New-York tribune., 1918-02-19

uue 10 the war, the coored race will be ex-
cused if it regards this belated invitation to
animate as step, perhaps, to strengthen the
American Federation of Labor and make sue
cess Tor 1t more possible in any future con-
tehtlon with capital rather than an invita-
uon prompted by altruistic sentiment and
an unselfish interest in the future welfare of
colored labor
40 not say that colored labor should per-
emptorily refuse this nvitation-this olive
prahch OF peace, even though it is rather
belated, and even though it does bear sus-
plclous earmarks of self fshness-but it is.
perhaps. wise that colored labor debate the
proposition and reflect upon it little in
stead OF quickly accepting, without due and
proper consideration.
Inns war; when over, will have made many
changes; the bottom rail may be brought in
closer proximity to the top rail and the
colored mans loyalty to country and his
eagerness to fight "to make the world safe
for democracy" may bring its reward in the
shape of greater opportunities, not the least
OF which, perhaps, will be his admission to
the ranks of organized labor.
Labor at Last Relents
The thinning of labors ranks in Eurone
by the war Will greatly reduce immigration
to this country for the reason that Eurone
will require all it's able-bodicd men left to
rebuild its devastated cities and towns Even
had the war not eventuated to deplete labors
ranks, our immigration law, recently enacted
by Congress, would have served as a de-
'errent TO unrestricted immigration and
would have numerically reduced oroanized
labor in this country. for the American Fed
Grafton of Labor has recruited to an an
preclable extent from foreign labor com;no
to our shores at all times in the past. civ
ing preference to foreign labor, even the un-
haluralized, over native coored labor This
source OF supply will for many wears hence
De lnsuf'lclent to sustain and properly in
crease American Federation of Labor NOV,
bershlp IN this country. It is quite natural
therefore. that it should turn to the re-
Jected stone in the arch--the colored man
Nllnough organized labor III this country
had ciosed Its doors to colorcd labor in most
branches and had sought to prevent vouno
colored men and women from learninp trade :
particularly in the North. where organized
labor has been all ll-powcrful, the MANY indus
TRIAL coiored schools throughout the South
like Tuskegec and Hampton, have beer
educatlng and turning out colored craftsmen
by the thousands. The American Federation
of Labor is wise to this; it knows that the
thousands Of colored skilled laborers now
rushing North were equipped in these schools
to perform the service capital is now de-
HldHulilH
Considering that capital has ALWAYS stoof
willing and ready to employ colored labo,
whenever and wherever it was possible te
defeat the restrictions of organized labor, ane
considering that these colored industria
schools i'll the South at whic.. Young colore,
men and women were educated in the trades
were made possible and were largely main
tanned by the generous contribution of capi
tai, and that, too, from an altruistic motive
colored labor will be pardoned if it debate.
seriously this belated invitation from tn,
American Federation of Labor which might
if accepted, in the future compel colorcd la
Dor to support its )onetime enemy in contes
with its longtime friend, capital. ORGANIZED
labor in the past has contributed as much t.
prevent proper racial advancement in tn,
North as traditional Southern race prejudice
has in the South. The American Federation o
Labor's invitation constitutes a most seriou.
matter for the colored race; it is one NOR,
unsuspected termination of this world war