., 1923-02-03
Dinner mar; 5. ).
CLIMAX OF NOTES
JOURNALIST S VISIT
Visitor Rather Indisposed With
Cold in Throat, Hampering
His Activities Here;
LARGE CROWD ATTENDS
DINNER AT PIONEER HALL
Speaker Tells of the Life of a
Newspaper Man-Has Had
Wide Experience

Melvin j. Chisum, Field Secretary
of the National Negro Press Associa-
ton, has visited st. Paul and Mime
apolis, delivered his message and de-
parted. He arrived here last Friday
and left for Chicago Tuesday night.
While in the city, he was the guest
of the Northwestern Bulletin and the
st. Paul Business League.
During his Eve day sojourn here,
the noted Journalists activities were
somewhat curtailed due to the fact
that he suffered with a throat cold
which he contracted upon his arrival
here. For that reason he was unable to
interview local business men to the
extent he had planned but with those
he came in contact with, he had =
very constructive message.
Speaks at Dinner.
On Monday evening at the Pioneer
Masonic hall. before one of the most
representative gatherings Of business
and professional people ever assem-
bled here. Mr.. Chisum was the prin-
cipal speaker. Following several
pointed remarks by Mr.. Owen Howell
president Of the st. Paul Busines,
League, under whose auspices the
dinner was arranged, Editor Charles
Sumner Smith Of the Minnesota Mes
senger introduced the speaker of the
evening.
Mr.. Chisum told his audience oi
his wide experience as a colored
newspaper man and that during his
80 years In the business he had ed
tied nine Negro newspapers.
Covers Dyer Bill.
AS one of the lobbyists for the pas
sage Of the Dyer bill, Mr.. Chisum
possesses thorough knowledge of the
course of the anti-lynching bill while
before Congress and in his speecs
cast light on the important measurc
He said that Line Johnson, national
Republican committeeman was the
man who framed the Dyer bill and
that Representative Dyer was the
man selected to father the passage oi
the measure. He also cast consider.
able light on the controversy between
Perry Howard and N. A. A. G. p
leaders relative to the failure of the
Dyer Bill in the Senate.
The Colored Newspaper.
That the average Negro in dealing
with the Negro newspaper publishe,
expects too much for nothing was
clearly exemplified by Mr.. Chisun
during the course of his speech. He
said that 1t cost the publisher near.
ly $3.50 for every $1.00 worth Of
Negro business secured.
"This," he continued, "is sit.
uation which our people must under
stand and remedy. Our newspapers
cannot print everything for nothins
Money must be forthcoming else the
newspaper cannot exist. Patrons OF
the Colored newspaper must realize
these things and patronize the pro
fession with the same real money II
takes to print it."
Mr.. Chisum's instructive and IN.
teresting address lasted more tnar
two hours. His remarks were wei
received.
81 am more than satisfied with
northwest hospitality, your city and
your people" Mr.. chisum said before
leaving. Referring to the dinner he
said, II was never so unit to speak
before such a wonderful audience In
all my life, nor have ! ever had tht
pleasure of speaking before such an
splendid group Of people"
The Journalist was pleased with
his visit here and signified his inten.
tions Of returning to St. Paul again
A committee headed by Mr.. Gwen
Howell, DR.. John r. French, Ernest
Starks and Editor Walter II. Ches-
mutt accompanied Mr.. chisum to the
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