Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1956-01-06


largely an urban development. 1t
began shortly before the start of
World War !. II was intensified
at the beginning OF World War III
when Negroes in the south began
migrating in great numbers to
large northern cities.
Man Power Shortage
Then, the pinch Of a World War
ii man power shortage in bust
ness and industry and government
fair employment practices made II
possible for the city Negro to
gain and hold economic ground
he had not penetrated previously.
A rs cent increase In the mini
mum wage to 81 an hour. effective
March I. will further increase the
Negroes purchasing power.
What does the Negro buy?
Statistics indicate that he spends
a bigger share of his income on
food and clothing than do white
persons.
One sampling OF Negro and
white families by an advertising
agency showed that Negro wo-
men, for example, bought more
clothing and hosiery than white
women and that the range Of
purchase prices was larger.
Spends Less On Rent
On the other hand. statistics
signify that the Negro spends
less for rent, furniture. alcohol
and automobiles. and consistently
saves more Of his income than do
whites.
Also. not only does the Negro
now have considerable aggregate
buying power, but there are var
ious economic and cultural levels
within the Negro consumer group.
From 1899 TO 1852 the median
income Of the Negro increased
more than four times, from 1864
to $3.50. The median income of
the white population in the same
period rose only a little more than
three times. from 1856 to S3,039.
Negro incomes were IS per cent
Of the white populations income
in 1889 They had increased TO SO
per cent by 1852 and still are
climbing.
Makes More Money
The Chicago Negro has an in
come significantly higher than the
countrywide average. As early as
1919 Chicago Negroes income was
y per cent Of the average white
persons income
A current sample census shows
$40 900 Negroes a. potential buy
crs in the ChicagolAnd market.
The city itself il about 20 per cent
Negro.
Some Of the largest companies
in the country made a direct APP
peal TO this local market thru
Negro publications. Their ads in
clude many using Negro models |
and Endorsements by famous Ne
gro personalities
The Chicago Negro Is contin-
ually lettering his employment.
In 1870. 20 per cent Of the city's |
Negro labor force was doing semi !
skilled work. BY 1919 the number |
had increased TO 30 per cent.
Un<kiIled Decline
In 1870. 30 per cent o. Chica-
COS Negro population was in the
unsbdlled labor category. The
number has decreased 10 10 per
cent by 1919 and ia continuing TO
decline
Domestic service jobs were held
BY II per cent Of the Chicago Ne
gro work force in 1910. The num-
Der "a now under per cent
As the Negro continues 20 TIM
prove his position and income he
will become more migrated In
the urban way Of life Present re-
search believes his buying habits
also Will tend 20 conform more
with patterns Of the white popula-
ton
Ed,nEs Note ~ early a. 1915.
a Ninneso,An. Charles l. Horn 4
president ~ the FEDERAL Cart
ridge Corp, IN number 81
sp~~chss pointed OFT the trsmsn-
dolss buying po~er - the Amer
car Negro which hsd 20 a great
extent b~en iEnSrsd by American