Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-07
An Appeal for a Better Understanding
Beceen the White and Colored People of Philadelphia

[Tbe fOllowug article tcns tcrittcn by
| Wilmer atkinson. representing the lrm =
| strong dissertation, an organisation Which
| has been doing notable tCOrk on bchdN Of
| the negroes of Philadelphia. Nr. AtEih-
| sons interest in this 1corh has been OF
| mdnU DcnrS' standing and he speaks ctth
| hhOrlcd0c born Of long and patient study
| Of the dificuh problems HrOlrcd. We are
glad TO present his appeal, whiCh speaks
for itScU.--Editor1
| uuNDREDS of churches and Sunday
Il schools today developing multi
tude of colorcd youths of both sexes who
| have caught a vision of great constructive
program of race building. They have con-
| ceived the idea that Il forward and uplift
| movement for the negro race must be based
upon a complete understanding between the
| races that situated as 1t is in the United
| States. its development must be related TO a
! sympathy and helpfuness upon the part of
the white people, in whose hands largely lies
the control of the machinery which deter
mines the destiny of races in this country
They conceive that an exercise of a spirit
of sympathy, helpfuncss and fair play bcnc-
fits not only those toward whom it is en-
tended but reacts in a fuller larger sense
upon those who exercise these qualities
These great and pregnant virtues have their
origin in a kindness of heart IA sense of ius-
tIce and an informed understanding
Within the limits of Philadelphia il is csti-
mated that there dwell more than 100 600
| members of the negro race. In the funda-
mental problems of this large colorcd uopu-
lation are involved four Observation-Disclosures
,t,,i,i ,inS hAttg ,l,,
ton Along with the proof that the war has
given Of the splendid physical bravery of
the negro has been the honor won by him as
n workingman in war industries. In the labor
divisions of the army, in the stevedore regi-
ments of France, in the great industria prof.
ccts which met successfully the increased
productions for the winning of the war, the
skill and muscle of the American negro
played heroic part, We have had convinc-
ing proof of his ability as a workman at
Hog Island, Eddystonc, Baldw!ns the Sun
Shpbuilding Company, the General Electric
Company the sugar refining company, attest
ing his remarkable capacity. Not only as an
unskiled labOrcr did he show his capability
but in shipbuilding at Newport News his
services We're successfully brought into play
as a skilled workman in riveting and in
steel construction. His marvellous mechanical
ability in such work has been given quite
full recognition by his employers.
THE negro can be depended upon in every
l. national crisis as a 100 per cent Aueri-
can. lie fought bravely in the Civil War TO
eliminate the curse of slavery from the ma
ton When Germany filled our country with
spies, set loose her plans of arson, bombs,
strikes and general confusion in this conn
try, one of her dastardly schemes was an
uprising of the negroes of the South. She
operated with great secrecy: all sorts of re-
wards were offered to the colored people: they
were to rule the South; every sort Of lie was
used to tempt the colored people to reyoI,
These plots miscrably failed owing TO Tho
fidelity and patriotism of the colored peonla
In this great city of ours We should mako
the maximum use of this potential indus
trial group The greater Philadelphia move
ment requires all of its productive resources
Tens OF thousands OF these men and woman
can be utilized in the factories and nlarts
of trade, We must use these thousands IN
supply the great labor demands to the hest
purpose, but we must not forget that indus
try must have healthy happy and ambitious
workers motives must be set up for greater
efficiency and greater skill. Labor must NOT