REMEDIES FOR RELIEF BY NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
The sudden influx of thousands of negro workers to northern industrial
centers created and intensified problems. More comprehensive and
definite plans for aiding the migrants were, therefore, worked out and
more effective methods of help instituted during 1917. A conference
on negro migration was held in New York City under the auspices of
the National League on Urban Conditions among Negroes, January 29-31,
1918. Among those attending the conference were representatives of
capital, of labor, of housing conditions, the Immigration Bureau of
Social Uplift Work for Negroes and others. The subjects considered
were causes and consequences of the migration, present conditions
of those migrating and what is to be done to aid in the negroes'
adjustment to their new environment.
The conference was of the impression that negroes, then migrating to
the North in unprecedented numbers, were preparing to come in larger
numbers in the spring. It, therefore, recommended that wherever
possible, whether in the city or rural community, organizations be
formed to foster good feeling between the two races, to study the
health, school and work needs of the negro population, to develop
agencies and stimulate activities to meet those needs, by training and
health protection to increase the industrial efficiency of negroes
and to encourage a fairer attitude toward negro labor, especially in
regard to hours, conditions and regularity of work and standard
of wages, and to increase the respect for law and the orderly
administration of justice. It further recommended that similar
organizations be formed or existing organizations urged to take action
which, in addition to the purposes already mentioned, should seek to
instruct the negro migrants as to the dress, habits and methods of
living necessary to withstand the rigors of the northern climate; as
to efficiency, regularity and application demanded of workers in
the North; as to the danger of dealing or going with unscrupulous or
vicious persons and of frequenting questionable resorts; as to the
opportunities offered by the towns and cities of the North in schools,
hospitals, police protection and employment, and as to facilities
offered by the church, Y.M.C.A. and other organizations.
The various religious denominations among negroes were profoundly
affected by the migration movement. The sudden moving of thousands of
communicants from one section of the country to the other caused many
churches in the South to become disorganized and in some instances to
be broken up. In the North the facilities of particular denominations
were inadequate to accommodate the new communicants who would worship
in the church of their particular faith. In some instances, it was
necessary to hold double services in order that all who wished
to attend the services might be accommodated. A writer in the
_Southwestern Christian Advocate_, the organ of the negro members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, said: "The movement of the negroes
by the thousands from the South to the North raises a many sided
question. The missionary view is the logical view for the church,
and that side of the question falls logically upon her hands for
solution."[148]
The Boards of Missions of white denominations carrying on work among
negroes made studies of the migration movement. Dr. Gilbert N. Brink,
Secretary for Education of the American Baptist Home Mission Society,
issued a pamphlet on "Negro Migration, What does it Mean?"[149]
"The Invasion from Dixie" was the title of a circular issued on the
migration by the Board of Home Missions and Church Extension of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. In this circular two questions were asked
with reference to the migrants. "What are you going to do for them?"
and "How may we best serve this most pressing need of the present
time?" The circular further said:
The problem as seen from the viewpoint of the Methodist
Episcopal Church is twofold. First, somehow to conserve the
work we have already done in the South where the migration is
leaving. Second, to provide religious opportunities for those
people who have come from our own churches of the South as
well as those unreached by church influences, so that at the
beginning of their new life in the North they may all have
the influence of the Church of Jesus Christ to shape and mold
their future.
The Home Missions Council, which is composed of representatives from
the boards doing missionary work in the United States, through its
committee on negro work had a survey made of the migrants in Detroit.
The results of this survey were published under the title "Negro
Newcomers in Detroit." Detroit was selected because of the large
numbers of negroes, who had been attracted to that city, and also
because it was believed that the conditions in Detroit, although
changing, were sufficiently typical of other northern industrial
centers as to give a fairly accurate understanding of this modern
phase of the negro problem, which might have acute and serious
aspects if not speedily cared for by an enlightened judgment, and the
quickened conscience of the Christian church.
The African Methodist Episcopal Church through its annual conferences,
its Bishops' Council and its Missionary Department, undertook to meet
the migration situation as it affected and imposed duties on that
denomination. The Bishops' Council recommended to all the departments
of the church that, to meet the needs of the church as to the
expenditure of money in the home field of the North and Northwest for
the benefit of "our migrating people," that they should do the best
they could, "in assisting in the establishment of missions and church
houses for our beloved people, consistent with their obligations
already provided for by law and by the action of the Missionary
Board."[150] A circular containing the following questions was sent
out to the A.M.E. churches throughout the North.
How many persons, to your knowledge, have come from the South
into your vicinity during the past year?
In what sections of your city are they located?
To what extent are they African Methodists?
From what section of the South have they come?
What reasons do they give for coming to the North?
To what extent have they found employment? At what, and what
is the average wage paid?
Have you a Lookout Committee in your church to seek these
people? If not, what organized effort is being put forth to
church them?
Has any special mission work been started among or for our
southern brethren, in your vicinity? If so, what and where?
What number of people from the South have united with your
church during the past year?
How do they affiliate with your people?
What is the attitude of your members toward them?
So far as you have seen, is the better plan, where the numbers
warrant it, to establish a distinct mission for them or bring
them into the already established churches?
