Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-15
ECONOMIC CONDITIONS End
WELFARE

Economic conditions feature
largely in the discussions of the
European situation, the need of
peace and all that. Evidence has not
been lacking that economic condi-
tons, more quickly by far than
among those whose responsibility it
is to guard and guide the material
well-being of countries and govern
ments. 1t is unavoidable that it
should be SO. Tie pot must be kept
boiling a prosaic but very pertinent
requirement. And while there seems
to be a superabundance of this, and
- while once a people becomes in
famed in what they believe to be a
righteous cause they disregard in
large measure for the time being
consideration of the economic side of
the case, nevertheless good often re-
suits from the attention aroused
solely by the material side of the
matter.
Right now the South undoubtedly
is giving more heed to the demands
of the negro population than ever
p before. That population is fast leav-
ing the South and coming North. 1t
is we'll known that the colored peo-
pie are attached to the South. The
more intelligent of them are con-
WINGED that the South is the part of
the country best adapted to their
needs. notwithstanding this they
continue to seek what they consider
better working conditions, better
wages, and fairer treatment in the
North. Are they to receive what
they seek? Probably only in part.
The southerner much better than
with the negro, or once did. Per-
haps he cannot SO we'll comprehend
the modern negro. He may find it
difficult to attach full significance to
a protest made by intelligent colored
leaders of Georgia. They speak free
ly. express their regret at their peo-
pie leaving the southland, yet insist
the movement North is no whim of
the moment but a well ordered de-
termination to secure farer treat
ment. freedom from slaVlsn contract
labor laws, from discrimination and
from unequal standing before the
bar Of justice. They declare they
are not seeking social equality with
the whites, though they would not
be human did they not desire il and
seize upon it did the occasion pres
ent itself. But when they refer to
the loyalty of their race for more
than two centuries they call atten-
ton to that which speaks louder
than words IN their behalf.
In the South labor has not been
~ accorded the dignity it has in the
--- North. The negro unwittingly was
an indirect cause Of this. He was
first slave and did the work while
his masters and their associates
scorned manual toll. Then he came
TO station a little higher but not
high enough. Northern labor in
stinctivcly opposes this exodus
North. 1t fears the coming of the
blacks will cheaper labor both from
the wage and from the social point
of view. 1t is not an unrea sonable ap-
prehension; there seem to be grounds
for it, but probably not nearly as
serious as labor fears. The number Of
oil 1of ~
in comparison with those with whom
they mingle; they will by reason of
~~better wage and better living condi-
tons rise somewhat in dignity. 1t
, is possible the time will come when
black men in the ranks of labor will
be no more disconcerting than in the
ranks of the professions. But he
Will not find in the North that
, equality which he seeks, not at first,
if at all. He will be subjected to the
pressure of a competition he has not
known. The people of the North,
too, have some obligation thrust up
on them. How supply suitable
homes and accommodations for this
swarm of colorcd laborers?
Meanwhile what of the South, in
large degree dependent on this labor
TO plant and harvest the crops? Will
not the laborer left there attain to a
higher standard in consequence :?
Will not the employed and the law
maker likewise grasp a wider COM
prehenSiOn of the rights which he
5 long to labor and which it is for the
interest of all to safeguard? 1t
does not seem too much to hope for
with some degree CT expectancy.