Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1944-07-29
Something About Negro Dependents
And Allotments

In recent weeks according to well founded reports
from other sections of the state and the result of
rather intimate relationship with the local situation there
has been increasing number of dependent parents OF
Negro Service Men whose aotmens have been discontinue
ed in rather abruptly without the dependent
having had adequate prior information and time IN winch
offer proof of dependency before the allotment had
been discontinued
1t seems according to the implications indicated in
number of recent cases brought to attention that
there has developed widespread disposition on the part
of seek Negro dependents receiving aotments
in order to file complaints to the government IN an effort
to have such aotments discontinued And recently the
charge has been made, with of Negro dependency
as its basis but without reference to other groups
that dependency in the state has become racket.
From the very beginning of the payment OF Deepen
dencv benefits there have complaints among certain
employers especially those in the lower job group to
the effect that the payments of dependency DEMENT'S TO
Negro dependents largely responsible for the tact that
they are finding it increasingly difficult to find workers
for these jobs condition that in all probability lay behind
the growing number of Negro dependent parents whose
aotments have been discontinued and the increasing d
cuty Negro parents face in establishing dependency
aotments have been made by the men IN the ser
vice on the basis of their dependency.
Regarding the growing lack OF workers Tor certain
jobs especially in the lower group as affected by the
payment dependency to Negro dependents without men
toning the effects the increasing opportunities FOR
Jobs in the higher pay casslficatons and In de1ense IN
strv upon the situation obvious that, in at
least one category that of domestic servants the great
bulk of those receiving aotmens who may have at one
time been available for such employment are the wives
of servicemen who, the dependency beneflt law is
written are efforts to have their aoments DIS
continued leaving the parents as largely the victims OF
such effort.
Regarding the parents of Negro Servcemen receiving
dependencv benefits especially in those where the
man in service was contributing substantial amount IN
money and service to the family income before !loc
n the fact of induction should be sufficient basis for
depepdency With the general knowledge of the SUB
standard living condition of the Negro family In
the state even though in instances they nave man
aged to acquire ownership equity in small farm
or homestead it very difficult for Negro citizens 10
understand how the government except IN ene
can discontinue or disaow the claims for dependency
benefits of Negro parents -, ,; -
Viewing the situation from all angles the drlVe 10
have the aotment of Negro dependents discontinued or
disaowed is not going increase the supply OF workers
for low paving Jobs but is fast becoming another eemen
in the widespread disaffecon Illustration and beWder
ment that is driving growing number of Negro workers
out of the state and this aside from the effect upon t
morale and spirit of Mississippi Negroes IN the areo
rcos when thew learn of the effect of such unwarrant-
ed action upon the living conditions and welfare OF the
parents.