Chapter IV: The Royal Adventurers and the Plantations (6)

_Dear sir_: a word of infermation and a ancer from you please
there are about 12 or 15 of us with our famlys leaving the south
and we can hear of collored peples leaving the south but we are
not luckey enough to leave hear. Dr. ---- clame to be an agent to
sind peples off and we has bin to him so minnie times and has
fail to get off untill we dont no what to do so if you will place
us about 15 tickets or get some one else to do so we are honest
enough to come at once and labor for you or the one that sind
them untill we pay you if so requir. If we war able we wood sur
leave this torminting place but the job we as got and what we get
it we do well to feed our family so please let me here from you
at once giveing full detale of my requess.

SAVANNAH, GA., May 3, 1917.

_Dare sier:_ I understand that you wont some mens and if you wood
sen me transportation for ten mens wood bee turly glad and please
write to me at wonce and lete me hir form you.

MEMPHIS, TENN., May 3, 1917.

_Dear Sir:_ Seeing you add in the Chicago definder that you are
in need of labor I write you for full information at once hope
you will please give me. I am willing to come & if you kneed any
more labor I am sufficient to bring them.

Now my dear sir if you can give me a steady job please send me a
pass hope you will write me at once.

SAVANNAH, GA., 4-30-17.

_Dear sir:_ in reply to the labor wanted I write you let you know
I am a poor afflicted man can not do anything come to hand but am
willing to work and do need something to make a support now will
you please look up a job for me I could sweep or do any thing
light like that could watch act as janitor if you will send me a
transportation when I get there you see my willingness you would
make me a job now if you will except I will get you some men and
bring with me because I know numbers of men want to come and can
get as many as you want. Just give me a trial.

JACKSONVILLE, FLA., May 2, 1917.

_Deer sir:_ i reed in the Chicago Defender that you wanted some
molder in your city i dont no wheather you mene lumber are iron
moulder but i am 4 years experence in lumber but if you mene iron
molder i dont think i will be many days learning the trade if it
is any chance that i can get a good job eith you i would like to
hear from you at once i am maried and would like to get 2
transportation if i can and if you want some hard working mens
let me no and i will do all that i can for you and bring them on
with me if you will make same range ment to get them there i mean
that i will get you some good men hard working mens like myself
so let me here from you at once Please

JACKSONVILLE, FLA., 5/21/17.

_Dear sir_: i am today righting you a few lines asking you to
please give me some information and that is this if you know of
any one that wants help of any kind men or women and one that
would send a few tickets would you please give me they address i
was told to right to you for information please lead me in the
light as i could get five familys and 8 or 9 good men for any
firm that wanted help, so I am awaiting your promp reply.

PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS, 5/5th/17.

_Dear Sir_: Permitt me to inform you that I have had the pleasure
of reading the Defender for the first time in my life as I never
dreamed that there was such a race paper published and I must say
that its _some_ paper.

However I can unhesitatingly say that it is extraordinarily
interesting and had I know that there was such a paper in my town
or such being handled in my vicinity I would have been a
subscriber years ago.

Nevertheless I read every space of the paper dated April 28th
which is my first and only paper at present. Although I am
greatfully anticipating the pleasure of receiving my next
Defender as I now consider myself a full fledged defender fan and
I have also requested the representative of said paper to deliver
my Defender weekly.

In reading the Defenders want ad I notice that there is lots of
work to be had and if I havent miscomprehended I think I also
understand that the transportation is advanced to able bodied
working men who is out of work and desire work. Am I not right?
with the understanding that those who have been advanced
transportation same will be deducted from their salary after they
have begun work. Now then if this is they proposition I have
about 10 or 15 good working men who is out of work and are dying
to leave the south and I assure you that they are working men and
will be too glad to come north east or west, any where but the
south.

Now then if this is the proposition kindly let me know by return
mail. However I assure you that it shall be my pleasure to
furnish you with further or all information that you may
undertake to ask or all information necessary concerning this
communication.

Thanking you in advance for the courtesy of a prompt reply with
much interest, I am

COLUMBUS, GA., April 29, 1917.

_Dear sir_: I seen your adds in the paper & after reading I saw
where I could do some business for you & if you will write & let
me know promply what you will allow me for heads & let me know
right away I can get you as many as thirty at once & I know that
you do not want nothing but able bodied men if you will as soon
as you get this mail let me know by wireing me & I can get the
men ready by Thursday wire me as soon as your early convenence.
will also send you my recamendation that I am a true and reliable
negro if you take the notion to send the ticket send me money
emough to feed them until we get there you can estamate about how
much it will take to feed thirty all of them is anxious to go &
will go at the word from you please return the recamendation
back.

MOBILE, ALA., April 21, 1917.

