The tribune independent of Michigan. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1933-1935, 1934-07-28
INJrSTICES MIST BE
PROTESTED

The MIRA failed of the intent OF
its makers because laws are not
self-enforcing. Ii did not put
wages at the minimum set nor add
TO the number of workers. The old
greed kept on seeking profit with
out regard To the good intent and
the high Intelligence that brought
forth the code
Especially in the ease of Ne
grOes the MIRA failed TO get re-
suits. Old employees were to be
kept and new ones added. but
rather than pay Negroes the mini
mum wage required. many en-
ployers changed over 10 white and
others maintained the old wage In
effect by requiring the workers TO
return the added wage paid.
To remedy the shortcoming of
the MIRA. the government offered
The CWA. providing work for the
unemployed on public projects.
Men were TO be put TO work ac-
cording 10 their needs. If ever q
proposition offered hope to the un-
fortunate Negro. this certainly was
the one on appearances. But
again the human element entered
Administrators of the CWA are
'thc employers under the MIRA. In
many a city CWA work Is being
given 10 whites exclusively. and
CWA projects will benefit only
whites.
Shall Negroes let this second
section OF the New Deal fail them
without protest? We hope not.
They We're helpless when an en-
ployer discharged them for
cause But the CWA is the gov
eminent giving employment. 1t is
public money that is being spent.
There should be no discrimination
against black workers. who by rea-
son OF the NRA results are the
mes who most exactly fit the CWA
program.
Negroes should protest CWA /
Projects located only where whites I
re the beneficiaries. Howard I
ounty in Missouri illustrates the 4
ondition we refer to. Ii has 1887 4
'egro citizens, most of whom
ave lived in the county all their
YES. but neither the spirit OF the
overnment's effort, nor the need
these people has caused the Of
cials TO give them their share of
ne work. Furthermore, the pro-
acts undertaken are remote from
he section where Negoes live. In
'ayette, faucet on street cor
Ter fire hydrant tells eloquently |
he plight of the Negro communi- |
y for water. That city could spend
,art OF the federal aid 10 extend
water service 10 these people. 1t is
citing this prime human need go |
nserved while IL builds pretty |
oodads elsewhere.
Negroes suffer MIRA results in
Hence. Possibly. it was all they |
ould do. But tfNy do not have to |
rim and bear the CWA discrimi-
iations. The white people of Fay
tie may not care that wells sub |
ect Negroes TO the danger OF cpl
lemic. especially in such season
" drought as this Because an
Epidemic. once started, is no re-
'pecter Of persons. the common
sense OF the Fayette situation is
hat one OF the city projects should
be an extension OF the water SER
vice. If the whites donot undertake
il for their own protection. and for
the good OF fellow citizens. Ne
groes should appeal 10 the federal
authorities for more equitable
and reasonable expenditure of the
public's money.
There must be no such silent
acceptance OF discrimination in
the CWA as in the NRA. The situa-
ton is different. The one dealt
with private contract; the other
is public relations. We have no
excuse for not taking our own
part wherever n CWA project is
being put through. Our cause Is
right. We shall be less than men
TO let prejudice cheat us Of this
Part OF the New Deal--Kansss City
Call