Twin-City herald. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1927-1940, 1932-04-16
This World
LODGES AND LEADERSHIP
POLITICS
POCKET NOTES

ness their memberships into giant
economic forces for the betterment of
our economic status. Collective &C.
ton, concentrated expenditure OF
monies directed by grand lodge
heads would almost overnight change
our status. Will the lodges cooper
ate to save their membership from
economic slavery? They will not.
/. Why? If our numerous lodges
were organized into strong insurance
groups, cooperative producing units
regalia manufacturing companies
lodge banks and other business enter
prises it would probably mean the
3 elimination of the Finley Wilson's, the
s. w. Greens and the Edward Morrises
who have waxed fat off the orders fol-
years. Men who have made bust
ness (for themselves) of fraternalism
Wilson has built an invincible ma
chine in Negro Elkdom that will prob
ably mean the disruption of that lodge
some day. Edward Morris has con-
trolled the Odd Fellows for years and
S. w. Green has made the Pythiar
lodge business proposition-for him
self. ~ u
This type of leadership is not going
to do anything to awaken its member
ship to its potential strength as eco
homie factors because once the mass
Of members awaken it will mean the
elimination of dictators who have
feathered their nests for years off the
membership.
N This same is true of most other
Negro lodges. From the Atlantic ia
the Pacific this decadent leadership
in grand lodges and local lodges has
allowed thousands of good dollars to
be invested in moth eaten non-income
earning lodge halls and clubs.
There is not lodge in the Twin
Cities that has piese of downtown
business property. If the money that
has been wasted in the purchase and
payment on property of no earning
value was, available it could be used
to purchase valuable income earning
downtown property in either city.
X
If the over 100000 Negro voters
of the eastern and border states allow
themselves to be ignored in this
presidential election they deserve the
condition they are in politically. There
will be no progress unless the Negro
learns that his full participation in the
political life of city, county, state and
nation is one of his only guarantees
to future progress.
None Of the parties should be al
lowed to forget that our condition and
status in our country is our chief con-
Germ today. None of the parties should
be allowed to expect our support un-
less we have assurance that in the
future our people are to be given a
square deal. at least by the govern
ment. The two parties promised the
farmers relief in 1928, they could at
least promise our group protection
from lynchers in courts and out.
Monday, High Twelve Reception at
Arcadia. Over 500 in cosmopolitan
group. Beautiful women, immaculate
men all enjoying the company of "The
Green Pastures" cast. Tuesday night
to the Metropolitan to view the stage
masterpiece, "The Green Pastures"
The fine acting displayed easily DEM
onstrated the superiority of the Ne
gro actor in dramatic roles We'd
nesday night finished late novel and
wrote balance of overdue magazine
copy -. Thursday night after hard
day spoke at church banquet. Occa-
sion made more significant by an
nouncement that the day was the
''umteenth" birthday of Zion's fine
pastor, Rev. H. w. Bolts Friday
night. has, to. ssiss Mrs. -Mable. Lewis,
(Conttnued on Page A.