The tribune independent of Michigan. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1933-1935, 1934-07-07

Ch1cagO-tA ILLUSTRATIONS
which have been made by Arthur
Evans, staff correspondent for the
Chicago Tribune. uphold the belief
that broad programs in relation
TO agriculture and industry inaugu-
ated by the federal government un-
der the Agricultural Adjustment
Act and the National Recovery Act
have not merely failed TO improve
the condition OF the Negro farmer
and industrial worker but in
many instances. has increased the
hardships OF this element OF the
southern population.
NJ. Evans is completing tour
Of the South which began in Mis-
souri, and has taken him into many
towns In most OF the states OF the
South. His dispatches have been
read with keen interest by Negroes
for two reasons: first, because
those who know Mr.. Evans have
regard for him as an honest re-
porter, and. second. because Ne
gro subscribers TO The Tribune.
acquainted with its indifference to-
ward the vital economic and social
questions affecting the Negro as
such. have been struck by the pa
per's evident desire to employ any
issue. even that OF the Negro, as
ammunition In its attack against
the present policies of the admins
tration at Washington.
Because. therefore, OF The Til
bune's ambition 10 show up the
so-called Brain Trust, the woes OF
the Negro receive the significant:
advertising which is possible
through The Tribune and its press
service which is a situation that
some persons liken 10 that OF the
Communists and the Negro In the
United States.
Nevertheless Mr.. Evans dispatch
es have supported the charges
hitherto made that Negro farmers
and industrial workers are being
cheated OF any benefits TO be de-
rive from the Washington plans. ,
Among the observations made by !
Mr.. Evans, based upon interviews ,
with white and colored leaders and I
workers. are the following.
l. That due to the cotton acre
age reduction program thousands
OF Negro and white sharecroppers
have been deprived OF the means OF
subsistence. That thousands OF Ne
groes In such cases have been
thrown onto the dole OF forced TO
the swamp lands to exc out
miserable existence.
- 2. That % ,Ss ,S Sssa =, sov ~mM
~for the land taken out OF cult
vaffon did not reach the Negro.
That. instead. II was seized and
kept by the white planters who
were deprived OF soil TO till.
3. That Negroes who have effect
ed loans through the Farm Credit
Corporation have failed to reap the
full benefit OF these loans because
their mail coming from Washington
has been intercepted by the whites. |
In such instances, the Negroes
have had to pay the federal govern !
ment per cent interest for the
loan and 10 pay the white planter
s per cent for keeping" the mon
ey for them while issuing ii 10
them in "dribbles" from time TO
time after making the customary
deductions.
4 That surveys show that Ne
groes are not receiving their pro-
per share Of the so-called dole.
That whereas Negroes form the
most INDECENT portion OF the popu-
lation in many counties the per-
centage OF the dole given to Ne
CrOes Is much less than the per-
ceniage Of their population.
5. That in districts where the
dole is operative. the dolce Is bet
ter Of then the worker and as q
consequence the habit OF idleness
Is encouraged.
G. That under the MIRA the pur-
chasing power OF the Negro has
NOT been increased
:. That southern white employ
ers find many ways 10 evade the
provisions OF the various codes ~
their application 20 Negro workers
s That more than more Jobs for
nerly considered mental and. as
consequences allowed ~ Negroes
have hotn elevated by the higher
wages under the codes and thai
the competition between whites and
Negroes for these jobs has become
Increasingly keen
Q. That employers who are fore
ed 10 pay higher wages prefer
whites 10 Negroes as workers.
The above points. picked up by
Mr.. Evans from white and colored
individuals throughout the south
were supported by independent In
designations made by the research
department a. Tuskegee institute
and Fisk university.
Negro farm leaders who have nc
effective means Of expression are
seriously alarmed because. they
say. the federal government has
failed TO use one OF the means a
its disposal for partial correc
ton OF the abuses now visited upor
the farmers.
They point out that there are 81
Negro extension agents employed
In the South. although three time
that number is needed. They fee
that the AAA has overlooked tn
valuable assistance these Negr'
extension agents can give In fiel
crop and livestock production
work.
In addition to their regular du
ties among Negro farmers thes
extension agents are anxious TO be
come an integral part (which Ii no
now the easel and serve In all o
the agricultural adjustment cam
paigns where Negro farmers ar
concerned They are eager TO co
operate with the white extension
forces In everv detail.