Evening star., 1924-01-17
SOUTH WOULD GET
NEGROLABOR BACK
Industrial Leaders Predict
World Cotton Shortage
Before 1924 Crop.
ny J. C. ROYLE.

SPECIAL Dispatch TO Ihe star.
NEW YORK. January 17.-Hope was
held out today to the planters and man.
ufacturers of the south that some
method of checking the negro migra-
tion might be worked out through the
cooperation of industrial leaders In the
north. Representatives of industry.
commerce and finance from seventeen
eastern and southeastern states. gath
cred at the meeting of the eastern dl-
vision Of the Chamber Of Commerce OF
the United States at Philadelphia, will
try and work out some solution of the
problem.
The southern representatives told the
gathering just what effect the dcsertion
Of the south by negroes had had on
agriculture and industry. They pointed
out that the world probably would face
& shortage Of cotton before the 1924
crop is gathered. Yet the south will
not be able to plant and cultivate the
Acreage the situation demands. because
ofethe absorption Of negro labor in the
north.
Some of the northern manufacturers
expressed themselves as unconvinced
tIfffl LAe AuSchl VI eiS hO6 AoSS as sAS
north had supplied the need existing
for additions to the ranks of labor
there. The qualifications Of European
i,nmigrants for both sections also was
discussed and it is hoped some den-
Tile policy may be arrived at whfch
VII bring additional Dement'S TO Dotn
sections
y 100000 Move to Illinois.
This possibility was heightened by
reports that where layoffs had taken
place in Pennsylvania and other
northern states. mills and factories.
the negroes had been the nrst re.
leased and that in many cases tney
had not afterwards sought employ
ment. preferring to remain Idle dur
ing the cold weather or GO soutn IoI
the winter. Over 100000 negroes
year and many of these now are re-
ported to be Idle.
In the st. Louis district, which has
also been the destination or tnou-
sands Of negro g,n,eyRsnt workers; tSete hst state
road work and the continuation OF
building activity are expected TO
absorb practically all unsktlted labor
surplus. :.
The effect OF the situation as It
stands today is clearly shown by the
definite understanding between bank
ers and planters in southern georgia
that only so much acreage WIN De
" cultivated with the negro LABOR at
hand.
Plenty of building Labor.
The south now is exceedingly well
supplied with skilled artisans IN the
building trades. Many have gone as
as the building activity in that ter,
ritory will enable them to escape cold
weather and at the same time to earn
lucrative wages
The evident desire OF manuractur,
ers and employers OF labor TO avoid
reduction in wage scales continues to
he plainly apparent. although the de-
termination to reduce production
costs has not relaxed Any reason; reason
charges" is pretty sure of hearing
from any employer J.. H, Tregoe,
feeretary-treasurer of the National
Association of Credit Men. suggests
that cost can be cut by eliminating
the necessity for so many bosses.
I'm some lines OF industry" he said.
we have supervisors to inspect GER
tain types of work and still others to
lessness were eliminated these over
lying costs could be eliminated"
Coal strike May Aid Markets.
The strike OF the Nova Scotia coal
miners, which became effective today,
comes at a time when the United
States coal markets are dull. when
demand is limited because OF a mild
winter. when anthracite mines are
approaching capacity production and
when bituminous mines have huge
atbcks on hand. The strike, there
fore, can have little effect In this
country except to provide an addi.
tf5nal market for American coal.
The threatened strike Of railroad
engineers ands fremen in England.
scheduled for Sunday, may have a
much wider effect here. The disrup-
tfon of railroad service would GER
tainIy have an effect on the sale OF
American goods If long continued. In
fact. purchases OF American canned
goods have fallen off in England to
n marked degree recently, due to la.
Dor unrest and unemployment.