The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-11
An Economic Problem


 It would take many thousands of words to analyze all the ef- fleets of the negro migration. Some of them have been bad for the South and some good; some of them have been good for indi- vidual negroes and very bad for many other negroes. Northern cities are learning the difference between a few scattered negro families as part of their popula- tion and the presence of densely massed sections of negroes within the city limits. It Is even yet too early for the full political effect of this change to be felt, although the prediction may be made that if the negro population finally spreads itself with something ap- preaching even density through out the country the political value of the negro may be expected to change gradually from very greAl to less and less. Chicago's rece1. political history may be cited as indicative of what is meant The point of view of the North, has undergone great change in re- cent years; and the indications are that it will continue to change until it approaches that of the South. This does not mean that the point of view of many South ern people is not changing Per haps the final opinion, North and South, on the matter of race will be very nearly that of the more thoughtful men and women in the
 
 their attention to this problem, a result that will make for great satisfaction. It Is generally agreed now that much of the race problem is economic. The South found 1t so; and the North will find this is true. Down beneath the race troubles in East St, Louis and Chicago were economic causes. The statement may be made that in most race trouble the seeker for the real causes of it will do well to look for economic reasons.
 As to Housing Facilities
 (Houston Post)
 No little anxiety already is be- ing experienced in Northern in- dustrial centers to which thou sands of Southern negroes have emigrated concerning the fate of the negroes when the cold weather sets in. While the summer lasts, the newcomers are able to put up with most any sort of quarters. The high temperatures that have prevailed in some of the Northern cities have not discommoded the negroes greatly. They are, &C., customed to enduring much heat. It requires only very little cold, however, to freeze out the aver dure cold. Here in the South, dur ing the occasional cool spells that blow in during the winter season, many negroes abandon their resu- lar tasks and hug the fires in their homes. A stiff mortimer para lyzes the average negro almost as quickly as an overdose of white mule" The housing facili- ties in many of the industrial cen ters which, are available to the negro newcomers are declared by investigators to be very inado- quate. Such quarters as many of the negroes are being compelled to accept lack so many, comforts that the health of the occupants is sure to be imperiled when the cold blasts sweep down from the North. If the usual shortage cf coal comes and the usual "cold flat" results. the negro population will undergo intense suffering, and the mortality rate is certain to rise. And it goes without say ing that employers are not likely to get much work out of the ne- groes when the mercury drops be- low zero. If the negroes are go- ing to stay in the North, it will be necessary for the public author ities to look into the negro hous-. ing situation, and to initiate some measure for relief. In the interest of humanity and the public health, the congestion in inadequate, in- sanitary and uncomfortable quar- ters will have to be abated. Be- fore this is done, however, in all probability many of the negroes will turn their faces homeward. Winter in the North will revive fond memories of the salubrious climate of the South. The North