_Gentlemen_: Please have the kindness to let me know if you can
handle any labor as I wish to come north but would like to know
just who I am going to work for before starting so as to not be
there on expences and in the main time I have other friends that
would like to have a steady imployment while they are unable to
raise the money for transportation. Let me know what disposition
you could make in regards to the same.

MOBILE, ALA., May 15, 1917.

_Dear Sir and Brother_: I am in the information of your labores
league and while in this city I have been asked about the
conditions of work in the north and at the same time we have
about 300 men here in this city of different trades. Some are
farmers, mail men iron and stell workers, mechanics and of all
classes of work. They ask me in their union to find out just the
conditions of the afair. They wants to know if they can go to
work in one or two days after they get there? if so some of them
can pay all of their fair some half and some wants to come on
conditions. will the company send them a pass and let them pay
them back weekly? if so I can send 500 more or less in order that
you may know who I am I will send you some of my papers that you
may know what I stand for and what I have been taking along,
please let me hear from you at once and what you think about it.

LETTERS ABOUT LABOR AGENTS

MOBILE, ALA., 4-26-17.

_Dear Sir Bro._: I take great pane in droping you a few lines
hopeing that this will find you enjoying the best of health as it
leave me at this time present. Dear sir I seen in the Defender
where you was helping us a long in securing a posission as
brickmason plaster cementers stone mason. I am writing to you for
advice about comeing north. I am a brickmason an I can do cement
work an stone work. I written to a firm in Birmingham an they
sent me a blank stateing $2.00 would get me a ticket an pay 10
per ct of my salary for the 1st month and $24.92c would be paid
after I reach Detorit and went to work where they sent me to
work. I had to stay there until I pay them the sum of $24.92c so
I want to leave Mobile for there, if there nothing there for me
to make a support for my self and family. My wife is seamstress.
We want to get away the 15 or 20 of May so please give this
matter your earnest consideration an let me hear from you by
return mail as my bro. in law want to get away to. He is a
carpenter by trade. so please help us as we are in need of your
help as we wanted to go to Detroit but if you says no we go where
ever you sends us until we can get to Detroit. We expect to do
whatever you says. There is nothing here for the colored man but
a hard time wich these southern crackers gives us. We has not had
any work to do in 4 wks. and every thing is high to the colored
man so please let me hear from you by return mail. Please do this
for your brother.

ANNINSTON, ALA., April 26, 1917.

_Dear sir_: Seeing in the Chicago Defender that you wanted men to
work and that you are not to rob them of their half loaf;
interested me very much. So much that I am inquiring for a job;
one for my wife, auntie and myself. My wife is a seamster, my
auntie a cook I do janitor work or comon labor. We all will do
the work you give us. Please reply early.

SHREVEPORT, LA., May 22, 1917.

_Dear Sir_: I want to get some infirmation about getting out up
there I did learn that they had a man here agent for to send
people up there I have never seen him yet and I want you to tell
me how to get up there. they are passing people out up there that
are unable to come I would like to hear from you at once from
your unknown friend.

DERIDDER, LA., April 18, 1917.

_Dear Sir_: in regards of helth and all so in need that I am
riting you these fue lines to day to you. this few lines leves
famly and I well at the present an doe trus by the help of God
these will find you the same. Now what I want you to doe for me
is this will you please give this letter to the Chicago Defender
printers and I will bee oblige to you. I wood of back this letter
to the Chicago defenders but they never wood of receve it from
here.

I am to day riting you jus a fue lines for infermasion I wil
state my complant is this. now her is 18 hundred of the colored
race have paid to a man $2.00 to be transfered to Chicago to
work, he tel us that thire is great demand in the north for labor
and wee no it is true bee cors ther is thousands of them going
from Alabama and fla. and Gergia and all so other states and this
white man was to send us to Chicago on the 15 of march and eavery
time we ask him about it he tell us that the companys is not redy
for us and we all wants to get out of the south, wee herd that
this man have fould wee people out of this money, wee has a
duplicate shorn that wee have paid him this money and if ther is
iny compnys that wants these men and will furnis transpertashion
for us wil you please notifie me at once bee cors I am tired of
bene dog as I was a beast and wee will come at wonce. So I will
bee oblige to you if you will help us out of the south.

LIVE OAK, FLA., 4-25-17.

_Dear sir_: I wish to become in touch with you. I have been
thinking of leaving the south and have had several ofers
presented to me if only would say I would go and pay down so
mutch money until a certain date but dont aprove of sutch. Know
would be glad to have you relate to me weather I can get a job in
or near the city.

I am now working at a commission house. Listen there have been
several crooks out saying they are getting men for difrent works
in the north, all you had to do pay them $2 or $3 dollars and
meet him on a certain day and that would be the last. Will you
relate to me some of the difrent kinds of works & prices.

