NEGROES OF PHILADELPHIA                  35

large opportunities in the trades will remedy this to some ex-
tent, and will also open a natural avocation for the growing
middle class of Negroes and will prevent the overstocking of
the professions or the forcing into domestic service of men who
cannot but be discontented.
     There are at present about 3,000 men in manufacturing
and mechanical pursuits; of these about 1,900 are in the so-
called skilled trades.  Practically all of these were born in the
South.   The more successful of them inform me that if there
were more Negroes who were skilled workmen, places could
be found for them without very great difficulty.
     I shall conclude this chapter with a restatement of what
I have just said, namely, that any careful study of the econo-
mic life of Negroes  in Philadelphia cannot but reveal  the
great drawback it is to the race to be concentrated largely in
domestic service, and the only possible remedy for it in the
present situation is the establishment of trade schools in the
neighborhoods  where Negroes live.  Many of the best Ne-
groes will object to this on the ground of drawing the color
line.  I shall not discuss this feature.  It can be worked out
later.  It is not necessary to draw the color line.      I only say
and emphasize this, that aside from what other boys in Phil-
adelphia need, Negro boys certainly need trade schools.

                     ( To be Concluded.)




			

African Methodist Episcopal Church Review, Vol. 24, Num. 1

Negroes of Philadelphia

R.

Volume:  24
Issue Number:  01
Page Number:  20
Date:  07/1907