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140 THE CRISIS

ment were provided in lieu of the photoplay in question that I should feel constrained to cancel my connection with the trip."

The excursion generally includes from one thousand to two thousand people, many of whom are young boys. Mr. T. P. Riddle, who has charge of the tour, writing in the same circular, which announced the "Birth of a Nation" as a part of the official program, tells the anecdote of Lincoln's historic trip down the Mississippi and his visit to the slave market, concluding with these words:

"When was the seed of emancipation planted? The impressions made by the things which that country boy saw and heard on that trip down the Mississippi in 1831 proved the seed from which developed the liberation of millions and the restoration of the Union.

"Many homes and many communities in years to come will reap benefits from the impressions made by the things seen and heard upon these Buckeye Corn Special Tours."

The benefits our Republic will be likely to reap in future generations from the degrading spectacle known as "The Birth of a Nation" can perhaps be inferred from the remark of a young boy, who, after seeing the play in New York, said to a friend: "I'd like to kill every nigger I know." The Association appreciates the prompt and vigorous co-operation of its Ohio branches in this matter, news of which first came from the Cleveland Branch through Mr. Harry E. Davis, its attorney.

ST. LOUIS

THE campaign against the proposed Segregation Ordinance, which the St. Louis Branch has been organizing for several months, was formerly launched at a mass meeting November 8th, held in Central Baptist Church at which the Pastor, the Rev. George E. Stevens, author of "Negro Segregation," presided. The speakers included Congressman L.C. Dyer, Miss Nerney and the following clergymen: Rev. B. G. Shaw, Otho Brandt and S. W. Parr.

The referendum is the "Legislative and Democratic Reform," by which it is proposed to decide if a "Black Ghetto" shall be established in St. Louis when on February 29th the Segregation Ordinance will be submitted to the thirty thousand white and fifteen thousand colored voters. The real estate group, who are responsible for the ordinance, are securing wide publicity for their views through the distribution of a leaflet called "The Home Defender," and through their invaluable ally, "The Birth of a Nation." As the great audiences file out of the theatre, after having witnessed the chase of the white girl by the Negro, "Gus," they are given copies of the "Home Defender," urging them to defend their homes by voting for the Segregation Ordinance.

The ordinance itself is a sublimated form of the St. Louis and Baltimore ordinances. The former has been appealed to the Supreme Court by the National Association, and the latter, which has been fought in various forms by the Baltimore Branch, is now awaiting decision in the highest court in Maryland. The framers of the St. Louis ordinance point with pride to its absolute justice to both races, which perhaps is best illustrated by its Servant Clause, which provides not only that colored servants of white persons shall be exempt from the provisions of the ordinance, but also WHITE SERVANTS OF COLORED PERSONS.

Enrolled against the Ordinance are the St. Louis Branch, a majority of the colored clergy, the white press, with a single exception, and many representative white people. The Branch has organized for the campaign through several strong committees; the Segregation and Finance Committees, with Mr. Pitman and Dr. T. A. Curtis as Chairmen, and the Legal and Publicity Committees, with Attorneys Phillips and Vaughn as Chairmen, are indefatigable in their efforts to reach the people. Meetings are being held everywhere, letters have been sent to the white press and to the white clergy, leaflets have been printed for house to house distribution in a campaign of education among both white and black; the city has been districted, funds collected and headquarters opened. Through Mr. A. W. Lloyd, Grand Chan-

N. A. A. C. P. 141

cellor of the Knights of Pythias, the Pythians of Missouri have given the use of several rooms in their beautiful temple as headquarters. In order to assist the able Secretary of the branch, Mrs. H. A. Smith, Miss Helen Spears has been appointed stenographer and clerk in charge of headquarters. Mr. Paul W. Mosley has been appointed solicitor. A certified public accountant has approved the business methods of the Branch, opened its books and audits all accounts.

There has been some question as to the advisability of enjoining the election commissioners from holding the proposed election. A consensus of the best legal opinion in Missouri, and Mr. Storey, counsel for the National Association, strongly advise against this course. In spite of this some of the colored people of St. Louis have announced their intention of taking such action, and of raising six hundred dollars to retain a lawyer.

The N. A. A. C. P. welcomes the co-operation of other organizations and individuals not included in its membership who are willing to fight this ordinance, and is glad to give them full credit, but it cannot but deplore disagreement and friction at such a crisis. The Bourbons of St. Louis will have reason to congratulate themselves if the colored people split on this issue while the enemy as usual stands as one.

THE SECRETARY'S TRIP

ON the trip recently taken in the interest of the Association through the Middle West the Secretary visited eight branches, reaching at least five thousand people through public meetings, and everywhere finding evidences of the vitality of the work of the N. A. A. C. P. The large southern population, both colored and white, throughout this section of the country is responsible for much of the increase in discrimination.

A number of valuable suggestions made by our branches and several important legal cases referred by them to National Headquarters are now under advisement. It is hoped as a result that a more practical plan for co-operation may be worked out. The results that have been accomplished by these branches in the face of most discouraging difficulties are promising. Ohio is still vigilant in its campaign against "The Birth of a Nation" and St. Louis' splendid work against the segregation ordinance is of importance to colored people everywhere. St. Louis had the best meetings of any of the branches. The woman particularly showed great interest and the resolutions that they sent to the Association are much appreciated. Lack of space only prevents our publishing them in full.

THE ANNUAL MEETING

THE Annual Meeting of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will be held in New York City at the Assembly Room of the Society for Ethical Culture, Central Park West and 64th Street on Monday afternoon, January 3rd, 1916, at half past two. The session will be open only to members who have paid their dues.

There will be reports from officers and branches, and the following nominations for Directors for terms expiring in 1919 will be voted upon:
Mr. George W. Crawford, New Haven.
Bishop John Hurst, Baltimore.
Mr. Paul Kennaday, New York.
Mr. Joseph P. Loud, Boston.
Dr. William A. Sinclair, Philadelphia.
Mr. Arthur B. Spingarn, New York.
Mr. Charles H. Studin, New York.
Miss Lillian D. Wald, New York.
Rev. G. R. Waller, Springfield, Mass.
Mr. Butler R. Wilson, Boston.

On February 11th and 12th there will be a Conference in New York City ending in a mass meeting in Carnegie Hall when the Spingarn Medal will be awarded and the prize scholarship, for which branches recently competed, announced. Speakers of national reputation will be heard at this conference which will take the place of the conference generally held in the spring. Every member of the Association should attend these meetings.

BRANCHES

THE branch elections held early in November seem to have given general satisfaction. Lack of space prevents