Bishop R.A. Carter, of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, after
an extended trip north in the interest of the work of his denomination
for the migrants, published in the official organ of his church a
description of the situation as he found it, and what the Colored
Methodist Episcopal Church should do to assist in meeting the needs of
the situation. He said:
I have just returned from an extended trip through the great
Northwest, having visited St. Louis, Chicago, Gary,
Milwaukee, Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Clarksburg and West
Virginia.... Heretofore the few church houses in those cities
have been sufficient for the colored people who were there.
Since the migration of our people in such great numbers, the
church facilities are alarmingly inadequate. It is necessary
to hold two services at the same time in many churches and
then hundreds are turned away for lack of room. It is pathetic
to have to tell people who attend one service not to return to
the next so that a new crowd may be accommodated. Yet that
is just what must be done in many instances up that way now.
There must be more churches established in all the large
cities of the North and East and Northwest for our people or
serious results will obtain in the future.
He considered the opportunity and duty of the C.M.E. Church as great
and urgent. He recommended the purchase of vacant white churches
offered for sale and the transfer of some of the best pastors. He
urged that there be launched a movement for a great centenary rally
for $500,000 with which to take advantage of the great opportunity
which confronted the race in the North.
Before the migration movement the strength of the negroes in labor
unions was largely in the South. In this section they were found
in considerable numbers in the carpenters, bricklayers, plasterers,
longshoremen and miners unions. In the North, however, they were
not generally connected with the unions mainly for the reason that,
excepting the hod carriers, teamsters, asphalt and cement workers and
a few other organizations of unskilled laborers, they were not found
in any occupation in sufficient numbers to necessitate being seriously
considered by organized labor. The necessities of the industrial
situation created by the war, however, brought thousands of negroes
north and into trades and occupations in which hitherto they had not
been found at all or only in negligible numbers. A change in attitude,
therefore, was necessary. At the 1910 annual meeting of the National
Council of the American Federation of Labor a resolution was
unanimously passed inviting negroes and all other races into the Labor
Federation. The officers of the Federation were instructed to take
measures to see that negro workmen as well as workmen of other races
be brought into the union. In 1913 this action was reaffirmed with the
assertion that
Many years ago the American Federation of Labor declared for
the thorough organization of all working people without regard
to sex, religion, race, politics or nationality; that many
organizations affiliated with the American Federation of Labor
have within their membership negro workmen with all other
workers of their trade, and the American Federation of Labor
has made and is making every effort within its power for the
organization of these workmen.[151]
At its 1916 annual convention held in November at Baltimore, the
American Federation of Labor considered the question of negro
migration. The question was brought formally before the convention
by the Ohio State Federation of Labor and the Cleveland Federation
of Labor reciting that: "The investigation of such emigration and
importation of negroes in the State of Ohio had demonstrated to the
satisfaction of labor leaders in that State that they were being
brought north for the purpose of filling the places of union men
demanding better conditions, as in the case of freight handlers."
Believing that "the conditions that prevailed in Ohio might apply
in all northern States," the president and Executive Council of the
Federation were instructed to begin a movement looking towards the
organization of negroes in the southern States."[152]
At the 1917 convention of the American Federation of Labor held at
Buffalo, New York, the question of negro labor was again considered.
It was observed that the colored laborers and helpers throughout the
southeastern district were not as familiar with the labor movement
as they should be, especially upon the different railroads of
the southeastern territory; and that there were fifteen different
railroads in the district for which there were only four colored
locals. Feeling that a negro organizer, because of his racial and
social relations among his people, could accomplish much in organizing
the forces into unions, the National Convention appointed a negro
railroad man as organizer for the territory as above mentioned.
Another set of resolutions, relating to the general condition of
negroes in the United States, making suggestions to secure the
cooperation of the American people and the national government in an
endeavor to have the nations participating in the coming world peace
conference agree upon a plan to turn over the African continent or
parts thereof to the African race and those descendants of said race
who live in America and desire to return to Africa, and thus enable
the black race to work out its own destiny on an equality with other
peoples of the earth, was referred to a committee. The report was,
"Your committee can not be responsible for and rejects the statements
contained in the resolution, but, inasmuch as portions of it refer to
the organization of negro workers, the committee recommends that that
portion be referred to the Executive Council."[153]
At the annual meeting of the National League on Urban Conditions
among Negroes, held in New York City, January 29-31, 1918, resolutions
relating to labor unions and the negroes were adopted and a committee
was appointed to place the resolutions before the executive committee
of the American Federation of Labor. The resolutions adopted were as
follows:
For the first time in the history of America, the negro
working man is in large numbers getting a chance to offer his
service at a fair wage for various kinds of work for which he
is fitted. This opportunity, however, has come as a result of
conditions over which neither he, nor those offering him the
chance, have control.
In the city of New York, on the 31st day of January, 1918,
we in conference assembled under the auspices of the National
League on Urban Conditions among Negroes, while in no way
seeking to condone the existence of the worldwide war which
has been forced upon our beloved country, wish to express our
gratitude for the industrial changes wrought and to record
our prayer that the benefits thus far derived by the negro
may continue and so enlarge as to embrace full and fair
opportunity in all the walks of life.