Nothing more, I remain.

NEW ORLEANS, LA., April 22, 1917.

_Dear sir_: with the greatest of pleasure for me to address you a
few lines, concerning of labor as I was reading and advertisement
of yours in the Chicago Defender stateing that those who wish to
locate in smaller towns with fairly good wages and to bring their
children up with the best of education will kindly get in touch
with you. However if you are in a business of that kind it just
fitted me. While I am a man with a very large family most all are
boys and it is my desires to get in touch with some good firms to
works. Kind sir if you are in that kind of position please let me
hear from you at once I've get no confidence in some of these so
called agents. Ill be to glad to hear from you at once.

MOBILE, ALA., 12-4-16.

_Dear Sir_: While reading Sunday's Defender I read where you was
coming south looking for labor I see you want intelligent
industrious men to work in factories so I thought I would write
and get a little information about it. there are a lot of idle
men here that are very anxious to come north. every day they are
fooled about go and see the man. pleanty of men have quit thier
jobs with the expectation of going but when they go the man that
is to take them cant be found. last week there was a preacher
giving lecturers on going. took up collection and when the men
got to the depot he could not be found, so if you will allow me
the privaledge I can get you as many men as you need that are
hard working honest men that will be glad to come. I will send
you these names and address if you will send for them to come.
there is not work here every thing is so high what little money
you make we have to eat it up. so if what I say to you is
agreeable please answer.

LETTERS ABOUT THE GREAT NORTHERN DRIVE OF 1917

PENSACOLA, FLA., 4-21-17.

_Sir_: You will please give us the names of firms where we can
secure employment. Also please explain the Great Northern Drive
for May 15th. We will come by the thousands. Some of us like farm
work. The colored people will leave if you will assist them.

NEW ORLEANS, LA., April 25, 1917.

_Dear Sir_: Would you kindely advise me of a good place where I
can get a good job out in some of the small places from Chicago
about 50 or 60 miles. I am expecting to leave the south about the
15th of May and will bring my family later on. Answer soon.

PASS CHRISTIAN, MISS., April 30, 1917.

_Sir_: I want to come north on 15th of May, & I would like to get
a job at once. & if you will please locate one for me & let me
know in return mail & oblige. Will except a job on farm or in
town. I have a little education & I am aquainted with work all
right. Hope to here from you soon.

MOBILE, ALA., April 25, 1917.

_Sir_: I was reading in theat paper atoout the Colored race and
while reading it I seen in it where cars would be here for the 15
of May which is one month from to day. Will you be so kind as to
let me know where they are coming to and I will be glad to know
because I am a poor woman and have a husband and five children
living and three dead one single and two twin girls six months
old today and my husband can hardly make bread for them in
Mobile. This is my native home but it is not fit to live in just
as the Chicago Defender say it says the truth and my husband only
get $1.50 a day and pays $7.50 a month for house rent and can
hardly feed me and his self and children. I am the mother of 8
children 25 years old and I want to get out of this dog hold
because I dont know what I am raising them up for in this place
and I want to get to Chicago where I know they will be raised and
my husband crazy to get there because he know he can get more to
raise his children and will you please let me know where the cars
is going to stop to so that he can come where he can take care of
me and my children. He get there a while and then he can send for
me. I heard they wasnt coming here so I sent to find out and he
can go and meet them at the place they are going and go from
there to Chicago. No more at present. hoping to hear from you
soon from your needed and worried friend.

MONTGOMERY, ALA., May 7, 1917.

_My dear Sir_: I am writing to solicit your aid and advice as to
how I may best obtain employment at my trade in your city. I
shall be coming that way on the 15th of May and I wish to find
immediate employment if possible.

I have varied experience as a compositor and printer. Job
composition is my hobby. I have not experience as linotype
operator, but can fill any other place in a printing office.
Please communicate with me at the above address at once. Thanking
you in advance for any assistance and information in the matter.

ROME, GA., May 13, 1917.

_Dear Sir_: I am writing you in regards to present conditions in
Chicago in getting employment. I am an experienced hotel man--in
all departments, such as bellman, waiter, buss boy, or any other
work pertaining to hotel and would like to know in return could
you furnish me transportation to Chicago as you advertise in the
Chicago Defender. Am good honest and sober worker, can furnish
recermendations if necessary. Have worked at the Palmer House
during year 1911 as bus boy in Cafe. But returned South for
awhile and since the Northern Drive has begun I have decided to
return to Chicago as I am well acquainted with the city. Hope to
hear from you soon on this matter as it is of great importance to
me.

NEW ORLEANS, LA., 4-23-17.

