Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-05-18
NEGRO EXODUS
THROUGH SECRET SERVICE
Georgia Council of Defense
Seeks Federal Intervention
in Labor Problem

Resolutions adopted Tuesday by the
Georgia council of defense asking the
government to stop the exodus of ne
groes from Georgia. will be addressed
at once to secretaries of the United
States departments of agriculture and
of labor
Whatever measures the government
adopts if any, toward restraining the
tide of negro emigration from southern
farms will be taken through these de-
partments
Colonel Alexander r. Lawton, of Sa-
vannah, author of the resolution, appeal
ing to the federal government for aid
in the present labor situation, insisted
at Tuesdays meeting that the govern
ment has power TO adopt autocratic
measures TO stop the exodus.
"A CONSUMPTION law was necessary
he said, land it will be passed, sum-
moning men from their business and
their homes to serve in the army. Why,
then, can't the same CONSUMPTION meth
DDS be applied to negro farm labOrers
and the order go forth that they must
remain on the southern farms instead
of going north?"
The resolution adopted by the council
of defense calls on the government to
use every necessary agency to stop the
northward migration. Prof. s. V. San
ford, who first suggested federal in
PREVENTION, urged that the council adopt
a resolution calling on the United States
government to use it's secret service men
in the detection of agents who are in
ducing negroes to leave Georgia, and
that it aid in the prosecution of such
agents.
1t was the final decision of the coun-
Gil however, to go even further by ask
ing the government to use not only It's
secret service force, but any and every
other means necessary TO stop the flow
of negroes to the south.
DR.. A. NJ. Soule expressed the sense
of the meeting when he declared that
Georgia is being confronted by an I'M
Just situation.
We are told" he said, that in the
present times of stress ii is impera-
tive that we raise food crops enough
to feed ourselves, and at the same
time we are being deprived of the power
to do this by the exploitation of negro
laborers, who are being induced to go
north by the thousands"
The agricultural canvas of the state
that DR.. Soule has arranged through
the County dSShlo CIiplOSOu uiuSl IiC
extension plan of the state college. will
be another means toward solving the Ia
Dor problem.
The statement was made by Govern
or Harris at the meeting of the coun-
ell for defense that the Georgia legis-
lature will take action to put an end
to the negro exodus.
With state and federal governments
and various associations at work, it is
believed that a solution of the ques-
ton will be found.
Governor Harris will begin at once
to prepare three proclamations that he
was authorized by the council to issue.
One will urge the people of Georgia
to observe in a festive instead of a
somber spirit. registration day. when
all men of military age will be re-
ouired to register This day will be
announced by President Wilson as soon
as congress has passed the consumption
bill.
Another proclamation will call the at
tention Of the people to the liberty loan
bonds issued by congress.
And a third will urge all county Of
fcials to use diligence to see that all
labor agents pay the tax imposed by the
state
Among those who attended the meet
ing of the council Tuesday. was Govern
or-eIect Hugh Dorsey. who will become
head of the council when he goes into
! office as governor.