The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-09-30
NEGRO WORKERS
Greet WORKERS
PARTY SPEAKERS
Won't Be Fooled Longer
by Old Partyites

Probably no district Of the nine in
which the Workers Party, Local Chi
cage, is placing congressional candi-
dates is so decidedly proletarian in
character as the First District, the
one in which Comrade Gordon Owens
has already been placed on the bal
lot.
This district, stretching from Madt
son street to 43rd street, and from the
Lake to Wentworth avenue, compris.
es the so-called "Black Belt" the fam
Gus Negro section of Chicago.
Politicians Fawn On Them.
In this district every man and near.
ly every woman are workers. Not Of
flee or white collar slaves, but in
dustrial and manual laborers. It is
these colored workers who along with
those of foreign birth, constitute the
backbone of Americas industrial pro-
letariat.
While suffering even greater the
economic oppression and exploitation
than the foreign born workers, the Ne
groes are handed the specious con-
ISOLATION of citizenry. In this district
probably rs per cent of the adults are
qualified voters. AS such they have
been subjected to constant political
propaganda by the capitalist politi-
clans. The whole district in infested
with petty Negro politicians, ward
heelers, precinct captains and innu-
merable other political fry who make
a living by marshalling the Negro vote
for the "fat boys" of the republican
machine.
Disguised With Old Parties.
Altho the illusion has been system.
atically drilled into these workers that
their electoral prerogatives are Of wi
tai concern to them and should be
scrupulously exercised Tin the inter-
ests Of the G.. o. P.) yet the comrades
found prevalent among them a strong
feeling of political scepticism. Quite
a few of those questioned expressed
distrust for politics and politicians. AS
one Negro worker succinctly express
ed it.; Sure used to vote. But now
don't waste my time on it any more.
l don't care what politician is elected.
They're all crooks"
Invariably, such an attitude served
as the opening wedge in driving the
Communist position home. The COM
rades were surprised at the readiness
with which these Negro workers
crY.a fbn 30 h. oil
gle in society. and the identity of their
interests with those of the white
workers.
Housing Conditions Appalling.
The Workers Party campaign plug
ger in this district, in addition to COM
ing out for the fundamental working
class demands, embodies the special
interests of the Negro workers.
Among these is the demand for the
abolition of segregated residential dis
tricts-an item which evoked the
hearty approval of every workers who
read it. Housing is burning ques-
ton with these Negro workers. I'm
able to procure flats outside of the
Black Belt, they are the helpless vic
Tins of the Unsuitable greed of the
real estate sharks. Terrific rentals
are. exacted for flats in ramshackle
frame houses or dirty fiat buildings.
The stairways in these dwellings are
often lighted by gas jets, lanterns,
kerosene lamps and even candles. The
rooms are small, dirty, and are filled
with antiquated, patched-up furniture.
Every available chamber is made over
into a bedroom, for only by taking in
maximum of roomers can the high
rents be met. Inquiries thru the ex-
tent Of one block, revealed the fact
that fiye-room fiat accommodated
on the average of 8 to 10 people. The
sanitary conditions are appalling be-
yond description.
Negro Youth for Communism.
Many interesting and instructive
personal contacts were made by the
comrades thru the course of their
work, and it is expected that they will
result in quite a few new members.
The members of the EngIewood
branch of the Young Workers League,
who were very active in circulating
the petition in this district. were so ia
vorably impressed with the spirit
among the Negro workers that they
are contemplating moving their
branch into the colored neighborhood.
1t is believed that such a move would
result in the winning over Of large
numbers of the young Negro workers