I. We wish especially to address ourselves to the American
Federation of Labor which at its recent convention in Buffalo,
New York, voiced sound democratic principles in its attitude
toward negro labor.
We would ask the American Federation of Labor, in organizing
negroes in the various trades, to include: (1) skilled as
well as unskilled workmen, (2) northern as well as southern
workmen, (3) government as well as civilian employes, (4)
women as well as men workers.
We would have negro labor handled by the American Federation
of Labor in the same manner as white labor; (1) when workmen
are returning to work after a successful strike; (2) when
shops are declared "open" or "closed"; (3) when union workers
apply for jobs.
We would have these assurances pledged not with word only,
but by deeds--pledged by an increasing number of examples of
groups of negro workmen given a "square deal."
With these accomplished, we pledge ourselves to urge negro
working men to seek the advantages of sympathetic cooperation
and understanding between men who work.
II. We would also address ourselves to the Labor Bureau of the
United States Government.
In our national effort to speed up production of articles
essential to the conduct of the war as well as the production
of other goods, let us not lose sight of our duty to our
country in quantity production by an unreasonable prejudice
in many quarters against the use of negro labor. Negro workmen
are loyal and patriotic, cheerful and versatile. In some
sections there is an oversupply of such labor; in other
sections a shortage.
We would urge the appointment of one or two competent negroes
in the Department of Labor to serve as assistants in each of
the bureaus in distributing negro labor to meet war and peace
needs.
III. We would urge negro workmen to remain cheerful and
hopeful in work; to be persevering in their efforts to improve
in regularity, punctuality and efficiency, and to be quick to
grasp all opportunities for training both themselves and their
children. Success lies in these directions.
IV. We would impress upon employers the fact that the
efficiency of their employes during work hours depends very
largely on the use made of the non-working hours. Most of
the complaints against negro labor can be removed if proper
housing, decent amusement, fair wages and proper treatment are
provided.[154]
These resolutions were presented to the executive officers of the
American Federation of Labor on February 12, 1918, by a committee
composed of E.K. Jones, Director of National League on Urban
Conditions among Negroes, Robert R. Moton, Principal of Tuskegee
Institute, Archibald H. Grimke, Thomas Jesse Jones, specialist in the
United States Bureau of Education, J.R. Shillady, Secretary of the
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Fred R.
Moore, editor of the _New York Age_, George W. Harris, editor of
the _New York News_, and Emmett J. Scott, special assistant to the
Secretary of War. The committee requested of the Executive Council
that a committee be appointed by the American Federation of Labor to
confer with a committee representing the interests of the negroes.
This request was granted.
At the American Federation of Labor annual convention held at St.
Paul, Minnesota, in June, 1918, the problem of negro workers and
organized labor again received considerable attention. B.S. Lancaster,
a negro delegate to the convention from Mobile, Alabama, offered a
resolution asking for the appointment of a negro to organize negroes
not now affiliated with unions in the shipbuilding trades. Another
resolution was to the effect that negro porters, cooks, waiters
and waitresses, section hands and all negro railway employes to be
organized. The press reports of the convention under date of June 12,
said:
Dr. R.R. Moton, Principal of the Tuskegee Institute, and J.R.
Shillady, of the National Association for the Advancement
of Colored People, are authors of a communication asking for
closer cooperation between white and colored workers. They ask
that Mr. Gompers prepare a statement on his stand toward
negro labor, and charge that some unions discriminate against
colored workers. They urge consideration of revision of
union charters to permit negroes to become members. The
communication was referred.[155]
These efforts were not without some result, for sentiment began to
change. In its August, 1918, issue the editor of the _Labor News_ of
Detroit, Michigan, said:
The time has arrived for the American labor movement to
face squarely the fact that the negro is a big factor in our
industrial life, and that he must be taken into account in the
adjustment of our economic differences. Never again can the
negro be ignored. Time and time again the selfish masters of
industry have used him to batter your organizations to pieces,
and, instead of trying to win him over, you have savagely
fought him, because they used him as a strikebreaker. But
the negro must be made to see the value of organization to
himself, and he must be incorporated into and made a part of
the great labor movement. It is a stupid policy to try to keep
him out. Let us work to shift him from his present unhappy
position, where he is despised by the big business element,
notwithstanding his utility as a strikebreaker, and hated by
unionists for his loyalty to the open shop element. Unionism
must welcome the negro to its ranks.
[Footnote 148: _Southwestern Christian Advocate_, New Orleans, La.]
[Footnote 149: Ibid.]
[Footnote 150: Report of Bishop's Council, A.M.E. Church, 1917.]
[Footnote 151: Report of Proceedings, American Federation of Labor,
annual session, 1913.]
[Footnote 152: Report of Proceedings, American Federation of Labor,
annual session, 1916.]
[Footnote 153: Report of Proceedings, American Federation of Labor,
annual session, 1917.]
[Footnote 154: Minutes of Session, National League on Urban
Conditions, January 29-31, 1918.]
[Footnote 155: Report of M.N. Work on migration to the North.]