The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1925-01-03


7 g. Women's Dilemma
\ 4. Notes Of the Notables.
I Ever since public insult was ten
dered to Frank J. Farrell, Negro dele
gate to the October. 1886. Conven-
ton Of the Knights Of Labor, held in
Richmond, VA. a labor organization
which formed a portion OF the parental
stock Of the American Federation Of
Labor, naught but antipathies bios
somed in the breasts Of Negro work
men in their attitude toward organized
white labor, until the advent Of Samuel
!. Gompers, late president Of the
American Federation Of Labor. in
whose passing Negro Labor has suf-
fered a distinct loss, Notwithstanding
the industrial differences which still
prevail as between the two racial labor
groups
It must be admitted that during his
reign. Samuel ]. Gompers did sound
the call Of Peace" to the black labor
forces Of America. The doughty Jew
ish labor leader could not. OF course,
control all his subordinate officials:
nor could he erase the countrywide
prejudice Of the white man. which.
/ too, found its way into the organiza-
ton Of the American Federation Of
Labor Mr.. Gompers did, however, do
much to encourage Negro labor to or
game; and he was vehement in his
protests to local branches Of the "A. f.
Of l., which persisted in dealing I'M
justly with Negro workmen. His SEN
timents have been put upon record in
numerous conferences which issued an
invitation to membership BY Negro
workers. And his "fair-play" attitude
has been repeatedly in evidence in
conferences at which Negro labor
leaders have frankly asked for full rec
ignition for their group BY the A. F..
OF L.
AT the present time there are ap-
proXimately los local Negro unions
comprising 6.5C0 members. At best.
this IL q poor representation. " jar az
organized labor is concerned Negroes
comprise onc-sixth Of Americas work
ing masses. and shall bc given the full
privilege Of presenting their quota to
the A. F. of 7. Furthermore. the
white members VI that organization.
should bottle TIP their prcjudices and
realize that the labor interests Of one
are the labor interests VI All.
Samuel ]. Gompcrs. in his heart.
recognized this truth. he practiced
it during hi~ long incumbency. and IL
il to be hoped that his successor in
office will carry the program forward.
flinging wide the gates and protecting
the virtues Of all labor. whether it be
White or black.
African (black) aliens. contained in
the immigrant labor group seeking
employment iii this country. have in
creased during the period 1920 to 1924
70 over one per cent, as compared
with one-half NJ one Per cent during
the FIVE years prior to the World
I War.
These percentages are plainly indi-
Gated by figures which show that dur
ing 192O-192+. 578.158 immigrant ali
ems yearly average of 1862. sought
the fields and factories Of American
Z production. OF these numbers. there
was total inclusion Of 6,622 Negro
laborers. a yearly average Of 1924. or
about one per cent.
During 191O-1914. the total number
81 aliens admitted was 2.2lO.48I. a
yearly average Of 1906 Of these
numbers there was total inclusion Of
1898 Negro laborers, a yearly aver
age Of 1879 or about one-half Of one
I per cent
Seeking significant conclusions. we
face the following indisputable facts:
The total incoming immigrant alien
labor group suffered the tremendous
drop from 2.21O481 during 19lO-l914.
to 578,158, during 1920-1924; but the
Negro content during that compare
tive period only fell from 1898 to
6,622, and while it fell in quantity, its
Miner NnrrV7,f r.