The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1920-01-03

antagonized since they would be
making more money than formerly
and would be doing work that would
be more agreeable. In starting this
plan, care should be exercised in pay
ing the Colored operatives a ate be-
low that formerly paid for their class
Of work, since paying the new en-
ployees less might abuse the idea in
the minds of the old employees that
it aUgured i'll for them in the future.
The exact methods used, would, of
course, vary for each locality and in
dustry. This is something that can
be best judged by the employment
manager. 1t is almost needless to
state, that the particular type of
work given to this class of labor
would need to be given careful con-
sideration. This is attacking the So
called Negro problem from a differ
ent angle, and will result favorably
for the employer and the public at
large. By this means, many firms
have been able to supply their needs
from the community, without import
ing any labor from afar, and with
out friction or dissatisfaction on the
part of their old employees. Success
depends lagely upon the tact, judg-
ment and knowledge of human nature
possessed by the employment man.
ager.
COlOred Men as Mechanics.
Colored men have long been used
in many foundries as molders, labor
ers and at other sundry employment,
but at present more are being en-
plOyed than ever before. They have
also been used as carpenters, machin-
lists and blacksmiths in small num-
bers. In fact, the openings in more
lucrative lines has in many places
caused a shortage of Colored labor
for purely unskilled work. There are
many things that can be done by Ne
gro labor in the average manufac-
turing plant. Among punch press
operators, drill press operators, semi
automatic machine operations, clean
ing castings, chipping and filing cast
ings, rough grinding operations, buff
ing and polishing articles to be plat
ed, transporting material.
COlOred Women in Industry.
For the operation of light semi
automatic machines, light punch
presses or drill presses, Colored
women can be used to advantage. In
the garment making industries and
for the weighing and packing of COM
modities industrial managers would
be fortunate in employing them and
would get a very desirable type of
employee. Married ONT in many
cases would be glad of this employ
ment, since it would give them an OPP
p%ortunity to supplement the earnings
Of their husbands without making it
necessary for them to be away from
home during the evening meal hour.
Especially would this be so where the
working day is eight hours.
Where the work is not of a heavy
nature, Colored women have been
employed as mattresses with very
satisfactory results. An interesting
case where they have been employed
at a new task, is by the Yellow Cab
Company of Chicago, where they are
car washers and r~enovators. Speak
ing of the results obtained. the night
manager says they are 100 per cent
more efficient than men. "They waste
no time, they are quick and accurate,
and they turn out a clean car every
three minutes. The business of car
washing has been systematized, each
woman washing a particular part.
When a car has run the gauntlet, it
is clean as a whistle"
In using this new labor, it should
be remembered that the department
heads and foremen can influence for
success or failure. Their attitude viii
be the attitude of the rank and file
, people will follow a leader" anC
since the firemen are in direct con
/, tact with the workers the servic,
they can render the management
, must not be overlooked. Prompt dis
enlargement of any incivility or dis
courtesy by any of the working fore
A will eliminate friction.
No attempt has been made in thi
article to give a complete resume q
= the applicability of the Negro to tn
S industries. Rather, the effort ha
been to point out how the manage
e ment can supply its labor needs with