The Booker T. Washington Papers, Vol.11, page 570, Aug. 1912, U. of Illinois Press

The page presentation framework of the Booker T. Washington papers is designed to provide researchers worldwide with searchable access to the thousands of pages comprising the fourteen volumes, most of which are out of print. Adapted from the National Academy Press's Open Book framework, this framework allows searching down to the page level, provides sorting of search results chronologically, enables easy navigation across multiple volumes, and allows page-by-page local printing (via PDF) of every page.

[ Top of Page ]

[ Home ]

[ Contact Us ]

[ Help ]

OCRed data provided for searching only.
The BOOKER T. WASHINGTON Papers auction of foreigners was almost certain. An increase in pay of colored workers seemed to make matters worse instead of better. Idleness and irregularity were increased. Finally, a group of colored men from Newport News, headed by Walter K. Jones, who has the respect and confidence of white and colored people alike, brought the matter before Major R. R. Moton, of Hampton Institute, and he in turn secured the good offices of Dr. Washington in bringing the problem fairly and squarely before the colored workers in the shipyard and those who can bring unusual influence to bear upon them—mothers, wives, ministers, doctors, lawyers, teachers, and business men.3 Dr. Washington outlined the condition of working men In Southern Europe. He told graphically the story of his trip through Europe and his experience with men and women who were poorly fed, poorly clothed, poorly housed, and poorly paid for their laborious service. He showed by contrasts how much better off are the Negroes of America who do not have to seek work and who with thrift can improve their economic condition. The Newport News shipyard pays weekly to colored workers twenty-five thousand dollars. This fact shows the important economic reason for Dr. Washington encouraging the colored workers to stick to their jobs and, instead of recklessly and foolishly spending their good wages, build better homes and churches. An eloquent appeal was made by Dr. Washington, who, through actual experience, knows the hardships of an uphill struggle, and his audience, both white and black, followed him closely. He urged the colored people to do their full duty and more than they were being paid for, to keep their word, to put heart and conscience into their work, to co-operate heartily with those In authority, and to cultivate · · · ~ C1V1C Pr1ae. He called upon the white people to exercise more patience with the colored people with whom they deal, for, after all, the American Negro is a loyal, Christian, American citizen. He asked that the colored men and boys of the shipyard be given the opportunity of making a new start. The eyes of the colored people throughout the United States are turned upon the men and boys who have in their grasp the success or failure of many many Negroes in industry. The Newport News Shipbuilding Company will open a Young Men's Christian Association with a paid secretary, a night school, and ~ ~ , 57o