The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-05-22
Conditions in South.

Comparing conditions which prevail
in the South with those of other Sec
lions Of the country, as affecting the
negro, this significant statement Is
made:
Il have just returned from a two
months trip through the East and
Middle West, where | have interviewed
and addressed thousands of people Of
my race; have spent days and days in
he larger cities and have seen them
at their work, and, after all, l am more
convinced than ever that it is right
here in the South that the masses Of
negroes will work out their salvation.
Here 1t is far removed from the rigors
OF an uncharitable climate, among the
people with whom we are acquainted,
and who often sympathize with US far
more tina we realize; it is here, | re-
peat, that we must work out our saliva
ton.
$50 far as I nave been able to deter
mine, there is no opportunity in the
Northern states for the negro outside
the cities. He cant buy the land in
the rural districts and establish him
self in a home, and, further, he is
not wanted on the farm when anyone
else can be had, In the cities, as a
matter of fact, he is wanted, but the
conditions around him compel him to
spend his money almost as fast as he
makes it; so that only the wide-aWake
Of our people scent to get a start, Down
here 1t Is different. Whether n the city
or country, the negro has an opportu-
nifty to buy a home. settle down and
find all the work that he wants"
The white employer of negro labor in
the, South is now, and has always been,
more than willing to meet the negro
half way In their industrial relations,
and if the nego will only prove to the
white man that he is willing to render
honest and efficient service for the
-. To-. -~--s.Al ~ ,a.. ,.tlI -
just and liberal. But the negro must
realize that 1t would be poor business
FLOR anyone to pay more for an article
than he knew the article to be worth
AS soon as the worth of the negro is
proven, there will be no difficulty In his
way so far as adequate compensation
Is concerned, and there a never beer
a more opportune time for the Negro
mar to manifest a disposition to make
good and show the white employer tina,
he car be depended upon, than the
present, when his services are in de.
mand and wages are good, For him Il
fall down now and fail or refuse to TAKE
advantage of his opportunities, viii b,
an indisputable evidence that the negro
as a class, is not worthy of the con
sideration. which has. been shown hin
in the past, and which he expects, OF
a more elaborate scale, in the future
If he fails to show his worth now, tn
opportunity will pass and may neve
return, as ii Ia become necessary
as a precautionary measure, for the in
dustries and agricultural interests o
the South to make other arrangement
which will prevent a continual recur
renee of unsatisfactory labor condi
tons, by the Importation of white la
Dor and make a more extensive use Q
machinery on the farms.
Needed in Pine Lands,
In Mississippi there is a great de
mand for labor in the sawmills of tn
yellow pine industry, and unprecedent
ed prices are being paid for uncertai
and inefficient labor. The Unite
States employment service IN this stat
has made a most diligent effort to sup
ply the demand for workers in the mill
and on the farms, but until recent
with Indifferent success, due to tn
fact that at least 60 per cent of tn
negroes who entered the army an
went North to work in the munition
plants and other war industries hay
mo- returned South because of a propa
ganda which has been conducted in a
effort to ALLEVIATE them from and prs
vent their return to the South; an
further, to an influence which Is,
some respects, more insidious and til
source of which is as yet uncertain
which is urging those who have re
manned at home, both male and femal
to demand higher wages n bett,
working conditions without regard
the quality or efficiency of the servit
rendered.
This influence is being combate
with all the az the disposi
Of the ~er1rlovment service in Missil
sippi, and 1t is gratifying to note tn;
as a result conditions are already b,
ginning to show encouI aging signs
Improvement. Southern negroes wi
have gone to the industrial centers
the North and East are getting HON,
sick and are beginning TO manifest
sense of their obligations to the Soutl
ern employer by indicating a willin,
ness to come back South and get dow
to good, honest aRd steady emplo,
ment: and IN order to encourage then
the employers, both in the mills and c
the farms, are offering attract,
wages and improved working conc
lions. How long these opportunitit
will continue to be offered, howeve
will depend upon the negro himself, #
as soon as the Southern employer b.
comes convinced of the sincerity of Il
negro. his willingness to accept al
remain in a profitable and satisfaction
employment, work six DAYS a week IL
stead of demanding a weeks IA 4
three days work, his compensation W
be fixed so as to enable him to liz
comfortably, and his working cond
tons will be improved proportionatel
The Southern employer has becon
disguised with paying a high price 4
/ an uncertain and unreliable commodit
/, and II the negro has any. sense of Il
responsibility which he owes TO
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