_Dear Editor_: I am a reader of the Defender and I am askeso much
about the great Northern drive on the 15th of May. We want more
understanding about it for there is a great many wants to get
ready for that day & the depot agents never gives us any
satisfaction when we ask for they dont want us to leave here, I
want to ask you to please publish in your next Saturdays paper
just what the fair will be on that day so we all will know & can
be ready. So many women here are wanting to go that day. They are
all working women and we cant get work here so much now, the
white women tell us we just want to make money to go North and we
do so please kindly ans. this in your next paper if you do I will
read it every word in the Defender, had rather read it then to
eat when Saturday comes, it is my hearts delight & hope your
paper will continue on in the south until every one reads it for
it is a God sent blessing to the Race. Will close with best
wishes.

NEW ORLEANS, LA., May 2, 1917.

_Dear Sir_: Please Sir will you kindly tell me what is meant by
the great Northern Drive to take place May the 15th on tuesday.
It is a rumor all over town to be ready for the 15th of May to go
in the drive. the Defender first spoke of the drive the 10th of
February. My husband is in the north already preparing for our
family but hearing that the excursion will be $6.00 from here
north on the 15 and having a large family, I could profit by it
if it is really true. Do please write me at once and say is there
an excursion to leave the south. Nearly the whole of the south is
getting ready for the drive or excursion as it is termed. Please
write at once. We are sick to get out of the solid south.

LETTERS CONCERNING WHICH SECRECY WAS ENJOINED

ORANGE CITY, FLA., May 4, 1917.

_Dear Sir_: Being a reader of the Chicago Defender, I finds a
add, stateing laborers wanted. I would like to ask if the add is
refering to persons of that state only. Could a person secure a
position until he could reach said state?

Now if you would answer this letter of information I would highly
appreciate it. During your letter please give information about
advanced transportation, etc. This is not as a testimony--don't
publish.

MEMPHIS, TENN., June 1, 1917.

_Sir_: as I being one of the readers of your great News paper and
if I am not to imposeing I want to ask you this information as to
what steps I should take to secure a good position as a first
class automobeal blacksmith or any kind pretaining to such and to
say that I have been opporating a first class white shop here for
quite a number of years one of the largest in the south and if I
must say the only colored man in the city that does.

now I never knew any other way to find out as I want to leave the
south and I feel very much confidential that you would give
information if in your power. So if you know of such why please
inform me at your leasure time. Any charges why notify me in
return but do not publish.

VICKSBURG, MISS., May 2, 1917.

_Sir_: I am a reader of the Chicago Defender I am asking you a
little information. So many people are leaving south for north
and it is too big families and we want to come north or middle
west for better wages. We all have trade and if you think we all
can get position just as we get north if not the middle west.
Better please dont publish this is no paper. here is a stamp
envelop for reply.

LAUREL, MISS., 4-30-17.

_Dear Sir_: In reading your defender paper every week find every
thing so true makes me want to come more every day. so i am
thinking of coming in a few days decided to write you in regards
to getting a job that will suit my age. I am 48 years old am in
very good helth and likes to work just like the days come. Have
farm the biggest position of my life untill seven years ago. i
follow publick work untill now would not like for my name to be
publish in the paper.

FULLERTON, LA., May 7, 1917.

_Dear sir_: This comes to inform you that I would like very much
to come up and locate in your town, but would like to have a
little advise before I leave the sunny south. I am a railroad man
by trade. Of course I am a Colored man but I have been Conductor
for the G. & S. R. Ry. of the past eight years. I have acted as
yard master, and manager of the switch engine and had charge of
the local freight department. Please advise if you think I can
secure a fairly good paying position up there and I am ready to
come up and take hold. I can furnish good reference, and have my
own typewriter and equipment.

I am not particular about working for the rail-road, but I would
like to get something respectable if possible.

I think my reference will satisfy the most interogator. Kindly
advise privately and do not publish.

GREENVILLE, MISS., May 12, 1917.

_Dear sir_: Please inform me as to wether there is imployment for
col. insurance agents by Company as industrial writers sick and
acc. and deth if thair is such co. handling coolored agents in
Chicago or suburban towns, please see suptender as to wether he
could youse a good relible live agent. I am contemplating moving
to Ill. This is confidential.

My experience as ins. agent 15 year industrial and ord. life and
prefered.

LETTERS EMPHASIZING RACE WELFARE

AUGUST, GA., May 12, 1917.

_Dear Sir_: Just for a little infermation from you i would like
to know wheather or not i could get in tuch with some good people
to work for with a firm because things is afful hear in the south
let me here from you soon as poseble what ever you do dont
publish my name in your paper but i think peple as a race oguht
to look out for one another as Christians friends i am a
schuffur and i cant make a living for my family with small pay
and the people is getting so bad with us black peple down south
hear. now if you ever help your race now is the time to help me
to get my family away. food stuf is so high. i will look for
answer by return mail, dont publish my name if your paper but let
me hear from you at once.

