The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-02
BELIEVE ORGANIZED
LABOR is AGAINST
The NEGRO
Allie ged Discrimination
Against the Race in the
Matter of Employing Col
ored People Is Discussed
at a Meeting Of the Afro
American Council.

At the meeting of the Afro American
council held yesterday afternoon at the
Pilgrim Baptist church over fifty new
members signed the rolls.
There was some discussion as to
the amount at which the membership
fee and monthly dues should be fixed,
and after a motion to fix the member
ship fee at 20 cents had been voted
down, it was decided to place the int-
tiatiorr fee cat cents and5the monthly
dues at the same amount.
Louis Liverpool, who came in late.
was asked by President McGhee II he
would not join the organization.
Not having. my Finances with me
I have decided to postpone joining un-
til some other meeting, 'TFreplied Mr..
Liverpool. Later the amount of the
initiation fee having been advanced to
Mr.. Liverpool he became a member Of
the council.
President McGhee explained the con-
stitUtion of the organization, and
touched on the question of the attitude
of the labor organizations toward the
colored race.
I'VE feel that organized labor is
against the Colored man." said Mr.. Nc
Chez, but after examining the organic
law of the American Federation of La
from the organization on account of
color. If organized labor does keep us
out, then that is. another reason why
the c0lOred man should organize to
fight the labor organizations"
CoIored Employees Grow scarcer.
Mr.. AIcGhee called attention to the
fact that not as many colored men were
to be found operating elevators as
Tow
were fewer clerks in stores than in
former years. He questioned whether
something could not be done, so that
cOlOred people could get back in the
avenues of employment This was one
of the aims of the organization.
He called attention to the fact that
few COlOred youths were learning trades
in st. Paul. He related a conversation
he had with a prominent harness maxi
er in which the gentleman stated that
he was afraid that colored boys did not
like to work for small wages, as they
would have to do in order to learn q
trade. He suggested that an effort be
made to secure statistics showing that
colored clerks and stenographers gave
the best satisfaction where employed,
and that these statistics be used in
securing places for others.
Mrs. Hickman said she knew Of a
number Of places where colored maids
could secure good positions, but some
how the young girls objected to do
meStic service.
A committee consisting of Mrs. Hick-
man, R, 7. Parr, Harvey T. Burke, Har-
ry Howard and Charles Miller was
appointed to prepare statistics as to
the number Of colored males and fe-
males employed in the various avoca-
lions and report at the May meeting
Of the council The committee will
also endeaYor to secure the employ
ment of colored clerks in the depart
ment stores and other positions
DR.. Porter urged that every colored
person in the. city eligible to member
ship should join the council. IF this
meeting was for the purpose of as
sisting other races residents of st. Paul
to secure employment" said DR.. Por-
ter, the room would be packed with
people of those races. I can't under
stand why the colored race do not take
just as much interest in helping them
selves along as other races. If we
have no battles to fight here in st.
Paul we can send money and help out
the colored people in fighting for their
rights in the South
A committee cOnsis ting of Miss Hall,
Mrs. Samuel Hackett, Charles Miller
and Miss Hattie GrisWold was an
pointed to arrange a mock trial for the
benefit of the Afro American council
and the Sunday club.