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240  THE CRISIS

resulted in exploitation of the immigrant by the latter.

The establishment of a bureau of investigation and information regarding housing comes next in importance. The character of the house into which Negro immigrants go has a direct effect on their health, their morals and their efficiency. The rents charged determine whether the higher wages received in the North are real or only apparent, whether the change in environment has been beneficial or detrimental. The tendency is to exploit the Negro immigrant in this particular. Rents charged him in Detroit have risen by from 50 to 200 per cent in one year. He is forced into a district inhabited by colored people where housing accommodation is inadequate for those already there. The proximity of the colored district in most northern cities to the center is responsible for the imposition of the vice district upon the Negro. This bureau should, therefore, scour the city for every available house, tenement or room inside or outside the recognized Negro district. It should make also a thorough investigation of comparative rents charged Negroes and whites and give the findings the fullest publicity. The bureau should constantly remind employers of Negro labor that it is to their advantage to see that the Negro is well housed and that, if nobody else will build, it is good business for them to do so. 

The Detroit Urban League has induced one of the largest foundries to build low-priced homes for its colored employees near the plant. It also has somewhat relieved the housing problem by the purchase of leases from the proprietress of a number of disorderly houses which were closed by the police. In each case the league persuaded some manufacturer to take over the lease, and in this way a large number of colored families were accommodated. It also keeps a list of empty houses and has been surprised to find how many of them are not listed by commercial real estate agents. It uses the daily and Negro press in appeals for more notifications. A list of furnished rooms also is kept and immigrants are kept away from those connected with disorderly houses. Lists of these rooms are furnished to factories.


Much strength can be added to the program and much energy saved by enlisting the aid of every possible organization in the city whose functions can in any way be construed as touching on Negro migration. The Urban League found the Board of Commerce exceedingly willing to co-operate in a movement for the investigation and improvement of working conditions of Negro employees in the various manufacturing plants in the city. The Board of Health gave considerable assistance in obtaining better and more sanitary housing conditions. The aid of several mothers' clubs among the colored women was enlisted to instruct immigrant mothers in the proper diet and clothing for children in a northern climate. From the outset, the aim was not only to put each immigrant in a decent home but also to connect him with some church. Many times the churches have reciprocated with considerable material as well as spiritual assistance.

But the greatest co-operation received has been that of the Young Negroes' Progressive Association to which reference has already been made. This is a body of thirty-four young colored men, most of them attending the various schools and colleges about Detroit. They have been the finest possible agent in the development of all the different activities. 

In the adjustment of the Negro, a definite place must be given to the development of industrial efficiency. This is perhaps the most important feature in the program; the welfare of the Negro in his new environment depends upon the opinion that the community has of him. If the community can be convinced that the Negro is and always will be a business asset, we need not worry much about his housing, employment and recreation. But the Negro has got to convince the captains of industry. This he can only do by developing to a maximum his industrial efficiency. The more trades and occupations Negroes become familiar with, the more efficient they will be as a race, and the greater an asset to the community. Therefore the league has endeavored to get them into as many different kinds of employment as possible. It also uses every opportunity to develop individual efficiency by calling the attention of Negro employees to the fact that they must be punctual, zealous and ambitious in their work. These points are always emphasized when a Negro is sent to a job.

In pursuance of this object the league, with the assistance of the progressive association, is carrying on a movement which, I think, is unique. Representatives of the two organizations visit the various factories where large numbers of Negroes are employed and talk to them during the noon hour on the necessity of creating the best possible impression at the present time so that they may be certain of retaining their jobs in the future. At the same time, the speakers circulate these cards: 

WHY HE FAILED
He watched the clock.
He was always behindhand. 
He asked too many questions.
His stock excuse was "I forgot."
He wasn't ready for the next step.
He did not put his heart in his work.
He learned nothing from his blunders.
He was contented to be a second-rater.
He didn't learn that the best part of his salary was not in his pay envelope–
SUCCESS.


THE LOOKING GLASS     241

NOTE: By not paying strict attention to the above details you may not be able to keep your job after the war is ended and foreign labor is again available. 

[[boxed]]
New Comers to Detroit
You can find employment
and
be directed to decent lodgings
FREE of charge
at the
Detroit League on Urban Conditions
Among Negroes
297 St. Antoine St.  Cherry 1325
Forrester B. Washington, Director 
[[/boxed]]

THE NEGRO SILENT PARADE

ON the afternoon of Saturday July 28, a vast body of Negroes marched through the streets of New York in silent protest against the recent race riots and outrages. The New York American says: 

In silent protest against the recent killing of Negroes in race riots in Waco, Memphis and East St. Louis, 15,000 Negroes marched here yesterday afternoon. The parade formed in Fifth avenue and marched from Fifty-seventh street to Madison Square. 

Placards carried by boy scouts, aged men and by women and children explained the purpose of the demonstration. 

A detailed account of the causes for which the parade was held is given as follows by the New York Times: 

During the progress of the march circulars were distributed among the crowds telling of the purpose which brought the Negroes together. Under the caption, "Why Do We March?" the circular read, in part, as follows: 

"We march because by the grace of God and the force of truth the dangerous, hampering walls of prejudice and inhuman injustices must fall. 

"We march because we want to make impossible a repetition of Waco, Memphis, and East St. Louis by arousing the conscience of the country, and to bring the murderers of our brothers, sisters and innocent children to justice. 

"We march because we deem it a crime to be silent in the face of such barbaric acts. 

"We march because we are thoroughly opposed to Jim Crow cars, etc., segregation, discrimination, disfranchisement, lynching, and the host of evils that are forced on us. It is time that the spirit of Christ should be manifested in the making and execution of laws. 

"We march because we want our children to live in a better land and enjoy fairer conditions than have fallen to our lot. 

"We march in memory of our butchered dead, the massacre of honest toilers who were removing the reproach of laziness and thriftlessness hurled at the entire race. They died to prove our worthiness to live. We live in spite of death shadowing us and ours. We prosper in the face of the most unwarranted and illegal oppression. 

"We march because the growing consciousness and solidarity of race, coupled with sorrow and discrimination, have made us one; a union that may never be dissolved in spite of shallow-brained agitators, scheming pundits and political tricksters who secure a fleeting popularity and uncertain financial support by promoting the disunion of a people who ought to consider themselves as one."

Although the paraders marched by in silence their sentiments were proclaimed by many mottoes, a complete list of which follows: 

"Memphis and Waco–Centers of American Culture?"

"Alabama needs 75,000 Ballots to elect 10 Congressmen. Minnesota needs 300,000. How do they do it?"

"350,000 voters in the South have as much political power as the 1,500,000 voters of New York State. How do they do it?"

"Each white man in the South by disfranchising the black working man casts from 3 to 13 times as many ballots as YOU."

"Georgia and New Jersey have the same vote for President. Georgia casts 80,000 votes; New Jersey casts 430,000"

"Make America safe for Democracy."

"Taxation without representation is tyranny."

"Thou shalt not kill."

"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor."

"We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. That among these are LIFE, LIBERTY and the pursuit of HAPPINESS."

"If you are of African descent tear off this corner."

"America has lynched without trial 2,867 Negroes in 31 years and not a single murderer has suffered."

"200,000 black men fought for your liberty in the Civil War."

"The first blood for American Independence was shed by a Negro–Crispus Attucks."

"We have fought for the liberty of white Americans in 6 wars; our reward is East St. Louis."

"12,000 of us fought with Jackson at New Orleans."