The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-07-28
has had much greater industrial op-

has had much greater industrial op-
portunity r. -.
Speaking broadly, there has been
no white immigration to the south.
The Negro has had the field to him,
self. Skilled Negro tradesmen work
on equal terms and at equal wages
with their comparatively rare white
competitors. Even on southern farms
and plantations, where wages have
been very low, living expenses also
have been low. The industrious Ne
gro has been able to earn living and
in thousands Of cases to get q few
acres of ground and a cabin of his
own. But even before the war in
Europe there was noticeable move-
Hent Of southern Negroes from the.
rural districts to the cities.
Now, with the new call from the
north, southern farmers are finding
it almost impossible to get farm
hands. If the hegira of Negroes con-
tinues for another year-as it seems
certain to-their condition is likely to
become desperate. Farm wages will
certainly go up all over the south.
Negroes in North to Double.
The best available authorities esti-
mate that by the end Of 1917 the
number Of Negroes in the north is
likely to be doubled. The first effect
OF the African migration to the north
probably will be an increase in race
prejudice and race disturbances in
northern cities. Hitherto considerable
bodies Of Negroes have often come
into northern industrial communities
as strike breakers. The feeling
against them among working people
has been strong.
The fact that at present there is
work for practically every white
workman and that wages, on the
whole, are higher than ever before
will tend to smother for the time any
outbreak Of race prejudice. With a
good job Of his own, the white man
will not strenuously object to the Ne
gro taking a less important and prof
liable place. So long as prosperity
continues there will probably be no
trouble.
But the unorganized Negro from
the south, used to working at small.
wages, may be willing to take less
than the white man demands for the
same work. If that happens to any
considerable extent there is certain
to be an outbreak of bitter feeling.
Effect Will Probably Be Good.
In the long run, if the Negro hegira
continues, as it seems sure to do, the
effect will probably be good It will
2Ee good for5the south to have the col
cred population more evenly distrib-
uted e6ver the country. It will com
pei the southern states to encourage
the coming of white immigrants. In
a few states that process has already
Legun. II three counties of Virginia,
for instance-Prince George, Ches-
terfield, and one other-the vacant
lands nave been entirely tepopulated
by Bohemian farmers, who are set
ting an example of thrift and good
husbandry which is inspiring. It will
he good for the north to share more
fully in the solution of the problem
for which the whole country is re-
sponsible. 1t will be good for the
Elack man because it will improve his
economic position. And it will do the
white workman of the north no harm
because the presence in any part of
the country of great unorganized
and poorly paid body of labor always
tends to depress wages generally.
Meanwhile, during the next few
years northern communities will have
to adapt themselves to the presence
of greatly increased Negro colonies;
the south will be forced to use more
machinery on it's farms and to plant
crops which need less hand labor.
The migration of the Negroes to
the north is only one of the big new
problems which the war in Europe
has forced upon the people of the
United States.