Franklin's paper the statesman., 1912-07-13
BY N. BARNETT DoDsoN.


Philadelpha.-All through his book,
the exact title of which is 1.-The Penn
sylvania Negro-A Study In Econom-
fc History" DR.. R. r. Wright, Jr.,
makes comparisons with the foreigner,
or. as he calls him, the immigrant
from the South and the immigrant from
Europe. By this comparison he proves
conclusively his well known theory
that the Negro problem is not, as is
often supposed. problem of crime, ig-
norance. etc. Whereas the illiteracy of
the Negroes of Pennsylvania decreased
from 27.1 per cent in 1880 to 15.1 per
cent in 1900, that of foreigners in
creased from 17.S in 1850 to 1919 per
cent in 1900.
In his treatment of crime he lays
down several fundamental principles
usually overlooked by those who write
and speak on the crime of Negroes
the history and present status of crime
among Negroes in the state.
Concluding the chapter on Negro oc-
cupations. Dr. Wright observes: There
are more than 5000 Negroes living
within this state who were born out
side its borders and who immigrated
here between the ages of fifteen and
fifty years, being. therefore, chiefly
ablebodied workers.
The state of Pennsylvania expended
nothing whatever for their care during
infancy and childhood and but little
for their education. but it reaps the
Of hat toll Tni hn for
eign immigrants. these Negroes did not
have to learn our language or become
used to our national customs. AS a
rule. the Negroes are contented labor
ers. seldom attempting to disturb the
industrial equilibrium. never develop
ing anarchists OF even violent Social
lists.
Their long suffering during slavery,
their religious temperament. their
childlike faithfulness and their won
derful adaptability are calculated to
make them a valuable asset to any
community They are cheap
cumstances only Much that they
ought to receive in wages goes to society
as a part of its surplus. Negroes have
laid most of the asphalt pavements in
the state. helped to construct its sew
ers, subways and filter plants. and If
they have been underpaid the taxpay-
ers got the benefit. Many pub
lie improvements for the state are
made by Negroes whom the state did
not train
Again. the Negro immigrants, un-
like many foreign laborers. come to
make this their home. Their savings
are put in property and in the banks
of the state and what they spend is
spent here. Economically
considered from the point of view OF
the state, the Negro has been profit
able acquisition.
DR. Wright. in his conclusions. treats
all the principal problems connected
with Negro life. giving general defini'
ton of the probleni-what 1t Is. what
it is not and its treatment. This chap
ter is valuable because it furnishes
definite suggestions for practical work
ers.
Illustrating the problem. he cites
"a Negro girl who graduates from oul
high school with high honors. winning
from which she also graduates witt
honor. comes home to her native city
but she cannot teach in her aim:
mater. though positions are secured
for white girls who stood lower thar
she and whose education is less com
plete.
'She must go south to teach.
A bright young Negro wins the Ceci
Rhodes scholarship and represent
Pennsylvania at Oxford university.
England. but his friends are at los.
to find for him an opportunity in hi
native city and state notwithstandin,
there are large opportunities for whit'
boys having fewer scholastic hon