Evening star., 1935-08-19
.HAzEN WELCOMES
.COLORED MASONS
AS SESSIONS OPEN
Commissioner Asks Dele
gates to Petition Congress-
men for Funds for District.
CITES LACK OF MONEY
FOR CIVIC DEVELOPMENT
Shriners and Knights Templar to
Climax Convention With Pa
rads Wednesday.

The red and yellow OF colored
Shriners fluttered along Washington
streets today as delegates to the
thirty-flfth annual convention assem-
bled here from all over the country.
The Grand Encampment, colored
Knights Templar, is holding its bien-
nial session jointly with the Shriners
Some 200 members of the convening
fraternal organizations gathered this
morning in the Garnett-Patterson
Junior High School Auditorium, heard
Melvin C. Hazen. president of the
Board of District Commissioners urge
visiting delegates to petition their
Congressman to appropriate more
money for upbuilding of the National
Capital.
DEPRESSING from his formal address
Of welcome Hazen declared the Fed
eral Government was not contribut-
ing enough to the citys upkeep and
that collections from the small num-
Der of local taxpayers we're insufficient
10 continued civic physical develop
ment.
LuuCdtAOhdt DCuCIIkS tItCNs
Garnett C. Wilkerson, first assistant
superintendent of pubic schools, told
the gathering that Congress had been
very kind in supporting public educa-
ton for the Negro youth Of this city"
The National Government, he said,
has very diligently lived UP to its
obligation" in giving Washington's
colored population its proper share Of
educational facilities.
Wilkerson cited the establishment Of
the National Youth Administration as
a praiseworthy step by the Federal
Government to aid graduate and un-
dergraduate students of both races. He
saiG, however, that education was a
State rather than a Federal function
and urged that organizations like the
Shriners and Knights Templar cam
paign for State control of public ed
ucation.
Rev William H. Dean gave the
opening invocation When he finished
the delegates sat down.
Knows Only God and Man.
Louis w. Roy, grand master of the
host lodge, said in welcoming address
that the colored Shrine organization
knows no race distinction. but knows
only God and man" Suggesting that
the delegates visit public buildings
and historical sites. Roy said the
Shriners and knights had come to
Washington at a time when every
thing is bustling with activity in con-
nection with the building OF q new
social order on the rock of justice"
DR.. L. S. Terry spoke in behalf of
Washington's colored business men.
and DR.. Robert M Williams. pastor of
Asbury M. E. Church, for the churches,
Other addresses on the program were
by Judge Almond Scott of the Mu-
nicipal Court, J. Finley Little Ma
poleon" Wilson, grand exalted ruler
of Negro Elks; DR.. Conwell T. Banton
of Delaware, DR.. A. w. Brazier of
New Orleans and Lawrence M. Leake,
Washington.
| Although only about $50 Shriners,
knights Templar and members of af-
filiated women's organizations had
TeRlSISISu lIllS lIlOI LlAlbs bAC NOAANNh-
tor was expected to attract more than
1000. The delegates were colorful in
their fraternal trappings, the men in
| red fezzes. some in formal evening
clothes. the women in white fezzes.
dresses, shoes and stockings. Some
| of the women wore military caps and
capes gay with red and yellow ribbon.
Big Parade Wednesday.
The big convention event is to be a
! parade Wednesday afternoon.
Memorial services were held last
night at the Asbury M. E. Church for
Shriners and knights Templar who
died during the past year. The roll
call of departed Shriners was read by
Thomas H. Williams, imperial record
er, and that Of the knights Templar
by William S. Lewis, grand recorder
Musical numbers included an organ
prelude by Mrs Theresa Dickson and
solos by Naomi v. Evans and Louise
Beck.
In a memorial address, Maurice w
Spencer of Mecca Temple said, in
part:
The criterion of all right relations
whatsoever is that we are helped by
them. And so. too, the criterion of
right relations toward those who have
gone is that We are helped. not weak
ened and disabled, by them. Those
whom we love are not given us merely
for our joy and happiness. Their
truest ministry consists in being re-
vealers of the divine"