DELAND, FLA., 5/1. 17.

_Dear sir_: I being onknon to you in personnal but by reading the
Chicago Defender I notice in its ad that there is chance for all
kind of imployment that a men that will work can get and as I am
one of the negro race that dont mind working study so it is
understand that you will please let me no as to wheather you can
place me in some of those positions for I sopose to be in this
town about 5 more weeks. after leving her stopping in Savannah my
home city to see my too bro. and mother I will then leve for the
northern states I will thank you for some information.

NEW ORLEANS, LA., May 1, 1917.

_Dear sir_: i am a reader of the Chicago defender and i seen in
the defender that you are interrested in the well fair of the
colored people those of the classe that is interested in
themselves and coming to the north for a better chance so i take
pleashure in riting to you that i may get some under standing
about conditions of getting work as i see that you are in turch
with the foundrys warehouses and the manufacturing concerns that
is in need of laborers and i thought it was best to rite you and
get some understanding as it is 4 of us expecting to leave here
in a few days to come north but we are not coming for pleasure we
are looking for wirk and better treatment and more money and i
ask your aid in helping us to secure a good position of work as
we are men of familys and we canot aford to loaf and i will be
very glad to hear from you and an my arival i will call at your
place to see you.

COLUMBIA, S. C., May 7, 1917.

_Dir sur_: i saw in one of our colord papers your ad i now seat
my selft to seak work thru your ade of which i beleve is ernest
devotion to our betterment i am a brick layer and plastrer i rite
to no if i can get or you can get work for me please let me know
detales plese.

MEMPHIS, TENN., 4-23-17.

_Gentlemen_: I want to get in tuch with you in regard of a good
location & a job I am for race elevation every way. I want a job
in a small town some where in the north where I can receive verry
good wages and where I can educate my 3 little girls and demand
respect of intelegence. I prefer a job as cabinet maker or any
kind of furniture mfg. if possible.

Let me hear from you all at once please. State minimum wages and
kind of work.

JACKSONVILLE, FLA., May 2, 1917.

_Dear sir_: I am writing you a few lines seacking information
about some work as i was read a Chicago Defender i saw where
labarers wanted very much I am a labarer now have not no work
here to do i am married man have one child and would like for yo
to give me work to do anything I am well expereinced in ware
house and foundry and if there any way for you to fearnish me a
transportation to come at once do i can go so i can make my
family a desen living you will please let me know and if you
would help a poor need man i am willing to come any time if I had
the money i would pay my own way but i realy ain got it so i am
asking you to please do this for me i am realy in need if you can
do a poor negro any good please do this for me.

PENSACOLA, FLA., April 25, 1917.

_My dear Sir_: I noticed an anticle in the Chicago Defender that
officers and members of your organization officer to assist any
member of the race to secure steady employment in small cities
near Chicago. I am verry anxious to secure a job the year round
at any kind of honest work, trusting that I may hear from you at
an early date, I beg to remain.

ATLANTA, GA., April 11, 1917.

_Dear Sir_: I am a reader of you paper and we are all crazy about
it and take it every Saturday and we raise a great howl when we
dont get it. Now since I see and feel that you are for the race
and are willing to assist any one so I will ask you to please
assist me in getting imployment and some place to stop with some
good quiet people or with a family that would take some one to
live with them. I will do any kind of work. I am a hair dresser
but I will do any kind of work I can get to do I am a widow and
have one child a little girl 6 years years old I dont know any
body there so if you can assist me in any way will be greatly
appreciated now this letter is personal please dont print it in
your paper. I hope to hear from you soon.

ROME, GA., April 28, 1917.

_My dear Northern friend_: I saw in the Chicago Defender where
llabors are wanted I am sure a man that wants to get out of the
south and would do most any kind of work I has a wife she works
all the time We has a boy age 13 years he has been working with
me 5 years I has been working at the pipe shop 11 year but I can
do other work you said you will sind a transportation after
labores please send after me I can get 10 more mens if you want
them. ans. soon so that I will no what to do but I hope you will
say yes. hope you will say get the mens and let us sind for you
all I am a man woks all the time I has a wife and 4 childrens.

HOUSTON, TEX., April 27, 1917.

_Dear Sirs_: I am a reader of the Chicago Defender and I seen
where you are in need of men and are also in the position for
firms to seek you. I see where you are in the lines of work for
the betterment of the race.

NEW ORLEANS, LA., April 22, 1917.

