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August, 1936  249

The first meeting, held Monday evening in the Community Center, was attended by over a hundred delegates.  At this meeting of the delegations were introduced, the program outlined and the leaders of the various groups gave brief word pictures of what ground they hoped to cover in their respective groups.  All the leaders had previously agreed upon using Tuesday's discussion for the purpose of exploring the field;  Wednesday's for attacking the problem;  and Thursday's for the discussion of ways out.

The conference opened each morning at 9 A.M. in the auditorium of Grace Presbyterian church.  The time from 9 to 10:30 was taken up by announcements and discussions.  A different speaker presented the topic each day for discussion and afterwards answered questions.  On Tuesday, Miss Ella J. Baker discussed "Consumers' Cooperatives";  on Wednesday Dr. Herman Shapiro of John Hopkins University discussed "Fascism and Minority Groups";  on Thursday Gough MdDaniels discussed "Fascism and the Negro."

The sessions from 10:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. were held in five separate sections.  The first was a discussion group on "Work and Relief," led by this writer;  the second on "Lynching," by J. St. Clair Drake, the third on "Civil Liberties," by Martin L. Harvey;  the fourth on "Educational Opportunities," by Leon Roye, and the fifth on "Organization," by Juanita Jackson.

In the afternoons and evenings, the sessions were attended jointly by youth and senior members.  All business and resolutions went through a steering committee elected by the groups.  Miss Ruth Dean of Baltimore was chosen chairman and Roger Williams of Boston, vice-chairman.

Youth Night Program

On Wednesday evening, the entire program was given over to the youth section.  Suffice it to say that this meeting brought out the largest attendance of the conference.  The meeting was presided over by Clarence Mitchell of Baltimore.  After the invocation by the Rev. Edward G. Carroll, greetings were given by the president of the Baltimore Youth Council, H. Calvin Parker.  Then followed a symposium – "Youth Hurls a Challenge" – in which four persons participated – namely, J. Franklin Bourne of Columbia University;  Martin L. Harvey, director of religious education for the A.M.E. Zion church;  James H. Robinson of Union Theological seminary;  and Marjorie Penney of the Interracial Fellowship in Philadelphia.  Then came an address, "The N.A.A.C.P. Challenges Youth," by Juanita Jackson, who heads up the Youth work of the association.

The climax of the meeting came with a dramatic presentation of the aims and objectives of the various discussion groups.  The idea was conceived, planned, and carried out by J. St. Clair Drake of Dillard university.  It received recognition as one of the high lights of the entire conference.

Although all the sessions were lively, the closing Friday morning session was the liveliest and most hectic of all.  It was at this time that policy, method, organization, and resolutions were being decided upon.  Even more interesting than the sharp debate on the resolutions, were the reports from the various cities represented on the year's activities.  The sessions closed with an address, "Challenging the Youth Movement to Action," by this writer.

One of the most gratifying aspects of the conference was the interest manifested by the senior members.  They came in goodly numbers to many of the meetings.  The executive secretary, Walter White, spoke at the opening session and came to some of the other meetings.  Miss L. Pearl Mitchell of the board of directors came to all the meetings and gave invaluable advice.  There were others of course, too numerous to mention by name.  The fact that a young person, J. Franklin Bourne, was elected to the nominating committee for the board of directors is indisputable evidence of the interest.

Let there be no misunderstanding – the Youth Section was not a separate movement or organization.  It is a definite part of the N.A.A.C.P. and is under the direction of the national staff and the national board of directors.  In a subsequent article three other aspects of the conference will be dealt with in a more detailed fashion.  Miss L. Pearl Mitchell will write from the point of view of an observer, J. St. Clair Drake will interpret the resolutions, and Edward Lawrence will discuss the new plan of organization.


Branch News

The Tacoma, Wash., branch held its annual membership drive during June.  The Misses Sadie May Wilson, Roberta Spencer and Roberta Weber solicited during the campaign.  Mrs. Nettie J. Asberry is secretary-treasurer of the branch.

The monthly meeting of the Scranton, Pa., branch was held on June 8 in the rooms of the Progressive Recreation and Social Service Association.  Mrs. Zenobia J. Dorsey, president, and Mrs. Bessie Smith, secretary, were in charge.  A social hour followed the business session.

The Lansing, Mich., branch met June 6 six at the African Methodist Episcopal church.

Mrs. Randolph Henrie, Mrs. Viola Adams and Dr. Edward E. Bess represented the New Rochelle, N. Y., branch at the annual conference and Miss Martha Booker represented the junior branch.  Dr. Leon W. Scott, president of the branch, and John A. Ross also attended the conference.

The thirty-eight contestants of the Decatur, Ill., branch won a field meet held June 26 with the Bloomington, Ill., branch.  Decatur accumulated 51 points and Bloomington 38.  The Decatur Group returned home with the silver cup which it also won a year ago.

The juniors of the Newton, Kans., branch met June 11 in the Kansas Good Will room to plan the Youth Council city-wide membership drive.  The main speaker of the evening was S. Ridley.  The Rev. Strong of the C. M. E. church and the Rev. Roberson of the Second Baptist church also spoke to the group.  The Ladies Quartet sang several numbers.

Dr. O. H. Sweet of Detroit, Mich., was principal speaker at a meeting of the Indianapolis, Ind., branch in the Greater Phillips C. M. E. Temple, June 28.  The Rev. Arthur W. Womack, pastor of the temple, also spoke.  Dr. H. P. Murkeson of Sandusky, O., representing the conference, was to speak, but was unable to attend.

"Ethopia at the Bar of Justice" was the title of a play given by the members, June 29.  A reception was held following the play.

The June 25 meeting of the Topeka,Kans., branch was postponed because most of the members were attending the two conferences in Kansas City.  The executive committee met June 22 in the office of Elisha Scott.  Mr. Scott was a delegate from the branch at the annual conference in Baltimore.

The Bridgeport, Conn., branch met June 22 at Walters Memorial A.M.E. Zion church.  The Rev. Dixon Alton Brown presided.

The White Plains, N. Y., branch presented the Hampton Institute Junior Quartet at the regular monthly meeting June 28.  The quartet rendered a group of American folk songs and spirituals.  The guest speaker was the Rev. T. Robert Washington of Philadelphia.

The Beloit, Wis., branch met June 21 at the Second Methodist church.

Chester K. Gillespie, president of the Cleveland, O., branch, was one of the speakers before the Peace Parade Victory 

[[image:  photograph of woman holding trophy captioned - DR. ALICE M. GUY  Brought most members and won silver cup in Newark, N. J. branch campaign]]