The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-06-11
Must Face Facts.

Must Face Facts.
 But whether I have stated the case correctly in this respect or not, the hard, stubborn fact remains which we as race must frankly face. that we are re- sponsible for very large proportion of the labor to be performed In the three directions that l have mentioned. This fact brings home to us as people great opportunity, 1t also imposes upon us tremendous responsibility. The question which want to put plainly and directly to every colored man is, are we making the very best of our opportunities in the world of labor? In this respect we have squatted upon a very large nest: we shall have to hatch the eggs or eventually get off the nest No race of people, whatever their color, can very long hold on to work of any character unless they can prove that they can get much out of that work as the peo- pie of any other race The very moment it is known that there are other peoples who can get more out of a given line of service than the black race. that moment we will begin to lose our hold up- on the important industries which in so large a degree We have in our hands today. The time has come when the peo- pie of the country are demanding evil dences that will convince them beyond the shadow of a doubt that the education
 
 to the community fin which he lives.
 ''I do not attempt to say what each member of the race is going to be en- gagged in in the future, but I do know that nine-tenths of our people, and almost the same ratio holds good of any race. are at present engaged fin farming, in mechanical work, or in domestic labor Since we are performing this kind of service, the question which each one should put to himself and to his children is, shall we perform this service in the very best manner and therefore get out of it the very highest wage. or shall we be content to perform it in the worst manner and therefore get out of it the very lowest wage? There are thousands of manufacturers in Alabama who would be willing to pay double what they are paying for work if they could get hold of efficient men. It Is always cheaper to pay a high wage to a good workman than a low wage to a poor workman The average employer is always seeking the high priced man because he knows that the high priced man is cheaper in the long run.
 Must Do Things.
 More and more. as a race of people, we have got to become progressive In our labor. The kind of work that would give satisfaction on the farm. in the shop or factory or in the home forty years ago is not satisfactory today The world Is moving forward at tremendous rate. and unless we can put as much brains and skill into any kind of labor as anybody else and keep up with the latest and best methods of performing that service. the time will soon come when we shall be out of job, In some parts of the country already we have lost much ground in the occupations of barbering. in cooking. hotel service, in mechanical work. because the methods by which we performed the service were sloven, unclean and antiquated Right here, in my opinion. is the place where industrial education in the future more than in the past. is going to prove of value to the race. Many have expressed disappointment oyer the results of in- dustria education but those who are thus disappointed forget the tremendous task that had to be performed. First. it took years to educate the race to the point where it would feel and see that there was dignity in labor. and at pres ent the few schools that are giving edu- cation of this character are a mere drop in the bucket compared with the tremend- ous need
 Schools Needed.
 T wish to see the time come and be- l!eye 1t will. when in every large center like Montgomery. Atlanta, Selma and Mo- bile. there snail De flrSt-claSs training school for example supported by the community that will train women and girls In the very latest and best methods of cooking. table service. laundering and household work The race is now to the point where such an enterprise would be patronized and would prove of service. Twenty-Five years ago I do not believe that such an enterprise would have sue ceeded. f4
 There are two classes of laborers One Is always seeking to find how little ser