_Dear sir_: in reading the defender I seen where this was an
oportunity for work, for the betterment of the race. Just out of
the city and i thought to get in touch with you to see if their
would be a chance for me an my brother, i dident no if you meant
any one this far from Chicago or not but i rite to find out. but
i hope you will except me please and let me no your wages, i hope
to hear from you and if you will except me i can pick you up some
responseful families mens but if you dont want them take me
because i wants work, so good by.

SHERMAN, GA., Nov. 28, 1916.

_Dear sir_: This letter comes to ask for all infirmations concern
emplyoment in your conection in the warmest climate. Now I am in
a family of (11) eleven more or less boys and girls (men and
women) mixed sizes who want to go north as soon as arrangements
can be made and employment given places for shelter an so en
(etc) now this are farming people they were raised on the farm
and are good farm hands I of course have some experence and
qualefication as a coman school teacher and hotel waiter and
along few other lines.

I wish you would write me at your first chance and tell me if you
can give us employment at what time and about what wages will you
pay and what kind of arrangement can be made for our shelter.
Tell me when can you best use us now or later.

Will you send us tickets if so on what terms and at what price
what is the cost per head and by what route should we come. We
are Negroes and try to show ourselves worthy of all we may get
from any friendly source we endeavor to be true to all good
causes, if you can we thank you to help up to come north as soon
as you can.

SAVANNAH, GA., 4/21/17/

_Dear Sir_: I was very much impressed when I read the Defender
where you are taking so much interest securing jobs for the race
from the south. Please secure a job for man & wife in some small
town and write me all information at once.

KISSIMMEE, FLA., May 1, 1917.

_Dear Sir_: I am a subscriber for the Chicago Defender have read
of the good work you are doing in employing help for your large
factories and how you are striving to help get the better class
of people to the north. I am a teacher and have been teaching
five years successful, and as our school here has closed my
cousin and I have decided to go north for the summer who is also
a teacher of this county. I am writing you to secure for us a
position that we could fit and one that would fit us, if there be
any that is vacant.

We can furnish you with the best of reference. We would not like
to advertise through a paper. Hoping to hear from you at an early
date, I am

SANFORD, FLA., 4-29-17.

_Dear sir_: as a member of the Race who desire to join in and
with and be among the better side of our Race I ask that you
surcue me a job and have me a ticket sent or please send
transportation fees at once. Write soon as I will watch for
answer from you.

JACKSONVILLE, FLA., 4/29/17.

_Dear sir_: i was reading the Chicago Defender to day and i find
that you is mutch enterrested in our negro race i have sevrul
years in laundry business as a wash man and stationery boilers
fireing at this time i have charge of wash room, i am a fire man
and all so a laundry wash man too. hopeing that you will do all
you can for me in getting a plase of theas persisons please giv
this your attenson estateing salery per week pleas let me heare
from you soon i remain yours truly

PENSACOLA, FLA., May 1, 1917.

_dear sirs_: I sene in Defender wher more positions open then men
for them I am colord an do woork hard for my living an dont mind
it is not no bad habits I work but dont get but small wedges I am
up bilder of my colord race an love to help one when he dezirs to
better his condishon I want to ast you for a favor of helping me
to get to you an your office to get me a woork to do I want to
learn a trade and I will pay you to look out for me an get me a
job if you kindly will. Please an send me 3 tickets as we three
good woorking mens make the time you can corleck ever weeak pay
for yo at once be cause we meanse buisness now.

MONTGOMERY, ALA., May 19, 1917.

_Dear sir_: I notice in the Chicago defender that you are working
to better the condiction of the colored people of the south. I am
a member of the race & want too come north for to better the
condiction of my famely I have five children my self and a wife &
I want you to seek for me a job please. I will send you the trade
I follows while here in the south. I works in the packing houses
& also wholesale grocers houses. Either one I can do but I rather
the packing the best. you can get a half of dozen womens from
here that want work & wants information about jobs such as
cooking, nurseing & cleaning up or anything else they can do.

PENSACOLA, FLA., April 13, 1917.

_Dear sur_: I ritting to you in order to get in touch with you
about the work for the betterment of the race I shure want to
better my condeshon in the Chicago Defender I seen whear that you
say those wishing to locate in smaller towns with fairly good
wages that what I want to suner the better for me. Answer at
wonce.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Collected under the direction of Emmett J. Scott.

BOOK REVIEWS

_A Century of Negro Migration._ By CARTER G. WOODSON. The Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, Washington, D. C. Pp. 221.

The increasingly numerous articles, inquiries and investigations into the nature, extent, causes and results of the recent migratory movement among the Negroes in America demonstrate the great interest which has been manifested in this subject. At a period when so much personal opinion, ill-digested information and controversial literature, on racial problems are being flung at the public, it is a real pleasure for the sincere student of human affairs to welcome such an instructive work as this both because of its point of view and its valuable research. This volume is an unusual contribution in this field. It is an historical treatise, a study in economic progress and a survey of contemporary movements. As suggested by its title, the book examines with scholarly comprehension the continued migrations of the nineteenth century. The point of view which the volume presents is that of the new historical school, which holds that movements of the present have their roots in the past; and the present may not be properly understood without comprehending the foundations of the past. The book is replete with facts organized and interpreted with a scientific spirit, and the discussions are modern and scholarly.

