The Bolivar County Democrat. (Rosedale, Miss.) 1887-1969, 1923-12-15
|. {. R. R. BRINGS
NEGROES SOUTH
247 FAMILIES LEAVE CHICAGO
FOR MISSISSIPPI.
WILL GO TO DELTA SECTION
r. J. Carmichael, Assistant General
Passenger Agent For Illinois Gen.
tral, Starts Plan to Return
Negroes Southwark.

Memphis.-The first big contin-
gent of concerted movement south
ward starts from Chicago when R. J.
Carmichael. assistant general passen-
ger agent Tor the Illinois Central and
Yazoo & Mississippi Valley rail-
roads, loads 247 negro families on a
special train destined for various
Mississippi plantations.
This trainload reached Memphis
In charge of representatives of sew
eral Mississippi planters and railroad
men who have worked with Mr.. Car
michael in fostering the movement
southwark.
More than two months ago Mr..
Carmichael conceived the idea of re-
turning to the south some of the ne
groes who travelled north in search
of work at high wages. He made a
survey of the situation in Chicago
and learned that more than 1900 ne
gro men and women we're out of en-
ployment and would face bitter
cold of the winter months, depend
Ing upon charity, unless they return
ed to the south.
Following his survey and acting
upon the idea he had conceived, Mr..
Carmichael prepared and forwarded
to agents of the Illinois Central and
Y. & M. V. railroads in Mississippi
uuestionnaires. These questionnaires
when filled in by planters and plan
tation owners supplied him with the
necessary data and the real work
started.
Copies of these questionnaires were
printed broadcast, and the idea as
worked out by Mr. Carmichael was
helped along by this method as much
as possible. AS the days passed by
more questionnaires were received
and correspondence followed with
the planters who evinced an interest
in the matter.
Mr.. Carmichael maintained his con-
nection with various organizations in
Chicago interested in the welfare OF
the negoes there and started plans
for the first big movement south
ward. Meantime large numbers of
negroes, disillusioned at the tales OF
fabulous wages paid in the north,
learned that the labor markets there
were flooded, and those who were
able in many instances returned to
the south of their own volition.
The regular passenger train from
Chicago Saturday brought more than
200 negroes from the Windy City.
These negroes had saved enough
money to return south without ap-
pealing for outside assistance and
represents an independent movement.
"With the right kind OF coopera-
ton from those who are in need OF
negro labor, | will be able, / believe,
to supply those planters who want
negro families to carry on properly
the business of the southern planta-
lions" NJ. Carmichael said.
"OWing to conditions in the north,
with the labor market flooded, and
the disposition of certain organ1za-
tions to have these negro men and
women returned south, l believe |
will be able to supply all demands,
and that in a comparatively short
time the south will have recovered
many of the negro laborers which II
lost when there as a general exodus
north
Since Mr.. Carmichael started his
campaign two months ago, ne mas
had responses not only from southern
n1anters in need of labor, but has
had letters from heads of various
welfare organizations in the east, re-
ouesting him to extend his activities
of eastern cities as well as Chicago.