The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-03-18

between the oppressed OF both races.
Quiz Urban Lacquer.
1t will be remembered that the
social welfare type of leaders at the
Sanhedrin, such as Dean Kelly Mil
Ter, tried to keep the labor issue off
the floor. 1t was in an effort to de-
termine the position Of the social
welfare people that the DAILY
WORKER secured an interview with
A. C. Thayor of the Urban League,
member Of the recent Lowden
Commission on Race Relationships.
Mr.. Thayer willingly admitted
that terrible housing crisis pre-
walls at this time among the Negroes
in Chicago. He told the DAILY
WORKER reporter how many of
the Negroes have members Of their
families sleeping in bathtubs. "Nine
out of ten families in the Negro
quarters nave taken in lodgers,"
Mr.. Thayer declared. He conceded
after a long questioning that they
have taken in dodgers not only be-
cause of over-crowded quarters, but
because the wages Of the Negroes
are so low that they must take in
dodgers to pay their excessive high
rents.
Soft Pedals Wage Issue.
For some reason or other, the
Urban League representative did
not want to admit that the wages
of the Negroes were lower than
wages of the whites. Finally it
was dragged out of him that very
few trades are open to the
Negroes. 81 have now several
trained stenographers and account
ants whom / have been unable to
place." he said, "and if l did secure
them jobs they would have to work
at lower wages than the whites re-
ceive for the same work. However,
when we secure jobs for unskilled
Negroes, they work at the same
wages as the whites"
"The Negro is pushed from two
Sides" Mr.. Thayer continued. "He
not only must pay to both white and
Negro landlords higher rents in re-
stricted areas, but he finds it diff
cult to secure jobs for which he is
trained and must work at the very
lowest wages in unpleasant posi-
tons. The only remedy / see for
the present housing crisis is pub
lefty"
What About Organization?
The DAILY WORKER agrees
with the Urban League in describ-
ing the condition of the Negro as
depIorable, and it is glad that the
Urban League has from time to
time in the past, conducted extern
sive housing surveys which prove
the Negroes are living at lower
standard than the whites, and pay
ing higher rents. But the DAILY
WORKER does not agree that pub
licity is the only remedy for the
housing evils, and it has a few ques-
tions to ask the Urban League.
Why is the Urban League so
passive in ORGANIZING the Ne
groes to fight their own battles for
better economic conditions? Is the
Urban League an employment bu-
reau for securing cheap Negro labor
for the employers?
The DAILY WORKER is in
formed that Mr.. Hill, head of the
Urban League, has gone on record
as being in favor Of the Negro girls
acting as strikebreaksrs in the
present garment strike in Chicago.
The DAILY WORKER wants to
know if the organizations like the
Urban League have as their direc-
tors large Negro landlords who are
reaping golden harvest from the
congSsted housing situation.
Can't Trust Scab Agents.
The Negro workers of Chicago
must learn that they cannot put
airy faith in prominent members of
their community who are always
willing to sell them out to gain
profits for themselves. How can the
workers expect aid from members
Of their race who advocate scabbing
on union which contains many Ne
gro members? The Negroes are
pleased to go to fashion shows, and
see the clothes worn by woman
who made a million dollars off of
them. The Associated Business
Clubs, and various church and. civic
make good reading in
the paper.
But the Negro workers have moth
ing in common with leagues and So
cieties that profteer on them. They
can expect no material help from
strike-breakcrs, grating landlords,
bribe-taking politicians, keepers Of
iens of vice, and large property
owners. Chicago's Negro workers
must help themselves.