After reading the book one ceases to speak of "a" migration, or of "the" migration, for Negro migration ceases to be a new development. It becomes an old movement, begun a century ago, but now heightened and intensified by the factors growing out of the World War. The author in his preface especially disclaims any distinctly new contribution of fact. The specific value of the volume rests then in its collection of isolated historical data culled from many known sources, and its presentation of a new vantage ground from which the whole subject may be regarded. An introductory section on the migrations at the close of the eighteenth century and in the opening years of the nineteenth century leads to the main chapters which follow under the headings: A Transplantation to the North; Fighting it out on Free Soil; Colonization as a Remedy for Migration; The Successful Migrant; Confusing Movements; The Exodus to the West; The Migration of the Talented Tenth, and The Exodus during the World War.

In the discussion of the Successful Migrant much information is given us of individuals who succeeded by sheer grit in making their way to freedom, and in some cases in building neat fortunes for themselves and their families. The charge that the Negro appears to be naturally migratory, an assertion which comes to light in recent studies in economic progress, is declared untrue. Dr. Woodson asserts that "this impression is often received by persons who hear of the thousands of Negroes who move from one place to another from year to year because of the desire to improve their unhappy condition. In this there is no tendency to migrate but an urgent need to escape undesirable conditions. In fact, one of the American Negroes' greatest shortcomings is that they are not sufficiently pioneering." To the reviewer, this statement, typical of others, seems to be the more reasonable conclusion from the facts, which others regard as only facts and by inference as racial tendencies. In the majority of instances the author finds, as other investigators have found, that the migrants belonged to the intelligent laboring class.

The best discussion is given in the closing chapter on The Exodus during the World War. This is made to differ from other migrations on the ground that the Negro has opportunity awaiting him, whereas formerly he had "to make a place for himself upon arriving among enemies." The effects upon the whites and the Negroes, North and South, are noted with unbiased attitude. The perspective of the trained historian appears to have its influence in this section. The earlier chapters are concerned primarily with the Negro in the Northwest, and so completely does the information center in this section of the country that it appears easily possible to expand this part into a larger work treating this phase in particular. The author's comment and criticism are suggestive to both races and particularly to the Negroes who furnish the subject-matter of the book. The book will have not only historical interest, but it will serve to point out the paramount unsettled condition of the race problem during the past century and the disturbing future which must face America. The volume is heartily commended to all readers and students, and it cannot fail to be informing upon this unsettled aspect of Negro life and history. No serious student should be without it.

CHARLES H. WESLEY.

* * * * *

_Negro Migration in 1916-17._ By R. H. LEAVELL, T.R. SNAVELY, T. J. WOOFTER, JR., W. T. B. WILLIAMS, and FRANCIS D. TYSON, with an introduction by J. H. DILLARD. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C., 1919. Pp. 158.

This is a report of the Department of Labor issued from the office of the Secretary through the Division of Negro Economics, under the direction of Dr. George E. Haynes. The task was divided among a number of investigators. Mr. Leavell directed his attention to the migration from Mississippi, Mr. Snavely to that from Alabama and North Carolina, and Mr. Woofter to that from Georgia. Mr. Williams sketches in general the Exodus from the South and Mr. Tyson gives a survey of the Negro Migrant in the North. Submitted in this condition the report is much less valuable than it would have been, had the investigation been directed by a single man to work out of these individual reports a scientific presentation of the whole movement. As this was not the case, there is found throughout the report numerous duplications of discussions of causes and effects which might have given place to more valuable information.

The conclusion of Mr. Leavell, himself a Mississippian, as to measures for the rehabilitation of Mississippi labor conditions, are very interesting. He believes that a permanent surplus of Negro laborers outside of the upper delta can be created by reorganizing agriculture with emphasis on live stock and forage, that this surplus could then be directed to the delta and to Arkansas so far as needed for producing cotton and food stuffs, that the balance of this surplus labor should be drawn permanently to northern industries, and that the older communities along the Mississippi could attract the necessary additional labor from the surplus created in the hills. He believes also that there should be schools emphasizing education toward the farm, fair dealing in all business transactions, equal treatment in the distribution of public utilities, equal treatment in the courts and the encouragement of Negro farm ownership, the abolition of the fee system in courts of justice, the insistence of white public opinion on full settlement with Negroes on plantations, and, above all else, that the fundamental need is for frequent and confidential conferences upon community problems and for active cooperation between the local leaders of the two races.

