The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-10-24
FRIDAY, OCTOBER "a, 1902.
SEGRo LABOR IN THE SOUTH.

Us CuIEEllL ISSue CONTAINS IOnR dTIlClc
or skilled and semi-skilled negro labor
in the south. The article contain many
facts and figures obtained from indus
trial concerns throughout the southern
states. The Tradesman calls attention
to the fact that this is the third article
it has published on this subject, each
one after as thorough an investigation
as it was possible to make by applica-
ton for information to such factories,
mills and other industrial plants as en-
ployed negroes. The first was in 1859
and the second in 1891. In an editorial
resume of the replies received to the
inquiries SEN out in 1889 The Trades
man say there were covered by the
answers seven thousand skilled, semi
skilled and common negro laborers, of
whom about two thousand were skilled
or semi-skiIled. Wages paid for this
skilled labor averaged s1.75 per day, for
common $1.15. The general tenor of the
replies denoted satisfaction with negro
labor. Those of longest experience with
negro labor regarded it as superior ID
white in several kinds of furnace and
AAiiI fEclh III tAlCAS - S1N"I AiC"h.
In 1881 The Tradesman again sent out
circulars asking for information as to
negro skilled and semi-skilled labor.
Replies were received from one hum
dred and ninety-six concerns through
out the southern states, employing
seven thousand three hundred and
ninety-fve negro laborers. of whom
.s-1 100000 --l ,---4 49, $1,000
skilled. The average wages were $1.75
per day. The pay of common laborers
averaged S1.1O per day.
In the replies in these two instances
nothing was said on the subject of
education. but in the investigation
made this year that matter was gone
into and some of the men replying gave
their views as to the effect education
had on the skilled negro laborers as
well as stating what proportion of their
Workmen had any education. To this
circular about five hundred replies
were received, about one hundred
and fifty reporting that no negroes
were employed. The total number en-
plOyed by the balance were thirty-six
thousand men. of whom sixteen thous-
and were negroes. Only two hundred
n nine of those making reports en-
ployed skilled or semi-skilled negro
labor and they reported two thousand
six hundred of this class. Opinion IS
pretty evenly divided among those re-
porting on negro labor, for and against
him on the questions of comparison
with white labor of the same class of
work. advancement in skilled labor and
improvement as a laborer by education.
The average pay for skilled labor is
from SIPS to IS per day. a large ma
jority OF those reporting declare their
intention TO continue to employ skilled
negro labor.
For North Carolina we give in full
The Trademarks synopsis of the replies
received from our manufacturers and
other employers of negro labor. The
Tradesrnan says;
Answers were received from "a
manufacturing plants in North Car
DINA. These plants employ 1,SS7 per-
sons. OF this number 904 are negroes.
and o. these negroes 904 are skilled Oh
semi-skiIled. These 152 skilled or semi
skilled negroes are found in 10 out of
81 plants. each plant employing from
one TO so.
THE highest wages paid skilled negro
laborers among the plants reporting IS
$3.50 and the lowest 81 per day. I'm
skilled labor is paid from so cents 20
s1.5O per day.
Twelve plants report that the negro
skilled laborer f~avorably In
efficiency with white workmen: 10 say
that they compare u~nfavOrably and six
say nothing.
Fourteen concerns say that negro
workmen are improving in efficiency;
L. concerns say that they are not i'm
proving and eight say nothing on this
point. Twelve of these plants report
that their negro employees can read; 16
say that they have but little if any
education, and six say nothing. The
report from four concerns is that edu-
cation has a good effect upon negro
workmen: u say that it has a a ef-
feet, while Il are silent on this point
and four say that ii has no effect what
ever. Sixteen concerns express a de-
sire to continue the employment OF
skilled negro workmen: seven say that
they Will not employ them and IL say
nothing
The North Carolina concern report
ing the largest number OF negro skilled
or semi-skilled, was a saw mill and log
ging company, employing $50 persons,
of which IS5 were negroes n OF these
negroes so were skilled or semi-skilled.
They are employed as firemen, saw set
ters, edgemen, trimmers, graders, train
men and sawyerS. They receive from
20 cents to $1.40 per day of 10 hours,
and compare ~unfavorably in efficiency
with white workmen. About so per
cent. are said to be improving in efhc-
iency and nearly all of them can read,
write. spell and figure. Education, they
say. helps the better class Of blacks.
but the common ones are not improved.
In conclusion they say, We like the
eocn: rs is the best laborer in the south
for IsT. Der. and as long as we can keep
whisk4w. coon preachers and politics
ava rom him. we will continue to en-
ploy lem