Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-06
NEGRO MIGRATION AID
IN SERVANT PROBLEM
Women and Girls From Old
South Entering Domestic
Service Here

The migration OF negroes and their fami-
nes to this neighborhood. which Is bring
ng to Philadelphia a constantly increas-
mg number Of women and girls from the
old South. is providing partial relief
end solution of the Nservant-girl problem
sneh caused housewives many heartaches
&Sing the greater part of last, year.
Hundreds of these genuine southern ne
roes have arrived in the city every month
recently. and the number Is increasing
WIN the coming Of milder weather. The
greater proportion of them are finding
PAGES In domestic service. especially In
me suburbs: also many are taking en-
p!oyment In factories. which never before
weo negro labor. In both fields of work
~ southern immigrants are said to be
making good"
Inc exercise Of a little patience on the
part OF the Philadelphia housewives is the
snlel requirement in the process of adjust
ms tne southern negro domestics into the
ys OF northern housekeeping. according
INC authorities who are most interested
~ helping the women find suitable employ
ment The women need special instruction
a..i a. u'e mysteries OF gas, electricity and hard
Sss Susi stoves, and they require a somewhat
Sent S.1ns,a treatment from the settled Phila-
h Georgia and northern Florida. where
,,'sH Mgs, OF the negroes are coming from, the
s sv.e liberal than those provided in the
sse northern household, and the duties
~ more specialized. In the North the
. sasa woman must wash and cook and keep
Vs on the baby at the same time and
s ~ IN the attic cubby-hoe. The southern
tons. ''''''eu " '"ese oo"ui-
Nevertheless thsse women and girls are
<s",s <Ovns their worth, according to the facts
40 'oseo oy the local associations dealing
~ ~ me incoming negroes. Under the lead
s.s,Ip OF the Philadelphia Housing Asso-
N.n, negro migration committee has
M. formed The leading member asso-
xons are the Travellers Aid Society, the
CMsuong Association and the Association
s,.e une Protection of Colored Women
.ss harriet Z. Norris, employment agent
ne armstrong Association, Fifth and
vrs, streets said she is placing negro
io,tv IN domestic service at the rate Of
h.. majority of them prove satisfac-
vsn sne said, because they have been
arS sned In southern domestic service
Hov.r.. iairly quick to learn new ways
S,ss.,er' they come mostly from rural
~ ,ncts and require training in the use Of
srs.s suern city conveniences There is a
humh.s nand for them because Of the large
htc ~ OF FORMER domestics who have gone
factory work"
sstnn ?. W. Layten, secretary Of the Asso-
x Wcms, , ,er the Protection of Colored
for s,-.. .oVe Catherine street, found places
\ NSrch ch-seven women and girls during
Iouss%t ana she had 200 applications from
v T.se.epers .s.pers for domestics. -, -"
hcomin.nk this continued demand for the
hakIn~ negro women proves that they are
meet sood, despite the fact that they
tirsH S,~viuons In the North that are en-
tems Tserent from their southern Gus
coi0,ea mere mere Is also large demand for
SsSss. girls girls in Philadelphia factories. Some
\ Naists ! sssrs Of tobacco products, shirt
e(her rsua r"u other articles prefer them to any
= a14pt. h,,,es e because Of their cheerfulness
.3l - hly and their neatness at work.
AU I've mad to transform our sewins
~ ~. na The social room into sleeping
Ssv,.sna sna temporary shelter for the
For those women and girls
~ navs helped into domestic employ.
.ys training school for instruc-
york and saving. On