The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-09-25
~ BOOK NOTES X
GERTRUDE SCOTT MARTIN


PLANNING FOR THE SOUTH by
John v. Van Sickle vanderbilt
University Press, Nashville, Tenn,
l943) is subtitled "An Inquiry Into
the Economics of RegionaliSm." The
author analyses the condition OF
the South today as regards natural
and human resources and recon-
mends steps that must be taken In
order to improve the condition OF
both.
We were especially interested In
Mr.. Van Sickle's approach to the
Negro problem in the South. He
cites the effect on the whole South
of the depressed position Of the Ne
groes in that region. the national
and international aspects OF the
problem, then ends his discussion
with a plea for equitable segre-
CATION" Southerners, Mr.. Van
Sickle contends, will make no
moves toward ameliorating the
Negroes condition as long as ANAL
gamation is held up as the goal.
Therefore, realistic approach TO
the situation according to the
author is equal but separate public
accommodations housing, and edu-
cation. Although he refers often to
the poverty OF the South and the
necessity for Federal grants on the
basis Of need, Mr.. Van Sickle makes
no connection between the present
costly dual (but certainly not equaD
system for the two races and the
poverty he deplores.
The author advocates that the
South solve its own race problem.
yet the solution he suggests would
mean tremendous federal assistance
to equalize opportunity for the
Negro. The economic problem in
volved is, OF course. secondary 10
the true issue OF democracy, II the
South is to remain outside the
bounds OF democratic living, il is
certainly not to be expected that
the rest OF the country will want
TO subsidize its particular brand OF
fascism for long. II can also be
argued that the great emigration
!, Of white southerners 10 other Sec
tons Of the country which began
in the '70s is creating a problem in
these sections comparable 70 that
OF the South as regards the Negro
Certainly the spread OF anti-Negro
. ideas and restrictions fostered by
southern thinking is OF concern tc
the federal government. The present
army policy of segregation osten-
sibly in Difference to southern mores
, is another instance OF the all per.
vasive nature of southern bigotry
Since we do not qualify as ar
economist we cannot evaluate al
OF Mr.. Van Sickle's proposals as &c
federal relief. housing and socia
security. However, we do question
, his suggestion that the present sys
, TEN OF national unions would betteI
5 be replaced by company unions be
cause OF labor's great gains TO date
and because national unions seef
equalization of pay We also ques
ton his criticism OF unemployment
insurance, OF the Federal HOUSING
program, of equalized pay in al
regions. His plans for conservation
OF natural resources. for betterinl
: the lot Of the tenant farmer arr
| sound.
Mr.. Van Sickle's plans for tht
South reveal little social conscious
ness and little regard for the hu
man element involved As far as Tx
Negro is concerned the approach i
distinctly ante-belum. The book i
published as one Of series by tht
Institute OF Research and Training
in the Social Sciences al Vanderbilt
universi,y II is a discouraging in
dication OF what at least some
southern scholars are planning
Anyone but a social scientist dedl
Gated y any tsTm but the simp.es