The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-05-12
FLORIDA NEGRO
MUST LIVE IN
DIRTY SHACKS
Evils of Segregation Are
Widespread
By a worker corrsspOndsns.


TAMAPA, Fla, May 10. The pro-
Derty-owning class of Tampa has
selected certain districts in which the
Negro workers must live.
One of them is Lincoln Park, on the
boundary line between Tampa and
West Tampa. 1t is south of the Hills
borough River. All the sewerage runs
into the river at that point. 1t is low
and swampy, ditch encircling this
section. No bridge is over it. There
are neither sidewalks nor pavements.
1t is more like a temporary camp. The
novels are built cross wise.
Housing Conditions.
In one case a lot 95 by 100 feet has
ten novels on 1t. The law calls for
three feet Of space between each
hovel. Altho Tampa has all modern
Improvements the colored sections Of
the city are without such improve
ments as gas and water in the dwell
lings. This makes it necessary to have
outside toilets very near them.
Tampa's torrid summer heat makes
the odor almost unbearable. The In
sects, thriving in these swamps, add
to the discomfort.
These novels are constructed of
used lumber from torn down build
ings. They are not painted.
Tampa, like other parts Of Florida,
has very heavy transforms. Yet these
novels are so constructed that the rain
pours in from every direction.
1t costs only $4OO all told to build
one of these novels of four rooms,
each of which is seven by seven feet.
Another section reserved for Negro
workers is near the business section
of Tampa--one of the most up-to-date
business districts in the southern
states.
Boost Rents.
Here the rent ds more than double
that of the other section. One howell
in this section was rented for $3.50
week in June, 1925. But the landlord,
like other Tampa real estate men,
increased the rent. In December It
was SIS a week. He could not get
more out of this tenant so he gave
him orders to move.
The next tenant had to pay $24
a week-which is a 5000 raise within
8 months. To meet the landlords de-
mands of $24 week it is necessary
for the tenant to take in three roomers
for each room.
After heavy downpour of rain the
roomers threaten to move because
their already inadequate supply OF
clothing is wet. The landlord refuses
to do any repairing.
Forced to Pay for Lumber.
In another case, where used lumber
was taken from an adjoining lot, the
tenant was told to move. He pleaded
piteously with the landlord because of
the scarcity of shacks. The landlord
then told him that he might remain, il
he paid s25 for the lumber which the
landlord said was stolen.
The tenant, too poor to pay, agreed
to pay IS a week for the five weeks.
Working conditions of the Negro in
Tampa form another interesting phase
of the condition of the Negro workers
of the south.
The Seaboard Airline railway, the
most important railroad entering
Tampa, pays it's workers in checks.
In order to get these checks cashed,
Negro workers must spend $50 of
their. wages in stores cashing them.
The profits on merchandise sold in
the Negro sections amount to from
so to 2OO8o.
Railroads Mulets Injured Workers.
One of the Seaboard Airline checks
for $40 received by one of these
merchants had written on the face
of it: ~
"For full and final settlement OF
personal Injuries to left knee, left
leg, left side, shoulder and head"
When asked how long he was laid