Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-03-27
GEORGIA STARTS
VIGOROUS DRIVE
TO RETAIN LABOR

Launching a vigorous campaign
against emigration agents operating
in Georgia to strip the state Of it's
farm and industrial labor, H. NJ.
Stanley, commissioner Of commerce
and labor, has sent to all county Of
ficers, chiefs of police and bailiffs
an explanatory letter outlining the
| LEWIS governing the situation and
urging prompt attention to any evil
dences Of the poration Of emigra-
ton agents.
Within the past few days an al
legged emigration agent was arrested
in Laurens county just as he was
about to transport a carload of ne
gro laborers and their families to
Arkansas. He put up a $4,000 cash
bond. Other instances are occurring
in various sections Of the state, it
is declared and steps are being taken
to cope with the situation.
Commissioner StanIey's letter call
ing attention to the matter follows:
There is every indication that a
great many laborers are being car
ried out of Georgia into other states
in violation Of the Georgia law. It
/ sthe usuad method for white man
to employ negro helpers in securing
this labor. Any person securing Ia
Dor or attempting to secure labor to
be carried out Of the state in VIOLA
ton of the law can be arrested on
four counts for each offense as fol-
lows:
"First-For failing to register with
the ordinary as an emigrant agent.
"Second-For failing to pay the
tax collector, in each county where
such person operates, a fee of $1,000.
''Third-For failing to apply for Ii
cense; give bono in the sum of $1,000
and to make monthly reports to tie
department of commerce and labor.
"Fourth-For failing to secure IL
cense from the department of COM
merce and labor.
AT this time no person in Georgia
is qualified to act as an emigrant
agent and any person, therefore, who
is transporting or attempting to
transport labor out of the state is
guilty of each Of the offenses named
above. Every laborer secured and
every attempt to secure i
separate offense.
AAN
is needed for our own use. We can
not spare a single person for use
outside the state. Our farms are
all being rapidly depleted and every
available hand is needed on the
farms now. 1t is not only right and
proper under ordinary circumstances
to apprehend these emigrant agents,
but it is now patriotic duty to put
every oro IF them in Jail. I there
fore urge you to watch carefully and,
if any person Is found endeavoring
to secure labor for use in other
states, to Immediately put such per-
son under arrest and prosecute him
to the full extent of the law. l would
be glad if you will advise with me
from time to time relative to this
matter. Any aid I can give you will
be cheerfully rendered, and 1 ear
nestly request your assistance in
stopping the expectation Of our much
needed labor. Any movement of la
Dor should be carefully watched 1t
is a favorite practice for these agents
to purchase tickets for laborers from
one point in Georgia to another
point, and then at the latter point
to either buy tickets to the objective
point outside the state or to pay
cash frs to the conductor. If any
considerable number Of laborers are
m l-'--. none point to another
in Georcia. 1t would be wise to care
fully investigate to see If in reality
the objective point Is not outside
the state"