The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-01-15
Book
Reviews
By GERTRUDE SCOTT MARTIN

The Negro Automobile Worker"
an article by Lloyd Bailer in the
Journal OF Political Economy for
October 1913, traces the position OF
the Negro in the automobile indus
try from 1910 to the present time.
showing what gains have been
made since the conversion Of the
industry to war production.
Mr.. Bailer points out that al
though Negroes constituted only
four per cent OF the total automo;
bile workers in the period from 1890
TO 1910. their importance was de-
rived not from numbers but from
the fact that they were concen-
trated in particular plants notably
in the Detroit area.
Since the conversion Of the
plants 10 war work Mr.. Bailer
states: "The hiring Of new Negro
workers has also progressed to such
an extent that Negro employment
in the industry is now substantially
higher than the normal peacetime
level" However. the upgrading of
Negroes and the hiring of skilled
Negro workers has not kept pace
with this increase nor has there
been any appreciable change in en-
ployment practices OF those small
plants which did not employ Ne
groes before the war period.
Negro women constitute "the
largest neglected source of labor
already resident in the area" and
the majority of those employed are
used in mental jobs.
Mr.. Bailer shows the effect on
the situation of the groups like the
Khan, the Black Legion and Pro-
Nazi organizations. "Of the dis
tinguishable groups among work.
ers in Michigan the southern white
and the Polish appeared 10 exhibit
the highest degree of racial feeling
ar. Bailer points to the procedure
used at Briggs in introducing Ne
groes into skilled and semi-skilled
work as a model which can we'll be
followed by other plants and which
shows that improvement is pos
sible.
Mr.. Bailer has given facts and
figures to buttress his statements.
The article presents in clear fash
ion the state of affairs today as re-
CARDS the Negro in the automobile
industry.
X X X
The recent riots in Detroit and
New York are discussed in articles
by Earl Brown and Harold Or
lansky. Mr.. Brown in why Race
Riots" published by the Public Az
fairs Committee go Rockefeller
Plaza, New York 20 goes to the
root OF Detroit's racial situation to
show how the riot of June l943
developed. Among the basic causes
according to Mr.. Brown. were the
presence Of many religious and po-
litical fanatics, labor conflicts.
housing shortage and political cor
ruption.
"The Harlem Riot, Study in
Mass Illustration" by Harold Or
lansky (Social Analysis. Box 399,
New York ID states that the riot
was racial in character although
city officials, the white and Negro
press. all insisted that 1t was the
work Of Z srnall syrodp Of Negro
hoodlums. Mr.. Orlansjky offers the
Illustration Of the Negro rs q cause
Of the outbreak in Harlem: His
goal Is equality, but he Is jailed In
a skin that denies equality. He Is
scorned, tolerated, or patronized,
but never simply or WIDELY ac-
cepted as a fellow man. Naturally.
he is bitter and resentful."
Two recent books which I was
able to sandwich in with my usual
literary fare are both we'll worth
reading. Katherine Butler Hatha-
way in her autobiography. The
Little Locksmith." reveals the
courage and beauty Of spirit OF a
person who suffered physical
handicap throughout her life. 1t is
a book which one does not easily
forget. THE Little Locksmith" was
published posthumously.
Vincent Sheehan's latest book,
Between the Thunder and the
SUM- throws some light on the
events in Europe which led up TO
the war. Mr.. Sheehan writes also
OF the fall of France. the bombing
OF England. and the attitudes in this
country when many here still be-
lieved that we could stay out OF
the war. Mr.. Sheehan's earlier
books display his talent for making
history. This one is no reception.