The broad ax., 1926-10-09

Negroes of Ohio, do not seem to have
been brought to the attention Of the
candidates by any one excepting the
watchful Harry Smith, Editor Of the
Cleveland Gazette Apparently, the
prosperity Of the State is accepted as
a Neutrality-suspicious." virtue.
Approximately 235,0OO Negroes in
Pennsylvania win vote in November.
The bulk of those votes is in Pitts
burgh, Philadelphia, and Harrisburg.
Pennsylvania is already a staunch Re
publican stronghold. These three
blocs of Negro voters, however, if
properly organized, can WELD untold
influence in the districts named, by
exacting pledges from the parties and
candidates in the field.
Indiana, with her approximately
$1,000 Negro votes, is still FESTIVE.
Khan influence is said to be the cause
of such restiveness; and skepticism
has beset the voting ranks because Of
the failure of the State parties to
clarity this issue. The Hoosiers are in
dilemma. Yet they have live,
virile, leadership, which, if followed,
should bring influential results.
Illinois, of course, is always ready
for the polls. It's approximately 1907
600 voters will follow in the lead of
Ed. Wright's Chicago machine, fric-
tionless, efficient, and determinedly in
fuentiaL The Illinois group will get,
at least, SOME of what it wants, be-
cause its contents holds the deciding
vote; they are organized, and they have
leadership.
In conclusion, with the remaining
exception of Kentucky, the other
states do not reveal this years Negro
vote as being of striking importance.
The sin of procrastination in register
ing and otherwise qualifying for vot-
ing eligibility will take a heavy toll
from the total vote cast. Lack of ma
tional organization still besets the
ranks, and the result absence of plat
forms, policies, and unity does not indi-
cate any showing in 1926 which will
make the country stay awake nights
taking notice OF the Negro vote Of
this year. It's sad, but true.
2 Mothers Pension" Laws
Negro mothers, struggling with
large families and home response
bilities, need to know what forty-two
(42) states now have Mothers PEN
sion" laws, providing for aid of child
rem in their homes. More than 10000
children are at present receiving such
aid; and although it does not appear
how many colored children are in
cluded in the estimated 100000 Riddles
who need augmented help in their rear
ing, it is foregoing conclusion that
meritorious percentage of the needy,
if known, would comprise youngsters
Of the Race.
New York City has discovered that
it is spending $3.50 month per capita
to care for children in institutions, but
that only a little over SIS month is
expended for dependent children in
their homes.
1t is interesting to know, from the
interesting study which the U. S.
Children's Bureau has made. of this
question, that in such progressive
states as New York, California, Massa-
chusetts, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New
Jersey, Maine, etc, more than 200
children per 100000 population are re-
ceiving the aid granted through the
instrumentality of mothers pensions;
while in Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee,
Va, etc, where surely the need is
great, less than 20 children per 100000
population are receiving mothers
pension aid. In Maryland, the
mothers aid legislation has become in
operative.
Colored mothers comprises a larger
increment Of wage-earners than does
any other American group, and it is
cheaper to save the children in the
home than it is to care for them in the
public institutions provided by the
states. Colored parents should not be
too proud They should make earnest
inquiry regarding this particular bene-
fit, and avail themselves of it. In
fact, among the early duties Of the
Negro welfare associations should be
that of pointing out the full list Of
public utilities which states provide to
safeguard their citizenship. A dollar
spent at home is easier on the home,
the taxpayers, and the community at
large than one spent in the mainten-
ance and upkeep of public institutions.
If any mothers are deserving Of pen
o.-,.- .,.~af., e :. A. -o1<~aI .,,otLa~~