The Denver star., 1916-09-09
PLANTERS SOLVE
LABOR PROBLEM
Hundreds Of CoIorsd Men At
Work on Tobacco Farms
NEW INDUSTRIAL OPENING.
Economic Statue Of Our Race Greatly
Enhanced by Fair Attitude Of Thrifty
New England cuItivators-Natiena
Urban Lsasus Takes Initiative In
Supplying Necessary Help.

Urban League Takes Initiative !"
Supplying Necessary Help.
BY LESTER A. WALTON
Hartford, Conn.-It was the dawn Of
spring. All nature seemed to smile.
But not the semblance of smile deco
rated the countenances of the Hartford
tobacco growers, usually most jovial
and affable lot, who were plunged in
deep gloom. They had assembled to
discuss the unprecedented labor short
age, which threatened to paralyze the
tobacco growing industry Of the Con-
necticut river and Pennington river
valleys and Just at 4 time when a most
profitable season was in prospect.
All agreed that planters OF shade
grown tobacco would sustain a loss
running into the millions unless some
thing was done at once to replace for
eign labor, which had left the tobacco
fields in large numbers, having been
lured to the munition plants through
out New England by the promise of
larger wages.
In the midst Of the doleful proceed
ings NJ. L. Floyd, born and raised in
the southland, but who has lived in
the north for many years. abruptly
arose and loudly exclaimed. ''Gentles
men of the Connecticut Leaf Tobacco
association, l think l have the key to
the situation-the employment of Ne
gro labor
First skspt:esI About Negro Labor.
This suggestion did not meet with q
ready and enthusiastic response. as Ne
gro help had never been used on the
tobacco plantations Of New England
Many of the planters were skeptical
as to the outcome of such an expert
ment. BUT 80 persistent was the origi-
nator Of the plan In his pro-Nesro
arguments that one by one his asso-
ciates became converted.
Thus was born right In the heart of
Yankeeland. the first significant move
to supplant foreign labor with native
labor. a step which has resulted In one
OF the biggest Industrial npheavals in
the north incident to the European
war, which already has been great
boon to the colored American. improv
ii.g his economic status and putting
thousands Of dollars into his pocket.
Wien boiled down to matter of
dollars and cents the substitution Of
Negro labor for foreign labor by the
members of the Connecticut Leaf To
bacco association means that the race
will be richer by nearly $50 900 this
year and that more than S.;o0.OO will
be made by Negro labor in the Hart
ford tobacco fields next season.
Prominent Men Guests Of Planters.
Heretofore the railroads. steamers
and hotels have furnished the ambiti-
Gus colored college student opportuni
ties TO make his tuition and expense
money during the vacation months. and
now another avenue Of endeavor has
been opened to him-the northern to
bacco fields. Hundreds of students are
taking advantage Of this new industrial
opening. $4,000 going to Negro educa
ton this summer.
Not until recently did know that Ii
New England more tobacco was grown
and on a scientific scale than any
where in the United States. This in
formation was impaired to me few
days ago when, as n guest Of promi-
nent planters, was taken to the to.
bacco fields near Hartford. In the
party were Professor Kelly Miller Of
Howard university. Eugene Kinckle
Jones. director OF the Urban league;
II. NJ. Newsome, a representative of
the Hartford Daily Courant. and the
writer, Fred B. Griffin, president Of
the Griffin Neuberger Tobacco COM
pany: NJ. L. Floyd, general manager
and principal owner Of the Connect
cut Tobacco corporation, and former
Senator ]. W, Alsop, a relative by mar
riage Of Theodore Roosevelt and head
Of the ]. W. Alsop farm, who acted as
host.
College Boys Working on the Farm
It ia now harvest time on the tobacco
fields, and the planters are using all
available help. College boys are here
from the south In large numbers. and
during the month Of August out Of the
loo colored employees working on
the various plantations. two-thirtis are
students. Howard university, Hamp-
ton, Morehouse, Georgia State. vir.
ginia Normal and Industrial, Shaw.
Paine and Virginia Union are among
the institutions Of learning represent
ed. Howard has eighty odd students
at work. while Morehouse comes next
with ffty. But the young men from
Morehouse will earn more than the
other students. having been fortunate
enough to get on the job at the begin
ming OF the season. June 1. They will
take back to Atlanta most OF the $40.
GOO made picking tobacco.
There are a number OF teachers
among the Invaders from southern col.
leges-sturiy, ambitious members of
the race. who have been made foremen
or given other positions which enable
them to earn more than the regular