Mr. Snavely counts among the causes of the migration from Alabama and North Carolina, the changed conditions incident to the transition from the old system of cotton planting to stock raising and the diversification of crops. Mr. Williams undertakes to estimate the size of the exodus, some of its effects and the initial remedies for keeping the Negroes in the South. Some of these are better pay, greater care for the employees, better educational facilities, the opportunity to rent and purchase sanitary homes, justice in the courts, the abolition of "jim crowism" and segregation.

One of the most interesting parts of the report is that which deals with the Negro migrant in the North. It is doubtful, however, that the author has done his task so well as Mr. Epstein did in treating intensively the same situation in Pittsburgh. This part of the report is too brief to cover the field adequately. There are few statistics taken from the censuses of 1900 and 1910 to show the increase of Negro population in the North during this period. Then comes a rapid survey of the districts receiving large numbers of Negroes during the migration. Attention is directed also to the adjustment of the Negroes to northern industry, race friction and the bearing of the Negro migration on the labor movement culminating in the riot of East St. Louis. Delinquency in the migrant population and the reports on the crime, health and housing conditions of the Negroes in the North are also discussed. That part of the report on constructive efforts toward adjustment of the migrant population in the North gives much information as to how the leading citizens of both races have coöperated in trying to solve the problems resulting from this sudden shifting of large groups of people.

* * * * *

_Twenty-Five Years in the Black Belt._ By WILLIAM J. EDWARDS. The Cornhill Company, Boston, 1918. Pp. 143.

This is a valuable biographical work in that the reader gets a view of conditions in the South as experienced and viewed by a Negro educated at Tuskegee and inspired thereby to spend his life in another part of the State of Alabama, doing what he learned at this institution. The author mentions his growth, the founding of the Snow Hill School, the assistance of the Jeannes Fund, and the ultimate solutions of his more difficult problems. The book becomes more interesting when he discusses the Negro problem, the exodus of the blacks and the World War.

The aim of the author, however, is to acquaint the public with the problems and difficulties confronting those who labor for the future of the Negro race. He complains of the land tenure, the credit system by which the Negroes become indebted to their landlords, the lack of educational facilities, and the consequent ignorance of the masses of the race. To enlist support to remedy these evils wherever this condition obtains, the life of the author who for twenty-five years has had to struggle against hardships is hereby presented as typical of the thousands of teachers white and black now suffering all but martyrdom in the South that the Negroes may after all have a chance to toil upward.

The book is not highly literary. The style is generally rough. Interesting facts appear here and there, but they did not reach the stage of organization in passing through the author's mind. The value of the book, however, is not materially diminished by its style. It certainly reflects the feelings and chronicles the deeds of a large group of the American people during one of the most critical periods of our history and must therefore be read with profit by those interested in the strivings of the people of low estate. Persons primarily concerned with industrial education will find this sketch unusually valuable. To throw further light on this systematic effort to elevate the Negroes of Alabama the author has given numerous illustrations. Among these are _Uncle Charles Lee and His Home in the Black Belt_, _Partial View of the Snow Hill Institute_, _A New Type of Home in the Black Belt_, _Typical Log Cabin in the Black Belt_, the _Home of a Snow Hill Graduate_, _Graduates of Snow Hill Institute_ and _Teachers of Snow Hill Institute_.

* * * * *

_Women of Achievement._ By BENJAMIN BRAWLEY. Woman's American Baptist Home Mission Society, Chicago, 1919. Pp. 92.

Glancing at the title of this volume one would expect to find therein the sketches of a number of women of color known to be useful in the uplift of the Negro race. Instead of this, however, there is the disappointment in tho restriction of these sketches to Harriet Tubman, Nora Gordon, Meta Warrick Fuller, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Mary Church Terrell. No one will question the claims of some of these women to honorable mention, but when Nora Gordon, an unknown but successful missionary to Africa, is given precedence to the hundreds of women of color who have influenced thought and contributed to the common good of the race and country the historian must call for an explanation.

It is equally clear that in choosing the other four of these women as representative of the achievements of their race the biographer has done other distinguished women of the Negro race considerable injustice, if his book is to be taken seriously. Harriet Tubman was truly a great character and her life is an interesting chapter in the history of this country. Whether Meta Warrick Fuller, Mary McLeod Bethune and Mary Church Terrell deserve special consideration to the exclusion of others, however, is debatable. Meta Warrick Fuller has distinguished herself in art and so have several other women of color. Mary McLeod Bethune is generally considered an enterprising educator and public spirited woman, but one can here raise the question as to whether she leads her companions. Mary Church Terrell has very well established herself as an acceptable speaker on the race problem and so have many others.