The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1940-06-01
Plight OF Tenant
Share Choppers
BY EMMETT J. SCOTT
WASHINGTON. D. G.

A TTE\TION has repeatedly been
"A called TO the distress and nus
cry existing among the nearly
e000.OOO tenant families in the
South. While approximately two
thirds OF these are white. the re-
naming one-third. that is, about
666.666 colored families. is face 30
face with conditions. intolerab.e
and soul and body destroying.
As tenants. share troopers
working on shares as II is called
they are victims OF an archaic eco
monte system which has not ap-
preciably changed during the -
years OF so-called physical freedom.
They are caught in vicious circle
which denies them practically every
incentive to live. or to entertain no.
tions that they can escape from &.
The fate OF the white tenant-farm-
or is inextricably bound up with
that OF the Negro peasant Thsy
ride TO fate abreast
No III has escaped these tenant
farmers. After years hard work
instead OF having a small euiplus.
they find themselves held BY land
lords in state Of peonaee with
overhanging and successiyely IN
creasing debt. rather than reward s
for the labor they have performed
and the prlvations they have endur-
ed
The Census Reports for 1910 arc
bound TO chronicle dismal picine
OF Negro farms by those who ka,
partially emerged from the share
cropper status; OF increased num-
bcrs OF share-croppers. and wors.
OF all. OF enormously increased
numbers who have been showed of
the share-cropper level 10 the farm
laborer class, at pitifully small
wages.
The prolonged depression has
accelerated the low descending eco
monte scale OF these people. and
like the Joads OF John Steinback' 5
gripping story. thousands ana
thousands Of them have become
members OF that shifting drifting.
wandering. discouraged group OF
dispirited nomads TO be found in all
The Southern States. and,o course.
in California. TO which many of The
white "drifters' have gore.
High Among "forgottcn Men,
II IS a major social situation and
problem not yet solved that is rot
hattering to rich, boastful. inn
perlous America.
When we speak of forgotten
men" We must include this group
who rank highest in the category
OF the underprivileged.
What Is the United states OF
America doing about this major
social problem?
II Is true that an attempt was
made by Congress : years ago 90
provide loans to- worthy tenants 10
purchase farms. In the first ?
years there was only enough money
for 6.lS1 loans: l4G. 900 tenant
farmers had applied for help.
A veritable tyro at figures can
advise as TO how long Il will lake
TO help the 100000 tenant farmer
group. II after years. only G.1S1
loans can be made with 10000 APP
plying.
Worst OF all In this situation. the
Negro farmer. exposed az he Is TO
the general priyations OF the TOT
OF tenant sharecropper. finda
himself face to face with the com
plicated formula OF making an APP
plication. and securing a loan. with
democratic political bosses In
charge OF deciding 10 whom loans
shall 20.
What show has n Negro share
cropDer In situation Of this char
acter? All OF the latent. racial
preiudices OF the Southern section
hedge him about and deny 10 him
the recognition and benefits he
should pronerly receive.
Nearly ~ billion dollars. or
one-half more thar the Govern
ments total budgets, for every
purpose. during the corresponding
7-year period Of 191f-17. have bean
poured Into attempted solutions Of
me Farm problem In America Al
check-un indicates that ass now
Farm Bills have been introduced
seeking some kind Of solution.
Apparently. VIZ are further than
ever from anything that snproarh-
80 permanent relief for this farm
Ing group. blacks and white alike.