Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1921-07-16
BOSTON URBAN LEAGUE MAKES
INTERESTING ANNUAL REPORT.
Makes Public Results of Industrial
Survey I'm Hub City.

Matthew w. Bullock. Executive
secretary of the Boston Urban
league, presented at the leagues an
lual meeting in Boston summary
pr the years activities of this or
kanization, which has aroused
considerable interest in furthcring
Focial work in that city.
The league has during the year
to-opcratcd with other agencies in
bringing to the colorcd citizens Il
arger amount of social service than
las been conducted among the col
pred people during any previous
year. An industrial survey was made
which brought to light some start
ing facts: The Negro population in
l9l5. numbering 5.5S1 persons.
! WAS represented in 12i industries
This seemed TO be an excellent show
eng until further analysis disclosed
hat p industries employed l Negro
zach, As less than 5 each. GS less
u han 10 each. and 50 less than 20
zach. According to the 1915 State
census, the Negro was poorly repre-
scented in the skilled trades, there
being only 7 blacksmiths. 7 cabinet
anakers. II brick and stone masons.
3 carpenters, 81 machinists. II cleo
i ricians and electrical engineers. i3
! sta tioncry engineers. 81 machinists
Ind millwrights, % tailOrs and tail
B)resses, s plumbers and stcamiitters,
46 stonccutters and ca painters and
) GLACIERS. The following industries
lid not employ even one: car and
&railroad shops, charcoal and coke in
$lustry, cigar and tobacco factories.
4elothing industry. electric light and
nj t,,i, r.r "a
arics. fish curing and packing indus
8try, -four and grain mills, fruit and
vegetable canning factories, sugar
Factories and rciinorcs.
1t was found that l6.S per cent.
8of the colorcd women were en-
aployed in gainful occupations, while
Honly SO per cent. Of foreign born
] women and 33.5 per cent. Of the ma
ativc white women were SO employed.
I The gains among males and females
aarc in the mental and unskilled oc~
occupations. The league, therefore,
8felt itself justified in making the
\ Following efforts: /, to increase the
! number Of plants where colored pco-
\ pie can secure work in large num-
bers; 2, to pay more attention to the
preparation OF colorcd children for
employment in skilled trades; g to
/ Further activities looking toward in
acreasing the income of the average
4 family so as to enable moro mothers
! TO remain at home to look after the
! Interest OF their children to the end
that delinquency may be reduced and
home life raised to Il higher
standard.
During the year the league con-
Quoted an employment bureau and
secured the appointment Of boys
work secretary to work in connec-
ton with colored boys who are
members of the Central Y. Nj. G. a.
This boys club is gradually improv-
I ling in its all-round competition with
8other boys clubs in the communities
Sathletic and oratorical contests. In
the first competition this club was in
the last place, during the last COM
petition it finished second, is other
boys clubs competing. The colored
secretary Of tho Y. Nj. C. a. staff is
Benjamin T.. Seldom.
The league has sought to make
improvements in health and housing
among the people of South End. pay
ing particular attention to the con
dltion of alleys after many COM
aplaints about them had been made
to the health department. Special
committees of women interested in
the need Of unfortunate families
have been organized. This includes
a group OF young colorcd business
women who are doing volunteer
work towards increasing respect for
the achievements of the race on the
part OF the young people.
The league also has handled 80
special cases involving the finding of
homes for boys who have strayed
into the community; securing oppor-
tunity for occupational training Of
disabled colored soldiers who were
being disseminated against and re-
lating unmarried mothers and indi-
4 gent families to the proper agencies
for adjustment.
The league has also had super
vision OF the field work of Eel
low" Of the national organization
who was studying at the Boston
1School of Social Work. The Boston
Urban League provided for half of
the fellowship stipend Of this stu
dent.