The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1919-07-05


vice for the compensation rec, " ed,
1ile pay roll viii be just and liberal.
tut the negro must realize that it
would be 3cor business for anyone II
ray more for an article thaa he knew
tbe arslcle TO be worth. AS soon as the
negro is proven, thsre viii be no dif-
,icQity IL his way so far as adequate
cor; feGsa.-Sa Is concerned, and there
has never beer moro oppcrtunc time
for tac calcred man 10 manifest DIS
.9sitlcn 10 make good and show the
>.i;2ito cngicyer .has ne can be de-
..:li.scs. lpon, than the present, when
rs se@y:cc: a-e IN dena1d and wages
~. ;rooa itor Inn TO fall down row
1la f1l o., refuse TO take advantage
If hi :.ortunitics, will be an indis-
1ti.2ie evidence that the negro, as a
c,a1z, IS rot woc,hy of the consider
ation which has been shown him in
he past, and which he expects, on
more Ella Dorete scale, IL the future.
l.a fails 10 show his worth now,
ne opportunity viii pass and may
3ey:r -'tttt;1,:a, ;as Il may become neces-
s:t.y, as d precautionary measure, for
he .1das3lics and agricultural inter
ISIS c. the South to make other ar
Tll1gements which will prevent con-
intel recurrence Of unsatisfactory
labor conditions, by the importation
cf white labor and more extensive
use CT machinery on the farms.
:nsidious Propaganda.
In Mississippi there is great de-
IaanG for labor in the sawmills Of the
yellow pine industry, and unpreceden-
0e4 prices are being paid for uncer-
tain and inefficient labor. The united
States Employment Service in this
State has made most diligent effort
to supply the demand for workers in
the mills and on the farms, but until
recently with Indifferent success, due
to the fact that at least 60 per cent.
of the negroes who entered the army
ana went North to work In the munl-
ton Y ants and other war industries
Rave not returned So .sn, because IF "a
propaganda which has been conduct
ed in an effort to ALLEVIATE them from
and prevent their return to the
South; and, further, to an influence
which is as yet uncertain, which is urg-
ing those who have remained at
home, both male and female, to de-
mand higher wages and better work
ing conditions without regard to the
quality or efficiency of the service
rendered
Will Depend On the Individual.
This influence is being combatted
with all the resources at the disposal
of the Employment Service in Missis-
sippi, and it is gratifying to note
that as result conditions are already
beginning to show encouraging signs
Of Improvement. Southern negroes
who have gone to the industrial CEN
ters of the North and East are get
ting home-sick and are beginning to
manifest a sense of their obligation
to the Southern employer by indicat-
ing willingness. to come back South
and get down to good honest and
steady employment; and in order to
encourage them, the employers, both
IN the mills and on the farms, are of
fering attractive wages an dimproved
working conditions. How long these
opportunities will continue to be of
fered, however, will depend upon the
negro himself, for as soon as the
Southern employer becomes con-
vlnced Of the sincerity of the negro,
his Willingness to accept and remain
IN profitable and satisfactory employ
ment, work six days a week instead
OF demanding a weeks pay for three
days work, his compensation will be
fixed so as to enable him to live COM
fortably, and his working conditions
Will be improved proportionately
The Southern employer has become
dlsgusted with paying high price for
an uncertain and unreliable commod-
lty, and if the negro has any sense of
the responsibility which he owes to
his race he will be glad to take advan-
tage of the situation which is being
thrust upon him and make his posi-
tlon safe and secure in the industrial
life of the South by demonstrating
his desire and ability to earn the
wages which are now being offered.
The future welfare and prosperity
of the negro depends upon himself.
HIS one great opportunity is now. It
is up to him to do with it as he sees
ut. Ii ne is wise he will grasp it and
make the best Of it: if he does not